Excellent question. Clear and Brilliant is a laser that offers improvement of fine lines, sun damage and discoloration while stimulating the production of collagen. It is also the only laser that has been scientifically shown to reduce pore size. The treatment modalities range from High to Low, which determines the density or percentage of the skin treated in tiny pixels, and also varies with the number of passes performed. The recommended number of passes is eight, four vertical and four horizontal. The number of passes will also affect the percentage of skin treated. Treatment speed also affects the number of pixels or percentage of fractional coverage. There is no variation of treatment depth.
In general, product that is placed on the skin for absorption into the pixels should be put on the face immediately. I use the 2 minute rule, within two minutes of treatment of an area.
In summary the answer to your question is YES, there are variations in treatment depending on the provider and the patients desires. It is best to discuss the result that you are looking for, as well as the downtime that you can tolerate. I usually start somewhat conservatively so that the patient can experience the procedure, and then increase or decrease the intensity of the treatment based on the patient's feedback at the second treatment session. A series of treatments is recommended because only 7 to 10% of the skin is removed with each treatment. Additional passes, beyond eight, would increase this percentage as well as the time for recovery. All the Best, Alexis Parker MD