IT IS A FACT that the more aggressive the laser treatment, the better the results. However, not everyone can afford the downtime of five to seven days. That is why Solta has created their latest machine, Clear + Brilliant Laser, which attempts to straddle the gap between spa treatments and ablative lasers like the Fraxel (also created by Solta), for people who want all the benefits of a stronger laser without the downtime. The launch of Clear + Brilliant is designed to attract younger patients looking to take control of their ageing process. These consumers would like a more efficacious treatment than their current regimens, but as of yet they do not need the full transformative benefits of a more aggressive laser skin resurfacing procedure. “The most common results for Clear + Brilliant are improved tone and texture of the skin, with visibly reduced pores,” says Dr Kelvin Chua, one of the early adopters of this technology at his clinic, SL Clinic.

After double-cleansing my face, my therapist applied a thick layer of numbing cream and let it set for 20 minutes before my laser procedure. Dr Chua showed me the handpiece of Clear + Brilliant which looks like a circular roller and started work on my face, starting from my jawline and slowly working his way up. For each section, he first wiped off the numbing cream before rolling the laser headpiece about eight times per section. By working slowly and area by area, he greatly minimised the discomfort of the laser and all I felt was a mild prickling and a slightly warm sensation.

My face had a rosy glow immediately after treatment and looked sunburnt. My skin also felt slightly rough. Dr Chua says that my pores will be visibly reduced after just one treatment, and best results can usually be seen after two weeks.

About six treatments, ranging from two weeks to three months apart is recommended for optimum results.