Your Skin Remembers Every Sun Day: MOXI Treats Precancerous Spots
By LeMuse Health & Medical Aesthetics | November 11, 2026
If you have rough, scaly patches on your face, scalp, chest or hands that never seem to go away, you may be looking at actinic keratoses (AKs). They are among the most common skin findings in people with years of sun exposure, and they are worth taking seriously.
What are actinic keratoses, and why do they matter?
AKs are precancerous patches caused by cumulative UV damage. They matter for two reasons. A small number can progress to squamous cell carcinoma, and their presence tells us that the surrounding skin has been heavily sun-damaged. Dermatologists call this "field cancerization": the visible spots are only part of a larger area of skin that has been altered by the sun. That is why treating the whole field, not just individual spots, is an important part of long-term skin health.
What is MOXI?
MOXI is a fractional 1927-nm thulium laser. It is a non-ablative laser, which means it does not remove the outer layer of skin. Instead, it treats thousands of microscopic columns of skin and leaves the tissue between them intact, so healing is typically faster than with traditional resurfacing. The 1927-nm wavelength is absorbed in the upper layers of the skin, where sun damage and precancerous cells tend to sit.
About Sciton MOXI
MOXI is an FDA-cleared medical device for use in dermatological procedures requiring coagulation of soft tissue, treatment of actinic keratosis, and treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as age spots, sun spots and freckles, designed and manufactured by Sciton in Palo Alto, California.
What does the research show?
Two published studies of 1927-nm fractional thulium lasers are worth knowing about. They were not necessarily performed with MOXI, so results with any specific device may differ.
A prospective clinical study (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2013) followed 24 patients with facial photodamage and AKs who received up to four 1927-nm treatments. Average AK counts dropped by about 91% at one month, 87% at three months and 87% at six months, along with visible improvement in overall photodamage.
A newer prospective study (Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2026) treated 23 patients with four sessions and found significantly fewer AKs, better photoaging scores and measurable changes in the skin under the microscope, including less cell atypia and rebuilding of the deeper skin layers.
The 2026 study also found that molecular markers of field cancerization were still present after treatment. In plain terms, the skin looked and tested better, but the sun's earlier damage had not been erased completely. That is exactly why ongoing skin checks and sun protection remain essential after MOXI.
What MOXI is, and what it is not
MOXI is a way to treat AKs and sun-damaged skin. It is not a treatment for skin cancer, and it does not replace your regular skin exams. Any spot that is changing, bleeding, painful or not healing should be examined and, if needed, biopsied. Research so far shows that MOXI reduces AKs and improves sun-damaged skin. We do not yet have studies proving that it lowers a person's long-term risk of developing skin cancer.
Who might be a good candidate?
People who may benefit include those with multiple AKs, widespread sun damage or uneven texture and pigment, or a history of skin cancer, always in consultation with a clinician who has examined your skin. Treatment plans are individual. Our protocol has two phases. A, the corrective plan, is usually 3-4 treatments spaced 30 days apart to correct current concerns such as hyperpigmentation and rough texture. B, maintenance, follows: we recommend treatments every 4-6 months for mature skin and every 6-12 months for patients under 40.
What to expect
Consultation and skin exam: we check your skin for suspicious lesions before treatment.
Treatment: a series of sessions, with a prescription-grade topical numbing cream from SKNV (23% lidocaine and 7% tetracaine) applied beforehand for comfort. A full face and neck session usually takes about 60 minutes. MOXI can also be used on other areas of the body, such as the chest, hands and arms.
Recovery: most people experience redness, a sandpaper-like texture and some flaking. Recovery ranges from 7 to 10 days, depending on the treatment settings.
Aftercare: daily broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen, a good moisturizer and plenty of hydration to support your results, gentle skincare and regular skin checks.
Protect your results
The best strategy combines treatment with prevention: daily SPF 50, a good moisturizer and plenty of hydration to support your results, protective clothing, shade, and a skin exam at least once a year, or more often if you have a history of AKs or skin cancer.
Ready to learn more?
If you have rough patches, sun spots or a history of sun damage, schedule a consultation at LeMuse Health & Medical Aesthetics to find out whether MOXI is right for you. Call or text 425.758.8685 or book online.
Individual results vary. This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice.
References
Weiss ET, Brauer JA, Anolik R, et al. 1927-nm fractional resurfacing of facial actinic keratoses: a promising new therapeutic option. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68(1):98-102. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2012.05.033
Salviano LMO, et al. Clinical and histopathological assessment of the field of cancerization in human skin before and after treatment with a 1927-nm thulium fractional laser. Lasers Surg Med. 2026.
Sciton. What is MOXI laser? Complete patient guide. https://sciton.com/what-is-moxi-laser-complete-patient-guide/
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