Dr Motox Clinic is one of the first clinics in the world to offer Exolase ONE. At our Harvey Nichols clinic in Knightsbridge, London, we assess whether its Gentle, Advance or Intense approach suits your skin, your goals and the recovery time you can allow. Exolase ONE combines 2940 nm Er:YAG and 1540 nm Er:Glass laser technology; the treatment settings determine the surface effect and recovery involved.
Choosing a laser treatment involves more than choosing a machine. The same platform can deliver very different treatments, depending on the settings, the applicator and the condition being treated. With Exolase ONE, understanding that flexibility helps you make a more informed decision about results, recovery and how treatment fits into your life.
At Dr Motox Clinic, our starting point is the skin concern you want to improve. Are you noticing dullness and early changes in texture, or are more established lines and sun damage your main concern? We also need to understand your skin history and how much recovery time you can realistically allow. The most intensive setting is not automatically the most suitable choice.
What the two erbium wavelengths do
Exolase ONE combines a 2940 nm Er:YAG laser with a 1540 nm Er:Glass laser. Both interact with water in the skin, but their effects differ. At ablative settings, Er:YAG removes tiny areas of tissue to resurface the skin. Er:Glass delivers controlled heat into deeper tissue without the same surface removal, supporting collagen remodelling over time.
ONEpulse technology allows these wavelengths to be delivered simultaneously through the same optical pathway. The system can also use the wavelengths separately. This gives the practitioner different ways to approach surface texture and deeper skin quality. It does not mean every patient receives the same depth of treatment, or that every concern needs both wavelengths at full intensity.
Gentle treatment and skin maintenance
The manufacturer describes ONEpulse Gentle as using the Er:YAG component at sub-ablative intensity alongside Er:Glass heating. It is intended as a lighter option for skin maintenance and early concerns, rather than stronger resurfacing. That distinction matters: a treatment using an erbium laser does not always remove the skin surface.
Gentle treatment may be considered when someone wants a less intensive approach to dullness or subtle textural changes. Expectations should match that approach. It should not be presented as delivering the same change as a more intensive resurfacing treatment, and the possibility of temporary redness or sensitivity should still be discussed. Low downtime is not a promise that your skin will look unchanged immediately afterwards.
Advance treatment and visible skin changes
ONEpulse Advance combines ablative Er:YAG micro-columns with Er:Glass heating. In practical terms, it includes controlled resurfacing as well as deeper thermal treatment. The manufacturer lists concerns such as irregular texture, photodamage, fine lines and enlarged pores among its intended uses.
Because ablation is present, healing is part of the treatment. Redness and fine crusting can occur as the treated areas recover. This can be a reasonable trade-off for a patient whose concerns call for resurfacing, but it needs to be planned around work, exercise and social commitments. A consultation should explain the likely response for your particular settings, rather than borrow recovery claims from a lighter protocol.
Intense treatment and a longer recovery commitment
ONEpulse Intense is the strongest of these three combined presets. The manufacturer protocol describes greater resurfacing and thermal effects for more established signs of ageing. It also anticipates a stronger skin response and longer recovery than Advance.
An intensive treatment is not a shortcut to a guaranteed result. Suitability depends on skin type, healing history, the treatment area and your goals. Deeper wrinkles, significant looseness or changes in facial volume may need a different approach or a combination of treatments. Laser cannot reliably reproduce the effect of surgery or replace lost facial volume.
How we decide which approach may suit you
Assessment includes your medical history, skincare, recent aesthetic treatments, medications and response to previous procedures. We also consider a history of cold sores, abnormal scarring, pigmentation after inflammation, sun exposure and any active skin condition. Darker skin tones need particular attention because inflammation can trigger pigment changes.
Some patients will need preparation before treatment; others will need treatment postponed or an alternative recommended. The manufacturer Exolase guidance lists pregnancy and breastfeeding, certain medications, active skin problems and conditions affecting wound healing among its exclusions. Never stop prescribed medication to make yourself eligible for laser treatment. Tell us what you take so that suitability can be assessed properly.
Course length and when to judge results
There is no single Exolase timetable that applies to everyone. Lighter maintenance treatments and ablative resurfacing have different aims and may use different intervals. The number of sessions and spacing should follow the agreed clinical plan, with another treatment only once the skin has fully recovered.
The skin may look smoother after the initial healing phase, while collagen-related changes develop more gradually. Early swelling can also change how the skin looks, so an immediate photograph is not a reliable measure of the final outcome. We assess progress over time and adjust expectations to the response you actually have.
Supporting skin after treatment
Aftercare depends on the settings used and how your skin is healing. Follow the cleansing, moisturising and sun-protection instructions given at your appointment, and do not restart retinoids or exfoliating acids until your clinician advises that the barrier has recovered. Once the skin is intact, a hydrating option such as the Dr Motox Exosome Collagen Face & Neck Sheet Mask may support comfort and moisture. It is suitable across dry, oily and sensitive skin types, but patch test first and never apply it to infected, broken or actively inflamed skin.
Common questions
Does Gentle mean painless? Sensation varies. Warmth, prickling or discomfort are possible, and topical anaesthetic may be appropriate for some treatments.
Can everyone have Intense? No. A stronger preset may be unsuitable even when someone is willing to accept downtime. Skin safety and the likely benefit come first.
How much does treatment cost? Your consultation should establish the area, intensity and proposed course before a personalised quote is provided.
Exolase ONE consultation in Knightsbridge London
For an assessment at our Harvey Nichols clinic in Knightsbridge, book a consultation through our online booking system. We can explain which approach may suit your skin, what it can realistically improve and the recovery commitment involved. A clear treatment plan should leave you understanding both the potential benefit and the limitations before you decide.
Exolase ONE questions answered
Where can I have Exolase ONE in London?
Exolase ONE is offered at Dr Motox Clinic on the fourth floor of Harvey Nichols, 109–125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ. Dr Motox Clinic is one of the first clinics worldwide to offer the treatment. Book a consultation to assess suitability and choose the treatment intensity.
What is the difference between Exolase Gentle Advance and Intense?
Gentle uses a lighter, sub-ablative approach. Advance and Intense include ablative resurfacing, with Intense intended to produce a stronger treatment effect and a longer recovery commitment. The appropriate level depends on your skin, medical history and goals.
How many Exolase ONE sessions will I need?
The number and spacing of sessions depend on the treatment mode, concern and skin response. Your clinician will recommend an individual course rather than a fixed timetable for every patient. Skin must have fully recovered before repeat treatment.
Clinic location: Dr Motox Clinic, Fourth Floor, Harvey Nichols, 109–125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ. This is the patient-facing clinic address.
Learn more in our introduction to Exolase ONE at Dr Motox and book a consultation.
Sources
BTL EXOLASE ONE Clinical Guide; BTL EXOLASE ONE Treatment Protocols; BTL EXOLASE ONE Website Content Toolkit. General laser risks: Mayo Clinic laser resurfacing guidance. Manufacturer documents inform device details; individual results and recovery vary.
