About Clear + Brilliant
In short, Clear + Brilliant is a skin resurfacing treatment that uses pulsated, fractional lasers in order to get the job done. It's often called "baby Fraxel" because it uses the same fractional laser technology, just at a reduced intensity. That means you reap many of the same benefits but with reduced downtime (as in a day or two tops, versus an entire week).
As the name implies, Clear + Brilliant helps improve your skin's overall texture, tone, and clarity. It does so by sloughing off the superficial layers of skin to reveal the fresh skin underneath. Depending on your goals, you can opt for anywhere from one to six treatments (spaced out about a month each). You'll need more treatments if your goal is to really target hyperpigmentation and more severe texture issues, and less if your MO is simple skin maintenance. For instance, a lot of celebs (or everyday folks) will get Clear + Brilliant about a week before a big event for insane skin. The cost varies per treatment, but on average you can expect to pay $200 to $600 per.
Image courtesy Wendy Gould
The In-Office Experience
You'll first need a consultation to ensure you're a candidate for Clear + Brilliant. Some facilities do this in-person a few days before or the day-of, or even via phone call if you're an existing patient.
For the actual treatment, you'll want to carve out about 90 minutes from your day. The treatment itself doesn't take that long, but your practitioner will apply a topical numbing cream that needs to permeate for a good 30 minutes before wielding the laser. If you haven't experienced a numbing cream before, it essentially just makes your entire face feel numb for a couple hours (similar to how novocaine feels before you get a tooth filling, only zero shots involved).
Once the numbing cream has set in, it's time to laser. The feeling is a similar to the prickly sensation you experience when your hand falls asleep, only the sensation passes quickly as the laser glides across your face. I personally wouldn't say it hurts, and others have reported that Clear + Brilliant wasn't painful for them, either. I'd call it mildly uncomfortable.
Image courtesy Wendy Gould
Clear + Brilliant Downtime
The actual laser process takes 15 to 20 minutes, and then you're all done. It wasn't until about five minutes afterward, when my practitioner removed the cooling fan, that I felt the heat set in. I'd describe the sensation as a severe sunburn. It's not pleasant, but it's not unmanageable.
One thing I'd like to emphasize is that I was very, very (noticeably, laughably) red in the hours that followed. Many reports I read said that you could go back to into the office right away, but in my experience that wouldn't have worked. I'm lucky enough to work from home, so I didn't have to worry about others wondering why I looked like a tomato... that said, if you decide to get Clear + Brilliant, I'd recommend either scheduling your appointment after work, taking the day off, or going on a plan-free weekend day.
My skin felt like fine sandpaper the night-of and for the following three days. This sandpaper feeling is caused by the old skin sitting on top of the surface, and with gentle care and time, it'll get sloughed off to reveal "new" skin underneath.
Pictured: About one hour after my treatment.
Image courtesy Wendy Gould
Post-Treatment Products and Care
It's important to use gentle, emollient, non-active ingredients in the days that follow your Clear + Brilliant treatment. That means pressing pause on retinol, AHAs, and BHAs, and instead dousing yourself in products that are highly moisturizing and improve your skin's barrier. My go-to products were Then I Met You The Cleansing Duo, $68, Missha Meditanical Rose Toner, $24.50, SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum, $281, and Naturopathica Gotu Kola Intense Repair Balm, $58.
I also used Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer, $38 every day. On day four when I still had flakes but my skin was calm, I used Wander Beauty's BRB Multipolish, $36, a super gentle physical exfoliant that really helped slough old skin off.
In my experience, slight redness lasted for about 36 hours (remember, though, I'm very fair). However, a little Erborian CC Red Correct, $44 meant I didn't have to cancel my coffee date with a friend the next morning.
Pictured: My skin 24 hours later with red-correcting CC cream.
Image courtesy Wendy Gould
My Clear + Brilliant Results
Even though my face was still red the day after, I could tell that there was a lot of good happening. My skin felt firmer, for starters, and I could tell my pore size had shrunk (reduced pore size was one of my primary goals). By day four I started getting unsolicited compliments on my skin, and by day five I personally felt like a million bucks.
I don't know how else to describe my results except to say that Clear + Brilliant made my skin, well, clearer and more brilliant. My under eye and cheek area is particularly brighter, and I can also see a slight reduction in fine lines around my mouth. My pores are noticeably smaller (one of my biggest self-perceived "issues"), and in general my skin is more even in tone and texture. I also didn't expect my skin to feel so much softer and smoother, but I still can't stop touching my face even as I type this.
All in all, I would recommend Clear + Brilliant to anyone who's looking for a notable, swift improvement in their skin. It truly, 100 percent works. Given the price tag, it's especially ideal for those with an upcoming event — say, a wedding or a presentation or a gala. However, if you're in the mood to splurge and you're trying to find the best way to spend your money, this is a great option. I'll be back for more laser action in the future, for sure.
Image courtesy Wendy Gould
