Clear + Brilliant and Perméa Ottawa
Clear + Brilliant and Perméa is a fractional non-ablative laser treatment offered at our clinics in Ottawa. The system features two distinct modes: Clear + Brilliant (1440 nm), which acts in the deeper layers of the skin to refine texture and tone, and Perméa (1927 nm), which works closer to the surface to target uneven pigmentation and dullness. Both modes create controlled subcutaneous micro-perforations to support the skin’s natural renewal.
Depending on individual goals and skin condition, the treatment may use one mode, the other, or a combination of the two within a personalized plan, on the face, neck or décolleté. It may be received on its own or planned alongside other in-clinic treatments such as injectable treatments, chemical peels or medical-grade skincare protocols within a broader treatment plan.
Because every patient’s skin, concerns and medical history are different, Clear + Brilliant and Perméa at our clinics in Ottawa always begins with a personalized consultation. Together with your specialist, you will assess whether this treatment is the most appropriate option for you and discuss a realistic treatment plan, the expected results, the recovery and the possible side effects, which will be reviewed in detail during your consultation. Book your personalized consultation with our team in Ottawa.
Local clinics offering Clear + Brilliant and Perméa
Clear + Brilliant and Perméa Before & After
Results may vary from person to person. Before and after photos are shown for illustrative purposes only and do not guarantee specific results.
The Benefits of Clear + Brilliant and Perméa
By combining fractional laser precision with two complementary wavelengths, Clear + Brilliant and Perméa can support your skin on several levels:
- Smoother, more refined skin texture
- A more even tone, with softened pigment spots and reduced signs of sun damage
- A fresher, more luminous complexion
- A refined appearance of pores
- Gradual firmness improvement as new collagen builds over the weeks that follow
- Better absorption of professional-grade skincare applied after treatment (especially with the Perméa mode)
Two Wavelengths, Two Roles
Perméa
The 1927 nm Perméa wavelength stays closer to the surface, where it works on uneven tone, superficial pigmentation and dullness. It is often used to support a brighter, more even complexion and to help the skin better absorb professional-grade skincare applied afterwards. Perméa can be received on its own or as a series.
Clear + Brilliant
The 1440 nm wavelength reaches deeper layers of the skin, where it addresses texture, fine lines, dilated pores and overall skin quality. This is the mode our team often selects when the goal is refinement and a gradual improvement in complexion. It can be done on its own or as part of a longer plan of sessions.
What to Expect During Your Session
A Clear + Brilliant or Perméa session typically runs 30 to 45 minutes, including preparation. Here is what usually happens, step by step.
Skin assessment and photos
Your provider reviews your goals, checks your skin condition and confirms which mode fits best. Photos may be taken before treatment so you can compare later. Recent sun exposure, active infection or certain medications may lead to postponing the session.
Cleansing and topical numbing
The skin is thoroughly cleansed and disinfected. For the 1440 nm Clear + Brilliant mode, a topical numbing cream is usually applied for about 20 minutes to reduce sensation. The Perméa mode is more superficial and generally does not require numbing.
Eye protection and the laser pass
Protective eyewear is placed. The handpiece is then guided across the treatment area in several passes. Most people describe a warm, prickly sensation. Numbing keeps this manageable for the deeper 1440 nm mode; Perméa is often described as milder.
Immediate aftercare
A thin layer of an occlusive balm such as Aquaphor is applied for the first few hours. You leave with a set of post-treatment instructions from your provider, including strict sun protection and gentle skincare for the following days.
Follow-Up & Maintenance
A single session leaves the skin looking pink for a few hours to a day, sometimes with a sandpaper-like texture as the treated cells shed. Most people notice softer, more radiant skin within a week or two, and the deeper collagen response builds over the weeks that follow.
For visible, lasting improvements in texture or tone, Clear + Brilliant and Perméa are typically recommended as a series of four to six sessions, spaced two to four weeks apart. After the initial series, a maintenance session every few months helps sustain the results as the skin continues to age. The exact plan is set with your provider based on your skin type, goals and lifestyle.
Because the treated area remains photosensitive for several weeks, daily broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50+) is essential for at least six months after the last session, and ideally all year round. Consistent sun protection is what protects the results already achieved and prevents new sun damage.
Contraindications & Side Effects
Every medical treatment carries some risk. Clear + Brilliant and Perméa are considered gentle, but side effects still exist and are reviewed with you at the consultation.
Common in the first hours to days: redness, mild swelling, a warm sensation and a fine sandpaper-like texture as the treated cells surface. These usually settle within one to three days.
Less common: temporary darkening (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), especially in richer skin tones or with poor sun protection after treatment. Rarely, cold sores can be reactivated in people with a history of them, and infection or scarring can occur. Contact the team that treated you if redness worsens or does not settle, if you see signs of infection, or if a reaction does not feel normal to you.
Clear + Brilliant and Perméa are generally not recommended for
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Anyone who took oral isotretinoin (Accutane) in the past two months
- Recently sun-exposed or actively tanned skin (within about a week before treatment)
- Those with active skin infections, cold sore outbreaks or open lesions in the treatment area
- Certain autoimmune conditions affecting the skin
- Known hypersensitivity to any product used during the session
A full medical consultation is the only way to confirm if this treatment fits your skin and your goals.
Ready to see if Clear + Brilliant fits your skin?
A personalized medical assessment is the only way to know which mode, and how many sessions, would fit your skin. Book your consultation to review your goals and receive a treatment plan built for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clear + Brilliant?
Clear + Brilliant is a fractional non-ablative laser treatment authorized by Health Canada, designed to improve skin texture, tone and radiance. It uses two wavelengths: 1440 nm to work deeper in the skin, and 1927 nm (called Perméa) to work closer to the surface. Both create controlled microscopic treatment zones that trigger the skin's natural renewal.
What is the difference between Clear + Brilliant and Perméa?
They are the two wavelengths of the same laser system. The 1440 nm Clear + Brilliant mode reaches deeper layers and targets texture, fine lines, dilated pores and overall skin quality. The 1927 nm Perméa mode stays more superficial and targets uneven tone, superficial pigmentation and dullness. Your provider assesses your skin during the consultation and recommends the mode, or the sequence, best suited to your goals.
