ULTRA
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Dr. Lisa Hwang
Introducing ULTRA
Ultra—the plastic surgeon's secret to filterless skin. This is the laser I trust for my own skin. I brought it into my practice partly so I could use it on myself. A non-ablative thulium laser (1927 nm), the ULTRA targets superficial layers of the skin to improve color/tone, texture, sun damage/pigmentation, and overall luminosity, while stimulating collagen growth.
Medium to darker skin types have a tendency to hyperpigment as a result of laser treatments. ULTRA was developed specifically to minimize these risks.
boost your results
XERF & Ultra
ULTRA can also be paired with XERF. One rebuilds your collagen foundation, while the other resurfaces the top layers for refined, luminous texture. Together, they tighten, smooth, and brighten from the deepest layers of your skin to the surface that everyone sees. It's the ultimate synergy: structure meets radiance.
Brighter. Smoother. More Even Skin Tone—With Minimal Downtime.
Your skin tells a story. Sun exposure, past acne, hormonal pigment, and everyday wear slowly leave their mark. Medical-grade skincare can support the surface, but uneven tone and texture extend into the upper layers of the skin below the surface, where topicals can’t fully penetrate. ULTRA Laser Skin Resurfacing gently signals your skin to renew itself from within.
ULTRA (by Cynosure Lutronic) is a non-ablative, fractional 1927-nm thulium laser designed to improve pigmentation, texture, and overall skin clarity. It delivers thousands of precise micro-thermal treatment zones into the superficial layers of the skin, stimulating natural skin turnover and collagen renewal, while leaving surrounding tissue intact for faster healing.
Over the weeks following treatment, damaged and discolored cells are replaced with healthier, smoother skin. Because ULTRA treats only a fraction of the skin at a time and does not remove the skin’s surface like traditional ablative lasers, downtime is typically minimal and limited to 1–2 days of redness.
ULTRA is commonly used to improve:
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Early signs of aging and fine lines
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Sun damage
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Uneven skin tone
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Rough texture and dullness
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Enlarged pores
The goal isn’t to change how you look, it’s to restore skin that looks smoother and more refined, so makeup may be minimized or skipped, skin tone appears more even, and your skin simply looks healthier and more radiant!
Problem areas
TEXTURE AND PORES.
Sun, aging, and past acne breakouts can leave the skin surface uneven, dull, or roughly textured. ULTRA Laser Skin Resurfacing delivers controlled laser energy to the upper layers of the skin to speed cell turnover and stimulate fresh collagen growth. The result is a smoother, more refined skin texture with less visible pore size, without the 1-2 week downtime of more aggressive and ablative lasers.
pigmentation.
Sun spots, age spots, melasma, and uneven skin tone are some of the earliest and most noticeable signs of aging. ULTRA targets cells in a very precise way, helping to turnover areas of pigmentation and brighten the overall complexion, while protecting surrounding tissue. With a series of treatments, skin looks renewed, clearer, and more even in color.
FINE LINES.
The skin around the eyes and mouth is thin and moves constantly, so lines here tend to show first. By stimulating new collagen just beneath the surface, ULTRA can soften fine lines and early crepiness in these delicate areas. You still look like yourself - just smoother and more refreshed. To further reduce the appearance of wrinkles, neuromodulators like Botox or Daxxify can be considered–they reduce muscular movement, which prevent deepening of dynamic wrinkles and formation of static wrinkles, visible at rest.
Procedure.
Before your visit, please come with clean skin and avoid makeup, heavy lotions, self-tanner, and strong active ingredients (retinoids, glycolic, salicylic, vitamin C) for 1 week before the procedure. If we are treating around the mouth and you have a history of cold sores, let us know so we can prescribe prophylactic medication.
At your appointment, Dr. Lisa Hwang will review your goals, discuss risks and benefits of treatment, confirm treatment zones, and take baseline photos. The skin is cleansed, and topical numbing cream may be applied for comfort. The ULTRA laser is then passed evenly over the skin to create controlled microscopic zones of resurfacing while leaving surrounding skin intact. You may feel warmth and a mild prickly or “snap” sensation; cool air and post-laser serums are used to keep the skin comfortable. When treatment is complete, soothing products and a cooling face mask are applied.
Most patients describe the treatment as very tolerable, especially with numbing and cooling. The skin looks pink to red right after, similar to a sunburn, and may feel warm for a day.
After treatment, keep your skincare simple for the first 24–72 hours: gentle cleanser, the Alastin product, which is provided by Dr. Lisa Hwang, and SPF 30+ sunscreen. Avoid makeup, hot yoga, saunas, and vigorous workouts for 2-3 days (until the skin is no longer warm or tender). Makeup can usually be worn once the skin surface has calmed down.
recovery.
Recovery from ULTRA is usually light and social-downtime only. Expect redness and warmth the first day, followed by dryness and a “sandpaper-like” feel over 3–5 days as the treated skin turns over. Some patients notice a light bronzing or tiny dark speckles—that is normal and will flake off with gentle cleansing and moisturizer, within a week. Do not pick or scrub. Most people feel presentable within 24–48 hours, depending on settings used as well as personal response.
RESULTS OVER TIME.
You will see a fresher, brighter look within the first week, after the redness settles down, and small brown spots dissipate. Over the next several weeks, cell turnover and collagen stimulation improve texture, tone, and pore appearance. Brown spots and sun damage gradually lighten, and fine lines look softer.
Results continue to develop for 4–12 weeks. Many patients benefit from a series of three to five treatments spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Maintenance treatments, a few times a year, keeps the skin clear, smooth, and even.
RISKS & CONSIDERATIONS.
ULTRA Laser Skin Resurfacing is generally very safe when performed on properly prepared skin. Expected effects include redness, warmth, swelling, dryness, bronzing, and light flaking. Less common risks include acne breakouts, cold sore reactivation (which is why we may pre-treat), and temporary darkening or lightening of the skin.
FAQs
Who is the best candidate for ULTRA laser skin resurfacing?
The ULTRA, by Cynosure Lutronic, is ideal for anyone looking to improve skin texture, tone, and overall radiance. It’s safe and effective for all skin types and tones, and can be performed year-round with minimal downtime. Whether you’re concerned about sun damage, fine lines, uneven pigmentation, or rough texture, ULTRA offers customizable treatments to meet your skin’s unique needs.
What type of laser is ULTRA, and how does it work?
The ULTRA, by Cynosure Lutronic, is a non-ablative fractional laser that uses 1927 nm thulium laser energy to gently resurface the skin. It creates thousands of microscopic treatment zones in the upper layers of the skin, stimulating cell turnover and collagen production while leaving surrounding tissue intact for faster healing.
This process improves skin texture, tone, pigmentation, and overall brightness with minimal downtime compared to more aggressive resurfacing lasers.
What can I expect after treatment?
There’s minimal downtime, so you can return to work and most daily activities the next day. After your ULTRA treatment, you may notice:
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Warmth & redness of skin—similar to a mild sunburn—for a few hours. Dr. Hwang will apply a treatment and facemask afterwards to cool and hydrate your skin.
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MENDS - tiny brown spots (Microscopic Epidermal Necrotic Debris) and a sandpaper-like texture for 1-5 days.
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MENDS result from damaged cells and melanin being pushed to the surface.
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MENDS will naturally flake and peel off as new smoother skin underneath is revealed.
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MENDS are a sign that the ULTRA treatment is effective, and that the skin is responding well to the laser.
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Most patients notice that their skin looks brighter and more radiant within a week, with continued improvement as new collagen forms.
There’s minimal downtime, so you can return to work and most daily activities the next day. Dr. Hwang recommends treating your skin with Alastin medical-grade skincare both before and after laser treatment to enhance results, support healing, and maintain your skin’s long-term health. During your consultation, Dr. Lisa Hwang will evaluate your skin, discuss your concerns, and customize your aftercare plan for your skin type and treatment goals.
Which laser devices is the Ultra most comparable to, and how is it unique?
The Lutronic ULTRA is a non-ablative 1927 nm Thulium fractional laser, comparable to other resurfacing lasers like Clear + Brilliant, and Moxi. However, it stands out due to its combination of higher power, precision, and versatility.
What credentials does Dr. Lisa Hwang hold?
Dr. Lisa Hwang, MD, FACS is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic surgery. She is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and has completed extensive training, including full residencies in both general surgery and plastic surgery, followed by an aesthetic surgery fellowship endorsed by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
Dr. Hwang is an active member of several esteemed professional societies, including ASAPS, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the California Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS, and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Her practice reflects a commitment to surgical precision, artistic vision, and compassionate, personalized care.
What does Ultra Laser Skin Resurfacing cost?
Costs can vary based on your individual goals. Reach out to us with the details of what you’re considering, and we’ll provide a ballpark estimate.
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