It’s no secret that I’m a little skincare-obsessed. Since nipping acne in the bud years ago, I’ve stuck to a tried-and-true routine of treatments and products that help me feel my best. Recently though, I decided to do some experimenting and try the MOXI Laser at the nudging of my aesthetician. Along with the appeal of a newly released treatment were the changing needs of my skin.

Now that I’m in my 30s, I’m noticing more texture, fine lines, and general dullness. Even though I’ve been doing microneedling and the BBL Laser for years (and absolutely LOVE them), it never hurts to try something new.

So, why the MOXI? There are dozens of laser treatments for a myriad of issues, from sun damage to acne, texture, and rosacea. All fire a beam of light at the skin, and that light converts into heat for different effects (reducing blood vessels, resurfacing the skin, softening fine lines, etc.). The MOXI is great at promoting new cell growth and reducing pigmentation, which are two things I’m working on. It also has minimal downtime, which is key for me as a content creator who shoots photos and videos weekly!

Now that I have two MOXI treatments under my belt, I’m sharing my honest review of the MOXI Laser, results, and whether I plan on doing it again.

MOXI Laser Treatment Review

As with any new-to-me treatment, I was nervous going in. My aesthetician had warned me that the MOXI could feel uncomfortably hot afterward and that my skin would feel rough (a sandpaper texture) for about a week, but she also reminded me that numbing cream is used during the treatment for comfort.

Below I’m answering MOXI FAQs as submitted by you on Instagram, including what it is, the pain level, the cost, my before and afters, and whether or not I think it’s worth it.

What Is a MOXI Laser Treatment?

The MOXI is a laser skin treatment by Sciton. It’s a gentle fractional laser designed to treat visible signs of aging and produce even skin tone in as little as one treatment (most med spas recommend a series of three).

It’s unique in that the treatment is fast (12-20 minutes), the downtime is minimal (about 24 hours), and it’s gentler than other lasers. My med spa calls it the “Baby Halo” (the Halo is another Sciton laser for deep resurfacing that requires 3-5 days of downtime due to intense swelling and redness).

There are two types of fractionated lasers: ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers are more intense, but the MOXI uses only non-ablative wavelengths (which also makes it less expensive). It’s safe for all skin tones and types.

What Does a MOXI Laser Treatment Do?

The MOXI is an effective treatment to address all these issues:

• Melasma
• Fine Lines
• Skin Laxity
• Poor Texture and Tone
• Uneven Complexion
• Signs of Sun Damage (Brown Spots)

How Does MOXI Laser Work and What is the Treatment Like?

The treatment itself is very quick. My aesthetician guides me back to a private room with the machine and applies a topical numbing cream all over my face. It usually takes about 15-30 minutes for the numbing cream to start working, so I close my eyes and relax!

Once I’m numb, she comes back in, turns on the machine, and places covers over my eyes for protection. Then we get started! Even though the MOXI is a laser, it doesn’t really feel like one. I think it feels like having a tiny, spiky ball rolled across your face that’s occasionally a little zappy (mostly near the eyes and lips).

The laser part lasts less than 10-12 minutes, and I don’t find it painful. There can be some “ooh” moments when the numbing starts to barely wear off toward the very end, but it’s nothing unbearable.

At the end of the treatment, my skin looks tomato red and feels warm. The most uncomfortable part of the entire thing is the 30 minutes afterward on the drive home when my skin continues to get way hotter. This is a good thing because heat means the treatment is working! It subsides after a half hour or so.

What’s the Downtime for a MOXI Laser?

For me, the downtime is only about 24 hours, but it’s a little subjective. I get red afterward and don’t swell, but some people do—if this is you, you might not feel comfortable going out for a week or more. Personally, I wouldn’t plan any big events until at least seven days post-treatment.

As far as post-treatment care, I make sure to drink a lot of water the day after and only use a gentle cleanser and light moisturizer for seven days. I exfoliate one week after the treatment and then return to my regular morning skincare routine and nighttime skincare routine.

How Much Does a MOXI Laser Treatment Cost?

The cost of each MOXI Laser session will vary based on the med spa you go to and which areas you have done (face, neck, chest, etc.). My med spa charges $750 for face only. This includes the numbing cream.

Is MOXI Laser Worth It?

To be completely honest, I’m not sure the MOXI is worth it to me. That being said, I did two treatments spaced out (August 2023 and May 2023). It’s possible I would’ve seen a bigger difference if I’d done a series of three (spaced 6 weeks apart) as is “recommended.”

I also could be biased because I’m such a huge fan of SkinPen microneedling and the BBL Hero Laser. That combo helped clear my acne and give me the best skin I’ve ever had, so sometimes it feels like “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” In the future, I plan to continue with those two and sprinkle the MOXI in occasionally.

This isn’t to say that the MOXI isn’t effective, though. I’ve heard women rave about it (especially those that have issues the MOXI addresses really well, like melasma). If you’re just starting out with skincare or committed to a series of three MOXIs, I think it’s a treatment your skin would see huge improvements from! Additionally, if you’re looking to enhance your skincare further and address specific concerns, you can explore options like FaceTite in Noblesville, IN to achieve the results you desire for your skin.

MOXI Laser Before and After

Below are my photos from the MOXI Laser treatment process, including immediately before, immediately after, and the week following. Keep in mind that I have some mild dermatitis around my nose, so those pesky red splotches are not from the treatment.