Can Moxi Help More Than Pigment? The New Research on Lasers + Precancerous Skin Damage.
I want to be very clear as I write this: this research is still relatively new.
While the findings are promising – we are absolutely going to learn more over the next several years. This may strengthen what we currently know, and some of it may shift the conversation in a new direction. That being said- there is something really exciting happening here and I am so excited to bring this news to my clients as a provider.
I’ll get into it deeper in the next few paragraphs – but the gist of it is – emerging studies suggest that non-ablative fractional lasers – like the ones MANY med spas offer (Fraxel, Moxi, Frax, and similar devices) may do more than improve pigment, texture and collagen. They may also help reduce actinic keratoses and lower the risk of future keratinocyte carcinomas in certain patients.
Actinic keratoses, or AKs, are considered precancerous lesions. The are collections of abnormal, sun damaged skin cells in the outermost layer of the epidermis. It is NOT skin cancer, but over time, some have the potential to progress into squamous cell carcinomas, which fall under the larger umbrella of keratinocyte carcinomas.
Historically, more aggressive resurfacing treatments- especially fully ablative lasers like CO2 and Erbium- have been studied for their ability to reduce sun-damaged cells and lower future skin cancer risks. Ablative lasers are lasers that take the first few layers of the epidermis off uniformly across a surface, Think of this as a lawn mower – same level of controlled ablation everywhere.
Non-ablative fractional lasers work differently. They create microscopic zones of heat injury, while leaving surrounding skin intact- allowing the healthy skin around the induced injury to help with healing. This typically yields faster healing and less risk of complication than ablative lasers. Think of aerating a lawn. Small columns of heat induced ablation give your skin space to regenerate, but leave enough healthy tissue around to give minimal downtime and less risk of complications.
Both laser treatments are great- it just depends on what your intended results are.
Ablative lasers are incredible when someone has more advanced sun-damage, deeper wrinkles acne scarring or enough downtime to commit to a more intense resurfacing process.
Non-ablative lasers are typically better suited for clients who want improvement in pigment, fine lines, texture, superficial scarring and overall skin quality – with less downtime.
But here is where I get really excited!
A study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital looked patients who had previously been diagnosed with facial keratinocyte carcinoma. Researchers compared patients who and later received non-ablative fractional laser treatment with a matched control group who did not. The treated group had about half the rate of subsequent facial KC development when cared with the untreated group. In the study, 20.9% of laser-treated patients developed subsequent facial KC, compared with 40.4% of controls.
There is also research on the 1927nm non-ablative fractional laser-the wavelength used in treatments like Moxi and other thulium-based resurfacing devices- showing significant reduction in actinic keratoses. One study found an 86.6% reduction in AK lesion count at 6 months after treatment with a 1927 nm fractional laser.
This is not the same as saying laser prevents skin cancer. We are not there yet. But it IS enough to may the dermatology and laser world pay attention.
Currently- most treatments for already present KC’s are oral medicine that typically come with a host of side effects. And for AK- destructive therapy is favored – including medications such as retinoids, 5-fluorouracil (commonly referred to on social media as “cancer cream”), nicotinamide, and other medications, cryotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. These methods are typically met with limitations produced by pain and significant downtime.
Laser therapy is emerging as a promising new treatment option and in my opinion – is a great preventative option as well. While not fully understood yet- the working theory is that fractional laser treatment may help clear damaged, atypical keratinocytes while also stimulating a wound-healing response in the skin. That wound-healing response brings in new collagen production, cellular turnover, remodeling, and possibly changes in the local ‘immune environment of the skin. It is also hypothesized that fibroblast stimulation is integral to up-regulating Insuline-like growth factor (IGF) in the skin- which plays a pivotal roll in keratinocyte regulation. In simpler terms: the laser may be helping the skin identify, shed and remodel areas of sun-damaged cellular behavior before they progress further.
This is why I like to explain a yearly Moxi or similar non-ablative fractional laser as a kind of “cellular deep clean” for the skin.
It doesn’t replace yearly dermatology visits or SPF. It also doesn’t;t guarantee prevention. But the science is starting to suggest that these treatments may do more than make the skin look better- they may help the skin behave better and improve the health of sun-damaged skin over time.
There are still a lot of unknowns here. We need larger studies, longer follow-ups and more clarity on which patient benefit the most. But for clients with a history of sun damage, pigment, rough texture or actinic change, I think tis conversation is incredibly exciting.
For me, this is where aesthetics becomes more than beauty. It crosses into prevention, cellular rejuvenation, skin quality and long-term skin health strategy.
Thanks for reading – and if you’re in the Chicago area and interested in talking through whether you would be a good candidate for a moxi treatment – please look me up. I’m an Advanced Aesthetician and Laser Technician at the River North Location of Beautifully New- Chicago. We are located at 372 W. Ontario st.
