Which Laser Treatment Is Best for Your Skin? CO₂, MOXI, BBL & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mace Scott MD on October 9, 2026

Thinking about getting a laser treatment but not sure which one you actually need?

You're not alone.

With options like MOXI, BBL HEROic, CO₂, Clear + Brilliant, and fractional erbium, it can be difficult to know where to start. Especially when every treatment seems to promise smoother, brighter, younger-looking skin.

Here's what I tell patients: The best laser treatment isn't necessarily the most aggressive or most expensive one. It's the one that addresses what you actually want to improve.

Some treatments are better suited for sun spots and redness. Others focus on texture, acne scars, fine lines, or deeper wrinkles. And some patients benefit from combining treatments because they're dealing with more than one concern.

Let's break down the differences so you have a better idea of what might work for your skin.

Which Laser Treatment Is Best for Your Skin Concerns?

The best laser or light treatment depends on whether you're trying to improve pigmentation, redness, skin texture, wrinkles, or acne scars.

Here's a quick comparison of some of the treatments we offer at Chronos in Metairie.

These are general comparisons, not guarantees. Recovery, results, and suitability depend on your skin, the device used, and the treatment settings.

One important distinction: BBL HEROic isn't technically a laser. It's an advanced broadband light treatment. We include it in this guide because patients often compare it with laser resurfacing, and it can be an excellent option for certain skin concerns.

What's the Difference Between Laser Resurfacing and BBL?

This is one of the first things worth understanding.

Laser resurfacing primarily focuses on improving skin texture and surface irregularities, while BBL uses broadband light to target certain pigmentation and redness concerns.

Think about the difference between the color of your skin and the texture of your skin.

If you're bothered by brown sun spots or persistent redness, BBL might be part of the conversation.

If your concern is rough texture, fine lines, or acne scarring, a resurfacing laser may be more appropriate.

And if you're dealing with both?

That's when a combination treatment might make sense.

MOXI Laser: Best for Early Signs of Aging and Uneven Texture

MOXI is one of my favorite treatments to discuss with patients who want to improve their skin but aren't looking for an aggressive resurfacing procedure.

It's a non-ablative fractional laser, meaning it creates controlled treatment zones without removing the skin's surface in the same way as an ablative laser.

What does MOXI help with?

MOXI may help improve:

• Uneven skin texture
• Early signs of sun damage
• Mild pigmentation irregularities
• Fine lines
• Dull-looking skin
• Overall skin quality

MOXI is often a good option for patients who want gradual skin improvement with less recovery than aggressive resurfacing.

It's sometimes called a prejuvenation treatment, but you don't need to be in your twenties or thirties to benefit from it.

And you certainly don't need to wait until you have deep wrinkles to start taking care of your skin.

How much downtime does MOXI have?

Patients commonly experience redness, warmth, and a sandpaper-like texture for several days as the skin heals.

The exact recovery depends on treatment intensity and your individual skin response.

MOXI isn't necessarily a no-downtime treatment, so I recommend planning around important events.

Actual patient results after one MOXI treatment. Individual results vary.

BBL HEROic: Best for Sun Damage, Redness, and Uneven Skin Tone

If a patient tells me, “My skin texture is pretty good, but I hate all these sun spots,” BBL HEROic is one of the treatments we may discuss.

BBL HEROic uses broadband light to target specific pigment and vascular concerns.

What does BBL HEROic treat?

Depending on skin type and clinical assessment, BBL may help improve:

• Sun spots and certain brown discolorations
• Redness
• Visible superficial blood vessels
• Some redness associated with rosacea
• Uneven skin tone

BBL is especially useful when discoloration is the main concern rather than deep texture changes.

Does BBL help with wrinkles?

BBL is primarily used for pigmentation and vascular concerns, although some treatment approaches may support overall skin appearance.

If your main concern is deeper wrinkles or acne scars, BBL alone may not be the best option.

That's why identifying your actual concern matters.

Is there downtime after BBL?

Many patients return to normal activities relatively quickly.

You may experience temporary redness, swelling, or darkening of treated pigmented spots before they fade.

It's also important to understand that BBL isn't appropriate for every skin tone or pigmentation condition.

Your provider should evaluate your skin carefully before recommending treatment.

CO₂ Laser Resurfacing: Best for More Significant Skin Correction

CO₂ resurfacing is a different level of treatment.

While gentler lasers may improve early changes in skin quality, CO₂ laser resurfacing can address more pronounced texture concerns by creating controlled injury in the skin and stimulating remodeling during healing.

What does CO₂ laser resurfacing treat?

CO₂ may be considered for:

• More pronounced wrinkles
• Acne scars
• Rough or uneven skin texture
• Certain types of sun damage
• Visible signs of skin aging

For patients seeking more substantial improvement, CO₂ can be an effective option.

But here's something important:

Not everyone needs CO₂, and more aggressive treatment doesn't automatically mean better treatment.

How much downtime does CO₂ laser have?

CO₂ resurfacing generally requires more recovery than non-ablative treatments.

Depending on the treatment depth and settings, patients may experience significant redness, swelling, peeling, crusting, and a healing period lasting a week or longer. Redness can persist beyond the initial healing period.

Your provider should explain the expected recovery and aftercare before treatment.

Is CO₂ worth the downtime?

For some patients, absolutely.

For others, a less aggressive option may be a better fit.

The answer depends on the concern you're treating, how much improvement you're hoping for, your skin type, and how much recovery time you're comfortable with.

Clear + Brilliant: Best for Gentle Skin Refreshing

Clear + Brilliant is another non-ablative fractional laser often considered by patients who want to address mild texture changes and maintain skin quality.

What does Clear + Brilliant help with?

It may help improve:

• Mild uneven texture
• Early fine lines
• Dullness
• Overall skin radiance
• Certain superficial pigmentation concerns

Patients often describe wanting their skin to look a little smoother, brighter, and more refreshed without pursuing an aggressive treatment.

That's where Clear + Brilliant may be worth discussing.

What's the difference between MOXI and Clear + Brilliant?

Both are non-ablative fractional treatments, but they use different technologies and treatment approaches.

Their suitability depends on the specific skin concern, treatment settings, and patient.

Rather than choosing based on which device you've seen more often on social media, I'd recommend having your skin evaluated and asking what the provider expects each treatment to accomplish.

Fractional Erbium Laser: Another Option for Skin Resurfacing

Fractional erbium is another treatment option that deserves a place in this conversation.

Erbium-based resurfacing treatments can improve texture, fine lines, and certain superficial skin irregularities.

However, not all erbium lasers are the same.

Some erbium systems are ablative, while others use different wavelengths and treatment approaches. Recovery can vary substantially depending on the technology and settings.

At Chronos, fractional erbium is one of the options our team may consider when building a resurfacing plan.

The important question isn't simply whether erbium is better than CO₂.

It's whether the specific treatment is appropriate for your skin and goals.

Which Laser Is Best for Acne Scars?

For certain acne scars, fractional resurfacing treatments such as CO₂ or erbium may be considered, but the best approach depends on the type and depth of the scars.

Not all acne scars are alike.

Some are shallow. Some are deep. Some involve tethering beneath the skin.

That's why acne scar treatment often requires more than choosing a laser from a list.

Certain scars may respond better to combination approaches, and some need treatments other than lasers.

If acne scars are your main concern, a consultation should include an assessment of the scar types—not just the overall appearance of your skin.

Which Laser Is Best for Sun Damage and Dark Spots?

BBL HEROic may be a good option for certain sun spots and pigmentation concerns, while MOXI or other resurfacing treatments may help when texture is also involved.

But not every dark spot should be treated the same way.

Sun spots, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and other causes of discoloration can look similar to patients but require different treatment approaches.

Some pigment conditions can actually worsen with inappropriate light or laser treatment.

This is one reason I don't recommend choosing a treatment based solely on a photo or an online description.

And any new, changing, bleeding, or suspicious skin lesion should be evaluated by a qualified medical professional before cosmetic treatment.

Which Laser Is Best for Wrinkles and Fine Lines?

It depends on how pronounced the wrinkles are.

For early fine lines and mild texture changes, gentler fractional treatments such as MOXI or Clear + Brilliant may be considered.

For deeper wrinkles and more significant sun-related texture changes, CO₂ or certain erbium resurfacing treatments may offer greater improvement.

But there's another distinction patients should understand.

Lasers don't address every cause of wrinkles.

Wrinkles caused by facial muscle movement, volume loss, or skin laxity may require a different approach.

Sometimes the best plan involves combining treatments rather than asking one laser to do everything.

Can You Combine MOXI and BBL HEROic?

Yes. When appropriate, MOXI and BBL HEROic may be used together because they address different concerns.

BBL primarily targets certain color irregularities, while MOXI can help improve texture and overall skin quality.

For someone dealing with both sun spots and rough skin texture, this combination may make sense.

But combining treatments isn't necessary for everyone.

More treatments aren't automatically better. The goal is to address the concerns you actually have.

[Insert existing Chronos BBL + MOXI before-and-after photos here]

Actual patient results following a combined BBL HEROic and MOXI treatment. Individual results vary.

After 1 STACKED BBL+MOXI Laser treatment

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Skin Treatments

Ready to Find Out Which Treatment Is Right for Your Skin?

You don't need to know whether you want MOXI, BBL, CO₂, Clear + Brilliant, or erbium before coming in.

That's what your consultation is for.

At Chronos Body Health & Wellness in Metairie, our team will evaluate your skin, talk through what you'd like to improve, and help you understand which treatment options make sense for your goals, skin type, and schedule.

No guessing. No choosing a laser just because it's trending.

Just a treatment plan built around your skin.