Moxi Laser: What the Research Shows (and What It Doesn't)
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The Moxi laser is Sciton's non-ablative fractional 1927 nm thulium laser. It mainly heats water in the top layers of skin and is marketed for sun spots, tone and texture with little downtime. In the abstracts we reviewed, only one study tested Moxi alone: 27 women had two treatments; brown spots improved at one month but drifted toward baseline by three months.[^1] Most 1927 nm research comes from other brands' lasers, and none of the Moxi data included the darkest skin types. Funding isn't stated for either Moxi paper in PubMed. The second paper's author discloses being a key opinion leader for Sciton, the maker of Moxi, with speaking honoraria; the first paper has no conflict statement in PubMed. Several other-brand papers have maker ties, noted next to each claim. This is general information — ask your clinician about your own skin.
Key takeaways
- We found only two PubMed papers that name Moxi. One is a 27-woman study with no control group.[^1] The other is a nine-patient case series that paired Moxi with a Sciton light device.[^2]
- In the Moxi study, pigment gains seen at one month had partly faded by three months.[^1]
- A systematic review of other 1927 nm lasers (17 studies, 448 people) found improvements. But most studies had moderate to high risk of bias, and follow-up averaged about 120 days.[^3]
- The Moxi study enrolled Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. In the abstracts we reviewed, we found no Moxi data in types V-VI.
- For melasma, studies of other 1927 nm lasers show short-term gains that often fade.[^4][^3]
What does a 1927 nm laser like the Moxi laser do to skin?
Fractional lasers treat skin in a grid of tiny columns. They leave untouched skin between the columns, which helps healing. Non-ablative means the laser heats tissue without removing the surface layer. That's the basic idea behind non-ablative fractional lasers as a group.
Water strongly absorbs 1927 nm, so its effect stays shallow — about 300 µm into skin in one paper.[^5] That's why these devices are pitched for surface concerns such as brown spots and dull tone. Other makers also sell 1927 nm devices (Clear + Brilliant Perméa, Fraxel-type thulium lasers); we don't evaluate them here.
Moxi runs on Sciton's laser platforms; in FDA's 510(k) database we checked we found Sciton system clearances but no entry under the Moxi name. Evidence: Limited.
What does Moxi laser before and after research show?
In research, "before and after" means measurements, not photos. Two papers name Moxi.
The main study, published in 2023, took place at a single center. It enrolled 27 women with skin types I-IV (average 2.8), and each had two Moxi treatments one month apart. Researchers scored the skin with VISIA imaging, which measures spots, UV spots and brown spots. One month after treatment, those pigment scores were lower. By three months they had drifted back toward baseline. Brown spots were still lower, but only at the edge of statistical significance (p=0.05). Clinicians rated improvement at about 50%, and no serious side effects were reported.[^1]
This study has real limits. It had no control group, so we can't tell how much of the change came from the laser and how much from sunscreen use or the season. Treatments ran in May and June, when sun exposure climbs, which may have worked against lasting results. Follow-up stopped at three months. The PubMed record doesn't state funding or conflicts of interest.
The second paper, from 2024, is a case series of nine patients. Each had Moxi and BBL HERO, a broadband light device, in the same session. Sciton makes both devices. VISIA showed fewer brown spots. Follow-up varied, and one patient was followed for about 20 months. Because the two devices were used together, Moxi's own effect can't be separated out. The author discloses being a key opinion leader for Sciton, which makes both devices, and receiving speaking honoraria from the company.[^2]
So the Moxi laser before and after evidence comes down to one small uncontrolled study and one combination case series. Evidence: Limited.
What do other 1927 nm lasers show, and why isn't that Moxi laser data?
Lasers that share a wavelength don't necessarily share results, because their designs differ. Every study in this table used other 1927 nm lasers, not Moxi.
| Study | Device and people | What they found | Funding / COI | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematic review, 2025[^3] | Other 1927 nm lasers; 17 studies, 448 people | Texture, pigment and scars improved, usually after about 3 monthly sessions; side effects mild and short-lived; melasma relapsed | Funding and COI detail not fully stated in PubMed | Limited to moderate (most studies moderate to high risk of bias) |
| Brauer 2014[^6] | Another 1927 nm thulium laser; facial sun-related brown spots; 2 treatments | Moderate to very significant improvement in 82% at 1 month, 69% at 3 months; no type V-VI skin | Not stated in PubMed | Limited |
| Li 2023[^7] | Another 1927 nm thulium fiber laser; 27 Chinese adults, types II-IV | Epidermal thickness, melanin, elasticity and wrinkles improved | Authors declare absence of commercial or financial relationships | Limited |
| Polder 2025[^8] | A different brand's 1440 + 1927 nm diode laser; 28 people | All photodamage measures improved at 1 and 3 months; no serious side effects | Solta Medical / Bausch Health affiliations; authors with industry honoraria or advisory roles | Limited (maker-linked, no control) |
| Huang 2025[^9] | A different brand's 1927 nm diode laser; 20 people, eye area; compared treatment intervals | Both groups improved; 4-week interval better for wrinkles | Sponsored by BRIDGECON Co., Ltd; authors declare no COI | Limited |
| Weiss 2013[^10] | Another 1927 nm laser; 24 people with facial actinic keratoses | 86.6% fewer lesions at 6 months | Not stated in PubMed | Limited |
Actinic keratoses are rough, sun-related precancerous spots. Researchers have studied this laser use, but these spots need a clinician's diagnosis and follow-up, not a spa booking. Evidence: Limited to moderate.
Can the Moxi laser help sun spots and melasma?
For sun spots, both the Moxi study[^1] and a study of another 1927 nm laser[^6] found short-term gains, measured out to three months.
Melasma behaves differently. Hormones, light and heat drive it, and it tends to return. In the abstracts we reviewed, we found no Moxi study of melasma. Here is what studies of other 1927 nm lasers show:
- A retrospective study of 100 people found that melasma scores (MASI) fell from 11.8 to 6.7 to 3.4 over two sessions. It reported "no major side effects" and stated no long-term follow-up.[^11]
- A study of 11 Chinese patients found that melasma improved from one week to two months after treatment, but not at three months. Skin laxity didn't change.[^4]
- A split-face, double-blind randomized trial enrolled 46 people (types III-V, mostly IV). Everyone had the laser on both sides of the face, with tranexamic acid on one side and saline on the other. Both sides improved at three months, with no difference between them, and 29 people were followed to six months.[^12] There was no untreated side, so we can't measure the laser's own share. We cover the wider tranexamic acid evidence in our tranexamic acid for skin guide.
- The 2025 review noted melasma relapses.[^3] A Korean study found melasma got worse after 0.9% of treatments, which mixed 1550 nm and 1927 nm lasers.[^13]
A laser may help for a while, but research suggests melasma often comes back. Daily sun protection matters for melasma; see our sunscreen for melasma guide. For topical options, see does vitamin C help with hyperpigmentation. Evidence: Limited.
Is the Moxi laser safe for darker skin?
The Moxi study enrolled skin types I-IV.[^1] In the abstracts we reviewed, we found no Moxi data in Fitzpatrick V-VI.
Studies of other 1927 nm lasers included somewhat darker skin, but not much:
- The tranexamic acid trial enrolled types III-V, and 82.6% were type IV.[^12]
- A pilot study enrolled nine people with type IV skin and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which means dark marks left after inflammation. They had laser treatment plus a topical product. Of the eight assessed, three had excellent results, four had satisfactory results and one did not improve. Swelling and redness lasted five to seven days, and no unexpected darkening was seen. The authors report no conflicts.[^14]
- A four-person case series in types III-IV treated under-eye pigment with Clear + Brilliant Perméa and saw no PIH. Funding isn't stated in PubMed.[^15]
- A Korean study looked at 856 non-ablative fractional treatments in people with types III-IV. PIH followed 1.1% of treatments, and melasma got worse after 0.9%. Most of these were 1550 nm treatments (754), and only 102 used 1927 nm, so these rates don't apply to 1927 nm specifically.[^13]
A review funded by Bausch Health reported no serious side effects in skin of color with its 1440/1927 nm diode lasers.[^16] Ask your clinician about test spots and pigment risk. Evidence: Limited.
What is Moxi laser downtime like, and what side effects are reported?
The Moxi study reported no serious side effects. In the abstract we reviewed, it gave no recovery timeline.[^1] For Moxi laser downtime, the closest guide is research on other 1927 nm lasers:
- Redness, swelling and mild skin roughness after treatment.[^6]
- Swelling and redness lasting five to seven days in a small type IV study.[^14]
- Mild redness, swelling and crusting that cleared on their own, in a maker-funded safety review.[^16]
In the Korean study of mixed 1550 nm and 1927 nm treatments, side effects followed 5.0% of sessions. These were prolonged redness (1.8%), PIH (1.1%), melasma getting worse (0.9%), cold sore flares (0.6%) and acne-like bumps (0.2%). None caused long-term problems.[^13]
Rare events have been reported too. A case series described five bacterial infections that appeared one day to one week after 1550 nm or 1927 nm treatment. One person had symptoms of sepsis, and all recovered.[^5] Contact your clinician if you notice spreading redness, increasing pain, pus or fever. One letter, which we could read by title only, reports a single squamous cell carcinoma described as a complication of a 1927 nm thulium laser.[^17] A single report can't show that the laser caused it.
Most studies describe a few days of redness and swelling, not zero downtime. Follow your clinician's aftercare. Evidence: Limited.
How many Moxi laser sessions do studies use, and how long do results last?
This section describes what studies did, not what you need:
- The Moxi study used two treatments one month apart.[^1]
- Studies of other 1927 nm lasers used two,[^6] three[^7] or four monthly sessions.[^8] The review found that about three monthly sessions was typical.[^3]
- One trial compared treatment intervals and found a 4-week gap worked better for wrinkles.[^9]
Most follow-up lasted three to six months. Gains faded within about three months in both the Moxi study and a melasma study of another 1927 nm laser.[^1][^4] Effects beyond six months aren't established. Ask your clinician how a treatment plan would fit your skin and goals. Evidence: Limited.
How does the Moxi laser compare with other treatments?
In the abstracts we reviewed, we found no head-to-head trial comparing Moxi with any of these options.
| Option | How it differs from Moxi | Direct comparison with Moxi | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other 1927 nm lasers (Clear + Brilliant Perméa, Fraxel-type) | Same wavelength, different makers and designs | None found | Limited (other brands' data only) |
| Other non-ablative fractional lasers (such as 1550 nm) | Longer wavelength, reaches deeper | None found | Not compared |
| RF microneedling | Needles deliver radiofrequency heat deeper in skin | None found | Not compared |
| Chemical peels | Acids remove surface layers instead of heat | None found | Not compared |
| BBL / IPL (broadband light) | Light that targets pigment and redness | Only as a same-session combination with Moxi[^2] | Very limited |
Non-ablative fractional lasers as a category will get their own guide. See our RF microneedling guide. Peels are another resurfacing option. See chemical peel aftercare and our TCA chemical peel guide. Evidence: Very limited.
Who funds Moxi laser and 1927 nm research?
Funding matters, especially in a field with few studies.
- Moxi papers: The 27-woman study has no funding or conflict statement in PubMed. The nine-patient series author discloses being a key opinion leader for Sciton, with speaking honoraria. Both used Sciton devices.[^1][^2]
- Solta / Bausch-linked papers: A Bausch Health grant funded the 1440/1927 nm diode safety review. Bausch is Solta's parent company. One author was a Bausch employee, and the authors include Solta investigators or consultants.[^16] The 28-person diode study lists Solta Medical / Bausch Health affiliations.[^8] A narrative review of the same diode device claimed benefits for pigment and skin of color. Its first author is listed as a Solta advisory-board member in another paper's conflict statement.[^18]
- Other sponsors: BRIDGECON Co., Ltd sponsored the eye-area interval trial.[^9]
- No commercial ties declared: The Li 2023 authors declare an absence of commercial or financial relationships,[^7] and the authors of the type IV pilot report no conflicts.[^14]
- Not stated: The systematic review's funding and conflict details aren't fully stated in PubMed.[^3] The remaining studies don't state funding or conflicts in PubMed. Evidence: Limited.
Where the evidence stops
- There is very little Moxi data. It comes down to one uncontrolled 27-woman study and one nine-patient combination series. In the abstracts we reviewed, we found no randomized or controlled trial of Moxi itself.
- Most evidence comes from other brands. Results from other 1927 nm lasers can't be assumed to apply to Moxi.
- Darker skin is understudied. We found no Moxi data in Fitzpatrick V-VI. Studies of other 1927 nm lasers mostly go up to type IV, sometimes V.
- Melasma gains are short-lived. Improvement often faded by three months, studies noted relapse, and a small share of treatments made melasma worse.
- Follow-up is short. Nearly all studies stopped at three to six months.
- No tightening data for Moxi. We found no Moxi evidence for collagen or tightening claims, and one 1927 nm study saw no change in laxity.[^4]
FAQ
What is the Moxi laser?
Moxi is Sciton's non-ablative fractional 1927 nm thulium laser. It heats tiny columns of water-rich tissue near the skin surface and leaves the top layer in place. Clinics market it for sun spots, uneven tone and texture. Moxi runs on Sciton's laser platforms; in FDA's 510(k) database we checked we found Sciton system clearances but no entry under the Moxi name.
Does the Moxi laser work?
The evidence is thin. In the abstracts we reviewed, only one study tested Moxi on its own. In 27 women who had two treatments, skin imaging showed fewer brown spots at one month, but they drifted back toward baseline by three months. The study had no control group. Studies of other 1927 nm lasers show similar short-term gains, but those are different devices.
What is Moxi laser downtime like?
No Moxi study we reviewed described a recovery timeline. Studies of other 1927 nm lasers describe redness, swelling and mild roughness, and one small study reported swelling and redness lasting five to seven days. Less often, people had prolonged redness, dark marks or cold sore flares. Follow your clinician's aftercare and contact them if you see signs of infection.
Is the Moxi laser safe for dark skin?
The Moxi study enrolled Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV. In the abstracts we reviewed, we found no Moxi data in types V or VI. Studies of other 1927 nm lasers mostly enrolled type IV skin, with some type V. In one study of type III and IV skin that mixed 1550 nm and 1927 nm treatments, about 1 in 100 treatments led to dark marks. Ask your clinician about test spots and pigment risk.
Can the Moxi laser treat melasma?
We found no Moxi study of melasma. In studies of other 1927 nm lasers, melasma often improved for weeks or months. In one study the gains were gone by three months, and a review noted relapses. In another study, a small share of treatments made melasma worse. Ask your clinician whether a laser fits into a wider melasma plan.
How many Moxi laser sessions do studies use?
The Moxi study used two treatments one month apart. Studies of other 1927 nm lasers commonly used about three monthly sessions, and some used two or four. Most followed people for only three to six months, so we don't know how long results last. Your clinician is the right person to discuss a plan for your skin.
How does Moxi compare with Clear + Brilliant or other 1927 nm lasers?
They share the same 1927 nm wavelength, but different companies make them and the designs differ. In the abstracts we reviewed, we found no head-to-head trial comparing Moxi with Clear + Brilliant Permea, Fraxel-type lasers or any other 1927 nm device. Much of the research on Clear + Brilliant-type diode lasers is linked to their maker.
Is Moxi better than RF microneedling?
They work differently. Moxi uses laser light that water near the skin surface absorbs. RF microneedling uses fine needles that deliver radiofrequency heat deeper in the skin. In the abstracts we reviewed, we found no trial comparing the two directly, so there is no evidence that one is better. A clinician can explain which fits your concerns.
References
[^1]: Vingan et al., 2023. Lasers Surg Med. Single-center prospective nonrandomized study of a nonablative fractional 1927 nm thulium laser (MOXI, Sciton) in 27 women. PMID 36950878. Funding/COI: not stated in PubMed. [^2]: Hennessey, 2024. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. Case series, n=9, BBL HERO plus MOXI in the same session (both Sciton devices). PMID 39386001. Funding/COI: author discloses key-opinion-leader role and speaking honoraria for Sciton. [^3]: Oliveira Modena et al., 2025. Lasers Med Sci. Systematic review of 1927 nm lasers, 17 studies, 448 participants. PMID 41379329. Funding/COI: detail not fully stated in PubMed. [^4]: Ho et al., 2013. J Cosmet Laser Ther. Retrospective study of a 1927 nm laser for melasma, n=11. PMID 23384107. Funding/COI: not stated in PubMed. [^5]: Xu et al., 2015. Lasers Surg Med. Case series of 5 bacterial infections after 1550/1927 nm non-ablative fractional laser treatment. PMID 25586939. Funding/COI: not stated in PubMed. [^6]: Brauer et al., 2014. J Drugs Dermatol. Multicenter study of a 1927 nm thulium laser for facial photopigmentation. PMID 25607696. Funding/COI: not stated in PubMed. [^7]: Li et al., 2023. Front Surg. Prospective study of a 1927 nm thulium fiber laser, n=27, Fitzpatrick II-IV. PMID 36950052. Funding/COI: authors declare absence of commercial or financial relationships. [^8]: Polder et al., 2025. Dermatol Surg. Prospective study of a 1440 + 1927 nm diode laser, n=28. PMID 39190540. Funding/COI: Solta Medical / Bausch Health affiliations; authors report honoraria or advisory roles with Allergan, Bausch, Galderma and Solta. [^9]: Huang et al., 2025. J Cosmet Dermatol. Randomized two-arm interval comparison of a 1927 nm diode laser, periorbital, n=20. PMID 40536161. Funding/COI: sponsored by BRIDGECON Co., Ltd; authors declare no COI. [^10]: Weiss et al., 2013. J Am Acad Dermatol. Prospective study of a 1927 nm laser for facial actinic keratoses, n=24. PMID 23041112. Funding/COI: not stated in PubMed. [^11]: Kurmuş et al., 2019. J Cosmet Laser Ther. Retrospective study of a 1927 nm thulium fiber laser for melasma, n=100. PMID 31690148. Funding/COI: not stated in PubMed. [^12]: Wanitphakdeedecha et al., 2020. Lasers Med Sci. Split-face double-blind randomized trial of a 1927 nm laser with topical tranexamic acid vs saline for melasma, n=46, Fitzpatrick III-V. PMID 32506227. Funding/COI: not stated in PubMed. [^13]: Lee et al., 2014. J Dermatolog Treat. Retrospective review of 856 non-ablative fractional treatments (754 at 1550 nm, 102 at 1927 nm) in Korean patients, Fitzpatrick III-IV. PMID 23639051. Funding/COI: PubMed lists "Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't" without detail; COI not stated. [^14]: Alharbi et al., 2021. Dermatol Res Pract. Pilot study of a 1927 nm laser plus topical treatment for PIH, n=9, Fitzpatrick IV. PMID 33833793. Funding/COI: authors report no conflicts. [^15]: Garza-García et al., 2026. J Drugs Dermatol. Case series, n=4, Fitzpatrick III-IV, under-eye pigment treated with Clear + Brilliant Perméa. PMID 42406357. Funding/COI: not stated in PubMed. [^16]: Geronemus et al., 2025. J Cosmet Dermatol. Literature review of 1440/1927 nm diode laser safety. PMID 41229184. Funding/COI: Bausch Health grant; one author a Bausch employee; authors are Solta investigators or consultants. [^17]: Rothstein et al., 2020. J Cosmet Dermatol. "Well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma as a complication of the 1927-nm thulium nonablative fractional laser" (letter; title only, no abstract). PMID 33118281. Funding/COI: not stated in PubMed. [^18]: Friedman et al., 2020. J Drugs Dermatol. Narrative review of a 1440/1927 nm diode laser. PMID 32804450. Funding/COI: not stated in PubMed; first author listed as a Solta advisory-board member in the COI statement of Polder et al., 2025.