What's the recovery like for Clear + Brilliant?
Everything you need to know about Clear + Brilliant recovery — timeline, tips, what to avoid, and when to call your provider.
Typical downtime: 1–3 days — mild redness resolves quickly
Recovery timeline
Day of treatment
Skin looks pink and feels like a mild sunburn. Some patients experience a sandpaper-like texture. Topical numbing is used before treatment.
Days 1–2
Redness fades. Skin feels slightly rough or sandpaper-textured — this is the treated skin beginning to shed.
Days 3–5
Texture normalizes. Skin looks brighter and more refreshed. SPF is critical.
Weeks 2–4
Continued improvement in tone and texture. Many patients do a series of 4–6 monthly treatments for optimal results.
Recovery tips
- Apply SPF 30+ daily starting day 1 — this is non-negotiable
- Gentle moisturizer helps soothe the sandpaper texture in the first 2 days
- Schedule monthly for a series — consistent treatments deliver the most meaningful results
- Great as a maintenance treatment between more intensive procedures
What to avoid
- Retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, or BHAs for 5–7 days
- Sun exposure without SPF
- Makeup for 24 hours
When to call your provider
- Redness or sensitivity that worsens after day 3
- Hyperpigmentation appearing in the weeks after treatment
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Browse all Clear + Brilliant providers →Frequently asked questions
How long does Clear + Brilliant recovery take?
1–3 days. It's one of the most minimal-downtime laser treatments available. Most patients return to normal activity the next day.
How is Clear + Brilliant different from other lasers?
Clear + Brilliant is a gentle, non-ablative fractional laser. It improves tone, texture, and early aging signs with minimal downtime compared to Fraxel or CO2. It's often called a 'gateway laser' for this reason.