Everything you need to know about the celebrity and dermatologist-praised Clear and Brilliant laser treatment

The Clear and Brilliant treatment has been on the market for eight years, a short time in the skincare world, but there's a reason it continues to be one of the leading anti-aging devices around the world. Beloved by celebrities (hi, Drew Barrymore and Christie Brinkley!), dermatologists and patients alike, the laser boasts a myriad of beauty benefits -- including elasticity, collagen production and glow -- all within a half an hour appointment, with no downtime.

"It’s my go-to for everything. I do it to myself once a month," said dermatologist Dr. Marnie Nussbaum to AOL Lifestyle, who has been using the laser on her patients since it was approved by the FDA in 2011. “It’s a great treatment for someone who wants to start laser surfacing but doesn’t want to go too [extreme]."

We caught up with the Manhattan doctor to get the 411 on the Clear and Brilliant treatment, the science behind how it works and all things skincare.

What are some of the biggest concerns your patients come to you for?

A lot of patients come to me for an anti-aging routine, hyperpigmentation on the face, sunspots as they got older and usually they just want a more clear tone and texture.

Can you talk about the science behind Clear and Brilliant? What makes it so effective?

The Clear and Brilliant is what we call a mini Fraxel laser, so it’s a great laser treatment if you don’t want a lot of down time. It’s basically creating these microscopic columns of treatment zones that new skin will then form into those columns and push out the dead skin cells.

So, you’re going to push out the dead skin cells and create newer collagen and elastin which is the basis of your skin. It tightens, it firms and then it helps with the penetration of any products so that you can get a more glowy complexion.

Photographs courtesy of Solta Medical Aesthetic Center

Who are the optimal patients for Clear and Brilliant?

The great thing with Clear and Brilliant is there is no optimal patient. Anyone can do it starting at any age. Really, when you’re younger in your 20s, you’re going to do it for [everything including] pigmentation to decrease pore size to take off the dead skin cells. When you're in your 30s, you’re starting it more for fine lines to increase elasticity. In your 40s and 50s, you’re doing it for fine lines, wrinkles and to have a more even tone and texture.

How does it compare to other technology on the market?

This is one of my favorites because you really do get results in minimal downtime. You’re basically red for a few hours, like a sunburn, and then you’re scaly, but you don’t really see anything for about four to five days. Basically, what’s out on the market, I would say everything has more downtime or less results.

This really has been my go-to.

What do you suggest to patients post-treatment?

I put on a Vitamin C serum and you can use that every day post-treatment or whatever products you really want to penetrate. And a gentle cleanser twice a day, moisturizer and sunscreen are imperative.