Laser Treatments in Christchurch: Which One Is Right for Your Skin?
BBL, MOXI, Excel V+, Laser Genesis. What do they all do, and which one does your skin actually need?
If you've been researching laser skin treatments in Christchurch, you've probably noticed there are quite a few options. And unless you're a skin therapist, understanding the difference between them can be confusing.
At Ellis & Jones, we've expanded our range of advanced laser and light-based treatments at our Christchurch clinic, giving us more options to treat different skin concerns.
From pigmentation and sun damage to rosacea, broken capillaries, fine lines and uneven skin texture, different technologies are designed to target different things.
So, rather than expecting you to know what to book, we've put together a simple guide to our treatments, what they do and who they may be suitable for.
1. BBL (BroadBand Light): For pigmentation, sun damage and redness
If your skin has accumulated a few years of sun exposure, you've noticed more freckles or pigmentation appearing, or you're dealing with general redness, BBL could be a great place to start.
BBL is technically not a laser. It uses advanced BroadBand Light technology to deliver controlled pulses of light into the skin, targeting unwanted pigment and visible redness.
The light energy is absorbed by specific targets in the skin, helping improve its appearance over time.
What can BBL treat?
Sun damage and sunspots
Freckles and age spots
Uneven pigmentation
Facial redness
Rosacea-related redness
Some visible blood vessels
Acne, using our BBL Forever Clear treatment
BBL is particularly useful for people who want to improve several concerns across a larger area, rather than focusing on just one specific spot.
Downtime: Usually minimal, although treated pigmentation can temporarily darken before fading and some redness or swelling may occur.
2. MOXI Laser: For skin texture, pigmentation and early signs of ageing
MOXI is a fractional laser designed to improve the overall tone and texture of your skin.
Unlike treatments that remove the outer layers of skin, MOXI uses non-ablative laser energy to create controlled microscopic treatment zones. This encourages the skin's natural renewal process.
It's a popular option for people who are starting to notice changes in their skin and want to improve them without undergoing aggressive laser resurfacing.
What can MOXI treat?
Uneven skin tone
Sun damage
Fine lines
Rough or uneven skin texture
Enlarged-looking pores
Certain pigmentation concerns
Early signs of ageing
MOXI may also be considered for some people with melasma, but this requires careful assessment as pigmentation conditions can react differently to laser treatments.
Downtime: Generally limited, although the skin may look slightly bronzed and feel rough or dry for several days as it recovers.
Can BBL and MOXI be combined?
Yes! BBL and MOXI can complement each other.
BBL primarily targets unwanted pigmentation and redness, while MOXI focuses more on skin texture and overall tone.
For suitable clients, combining the two allows us to address several different skin concerns within a personalised treatment plan.
3. Excel V+ Vascular Laser: For rosacea, broken capillaries and visible veins
Some types of redness need a more targeted approach.
If you've noticed little red veins around your nose, persistent redness across your cheeks or visible broken capillaries, Excel V+ may be a suitable option.
Excel V+ is an advanced vascular laser using two different wavelengths to target visible blood vessels at different depths.
The laser energy is absorbed by the blood within the targeted vessels, causing controlled heating that can make them gradually become less visible.
What can Excel V+ treat?
Rosacea-related redness
Persistent facial redness
Broken capillaries
Spider veins
Visible facial veins
Cherry angiomas
Selected vascular concerns on the body
Unlike BBL, which can address multiple concerns over a larger area, Excel V+ allows us to precisely target individual vessels and specific vascular concerns.
It's important to understand that while vascular laser treatments may improve the appearance of rosacea-related redness, they do not cure rosacea itself.
Downtime: Varies depending on the concern and treatment settings. Temporary redness, swelling, bruising or darkening of treated vessels can occur.
Excel V+ is available exclusively at Ellis & Jones Christchurch.
4. Laser Genesis: For redness, pores, fine lines and overall skin quality
Not every laser treatment is about correcting one obvious skin concern.
Sometimes your skin just isn't looking quite as fresh, smooth or even as you'd like.
That's where Laser Genesis comes in.
Laser Genesis is a gentle, non-ablative laser treatment delivered using our Cutera Excel V+ platform. It works by gently heating the skin to encourage collagen remodelling and target tiny blood vessels that contribute to redness.
It's designed to progressively improve the appearance and quality of your skin without the more noticeable recovery associated with aggressive resurfacing treatments.
What can Laser Genesis help with?
Diffuse facial redness
Uneven skin texture
Enlarged-looking pores
Fine lines
Some acne scarring
Overall skin tone and appearance
Laser Genesis is a great option for suitable clients who want gradual skin improvements without significant downtime.
Rather than aiming for dramatic overnight changes, the treatment works progressively, with a series of appointments often recommended.
Downtime: Typically little to none. Some clients may experience temporary warmth or mild redness afterwards.
Laser Genesis is available exclusively at Ellis & Jones Christchurch.
5. Laser Hair Removal: For long-term hair reduction
Our laser and light-based treatments aren't just about skin rejuvenation.
We also offer hair reduction treatments using our BBL technology.
BBL hair removal uses pulses of light that are absorbed by pigment within the hair follicle. This heats the follicle and helps reduce future hair growth.
Because hair grows in cycles, multiple appointments are usually needed to achieve a meaningful reduction.
What areas can be treated?
Underarms
Brazilian
Legs
Upper lip and chin
Beard shaping
Other suitable face and body areas
BBL hair reduction tends to work best on darker hair containing more pigment. Very light blonde, grey or red hair may not respond effectively.
The aim is long-term hair reduction rather than a guarantee that every hair will be permanently removed.
Which laser treatment is best for your skin?
Here's a simple way to understand the differences.
Your main concern | Treatment to consider |
Pigmentation and sun damage | BBL or MOXI |
Broken capillaries and visible facial veins | Excel V+ |
Rosacea and persistent redness | Excel V+, BBL or Laser Genesis |
Fine lines and skin texture | MOXI or Laser Genesis |
Enlarged-looking pores | MOXI or Laser Genesis |
Overall skin rejuvenation | BBL, MOXI or Laser Genesis |
Acne | BBL Forever Clear |
Unwanted hair | BBL hair reduction |
This is only a general guide. The most appropriate treatment depends on your skin type, the underlying cause of your concern, your medical history and the results you're hoping to achieve.
Do laser treatments hurt, and is there downtime?
This is one of the most common questions we hear.
The answer depends entirely on which treatment you're having.
Laser Genesis is generally very comfortable and often feels like gentle warmth across the skin. BBL and Excel V+ may feel like brief warm snaps against the skin, while MOXI can create a more noticeable sensation and may require topical numbing beforehand.
Downtime varies too. Some treatments allow you to return to normal activities straight away, while others can cause redness, swelling, temporary darkening or changes in skin texture as your skin recovers.
Laser and light treatments also carry risks, including burns, changes in pigmentation and, less commonly, scarring. Not every treatment is suitable for every skin tone or medical history.
We'll always discuss what to expect, including any precautions and aftercare, before beginning your treatment.
You don't need to know which laser to book
One of the biggest misconceptions about advanced skin treatments is that you need to research every machine and work out exactly what your skin needs before making an appointment.
You don't.
You might think you need treatment for pigmentation when the concern is actually vascular. Or you might book for redness when improving your overall skin quality is more important to you.
That's why we recommend starting with a skin consultation.
Our team can assess your concerns, explain the available options and recommend an individualised treatment plan.
Sometimes that means one particular technology. Sometimes it means combining treatments over time. And sometimes laser isn't the right option at all.
The goal is to find the treatment that makes sense for your skin.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about cosmetic laser and light-based treatments and is not a substitute for individual professional advice. Results vary, multiple sessions may be required, and treatments carry potential risks and side effects. Suitability, contraindications and aftercare requirements will be discussed during your consultation.
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