If sun damage, uneven tone or dull, tired-looking skin is your main concern, the Thulium 1927/1550 laser may be part of the conversation at your consultation. This page explains what it does, how the clinic uses it and what to expect.
Quick answer
The Thulium 1927/1550 is a dual-wavelength fractional laser that treats the skin in microscopic zones. It is not an ablative resurfacing laser. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster it is used mainly for pigmentation, sun damage, uneven tone, texture and fine lines, with suitability for your skin confirmed at consultation.
It is a dual fractional laser platform using two wavelengths, 1927 nm and 1550 nm. Fractional means the energy is delivered as a pattern of microscopic treatment zones, rather than across the whole surface of the skin.
Unlike CO2 and Er:YAG, it is not an ablative resurfacing laser. At the clinic it is most closely associated with pigmentation, photodamage, tone, texture and overall skin rejuvenation.
The fractional energy creates microscopic treatment zones in the skin, which the skin then repairs.
The two wavelengths do different jobs. 1927 nm is absorbed relatively superficially by water in the skin and is commonly associated with pigment and photoageing work. 1550 nm is used for deeper fractional remodelling.
Your practitioner decides how the platform is used for your skin and your concern. No single setting suits every skin type, which is why this is always decided in person.
Thulium may be considered for the concerns below, subject to an assessment of your skin.
Thulium can suit people whose main concerns are sun damage, uneven tone, texture or early signs of ageing, and who are looking for a fractional treatment rather than ablative resurfacing.
Pigment needs careful assessment. Straightforward sun-related pigment behaves differently from complex pigment such as melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), where the risk of PIH and of pigment returning has to be considered. Your practitioner will look closely at your skin, which may include a skin scan, before recommending a plan.
You start with a consultation, where your skin, your medical history and your goals are discussed. If Thulium is recommended, your practitioner explains the plan, how to prepare and how comfort will be managed.
On the day, the laser is passed over the treatment area using the wavelength and settings chosen for you. Aftercare is explained before you go home.
Recovery after Thulium varies with the wavelength, the settings chosen and your skin, so we do not give a fixed downtime. Your practitioner will tell you what to expect for your plan before you book.
You will be given aftercare to follow at home, built around these principles:
The two wavelengths on the Thulium platform should not be thought of as doing the same thing. Neither is an ablative resurfacing laser like CO2 or Er:YAG, which are the clinic's options for more advanced resurfacing.
Results vary from person to person, and pigment in particular can be unpredictable. We do not guarantee clearance of melasma or any other pigment. Your practitioner will explain what realistic improvement could look like for your skin.
Where we show before and after photographs, they are of real clients, not stock or manufacturer images.
The cost of Thulium laser depends on the area treated and the plan agreed at your consultation. You can find current prices on our prices page, and your plan cost is confirmed before treatment.
The questions we are asked most often about Thulium laser. If you have another, your practitioner will be happy to answer it at consultation.
Depending on your concern, your practitioner may also discuss these options with you.
| Feature | 1927 nm | 1550 nm |
|---|---|---|
| Depth of action | Relatively superficial | Deeper |
| Commonly associated with | Pigment and photoageing | Fractional remodelling |
| Type of treatment | Fractional, not ablative resurfacing | Fractional, not ablative resurfacing |
Thulium 1927/1550 is a dual fractional laser platform with two wavelengths that do different jobs: 1927 nm works relatively superficially and is associated with pigment and photoageing, while 1550 nm is used for deeper fractional remodelling. It is not an ablative resurfacing laser. At our Lancaster clinic it is used for pigmentation, sun damage, tone, texture and fine lines.
How it feels depends on the area, the wavelength and settings used, and your own sensitivity. Your practitioner will explain what to expect and how comfort is managed before treatment. If you are anxious about discomfort, say so at your consultation.
There is no fixed number. It depends on your concern, your skin type and how your skin responds, and pigment can behave differently from person to person. Your practitioner will recommend an approach at consultation and review it with you. Where pigment is involved, we do not promise clearance, particularly for melasma.
Recovery varies with the wavelength and settings used and with your skin, so we do not quote a fixed downtime. Your practitioner will explain what to expect for your plan and give you aftercare to follow, including protecting your skin from the sun. Sun protection matters most when pigment has been treated, because ongoing sun exposure can cause new pigment and damage.
Suitability depends on your skin type, the kind of pigment or concern you have, your medical history and your medications. Complex pigment such as melasma needs careful assessment because of the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and recurrence. Your practitioner will explain whether Thulium, or another option such as a chemical peel or IPL, suits you better.
The cost depends on the area treated and the plan agreed at your consultation. Current prices are on our prices page, and your practitioner will confirm the total for your plan before you book. If a different treatment would suit you better, such as a chemical peel or IPL, your practitioner will explain that too.
Tell us your goals. We'll tell you exactly what's possible and build a plan to get you there.
