Clear and Brilliant
Pre-Treatment Care
A Few Weeks Before Treatment:
- Avoid excessive sun exposure 1 week before treatment. Apply a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) physical (contains zinc or titanium) SPF 30+ sunscreen daily to treatment areas.
- Let us know if you have a history of cold sores, prior use of Accutane, or are prone to breakouts. Do not have any laser or other light-based treatments until your Clear and Brilliant series is complete unless approved by our office.
- No self tanning or tanning bed use prior to treatment.
The Day of Treatment
- Arrive without heavy creams or makeup on treatment area if possible. Sunscreen is okay.
- Allow at least 1 hour for your appointment. You will be numbing for 30 minutes so feel free to bring entertainment or work.
- Shave the treatment area if necessary. Facial hair should be neatly trimmed or cleanshaven. Completely okay if you wish to not, but please understand the price will remain the same.
Post Treatment Care
What to Expect Post-Treatment:
- Sandpaper texture/coffee ground appearance to your skin: This can last for 3-5 days. This is the normal process of skin regeneration. Allow your skin to restore on its own and avoid exfoliating products and devices.
- Bronzing, Crusting and Small Dark Spots: Dark spots may get darker before crusting and flaking off. This is a normal part of the healing process.
- Raw Skin: If you develop raw areas after treatment, do not pick at them. Keep them moist with an ointment like Aquaphor or Vaseline.
- Papules or Pimples: Rarely small white bumps on the chin or jawline may develop post-treatment. If this occurs let us know and we can prescribe doxycycline to take. While on doxycycline, ensure you take it with food, water, do not lie down for 30 min after taking, and wear sun protection.
Post-Treatment Skincare
- Sun Protection: Protect your face from the sun with a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) physical (containing zinc or titanium) SPF 30+ sunscreen.
- Skin Care Products: You may wash and moisturize your face as normal using these gentle products. Wash your face as normal using a gentle creamy cleanser. Take care to avoid manually sloughing off any sandpaper/coffee ground textured skin. Gently pat dry. Please avoid using harsh topicals such as retinols/retinoids, glycolic acid, scrubs, bleaching creams (hydroquinone), and toners until your skin is healed.
- Pre/post treat (if applicable): If you were specifically advised to pre/post treat for clear and brilliant, you can start your routine come 1 week after treatment once your skin is healed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear makeup after Clear and Brilliant?
No, you should avoid wearing makeup for at least 24 hours following your Clear + Brilliant laser treatment. Your skin needs time to rest and heal while the microscopic treatment zones close. When you do resume wearing makeup, ensure it is freshly applied with clean brushes or sponges to prevent introducing bacteria to the healing skin.
When can I restart retinol after Clear and Brilliant?
You must stop using retinol, retinoids, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and all other active or exfoliating skincare ingredients at least one week before your treatment. You can safely restart your retinol routine one week after your Clear + Brilliant session, or once your skin has completely healed, stopped peeling, and returned to its baseline state. Stick to a gentle cleanser, a bland moisturizer, and plenty of sunscreen during the initial recovery week.
What is the social downtime for Clear + Brilliant?
Clear + Brilliant is a gentle fractionated laser often referred to as “baby Fraxel” because it involves minimal social downtime. Expect your skin to look and feel like a mild sunburn—red and slightly warm—for the first 12 to 24 hours. Over the next 4 to 7 days, your skin will develop a sandpapery texture as dead cells slough off naturally. This peeling is typically subtle and can easily be managed with a hydrating moisturizer, meaning you do not need to take time off from work or normal social activities.