MOXI Laser Carlsbad
the laser that suits every skin tone

MOXI pricing at Glow Theory depends on the treatment area and how many sessions you need, and is confirmed at consultation rather than published as a flat rate. For orientation, our other lasers are published: HALO is $1,680 for the face, BBL Hero is $575 per treatment, and a Morpheus8 series of three is $2,880. MOXI sits below the resurfacing lasers, and new clients currently receive 15% off.

MOXI is Sciton’s non-ablative fractional laser, operating at 1927nm. It creates microscopic treatment zones in the skin that trigger renewal without removing the surface layer, which is what allows it to improve pigment and tone with almost no downtime. It is deliberately gentler than HALO or an ablative laser, and that is the point of it rather than a shortcoming.

Yes, and this is its most useful characteristic. Because MOXI is non-ablative and works at a wavelength less dependent on melanin, it can be used safely across the full Fitzpatrick range. That matters here specifically: we restrict BBL in deeper skin because the risk of burns and hyperpigmentation is real, and MOXI is what we recommend instead. If you have been told you are not a candidate for laser pigment treatment, this is the one to ask about.

A series of three, spaced about four weeks apart, is standard for a first course. After that most patients maintain with three to four treatments a year. Because each session is gentle by design, the result accumulates across the series rather than arriving in one visit.

Little to none. Expect redness and mild swelling resolving within hours to a day, then a few days of slight roughness or fine flaking as treated skin turns over. Makeup is usually fine the following day. This is the main practical reason patients choose MOXI over HALO.

Most patients describe it as warm with a mild prickling sensation. Topical numbing is applied beforehand and the treatment itself is quick — often under ten minutes of actual laser time for a face. It is considerably more comfortable than ablative resurfacing.

MOXI is gentler, safe across all skin tones, takes almost no downtime and works as a series of three repeated a few times a year. HALO goes deeper, does more per session for established sun damage and texture, needs three to five days of downtime, and is repeated far less often. If your damage is early or your skin tone rules out more aggressive treatment, MOXI. If the damage is established and you can take the downtime, HALO. We offer both.

They work differently. BBL is light-based and targets pigment directly, which makes it excellent for discrete brown spots — but that same mechanism is why we restrict it in deeper skin tones. MOXI resurfaces fractionally and improves overall tone and texture as well as pigment, safely on any skin type. Many patients have them combined in the same visit, which is a common and sensible pairing.

Skin often looks refreshed within days of the first treatment. The fuller result develops over several weeks as treated tissue turns over, and builds across the series. Results typically last several months, which is why a maintenance rhythm of three to four treatments a year is recommended.

Cautiously, and it is one of the few light-based options that can be considered. Melasma is heat-sensitive as well as light-sensitive, and many lasers trigger a rebound that leaves pigment darker. MOXI’s non-ablative, lower-thermal approach makes it usable in selected cases — but we assess carefully first, and Cosmelan MD remains the more reliable route for established melasma.

No. Recent sun exposure or self-tanner must be avoided before treatment — a tan changes how the skin responds and raises the risk of an uneven result or pigment change. We ask for at least two weeks with no meaningful sun exposure and no self-tanner.

Yes, and MOXI with BBL in the same session is one of the more effective combinations we offer — BBL clears discrete pigment and redness while MOXI improves overall tone and texture. It also pairs well with injectables in the same visit.

It is avoided during pregnancy, over active infection or cold sores in the treatment area, on recently tanned skin, and where photosensitising medication is being taken. Recent isotretinoin use is assessed individually. Your provider screens for all of this beforehand.

It is worth it for early pigment, uneven tone and prevention — particularly if you cannot take downtime, or if your skin tone rules out BBL and ablative treatment. It is poor value if your sun damage is advanced and etched, where HALO or Contour TRL do considerably more, and we will tell you which category you fall into.

Because a first course is normally three treatments, packages are quoted at consultation alongside the per-treatment rate. New clients currently receive 15% off. We confirm the full course cost before you begin rather than charging session by session.