Have you heard of the MOXI® Laser? I hadn’t until I met a Certified Laser Specialist and Master Esthetician Erma Morris I was persuaded to go for it. I had never had a facial laser treatment before so I didn’t know what to expect. I love a good chemical peel but have always been hesitant about laser treatments. However, now that I’ve been in the skin care industry so long (35 years!) I’ve learned that it has become a staple in my skin care routine. So I gave the MOXI laser treatment a try!
Last January, I had my first MOXI treatment with Erma from Refine Aesthetics in Austin, TX (she’s also our PRO partner and sells our skincare line!) and I wanted to share what the treatment was like and whether it was worth my time and money.
MOXI Laser Treatment Explained
MOXI delivers non-ablative laser energy that revitalizes skin by correcting early signs of sun damage and aging. The primary goal of this quick, lunchtime procedure is to correct uneven pigmentation and improve tone and texture. Wondering if you’re an ideal candidate for MOXI? Let’s take a closer look.
What is MOXI Laser Treatment?
MOXI improves the overall tone and texture of your skin with a quick 8-10 minute treatment. Scientifically, this fractional laser creates micro-coagulation zones in the skin, switching the skin into repair mode to replace damaged cells with healthier, brighter skin. With minimal downtime and discomfort, it’s the perfect choice for any skin type looking to achieve younger looking skin in just 7 days.
What are the benefits?
MOXI is specifically designed as a preventative skin treatment to correct early signs of sun damage and aging without downtime. Through its gentle, split wavelengths, this laser corrects pigmentation issues and improves uneven skin tone and irregularities.
How many sessions will I need?
While three to four treatments spaced about four to five weeks apart are typically recommended, your doctor will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan to meet your specific goals, including how many treatments you’ll need, when you can expect to see visible results, and pre- and post-treatment instructions.
What should I expect during treatment?
Depending on what you’re aiming for, treatment usually starts with the application of numbing cream 30-45 minutes before the actual procedure, but I chose not to apply numbing cream (the idea of numbing my skin scares me) and go straight in for the procedure.
I have a high tolerance for pain, so the laser treatment, while uncomfortable, was tolerable. During the treatment, the MOXI laser glides over the skin, creating a tingling, warm sensation. To counteract the heat, most practitioners, like mine, use a fan to blow cool air directly onto the skin to minimize discomfort.
What was the immediate impact?
For me, the laser treatment portion only lasted 6 minutes. Afterwards, my face felt incredibly hot, as if I had poured jalapeno juice all over it. Living in Texas, I’m used to spicy food. Thankfully, they applied a Velez cooling mask afterwards to calm my skin. This biotech mask is often used after MOXI to hydrate and soothe stressed skin. I was surprised that the redness was significantly reduced after just 15 minutes, although my skin still felt quite hot.
What really surprised me was after 30 minutes. Within a few minutes, I went from feeling extremely hot to feeling chills all over my body. It was then that I realized my body was trying to regulate its temperature. Just like when you have a fever and feel chills, this is simply the result of your body’s rapid muscle contractions trying to warm itself up after your body temperature has risen. I continued this exact process for about an hour, trying to get my body to the same temperature as my face.
What about post-treatment care?
My post-MOXI routine is simple: Apply a moisturizing sunscreen and avoid the sun as much as possible. I use a sunscreen in the morning and at night. Purifying Face Washfollowed by Moisture Infusion Tonerand was used Weightless Protection SPF 30 Morning and Skin Recovery Lotion At night, I recommend using a light moisturizer for the first few days to help wick away any residual heat left on your skin — don’t use anything too heavy as it will trap the heat.
Because my skin is especially vulnerable, I opted for double the antioxidant protection: I used Vitamin C both topically and orally every morning, and I also wore sunscreen every day. During the healing process, your skin is especially vulnerable, so you have to be extra vigorous with sun protection.
Note: After treatment instructions advise to avoid using Vitamin C serums. Vitamin C acid burnbut Vitamin C & E Treatment It uses a stable, non-irritating formula that provides added antioxidant protection and hydration – after all, your skin is undergoing intense laser-induced inflammation, which is when it needs antioxidants the most.
What is the healing process?
The healing process will be different for everyone for a variety of reasons, including the extent of sun damage to the skin, any retinoids or exfoliating acids used beforehand, skin type, and the laser setting used (I chose level 2 out of 3). Here’s what happened to me:
- Day 1: My skin was very flaky, but this may have been due to using a prescription 0.5 retinoid for a few days prior to treatment. My under-eye area was also swollen and puffy, and the skin especially around my mouth was rough from too much movement. My face and neck were still very pink, but not as hot.
- Day 2: As the peeling continued, my skin started to feel like sandpaper, but it wasn’t too uncomfortable. Most of the redness has gone away and I now have a sunburned look. I noticed that my neck is a bit pinker than my face, likely because the neck area is generally more sensitive.
- Day 3: By day 3, I was starting to feel better. My skin still felt gritty in some areas, but I could see that the little brown spots (also known as MENDS, or microepidermal necrotic debris) that often appear after laser treatments were starting to fade. I’ve always thought of myself as a fast healer, but I was surprised at how well I was healing.
- Day 4: My skin is no longer pink, but I still decide to wear foundation. I wish I hadn’t. Foundation just covers my skin and accentuates my skin texture. My skin no longer has the heat. Masquerade on the Day of Rest I used it that evening. This hydrating treatment uses Barrier3 technology to bind skin cells and reduce flakiness. My skin felt instantly hydrated and much softer afterwards.
- Day 5: With continued use of the Rest Day Mask, my skin has almost completely returned to normal. I still have a little peeling around my nose, chin and neck, but it’s pretty much gone. It no longer feels like sandpaper and will probably return to normal in another day or two.
- Day 6: When I woke up on day 6, there was no visible peeling or dryness and I knew I had reached the end of the healing process – my skin was visibly brighter and firmer.
I was so impressed with how quickly and beautifully my skin healed – I didn’t need much in the way of correction for the pigmentation, but within a week I could see my skin brightening and regaining its radiance.
How much does MOXI cost?
Treatment costs approximately $750 per treatment area. Areas that can be treated include the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and legs.
Why did I choose this treatment?
I’ve always been very diligent with my skincare so prior to getting this treatment I knew I didn’t have a lot of sun damage to repair, but I decided to try MOXI anyway – if it can even out and brighten my skin tone a little then it’d be worth a shot.
Results of MOXI Laser Treatment
MOXI Before and After
In just six days, my skin tone was visibly more even and radiant. Below are the results I recorded in the days following treatment:
Important tips for care after MOXI treatment
There isn’t much post-MOXI treatment care required, but there are a few things you should prioritize to make sure you get the most out of your experience. Aside from making sure you wear plenty of sunscreen, there are a few other things to remember:
When can I exfoliate after the treatment?
As with most facial treatments that cause peeling or flaking of the skin, you should avoid physical or chemical exfoliation until the peeling has worn off. There are a few reasons for this. First, skin that is healing is more fragile than normal and therefore becomes very sensitive. Second, these treatments are done to increase cell turnover and promote collagen production, so to get the most benefit, you need to let it heal naturally. Exfoliating before your skin is ready may do more harm than good.
Can I wear makeup after the treatment?
Do not wear makeup for the first 24 hours after your treatment. After that, you can continue with your daily routine as normal. However, as mentioned earlier, application may not be as smooth as you are used to. Depending on how dry your skin is, a light foundation may accentuate the texture of your skin. Therefore, we recommend choosing a heavier, more hydrating foundation for the healing process.
Final thoughts and recommendations
Overall, I was very happy with my first laser treatment. For those who, like me, have been hesitant to try laser treatments, this is a great and very quick option to step into the world of lasers. It’s also great for those on a schedule with little to no downtime. I highly recommend this treatment if you’re looking to address sun damage, pigmentation, and signs of aging, as it effectively rejuvenates your skin, and I would definitely get it again. My skin is almost 55, so an extra revitalization here and there would be very beneficial for me to add to my at-home skincare routine.
Celebrity Esthetician & Skin Care Expert
A cosmetic chemistry trained aesthetician, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years studying skin, educating audiences, and building award-winning product lines. Her hands-on experience as an aesthetician and trusted skin care expert has resulted in real-world solutions: products formulated for skin. 9 types of skin That way, your face gets exactly what it needs to look and feel its best.Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare enthusiasts around the world, her extensive practical knowledge and relentless research have led Marie Claire magazine to call her “the most passionate skincare expert we know.”
