Clear + Brilliant
Clear + Brilliant is the gentle fractional laser: a 20 to 30 minute treatment that trades days of recovery for a radiant glow, smoother texture, and more even tone. It is the entry point to laser skincare, ideal for preventing early signs of aging, and safe for a wide range of skin tones.
What isClear + Brilliant?
Clear + Brilliant is a non-ablative fractional laser designed to keep skin looking the way it does now, or bring back the way it looked recently. After numbing cream, a handheld laser is rolled across the face, creating thousands of microscopic treatment zones. Those tiny, controlled injuries prompt the skin to replace damaged tissue with fresh, healthier skin and to build new collagen underneath.
The point is gentleness. Where Fraxel and full resurfacing lasers buy dramatic change with days of red, dry, peeling skin, Clear + Brilliant delivers a real radiance boost with mild redness that fades within hours to a day. That makes it the ideal first laser, a maintenance treatment between stronger procedures, and a favorite before events.
It is also well suited to skin of color. With an experienced provider it treats Fitzpatrick types IV to VI comfortably, minimizing the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that keeps many melanin-rich patients away from lasers entirely. Most patients see a brighter complexion within a week of the first session, with texture and tone improving over a series of four to six.
Who is Clear + Brilliant for?
Clear + Brilliant is for skin that is starting to change, and for anyone who wants their glow back without downtime.
A consultation settles whether this is your laser. Your provider looks at your skin, your goals, and your calendar, and tells you honestly whether Clear + Brilliant, a stronger laser, or a combination fits best.
You are seeing early signs of aging
Fine lines, early wrinkles, and the first dullness. Prevention is what this laser was designed for.
Your skin looks dull or uneven
A series restores radiance and evens tone without committing you to recovery time.
You have mild acne scars
The collagen response gradually softens mild scarring and refines texture.
You have a deeper skin tone
Safe for Fitzpatrick types IV to VI with an experienced provider, making it an ideal entry or maintenance laser for skin of color.
You want minimal downtime
Mild redness for a few hours to a day, makeup the next morning. No surgery, no injections.
Where Clear + Brilliantworks
Clear + Brilliant is a facial treatment: the handpiece is rolled across the whole face so the renewal is even rather than spot-by-spot.
Select an area to see what changes where.
Clear + Brilliant, cheek redness and texture1 / 3
Clear + Brilliant,before and after.
Redness and rough texture on the cheek, pigmentation along the jaw, and acne scarring. Clear + Brilliant works in a series, so each of these is the cumulative result of several sessions rather than one visit. Drag the handle to compare.
See all Clear + Brilliant resultsIndividual results vary. These photographs are from the treatment gallery on the practice's previous website and are not a guarantee of your own outcome.
See Clear + Brilliant at our office
This video demonstrates Clear + Brilliant on melanin-rich skin, the patients this laser serves especially well.
If you would rather talk it through, a consultation covers everything you see here, for your skin.
Whatto expect.
Book a consultationClear + Brilliant is a quick, effective, and affordable treatment, and your exact quote depends on the number of sessions in your series. CareCredit financing is available.
Numbing cream goes on first, then the laser is rolled across the face. Most patients describe it as warm and lightly prickly.
Mild redness fades within a few hours to a day, with slight roughness or light flaking possible for a few days. Makeup the next day; normal activities immediately.
Skin looks brighter within about a week of the first session. Texture and tone build over four to six sessions, and results last several months with maintenance and daily sunscreen.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clear + Brilliant painful?
No. With numbing cream, most patients feel mild warmth or a prickly sensation as the handpiece passes.
How much downtime is there?
Little to none. Expect mild redness for a few hours to a day and possibly slight roughness for a few days. You can wear makeup the next day and return to activities immediately.
How many treatments will I need?
You will notice improvement after a single session, but a series of four to six treatments delivers the best results. Many patients then book maintenance sessions to keep the glow.
When will I see results?
Skin typically looks brighter within a week of the first treatment, with tone and texture continuing to improve as the series builds.
Is it safe for darker skin tones?
Yes. Clear + Brilliant is safe for a wide range of tones, including Fitzpatrick types IV to VI, and its gentleness minimizes the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that stronger lasers can carry.
Can it help with acne scars?
It improves mild acne scarring by stimulating collagen and encouraging skin renewal. Deeper scars usually call for a stronger resurfacing plan, which we can design for you.
How is it different from Fraxel?
Both are fractional lasers, but Clear + Brilliant is much gentler: less sensation, less downtime, and softer results per session. Think of it as the everyday laser and Fraxel as the corrective one.
How long do results last?
Several months, depending on your skin and sun habits. Maintenance sessions, gentle skincare, and daily sunscreen extend them.
Can I combine it with other treatments?
Yes. Clear + Brilliant pairs well with injectables, microneedling, chemical peels, and stronger lasers, and works beautifully as maintenance between them.
What aftercare does it need?
A gentle cleanser, a light moisturizer, and daily sunscreen for several months to protect the new skin and prevent hyperpigmentation. We walk you through it after your session.
Where to next
Related treatment
BBL (BroadBand Light)
Sun damage, redness, and tone.
Explore the treatmentRelated concern
Lines & Wrinkles
Motion lines and creases that stay put
Start from the concernWorth reading
Clear + Brilliant for Fine Lines and Early Wrinkles: A Preventive Approach to Aging
Clear + Brilliant is a gentle laser treatment that targets fine lines and early wrinkles. Learn how this preventive anti-aging solution works.
Read the answerAsk about your skin.
Tell us what you would like to change and we will come back with the treatments that fit, honest expectations, and a time to talk it through.
Your details go straight to our Montgomery Road front desk and are never shared. A team member replies during office hours, usually the same day.
Ready when you are.
Book a consultation at our Montgomery Road office, or call and we will help you decide where to start.
Medically reviewed by Shalini Gupta, MD, Harvard-trained dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center. Last reviewed September 2026. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.