Clear & Brilliant w Innopen vs Fraxel. How different is this from Fraxel treatment?

Yes, there are many new treatment options for a lot of different cosmetic concerns but this is good news for patients as long as they are able to consult with an experienced provider who is able to give them an overview of their treatments options and who is willing to make an honest recommendation. I would do some research prior to your appointment with any provider and ask lots of questions. Here are some pointers to place you in the right direction.

Clear + Brilliant is a gentle laser treatment often referred to as a "baby Fraxel". The reason it is referred to as this is because it was developed by the makers of Fraxel, Solta/Valeant. It uses fractional laser technology similar to Fraxel. However, when compared to Fraxel is has lower peak power, lower max energies, and lower treatment coverage all equating to a gentler treatment. Clear + Brilliant is great for those patients just starting to see signs of aging or those who want to maintain the skin they have or prevent early signs of aging. The 1927 nm Permea handpiece has been shown to increase skin permeability to topical skincare products and when combined with SkinCeuticals CE Ferrulic is a great treatment option for brightening the skin and treating pigmentation. The increased permeability with the Permea is not something that Fraxel offers. 

Fraxel is more of a corrective laser then the Clear + Brilliant. The Fraxel Dual device which has both 1550/1927 nm wavelengths is great for addressing hyperpigmentation, sun damage, textural changes, and scarring. While it offers greater results then C+B, the downtime is also significantly more. With the C+B, you can expect up to 12 hours of redness and swelling while with Fraxel you can expect redness and swelling for a few days followed by bronzing of the skin and peeling. 

Microneedling, also referred to as collagen induction therapy, does not involve the use of a laser. Actually, it works by creating a mechanical injury which stimulates collagen production. I find microneedling best for textural changes, scarring, and pores. 

There are many providers out there, myself included, who  combine a gentle C+B treatment with microneedling to get even better results.