Texture and scars4 min readUpdated
MOXI vs HALO: Which Laser Is Right for Your Skin?
MOXI vs HALO compared: how each Sciton laser works, results, sessions, downtime and recovery day by day, skin tone safety, which suits your skin, combining treatments, and prices in Carlsbad.
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MOXI is a gentle non-ablative 1927 nm fractional laser for tone, texture and early sun damage, done as a series of about 3 with a day or two of redness, and safe for all skin tones. HALO is a stronger hybrid fractional laser (1470 nm and 2940 nm) that corrects more sun damage, texture, pores and mild acne scars in 1 to 2 sessions, with a few days of recovery. MOXI suits prevention and maintenance; HALO suits correction.
- Both are Sciton fractional lasers.
- MOXI is non-ablative (1927 nm); HALO is hybrid (1470 nm and 2940 nm).
- MOXI: series of 3, a day or two of redness, all skin tones.
- HALO: 1 to 2 sessions, back to work in 1 to 2 days, redness up to 1 to 2 weeks.
- HALO does more per session; MOXI is gentler.
- Many people start with HALO and maintain with MOXI.
- Both pair well with BBL HERO for redness and spots.
On this page 8 sections
MOXI and HALO are both fractional lasers made by Sciton, but they work at different strengths. MOXI is a gentle, non-ablative laser (1927 nm) that refreshes tone and texture with a day or two of redness, usually as a series of three, and is safe for all skin tones. HALO is a stronger hybrid laser that combines a non-ablative and an ablative wavelength, so it corrects more sun damage, texture and pores in one or two sessions, with a few more days of recovery. Think of MOXI as prevention and maintenance, and HALO as correction.
This guide compares them side by side and helps you decide which suits your skin, goals and schedule.
MOXI vs HALO at a glance
MOXI
Gentle, non-ablative
- Best forEarly sun damage, uneven tone, dullness, fine lines, mild texture and pores
- SessionsA series of 3, about 4 weeks apart, then maintenance
- DowntimeMild redness or swelling for a day or two; skin may feel rough for a few days
- Skin tonesSafe for all skin tones, including darker skin
HALO
Hybrid fractional
- Best forModerate sun damage, age spots, texture, pores, fine lines, mild to moderate acne scars
- Sessions1 to 2
- DowntimeBack to work in 1 to 2 days; redness for up to a week or two, with tiny dark dots that flake off
- Skin tonesBest on lighter to medium skin; needs care on darker skin
How they work
Both lasers are fractional: they treat thousands of tiny columns of skin while leaving the skin in between intact, so it heals quickly. MOXI’s 1927 nm wavelength heats the upper layers without breaking the surface, encouraging gentle renewal and collagen. HALO adds an ablative 2940 nm erbium wavelength to a deeper non-ablative 1470 nm wavelength, so it resurfaces the top layer and works deeper at the same time. That is why HALO does more in one session, and why it needs a little more recovery.
Which is right for you?
- In your 20s or 30s, wanting prevention and glowMOXI, as a series and then a few times a year.
- Medium to darker skinMOXI is usually the safer choice. See Fitzpatrick skin types.
- Visible sun spots, texture and enlarged poresHALO for a bigger change in one or two sessions.
- Mild to moderate acne scarsHALO, often combined with Morpheus8 or subcision; see laser for acne scars.
- No time off at allMOXI, or a BBL photofacial for spots and redness.
- MelasmaGentle approaches only, with careful settings; see what causes melasma.
- Deep wrinkles or heavy sun damageNeither may be enough; deeper erbium resurfacing may suit. See CO2 vs erbium vs HALO.
What recovery looks like
| When | MOXI | HALO |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0 to 1 | Pink, warm, like a mild sunburn | Red, warm and swollen |
| Days 2 to 4 | Rough, sandpaper feel as tiny dots flake | Bronzed, rough skin with tiny dark dots; peeling |
| Days 5 to 7 | Fresh, brighter skin | Most peeling done; some pinkness |
| Results | Build over a series; refreshed within days | Clearer within days, improving for up to 3 months |
Read more about HALO recovery and whether HALO is worth it.
Can you combine MOXI or HALO with other treatments?
Yes. Both pair well with BBL HERO for redness and pigment, chemical peels between sessions, and Botox for expression lines. Combining treatments in one plan is often more effective than repeating one laser. Ask about the HALO and BBL combination at your consultation.
Cost at Glow Theory
HALO
Face$1,680
Members$1,428
Combo
HALO + BBL HERO$1,950
MOXI is priced by treatment area and number of sessions at your consultation, and new clients save 15% on MOXI packages. Financing is available on treatments of $2,000 or more.
MOXI and HALO in Carlsbad
We look at your skin type, concerns and schedule, and recommend MOXI, HALO or a combination. See MOXI in Carlsbad and HALO in Carlsbad, or book a consultation at our studio on El Camino Real in South Carlsbad.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MOXI and HALO?
MOXI is a gentle non-ablative laser for maintenance and early sun damage; HALO is a stronger hybrid laser that corrects more sun damage, texture and pores in fewer sessions.
Is MOXI or HALO better for acne scars?
HALO, because it resurfaces and works deeper; MOXI helps only very mild texture.
How much downtime does MOXI have?
Mild redness or swelling for a day or two, and a rough feel for a few days.
How much downtime does HALO have?
Most people return to work in 1 to 2 days, with redness and peeling for up to a week or two.
Is MOXI safe for dark skin?
Yes, MOXI is considered safe for all skin tones, including darker skin.
How many MOXI sessions do I need?
Usually a series of 3, about 4 weeks apart, then maintenance a few times a year.
Sources
Insiyah Darugar
Insiyah Darugar, MSN, FNP is the founder and CEO of Glow Theory Aesthetic & Dermatology Studio in Carlsbad. She brings more than 15 years of hands-on experience in dermatology and aesthetics and completed the Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Fellowship at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, a…
