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UltraClear Fractional Laser Resurfacing: Is It Right for You?

Co-authored with Dr. Leora Aizman

Over time, even the healthiest skin begins to show signs of sun exposure and aging. Fine lines deepen, brown spots appear, texture changes, and acne scars can become more noticeable. While medical-grade skincare can certainly help, sometimes you need a treatment that works on a deeper level.

Fractional laser resurfacing is one of our most effective tools for improving skin texture, tone, and overall quality, while still allowing for controlled healing and predictable downtime. UltraClear, our newest fractional laser resurfacing, adds to our toolbox with advanced features appreciated by both our physicians and our patients.

What is fractional resurfacing?

Fractional resurfacing is an ablative laser treatment that creates tiny, microscopic, precisely controlled holes in the skin. But instead of removing the entire surface layer (as older fully ablative lasers once did), fractional technology treats a “fraction” of the skin at a time. The surrounding untreated skin helps dramatically speed healing while reducing recovery time.

This controlled approach allows us to smooth etched in lines, tighten the skin, stimulate collagen and elastin, soften scars, and improve discoloration all while maintaining a strong safety profile and minimal downtime.

What can it treat?

Fractional resurfacing is commonly used for:

• Fine lines and deeper wrinkles, especially around the mouth and eyes
• Skin tightening
• Sun damage and pigment irregularities
• Acne scars and surgical scars

It’s especially helpful for patients who want meaningful improvement in texture and firmness, not just subtle brightening.

How does it work?

Ablative lasers such as CO₂, Er:YAG, and the new UltraClear target water within the skin. Because our skin contains a high amount of water, the laser energy is absorbed in the superficial skin and can precisely heat up and remove damaged tissue while stimulating new collagen formation.

As the skin heals over the following days and weeks, collagen remodels and tightens. Many of our patients notice continued improvements for several months after treatment as the skin rebuilds itself.

What advancements does UltraClear bring to our patients

Improved comfort

One of the main advantages of the UltraClear laser over other fractional resurfacing devices is the comfort of the treatment. While we generally need to use local anesthetic injections with other ablative lasers, the UltraClear spins its pulses in a way that reduces discomfort to the point where in most cases we only need topical anesthetic creams rather than injections. This is a dramatic improvement and advancement in laser resurfacing.

Tailored resurfacing, from light to deep

The UltraClear laser is extremely versatile and can be tuned to give a very superficial or very deep resurfacing depending on the patient’s needs. The more aggressive the treatment, the more improvement we can achieve – but that also means more downtime.

Depending on the treatment settings, you can expect several days of redness and peeling, and sometimes up to 7-10 days before you feel fully socially ready. We carefully tailor settings to your goals, skin type, and schedule to find the right balance for you.

Is UltraClear an option for you?

UltraClear fractional resurfacing may be a great option if you:

• Want noticeable improvement in wrinkles around the mouth or eyes
• Are comfortable with a week-long recovery period
• Prefer one more impactful treatment rather than multiple lighter ones
• Are committed to proper aftercare

During your consultation, we’ll discuss your goals, examine your skin, and determine whether ablative fractional resurfacing – or a lighter non-ablative option – is the best fit.

When thoughtfully selected and expertly performed, ablative fractional laser resurfacing with the UltraClear can be transformative. If you’re interested in learning whether fractional resurfacing fits your goals, we would be happy to evaluate your skin and create a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs.