Ultra: non-ablative Thulium 1927 nm Laser for Aging Skin and Hair Loss

How can Ultra give you healthy, glowing skin?

      Skin aging consists of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that eventually lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and roughness. Intrinsic factors include tissue degeneration and collagen depletion, while extrinsic factors include sun exposure. The cosmetic concern behind ageing skin has led to the development of skin rejuvenating laser treatments. Non-ablative 1927-nm fractional thulium fiber laser (TFL) treatment has been found to increase the absorption of water, leading to increased penetration of the epidermal and papillary dermal skin layers. This fractional thermolysis technique also stimulates the production of collagen type 3 and reduces the formation of melanin in the skin. Therefore, there is a marked improvement in the appearance of pigment disorders such as melasma, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and superficial lesions. There is also an enhancement in the appearance of photoaging, texture, wrinkles, and skin laxity.

       Laser and light-assisted therapies have also been shown to stimulate the expression of growth factors and signaling molecules that lead to rejuvenation of healthy and thicker hair growth. The exact biomolecular mechanism is still
unknown, but the increased proliferation of progenitor cells in each follicle unit and improved vasculature in the perifollicular environment have
been illuminated thorough many studies. Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the power, energy, depth, width, and degree of the laser-skin tissue interaction, preventing any undesired areas of the skin from receiving thermal energy leading to damage. With weekly sessions over the span of 12 weeks, thulium laser therapy alone has shown a significant increase in hair thickness and density for pattern hair loss (PHL) patients, and there is a substantial improvement of hair density and thickness when used with other hair growth enhancement serums and injections.

What does a typical treatment session look like?

      The physician will disinfect the desired area for treatment and apply numbing
cream before drawing demarcation lines on the region of treatment. They will then use the Ultra Thulium Laser to treat the skin, introducing thermal energy to penetrate the superficial layers of the dermis and stimulate healthy skin and/or hair. If the laser is being used for hair growth, the physician will then follow the laser treatment with the application of KeraLase KeraFactor hair growth serum and gently massage it into the scalp. One session of Ultra treatment typically lasts between 5-20 minutes, or longer depending on the size and number of target areas. Treatment duration may vary depending on the severity of the skin’s condition, which the physician will discuss with the patient. Full healing of the skin takes around 5-7 days post-treatment and patients may experience some temporary redness and swelling during the following 24-72 hours.

Is there anything patients should know about Ultra?

• There may be mild/moderate discomfort during the treatment.
• As stated above, patients often experience temporary redness or swelling of the area post-treatment.
• For the next week, skin will have a very dry, sandpaper-like texture which is
  normal due to the exfoliation process taking place.
• Treatment duration may vary depending on the severity of the skin’s condition, which the physician will discuss with the patient.