Lately, one category of treatments has been generating a lot of buzz: lasers. Moxi and BroadBand Light (BBL), once considered niche dermatologist tools, are suddenly having a moment in the spotlight. Medspa experts across the Twin Cities say curiosity around these treatments, which are by no means new, has surged, with more people asking how they work, what they treat, and whether they’re worth adding to a winter routine. We’ve even witnessed an influx of laser-centric concepts opening throughout the metro (like Cleo Skin and Laser and Lasérie in Edina). To break it all down, we turned to local skin care pros for the inside scoop. First, a brief cheat sheet.
While both Moxi and BBL treat different layers of the skin to improve tone and texture, “BBL is a type of pulsed light therapy,” says Dr. Deepa Pai, a pioneer in ultrasound-guided aesthetics and regenerative medicine and owner of Petal and Stem medspa (a Woodbury newcomer). “It addresses sun damage, redness like rosacea, broken capillaries, uneven skin tone, acne, and early signs of aging.” It’s not for everyone, she notes—recent tanning; deep skin tones; and certain conditions, such as melasma, can make BBL risky. “With consistent BBL use, cells actually behave younger.” Then there’s Moxi—BBL’s collagen-boosting cousin. “Moxi is a non-ablative laser, meaning it doesn’t remove the top layer of skin,” says Pai. “It helps with fine lines, wrinkles, large pores, texture, uneven tone, and overall regeneration.” Though it’s suitable for a broad range of patients (and all skin tones), those with autoimmune conditions or a history of skin cancer may need to sit this one out.
Many clinics are now pairing the two. At North Loop’s Hjem Aesthetics, owner and certified family nurse practitioner Erin Hewitt says the combo has become a winter staple. “BBL clears pigment, while Moxi resurfaces and tightens. When done together, you get more dramatic, comprehensive results in a single session.” Why winter? With months of hibernation ahead, the timing is perfect. “Limiting UV exposure is key to using this technology safely and maximizing results,” says Pai.
And according to local pros, the clientele is changing, too. Younger patients are booking lasers earlier—not necessarily to reverse damage but to prevent it. “I love this shift,” says Hewitt. “Younger generations are smarter and more proactive about their skin health than ever.” She compares it to fitness: “You don’t start working out only after you gain weight. You work out to stay healthy. Skin care and anti-aging work the same way.”
At Skin Rejuvenation in Edina, lead advanced practice aesthetician Jordan Plumb has her own name for it: “prejuvenation.” “Starting services earlier can slow the overall aging progression and yield more natural results,” Plumb says. “It may even eliminate the need for aggressive treatments later.”
While lasers have become more mainstream, they’re still medical procedures. And depending on the treatment, some downtime is part of the deal. But according to Pai, a common misconception is that all laser treatments are very painful. “Yes, some are uncomfortable, but many are very tolerable—even essentially painless.” But she’s quick to add: The bigger issue isn’t pain—it’s safety.
At Michele Henry’s Galleria concept, Lasérie, in addition to BBL and Moxi, she also offers ClearSilk—a gentle, non-ablative laser treatment that she describes as a “lunchtime facial” for its quick results with no numbing or downtime.
The obsession with youthful, glow-y skin (and, in turn, a growing interest in services like lasers) has created what many trained professionals describe as a “Wild, Wild West” energy. “The industry has become far too casual and unregulated—especially with the type of procedures involved. Offering injectables in a hair salon or nonmedical establishment needs to stop,” says Dr.Pai. She offers an analogy: “Would you get a colonoscopy at a hair salon? Medical aesthetic procedures should require the same care and safety standards as any medical procedure.” Plumb, like Pai, stresses the importance of conducting research on the credentials of a prospective provider or clinic, stating that reputation and reviews are key.
For those who prefer a gentler path, winter delivers plenty of non-laser options. Pai, Hewitt, and Plumb recommend luxury facials (like HydraFacial for deeply hydrating and antioxidant-infused exfoliation that protects against environmental stress), chemical peels (for acne, fine lines, and sun damage), microneedling (which also thrives in the lower-UV months), and the most approachable of all: hydrating or barrier-boosting skin care to combat environmental dryness. Think: gentle cleansers; vitamin C and hyaluronic acid–based serums; exfoliating pads; gentle, winter-friendly retinols; moisturizer; hydrating lip balm; and—even in the lower-UV days—the most important of all: SPF. “Yes, even indoors, reapply your SPF every two hours,” says Pai.
One nonnegotiable when it comes to products? Medical grade matters. More often than not, you get what you pay for. “These products are backed by data, research, and science—and have the ability to actually change the skin,” says Hewitt.
