Halo, Moxi, and Fraxel are three of the most discussed fractional laser platforms in aesthetic medicine. All three resurface skin by creating microscopic columns of thermal injury that trigger the body's wound-healing response — new collagen, smoother texture, more even tone. But they differ in wavelength, depth, whether they are ablative or non-ablative, and what that means for downtime, Fitzpatrick safety, and the number of sessions needed.
The comparison is more nuanced than "gentle vs. aggressive." Halo is a hybrid device that delivers both ablative and non-ablative energy in a single pass. Moxi is a non-ablative fractional thulium laser designed for minimal downtime. Fraxel Dual is a non-ablative platform combining two wavelengths (erbium glass and thulium fiber) on a handpiece that has been on the market since 2009 and carries the largest body of peer-reviewed evidence among the three.
This article breaks down how each device works, what the FDA cleared them for, what the evidence supports, who is and is not a candidate, and how to evaluate which one matches a specific clinical situation.
The chromophore: water
All three devices target water as their chromophore. Water absorbs laser energy in the near-infrared range and converts it to heat. The wavelength determines how deep the energy penetrates and how much of the tissue is vaporized (ablation) vs. coagulated (non-ablative heating):
- Ablative wavelengths (e.g., 2940 nm Er:YAG) vaporize tissue in the microscopic treatment zone. The epidermis is breached; recovery involves re-epithelialization. More dramatic per session, more downtime.
- Non-ablative wavelengths (e.g., 1470 nm, 1550 nm, 1927 nm) heat tissue enough to cause coagulation and trigger collagen remodeling without removing the epidermal surface. Less downtime per session, but more sessions are generally needed for comparable results.
Halo (Sciton): hybrid fractional laser
Manufacturer: Sciton (Palo Alto, CA), employee-owned since 1997. Halo runs on the JOULE platform.
FDA clearance: Halo received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2014 for the JOULE platform. It is the first and only hybrid fractional laser cleared to deliver ablative and non-ablative wavelengths simultaneously in a single pass.
Wavelengths and depth:
- 2940 nm (Er:YAG, ablative): targets the epidermis, tunable from 20–100 μm depth. Vaporizes superficial tissue to address texture, pore size, and surface pigmentation.
- 1470 nm (diode, non-ablative): targets the dermis, tunable from 250–700 μm depth. Coagulates tissue to stimulate collagen remodeling and address deeper pigment.
Both wavelengths are delivered to the same microscopic treatment zone simultaneously. Sciton's Dynamic Thermal Optimization adjusts the energy of each 1470 nm pulse in real time based on skin temperature.
What it treats: Fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, enlarged pores, uneven tone, scarring. The provider selects treatment depth and density, which means the same device can deliver a lighter "lunchtime" treatment or a more aggressive resurfacing session depending on the patient.
Downtime: 3–7 days, depending on intensity settings. Lower settings (less density, shallower ablation) produce mild redness and "sandpaper" texture that resolves in 2–3 days. Higher settings produce more peeling and crusting. Swelling peaks at 24–48 hours.
Sessions: 1–3 initial sessions, spaced 4–6 weeks apart, are typical.
Fitzpatrick safety: Sciton states Halo treats all Fitzpatrick skin types (I–VI). The ability to tune ablation depth and density independently means the provider can use conservative settings on higher Fitzpatrick types. That said, any device with an ablative component carries some PIH risk in Fitzpatrick IV–VI; operator experience and conservative settings matter more than the device label alone.
Moxi (Sciton): non-ablative fractional thulium laser
Manufacturer: Sciton, same JOULE platform.
FDA clearance: The JOULE 1927 nm laser system received FDA 510(k) clearance (K182173, 2019) for dermatological procedures requiring coagulation of soft tissue, treatment of actinic keratosis, and treatment of benign pigmented lesions (lentigos, solar lentigos, freckles).
Wavelength and depth:
- 1927 nm (thulium fiber, non-ablative): targets water in the superficial epidermis and dermis. Penetration depth is 100–200 μm, adjustable via energy settings.
What it treats: Early sun damage, superficial pigmentation, uneven tone, early signs of aging. Moxi is positioned as a "prejuvenation" device — for patients in their 20s and 30s who want maintenance and prevention rather than correction of advanced photodamage.
Downtime: Little to none. Mild redness and a slight warm sensation for 1–2 hours after treatment. Some patients develop light "frosting" (microscabs) that sheds in 24–48 hours. Makeup can be worn 24 hours post-treatment.
Sessions: 3–4 initial sessions, spaced 4–5 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments every 6–12 months.
Fitzpatrick safety: Because 1927 nm targets water rather than melanin, and because the treatment is non-ablative with superficial depth, Moxi is considered safe for all skin types year-round. A 2023 study by Vingan et al. found statistically significant reduction in spots and brown spots sustained over three months in Fitzpatrick I–IV, with studies ongoing for types V–VI.
Fraxel Dual (Solta Medical): non-ablative fractional laser platform
Manufacturer: Solta Medical (Bothell, WA), now a division of Bausch Health. Fraxel is the original fractional resurfacing brand — the concept of fractional photothermolysis was first described by Manstein et al. (2004) using this platform.
FDA clearance: Fraxel Dual 1550/1927 received FDA 510(k) clearance (K130193, 2013). The 1550 nm wavelength is indicated for skin resurfacing, treatment of dyschromia, actinic keratosis, melasma, periorbital wrinkles, acne scars, and surgical scars. The 1927 nm wavelength is indicated for coagulation of soft tissue, actinic keratosis, and pigmented lesions.
Wavelengths and depth:
- 1550 nm (erbium glass, non-ablative): penetrates up to 1.4 mm (1400 μm) into the dermis. Deeper collagen remodeling, effective for acne scars, wrinkles, and deeper textural concerns. Energy adjustable up to 70 mJ per microscopic treatment zone.
- 1927 nm (thulium fiber, non-ablative): penetrates to approximately 230 μm. Targets superficial pigment and dyschromia. Same chromophore target as Moxi but on the Fraxel platform.
The two wavelengths are used sequentially in the same session — the provider switches between them on the handpiece.
What it treats: Wrinkles, acne scars, surgical scars, melasma, actinic keratosis, age spots, and general skin resurfacing. Fraxel has the broadest range of FDA-cleared indications among the three devices and the deepest penetration via the 1550 nm wavelength.
Downtime: 3–5 days for most patients. Redness, swelling, and a bronze appearance that peels. Deeper settings for acne scarring can extend visible recovery to 5–7 days.
Sessions: 3–5 sessions, spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
Fitzpatrick safety: Fraxel carries a specific warning about temporary and permanent skin color change. The 1550 nm wavelength has a long history of use in Fitzpatrick I–IV; in higher skin types, conservative density and energy settings are essential, and PIH risk must be discussed. A 2022 review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology outlined best-practice settings that vary by Fitzpatrick type, with lower coverage percentages (9–17%) recommended for IV–VI.
How they compare
| Halo | Moxi | Fraxel Dual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Hybrid (ablative + non-ablative) | Non-ablative | Non-ablative |
| Wavelengths | 2940 nm + 1470 nm | 1927 nm | 1550 nm + 1927 nm |
| Max depth | 700 μm | 200 μm | 1400 μm |
| Downtime | 3–7 days | 0–2 days | 3–5 days |
| Sessions | 1–3 | 3–4 | 3–5 |
| FDA cleared | 2014 | 2019 | 2013 |
| Best for | Moderate sun damage, texture, pores in fewer sessions | Early damage, prevention, all skin types, no downtime | Acne scars, deeper wrinkles, melasma, broadest indication set |
The key clinical distinction is depth and mechanism. Halo's ablative component gives it more per-session impact on surface texture and pores, at the cost of more downtime. Moxi trades depth for convenience — it is the only one of the three with essentially zero social downtime, but it addresses only the most superficial concerns. Fraxel's 1550 nm wavelength reaches deeper than either Halo's non-ablative component or Moxi, which is why it remains the platform with the strongest evidence base for acne scarring and deeper wrinkles.
Who is not a candidate
All three devices share general contraindications: active skin infection, open wounds, oral isotretinoin within the past 6 months (some providers extend to 12 months for ablative treatments), pregnancy, and unrealistic expectations about what non-surgical resurfacing can achieve.
For Fitzpatrick IV–VI: Moxi has the most favorable safety profile because it is entirely non-ablative with superficial depth. Halo can be used with conservative settings but requires an experienced provider. Fraxel's 1550 nm wavelength has a longer track record in darker skin but also a documented risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation at higher energy and density settings — lower coverage (9–17%) and longer intervals are recommended.
For melasma: All laser and light-based treatments carry a rebound risk in melasma due to thermal stimulation of melanocytes. The 1927 nm wavelength (shared by Moxi and Fraxel) targets superficial pigment and is sometimes used off-label for melasma, but results are mixed and relapse is common. Fraxel's 1550 nm wavelength is FDA-cleared for melasma treatment; clinical practice generally favors low-density, low-energy protocols. Any laser treatment for melasma should be paired with strict sunscreen use and typically a topical regimen (e.g., hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, or azelaic acid).
For active acne: Fractional lasers are not first-line for active inflammatory acne. Treating active inflammation with heat can worsen flares. These devices are used for acne scarring after active disease is controlled.
What the evidence does not settle
- Direct head-to-head trials comparing Halo, Moxi, and Fraxel on the same patient population with standardized outcome measures are scarce. Most available data comes from single-arm studies and provider case series.
- Long-term durability beyond 12 months is poorly documented for all three. Moxi is explicitly positioned as a maintenance treatment. Halo and Fraxel results are often described as lasting 1–2 years, but aging continues and re-treatment is expected.
- Fitzpatrick V–VI data remains limited. Vingan et al. (2023) noted that studies for the 1927 nm wavelength in darker skin types were ongoing. Providers should treat higher Fitzpatrick types conservatively and document informed consent about PIH risk regardless of which device is used.
Questions to ask a provider
- Which platform do you use, and why did you choose it over the alternatives?
- How many of these treatments have you performed, and in what Fitzpatrick range?
- What settings do you plan to use, and how will you adjust them if my skin reacts differently than expected?
- What does the total cost look like for the recommended number of sessions?
- What is your protocol if I develop hyperpigmentation after treatment?
Sources
- Sciton, Inc. JOULE 1927 nm Laser System, FDA 510(k) K182173, 2019. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf18/K182173.pdf
- Sciton. HALO Hybrid Fractional Laser product page. https://sciton.com/halo/
- Sciton. MOXI product page. https://sciton.com/moxi/
- Solta Medical. Fraxel DUAL 1550/1927 indications and safety information. https://www.solta.com/
- Manstein D, Herron GS, Sink RK, et al. Fractional photothermolysis: a new concept for cutaneous remodeling using microscopic patterns of thermal injury. Lasers Surg Med. 2004;34(5):426-438.
- Vingan A, et al. Safety and efficacy of a novel 1927 nm non-ablative fractional laser for the improvement of photodamage. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023.
- Graber EM, et al. 1,550 nm erbium-doped and 1,927 nm thulium nonablative fractional laser system: best practices and treatment setting recommendations. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15(2):E61-E69. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8806037/
- Waibel JS, Robb CW, Tanzi EL, Pozner JN. Hybrid fractional laser: a multi-center trial on the safety and efficacy for photorejuvenation. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(11).
