Bay Area Ultra Laser Skin Resurfacing

ULTRA

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Skin collects “evidence” over the years: sun days in Carmel, old acne, pregnancy melasma, dullness from not-so-gentle products. Topical skincare helps, but once the upper layers of skin are mottled or rough, you need something that can safely tell the skin to rebuild. ULTRA Laser Skin Resurfacing does exactly that.

ULTRA Skin Resurfacing (also called Cynosure Lutronic) is a non-ablative, fractional, 1927-nm thulium laser. It creates thousands of precise micro-columns of energy in the top layers of skin; your body rushes in to repair them, pushing out old, discolored, sun-damaged cells and replacing them with fresh, even, smoother skin. Because only a fraction of the skin is treated at once — and because the laser does not remove the entire surface like older ablative lasers — downtime is short.

The goal isn’t to make you look different. It’s to make your own skin look clearer, brighter, and tighter, so makeup sits better, pores look smaller, and pigment blends in again.

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Dr. Lisa Hwang

Introducing ULTRA

I love having a resurfacing option that I can tune to the patient in front of me. ULTRA lets me treat pigment, texture, and early fine lines — even on diverse skin tones — without putting patients through a full laser peel. It’s a great companion to injectables and to my surgical patients who want to maintain their skin.

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Problem areas

TEXTURE AND PORES.

Sun, aging, and past breakouts can leave the skin surface uneven, dull, or rough. ULTRA Laser Skin Resurfacing delivers controlled laser energy to the upper layers of the skin to speed cell turnover and stimulate fresh collagen. The result is a smoother, more refined texture and pores that appear less visible, without the downtime of deeper ablative lasers.

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pigmentation.

Brown 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 fade sun spots and brighten the overall complexion while protecting the surrounding tissue. With a series of treatments, skin looks clearer and more even.

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.

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 24–48 hours. If we are treating around the mouth and you have a history of cold sores, let us know. Please avoid recent tanning or self-tanner on the treatment area.

At your appointment, Dr. Lisa Hwang will review your goals, confirm the treatment zones, and take baseline photos. The skin is cleansed and protective eyewear is placed. A topical numbing cream may be applied for comfort, depending on the depth and strength chosen for your skin. The ULTRA laser is then passed evenly over the skin to create controlled microscopic zones of resurfacing while leaving surrounding skin intact. You will 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 broad-spectrum SPF 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 will feel warm for a few hours.

After treatment, keep your skincare simple for the first 24–72 hours: gentle cleanser, bland moisturizer, and SPF 30+. Avoid makeup, hot yoga, saunas, and vigorous workouts the day of treatment (and until the skin is no longer warm or tender). Makeup can usually be worn the next day or when the surface is calm.

recovery.

Recovery from ULTRA is usually light and social-downtime only. Expect redness and warmth the first day, followed by dryness or a “sandpapery” feel over 2–4 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. Do not pick or scrub. Most people feel presentable within 24–48 hours, depending on settings used.

RESULTS OVER TIME.

You will see a fresher, brighter look as soon as the initial pinkness settles. 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.

Because laser remodeling is biologic and slow, results continue to develop for 4–12 weeks. Many patients benefit from a series of treatments spaced about 4–6 weeks apart, then maintenance a few times a year to keep 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:

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.
MENDS - tiny brown spots (Microscopic Epidermal Necrotic Debris) and a sandpaper-like texture for 1-5 days.
- MENDS result from damaged cells and melanin being pushed to the surface.
- MENDS will naturally flake and peel off as new smoother skin underneath is revealed.
- MENDS are a sign that the ULTRA treatment is effective, and that the skin is responding well to the laser.

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 XERF RF Skin Tightening 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.