Maximising business growth with
Clear + Brilliant Touch

Industry pioneer Deb Farnworth-Wood shares real-world insights on how the new Clear + Brilliant Touch boosts both clinical efficacy and business growth.

Adding the right technology can be transformative for aesthetic practices, especially when it combines clinical effectiveness with revenue-generating potential. The new Clear + Brilliant Touch by Solta Medical meets this benchmark, offering two wavelengths in one treatment and the ability to treat all skin types and patients of all ages^. The seamless transition between the Original (1440nm) and Perméa® (1927nm) handpieces allows for a customised and comprehensive treatment, offering both superficial and deeper skin improvements.

This latest iteration maintains the hallmark benefits of the Clear + Brilliant brand – effective fractional laser skin rejuvenation with minimal downtime – but the addition of dual wavelengths broadens its scope, making it more versatile and capable of delivering results that meet a wide range of aesthetic goals.

Clear + Brilliant Touch treatment is ideally positioned in the mid-price range, attracting a wide patient demographic and filling the gaps between superficial and more intensive resurfacing treatments. It’s particularly valuable for patients looking to address early signs of ageing or for those seeking preventative* treatments. With two wavelengths in a single device, Clear + Brilliant Touch offers diverse treatment options, streamlined costs and enhanced revenue potential.

^Refers to age of consent 16yrs & older
*Preventative treatment refers to prevention or worsening of fine lines or wrinkles due to ageing or sun damage.

As a long-standing user of Solta Medical technologies, can you share a brief overview of your experience using these devices?

We were the first Australian clinic to offer Fraxel – around 2006 – and have upgraded to the Fraxel Dual along the way. We have carried out thousands of these treatments and it has never let us down. In all that time we have only had one client say they didn’t see a result this was a complex case which we should not have let through our screening.

Why did you choose to invest in the new Clear + Brilliant Touch for your clinic?

I had tried a Clear + Brilliant Touch treatment while overseas a couple of years ago and found the treatment comfortable and effective. In fact, 10 days after the treatment I remember thinking, ‘wow, my skin looks good already’. As soon as I got back to Australia, I contacted Solta and asked if it was here but was told ‘not yet’. I kept raving about it until we finally got it!

What sets this technology apart in your treatment portfolio?

I have no other piece of equipment that does so many things, all in one treatment and to such a high standard. We have seen results that have consistently surprised and delighted the team, and our clients, which is of course our goal. We know that happy customers come back over and over – some of my clients have been with us more than 20 years.

‘I HAVE NO OTHER PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT DOES SO MANY THINGS, ALL IN ONE TREATMENT AND TO SUCH A
HIGH STANDARD.’

How does Clear + Brilliant Touch fit into your business model?

We have many technologies and treatments in the clinic, but over time the mid-range priced treatments have become commonplace in the industry, with a corresponding shrinkage of profitability. The higher-priced treatments, such as Fraxel, are not going to be affordable for everyone, so although these prices have maintained consistency, the demand is less. We therefore needed more mid-range priced treatments that provided advanced results with good profitability – this is exactly where Clear + Brilliant Touch sits.

How do you use Clear + Brilliant with deeper treatments such as Fraxel?

Fraxel is amazing, treating deeper and addressing deep ice-pick scarring, loss of collagen, pigmentation, and texture and tone. Our clients have always been happy with their Fraxel results, but we discovered that overlaying Clear + Brilliant, particularly on older clients, takes their results to the next level. It just makes sense to rejuvenate both the deeper and surface layers for the best results. Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant is therefore a perfect combination.

What is your skin resurfacing treatment protocol?

Preparing the skin is crucial for the best results. We need to ensure that we don’t make pigmentation worse and that the skin is in the best condition possible before we start treatment. This will speed recovery, minimise downtime and enhance results.

In the early days of Fraxel, we would recommend prescription de-pigmenting gel for our clients if they were at risk of pigmenting during treatment, but we found that compliance was an issue as these products can dry and irritate the skin. Also, because they are a prescription medicine, the client has the view that it’s a short-term measure yet as a clinic we want recurring retail business.

Over the years, we have experimented with active skincare ranges, with varying degrees of efficacy. When I launched ISSADA Clinical Formula, I knew that one of my priorities had to be creating more effective pre- and post-treatment products – not only for Fraxel but for all modalities.

For our resurfacing clients, we prep the skin for at least two weeks – up to six weeks for darker skin types. This means the client will begin to see results before

their actual treatment and observe faster results afterwards. It also reduces the likelihood of pigmenting during treatment. The regimen comprises multiple actives to increase cell turnover and brighten pre-treatment, and to soothe and calm after treatment. We also use ISSADA Synbiotic Moisturiser, which contains live probiotics to re-instate the microbiome within 30 minutes of treatment. We add in a light peel at day 7 and an LED mask at day 14 to ensure the client comes back for photos and we can check their progress.

Can you talk on your patient trial results with Clear + Brilliant Touch treatment?

All of our trials were conducted using four passes of each handpiece and we tested a wide range of ages and skin concerns. Clients ranged from age 22 through to 78 and Fitzpatrick types 1-6. We saw results after only 7-10 days in every single case and these built over the following weeks – not one client was disappointed. We also chose four clients who we expected not to see a result to gain a greater understanding of treatment limitations, but even these ‘difficult cases’ saw visible results.

After our trials, we now know where we could have used more or less passes of one or the other handpieces but, regardless, the results speak for themselves.

How has the addition of Clear + Brilliant Touch helped attract and retain clients?

From a clinic perspective, it is more credible when you can tailor a treatment without having to double charge the client. The faster you can give results, the more likely the client is to return and the more word-of- mouth referrals come in. It’s also good for them to see early results – before they have forgotten about the treatment!

What advice can you share on balancing clinical efficacy with business growth?

1. Ensure you really understand your clinic overheads and running costs as time and time again I see clinic owners relying on manufacturers’ ROI templates which cannot possibly factor in the clinic overheads. For example, many business owners do not appreciate that if they are in a medical precinct or strip location, they may pay less rent, but they will need to spend more in marketing if they don’t have the walk-by traffic.
2. Know your demographic and their price sensitivities.
3. Set staff targets and expectations. Monitor these carefully and share with your staff the daily break-even figure so that they understand what they need to achieve.
4. Care for your equipment. My rule that can never be broken is: Don’t move the equipment from room to room! This is how equipment gets broken. I have eight treatment rooms in my clinic and no one is allowed to wheel equipment around! AMP

The Results:

To learn more about Clear + Brilliant Touch visit clearandbrilliant.com.au or contact Solta Medical Australia on 1800 251 150.

CLB.0078.AU.24