Moxi and Clear + Brilliant are the two most commonly compared "gentle" fractional lasers in aesthetic medicine. Both are non-ablative, both target water as their chromophore, both promise minimal downtime, and both are marketed as entry points into laser treatment — sometimes called "lunchtime" or "prejuvenation" devices. Patients encounter both names in consultations and online, often without a clear explanation of how they actually differ.
The differences are real and measurable. They come down to wavelength, treatment depth, energy delivery, FDA-cleared indications, session count, and cost. This article breaks down each device on its own terms, then compares them head-to-head so a reader can evaluate which one matches a specific clinical situation — or whether neither is the right choice.
The shared category: non-ablative fractional resurfacing
Both devices belong to the same class. They create microscopic columns of thermal injury in the skin without removing the epidermal surface. The body's wound-healing response replaces the treated micro-columns with new collagen and smoother tissue. Because the surface stays intact, downtime is short and infection risk is low compared with ablative lasers.
The chromophore for both is water. Laser energy is absorbed by water in the tissue and converted to heat. The wavelength determines how deep that heat penetrates and how the tissue responds.
Moxi (Sciton): 1927 nm fractional thulium laser
Manufacturer: Sciton, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA). Moxi runs on Sciton's JOULE and mJoule platforms.
FDA clearance: The Sciton JOULE 1927 nm laser system received FDA 510(k) clearance (K182173, March 2019). Cleared indications include dermatological procedures requiring coagulation of soft tissue, treatment of actinic keratosis, and treatment of benign pigmented lesions including lentigos, solar lentigos, and freckles (ephelides). Moxi is the branded treatment name for treatments delivered with this 1927 nm module.
Wavelength and depth:
- 1927 nm thulium fiber laser, non-ablative
- Penetration depth approximately 100–200 μm (adjustable via energy settings up to 20 mJ)
- Targets water in the superficial dermis and epidermis
The 1927 nm wavelength sits at a water-absorption peak that is roughly 5–10× higher than 1550 nm, which means energy is deposited more superficially. This is an advantage for targeting pigment close to the surface — sun spots, freckling, early photodamage — without heating deeper tissue unnecessarily.
What it treats: Early sun damage, superficial pigmentation, uneven tone, early signs of aging, melasma-associated pigmentation. Moxi is positioned as both a corrective and a maintenance device — for patients who want visible improvement without the downtime of deeper resurfacing, and as a long-term skin-health maintenance tool.
Downtime: 1–3 days. Most patients develop a pink or red flush immediately after treatment. A sandy or "frosted" texture appears as microscopic treatment zone debris (MENDs — microscopic epidermal necrotic debris) rises to the surface. MENDs typically shed by day 3–5. Makeup can usually be applied within 24–48 hours. Social downtime is minimal; many patients return to work the next day.
Sessions: 3–4 initial sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments every 6–12 months.
Cost: $400–$800 per session in the US. A series of three typically runs $1,200–$2,200 depending on geography and whether it is combined with BBL or other treatments on the same platform.
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 Fitzpatrick skin types (I–VI) year-round. A 2023 study by Vingan et al. in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine found statistically significant reductions in dyspigmentation and brown spots sustained over three months in Fitzpatrick I–IV, with studies exploring efficacy in types V–VI. Sciton explicitly markets Moxi as safe for darker skin tones, and the mechanism supports this claim — but provider experience with Fitzpatrick IV–VI still matters, as settings, density, and post-care protocols should be adjusted.
Clear + Brilliant (Solta Medical): dual-wavelength non-ablative fractional diode laser
Manufacturer: Solta Medical (Bothell, WA), now a division of Bausch Health. Clear + Brilliant launched in 2011, making it one of the earliest devices to define the "gentle laser" category.
FDA clearance: The original Clear + Brilliant 1440 nm laser system received FDA 510(k) clearance (K110349, May 2011) for dermatological procedures requiring coagulation of soft tissue and general skin resurfacing. The 1927 nm handpiece (marketed as Clear + Brilliant Perméa) was cleared in 2012 (K120433). The second-generation Clear + Brilliant Touch system, which combines both handpieces in a single platform, was cleared in 2022 (K223647).
Wavelengths and depth:
The Clear + Brilliant Touch system offers two handpieces:
- 1440 nm handpiece (original): non-ablative fractional diode laser. Three fixed energy levels — low (280 μm depth, ~2% coverage), medium (340 μm, ~3.5%), and high (390 μm, ~4.5%). Maximum pulse energy 9 mJ.
- 1927 nm handpiece (Perméa): non-ablative fractional diode laser. Fixed energy level (5 mJ/pulse), depth 170 μm. Targets superficial pigment and enhances skin permeability for topical products.
A single treatment may use one or both handpieces. The 1440 nm component reaches deeper (up to 390 μm at high energy) to address texture and collagen stimulation. The 1927 nm component is more superficial, targeting pigment and enhancing the uptake of topical brightening agents.
What it treats: Early signs of aging, mild uneven texture, dullness, mild pigmentation, pore appearance. The Perméa handpiece is specifically designed to enhance skin permeability, improving absorption of topical antioxidants or brightening serums applied immediately after treatment.
Downtime: 1–2 days. Mild redness and slight flaking for some patients. Many patients resume normal activity immediately. The experience is generally described as milder than Moxi at standard settings.
Sessions: 4–6 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart for initial results. Maintenance every 1–3 months.
Cost: $300–$600 per session in the US. A package of 4–6 sessions typically costs $1,200–$2,500.
Fitzpatrick safety: Clear + Brilliant is marketed as safe for all skin types. The non-ablative mechanism and low energy per pulse make PIH risk low. A 2024 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology on the nonablative fractional diode laser (1440 nm and 1927 nm) found improvements in photoaged skin across Fitzpatrick types with a favorable safety profile.
Head-to-head comparison
| Moxi | Clear + Brilliant Touch | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sciton | Solta Medical (Bausch Health) |
| Wavelength(s) | 1927 nm | 1440 nm + 1927 nm |
| Type | Non-ablative fractional | Non-ablative fractional |
| Max energy | Up to 20 mJ | 9 mJ (1440 nm), 5 mJ (1927 nm) |
| Depth range | 100–200 μm (1927 nm) | 170 μm (1927 nm), 280–390 μm (1440 nm) |
| Coverage density | Up to 20–30% per session | ~12.6% (8 passes) to ~19% (more passes) |
| FDA-cleared indications | Soft tissue coagulation, actinic keratosis, benign pigmented lesions | General skin resurfacing, soft tissue coagulation, wrinkles, dyschromia, pigmentation, pore size |
| Downtime | 1–3 days | 1–2 days |
| Typical sessions | 3–4 | 4–6 |
| Results visible | After 1–2 sessions | After 4–6 sessions |
| Cost per session (US) | $400–$800 | $300–$600 |
| Year-round treatment | Yes | Yes |
| Fitzpatrick I–VI safety | Yes | Yes |
Where Moxi has an advantage
Higher energy delivery. Moxi's maximum energy (up to 20 mJ) is substantially higher than either Clear + Brilliant handpiece (9 mJ or 5 mJ). This allows more aggressive treatment of pigmentation and textural change when desired — the provider has more headroom to increase intensity for patients who need it.
Fewer sessions to visible results. Most Moxi patients see meaningful improvement after 1–2 sessions. Clear + Brilliant typically requires 4–6 sessions before patients perceive a difference. This reflects the energy gap: Moxi delivers more thermal injury per pass, which translates to more collagen stimulus per session.
Actinic keratosis clearance. Moxi carries a specific FDA-cleared indication for treatment of actinic keratosis, a precancerous skin condition. Clear + Brilliant does not. Patients with a history of actinic keratosis may benefit from Moxi's cleared indication.
Melasma management. While neither device cures melasma, Moxi's 1927 nm wavelength has been specifically studied for melasma-associated pigmentation. Sciton's clinical data and published research (Vingan et al., 2023; Li et al., 2023) show reductions in dyspigmentation. Clear + Brilliant's Perméa handpiece targets pigment at a similar wavelength but at lower energy.
Where Clear + Brilliant has an advantage
Dual-wavelength flexibility. The Clear + Brilliant Touch platform offers two handpieces with different depths. The 1440 nm component reaches up to 390 μm — deeper than Moxi's 1927 nm range — which may provide more collagen stimulus at depth for textural concerns. The 1927 nm Perméa handpiece targets pigment and enhances topical absorption simultaneously.
Gentler treatment. Clear + Brilliant delivers less energy per pulse, which means less thermal injury per session and less post-treatment redness. For patients who prioritize minimal visible downtime above all else, or who have sensitive or reactive skin, this can be an advantage.
Skin permeability enhancement. The Perméa handpiece is specifically designed to enhance the uptake of topical agents. Providers often apply antioxidant serums or brightening products immediately after the 1927 nm pass. This "laser-assisted drug delivery" approach is a unique feature of the Clear + Brilliant platform.
Lower cost per session. Clear + Brilliant sessions typically cost less per visit, though the total cost of a full series may end up comparable because more sessions are needed.
When neither is the right choice
Both Moxi and Clear + Brilliant are designed for early photodamage, mild texture concerns, and maintenance. They are not substitutes for deeper resurfacing when the clinical need calls for it.
Patients with deeper wrinkles, acne scars, or significant skin laxity will get better results from a hybrid fractional laser like Halo (which combines ablative and non-ablative wavelengths on the same Sciton platform), traditional fractional CO₂ or Er:YAG resurfacing, or a deeper Fraxel Dual treatment at higher energy settings.
Patients with vascular redness as a primary concern need a vascular-targeted device — PDL (Vbeam), KTP (Excel V), or IPL/BBL — rather than a pigment-focused fractional laser.
Patients with active inflammatory acne should have their acne controlled before any laser resurfacing, as thermal injury can worsen inflammation.
What to ask at a consultation
Which device is being used, and why? Some practices carry both Moxi and Clear + Brilliant. Others carry only one. The "why" should reference your specific concerns, not just the device they own.
What settings will be used? For Moxi, this means energy level and density. For Clear + Brilliant, this means which handpiece(s) and at what energy level. Settings matter more than the brand name.
How many sessions are recommended, and what is the total cost? Ask for the total investment over the full initial series plus anticipated maintenance, not just the per-session price.
What Fitzpatrick-specific precautions will be taken? If you have Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin, this question is essential. The right answer will mention density reduction, conservative energy settings, test spots, and a clear post-care plan for PIH prevention.
Can I combine this with other treatments? Moxi is frequently paired with BBL HEROic on the same Sciton platform in a single session. Clear + Brilliant is sometimes combined with Thermage or other Solta/Bausch devices. Combination treatments can be more effective but also more expensive — ask what the combined protocol looks like and whether the added cost is justified for your concerns.
Sources
- FDA 510(k) K182173: Sciton JOULE 1927 nm Laser System. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf18/K182173.pdf
- FDA 510(k) K110349: Clear + Brilliant Laser System (1440 nm). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf11/K110349.pdf
- FDA 510(k) K120433: Clear + Brilliant Laser System (1927 nm handpiece). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf12/K120433.pdf
- FDA 510(k) K223647: Clear + Brilliant Touch Laser System. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf22/K223647.pdf
- Vingan NR, Panton JA, Barillas J, et al. Investigating the efficacy of a fractionated 1927 nm laser for diffuse dyspigmentation and actinic changes. Lasers Surg Med. 2023;55(4):344-358.
- Li P et al. Clinical efficacy of 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser for photoaging. Published 2023.
- Wang JV, Friedman PM, et al. Nonablative fractional diode laser resurfacing (1440 nm and 1927 nm) for photoaged skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11623373
- Sciton MOXI product page. https://sciton.com/moxi
- Solta Medical Clear + Brilliant indications and safety information. https://pages.solta.com/connect
- Rise of the 1927 nm wavelength. Dermatology Times, July 2020.
