Alma Hybrid laser combines ablative and non-ablative lasers to provide maximum effect with minimum downtime. It’s incredibly comfortable, suits every skin type, and allows customization for a wide range of treatments.
There are different laser platforms used to rejuvenate the skin by resurfacing its upper layers.
Laser resurfacing technologies are increasingly used by cosmetic surgeons to treat various skin conditions, as the appropriate laser can tighten the skin and improve the appearance of rhytides, lentigines, and a wide variety of scars.
The most common dermatologic lasers in use include ablative and non-ablative lasers.
The Sisram Medical Company, Alma, has launched its Alma Hybrid, a laser platform that includes an ablative laser and a non-ablative laser for skin resurfacing.
This article will discuss the effectiveness of Alma Hybrid laser treatment and why it holds the leading position in the market.
Overview of Alma hybrid
Alma Hybrid is a groundbreaking skin rejuvenation and scar treatment solution combining an ablative 10,600 nm (CO2) laser and a non-ablative 1570 nm laser.
The platform was introduced by Sisram Medical Company, the world’s leading provider of innovative technologies for medical aesthetic practitioners.
After blessing the world with a laser hair removal platform, the clustered diode laser, and flexural wave ultrasound technologies, the company launched this hybrid laser device combining ablative and non-ablative lasers for optimal skin rejuvenation treatment.
Each of the Alma Hybrid’s lasers operates to the highest standards independently to rejuvenate the skin and treat acne scarring and aged and sun-damaged skin.
However, each laser technology comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Combining both lasers creates a platform that gives the advantages of both ablative CO2 laser and non-ablative 1570nm laser.
Here is what you should know about ablative lasers:
- The ablative laser produces the most dramatic skin resurfacing results.
- The laser superheats water molecules in the skin, turning them into gas and vaporizing skin cells in the process for a precise skin-peeling effect. This promotes collagen formation and retracts the dermis and epidermis to tighten the skin.
- However, ablative lasers have serious side effects, which include scarring and difficult wound healing.
On the other hand, non-ablative lasers do the following:
- Produces a gentler effect on the skin, inducing controlled injury in the dermis and stimulating collagen production and remodeling.
- While the results of non-ablative lasers are mild (compared to ablative lasers), they offer benefits like minimal downtime and side effect profile.
The Alma Hybrid laser gives the best of both worlds. Know that while ablative lasers give dramatic skin resurfacing effects, they come with significant downtime and serious risks of scarring and skin infections.
Then, while non-ablative lasers offer lower risks and downtime, their results are only moderate, making them only good for textural improvements, acne improvement, and overall skin rejuvenation.
With Alma Hybrid laser combining ablative and non-ablative lasers, both laser wavelengths have their optimal effect on the skin side by side, giving you dramatic skin resurfacing with a significant reduction in downtime after treatment, minimal recovery, and lower risks.
In summary, the elements of Alma Hybrid laser technology are:
- An ablative laser for optimal skin resurfacing. It vaporizes the skin cells on the surface, revealing new skin cells.
- A non-ablative laser that heats the deeper layer of the dermis, stimulating cells to produce new collagen below the surface while leaving the epidermis intact (thus minimizing downtime).
- An IMPACT Trans Epidermal Delivery (TED) technology that enables the delivery of essential skin products to the skin through the micro-channels the CO2 laser creates.
Benefits of Alma hybrid
The Alma Hybrid laser has numerous advantages over previous skin-resurfacing technologies, including:
Faster treatment
With the Alma Hybrid laser, the duration of treatment is 30 – 90 minutes, depending on the area being treated. This is usually about half the time it takes with other laser technology for a full-face resurfacing.
Lower complications
With Alma Hybrid laser using non-ablative technology, the platform resurfaces the skin with minimal physical injury to the skin surface. Thus, Alma Hybrid results in fewer complications like scaring and noticeable lines of pigment difference.
More comfortable for patients
Typical skin resurfacing laser treatments concentrate laser pulses in one area to cause great discomfort. But Alma Hybrid spreads individual pulses of laser light over a large area, resulting in less discomfort.
Also, since Alma Hybrid treatment results in minimal physical injury, patients suffer less post-treatment wound healing.
More complete treatment
Alma Hybrid laser treats more surface area in a single treatment. In laser resurfacing treatments, the laser creates little columns of tissue injury that stimulate collagen production after healing.
With conventional CO2 lasers, the areas around the columns of heated tissue injury are unaffected.
But with Alma Hybrid combining CO2 laser and non-ablative laser, the innovative platform uses a CO2 laser to create the little columns of heated tissue injury and then fill the gaps around the tissue injury with a non-ablative laser for a more complete treatment.
What makes Alma Hybrid stand out?
The Alma Hybrid is the newest generation of hybrid skin resurfacing lasers that allow the use of two wavelengths in one treatment session. In fact, the Alma Hybrid laser is the most technologically advanced laser on the market.
The Alma Hybrid laser is so advanced that it has a wide scope of settings.
Though it is classed as a resurfacing laser, the Alma Hybrid can be tuned to target key areas of the skin, from superficial to deep.
You can tune it for gentle treatments on the upper layers of the skin, and you can also tune it to treat the deepest scars in the dermis.
While it can provide dramatic skin rejuvenation to erase up to a decade of wrinkles, it is gentle enough to treat the most sensitive skin types.
In fact, the Alma Hybrid is excellent for all skin types, from fair to ethnic darker skin types. It does not induce the abnormal pigmentation that using ablative lasers on darker skin often causes.
Alma Hybrid is good for:
- Resurfacing superficial pigment and sun damage.
- Removing dermal pigment.
- Improving the appearance of scars from acne, burns, chicken pox, and surgery.
- Improving the appearance of enlarged pores.
- Reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
- Delivering vitamins to the skin’s deeper layers.
What is the key difference between the Alma hybrid and the Halo laser?
The Alma Hybrid is more powerful and gives more complete treatment than HALO laser resurfacing.
HALO stands for Hybrid Fractional Laser. So, like the Alma Hybrid, the HALO laser combines ablative and non-ablative laser wavelengths in a single device to address various skin concerns.
However, while the HALO lasers use the erbium wavelength, it does so with minimal power. But Alma Hybrid allows you to go gentle or deep with far superior energy levels than the HALO laser.
What is the key difference between Alma Hybrid and Fraxel lasers?
Fraxel laser is the most popular and widely used skin resurfacing laser. However, it is a non-ablative fractional platform that delivers only long wavelengths.
In contrast, the Alma Hybrid combines ablative and non-ablative lasers to deliver both short and long wavelengths.
Thus, the Alma Hybrid laser is twice as powerful and twice as fast as the Fraxel laser.
The long wavelengths emitted by the Fraxel laser heats the lower aspect of the skin, stimulating collagen production below the surface to rejuvenate the skin.
By comparison, the Alma Hybrid’s long wavelength stimulates dermal rejuvenation like the Fraxel laser, while its short wavelength fractionally vaporizes skin cells on the surface, resulting in faster and more optimal laser skin resurfacing.
The ablative and non-ablative lasers of the Alma Hybrid make it capable of treating a range of skin concerns, more than the lower laser power of the Fraxer platform can address.
Will Alma hybrid tighten loose skin?
Alma Hybrid laser can tighten loose skin to some extent, although the degree of tightening can vary depending on several factors, including the patient’s skin condition and the severity of skin laxity.
Alma Hybrid lasers may not provide the same level of improvement as skin-tightening surgeries or facelifts. However, it is a viable option for individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity seeking a non-surgical solution.
The Alma Hybrid laser helps tighten the skin by using ablative and non-ablative wavelengths to stimulate collagen production. Collagen is an essential protein that provides the skin with its structure, firmness, and elasticity.
The ablative wavelength works on the skin’s outermost layer (epidermis).
It introduces controlled micro-injuries that trigger the body’s natural healing response, leading to the formation of new and healthy cells and making the area appear smoother and tighter.
The non-ablative wavelength penetrates the skin and heats dermal tissues without causing visible damage to the outer layers, stimulating collagen production. This improves the skin’s elasticity and firmness from within, leading to skin tightening over time.
What should I expect after undergoing the Alma Hybrid laser procedure?
The recovery period of the Alma Hybrid laser procedure is relatively short. While the length of the recovery period depends on factors like the strength of the treatment, many patients heal and recover after five to seven days.
Immediately following the treatment, you will likely experience some redness, tenderness, and potential swelling.
You may also experience superficial bleeding or oozing. These can be managed using topical applications advised by your practitioner.
You may also feel a burning sensation similar to that of a sunburn. For this, a cold-air Zimmer Cooler or similar “chillers” can help chill the skin to provide relief.
Note that two or three days after the procedure, your skin will start to peel. This is normal as the old tissues give way to the new skin.
Refrain from peeling the skin. Instead, let the “flakes” fall off on their own, and you’ll have a refreshed skin tone.
It’s important to stay out of the sun as much as possible during the healing period.
Is Alma Hybrid laser painful?
Despite being a very powerful and effective laser resurfacing treatment, the Alma Hybrid laser is incredibly comfortable. Most treatments with this device do not even require anesthetic.
The Alma Hybrid laser device has a cold plate that sits on the skin next to where the laser beam will make contact.
As the beams make contact with your skin, all you’ll feel is a mild tickling sensation.
If you are undergoing a stronger treatment, a topical anesthetic is applied to the treatment area prior to the procedure, numbing the skin for a painless procedure. Nerve blockers can also be used if required.
Does the Alma Hybrid laser have side effects?
Some patients report no side effects after the Alma Hybrid laser procedure. However, you may experience:
- Redness and swelling
- A mild sunburn sensation
- Light superficial bleeding or oozing
- Flaking
FAQs about Alma Hybrid skin resurfacing
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Alma Hybrid laser:
What skin concerns does Alma Hybrid laser treat?
Alma Hybrid laser treats a range of skin concerns, including pigmentation, sun damage, acne scars, trauma scars, skin laxity, stretch marks, fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
What does Alma Hybrid treatment involve?
The first thing is a consultation with a therapist. The therapist will examine you and determine your suitability for Alma Hybrid treatment.
Next, the therapist will examine your skin concerns and specific treatment goals and create a customized treatment plan for you.
The plan will include the treatment time, the number of sessions, the duration between each session, etc.
Lastly, the therapist may do a patch test to be sure your skin will react well to the laser energy.
What should I do when preparing for the Alma Hybrid laser treatment?
Some ways to prep yourself for an Alma Hybrid laser treatment include:
- Take medication to prevent viral infections: A viral infection can result in complications. Depending on your medical history, your therapist will usually prescribe an antiviral medication before (and after) treatment to prevent a viral infection.
- Avoid unprotected sun exposure: Too much sun exposure up to two months before treatment can cause permanent irregular pigmentation in the treated area.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of complications after treatment. So, if you smoke, try stopping at least two weeks before the procedure.
What happens before the Alma Hybrid treatment?
Before the treatment, the therapist cleans the treatment area to remove impurities. Next, they apply topical anesthetic to the area to numb it and make the procedure comfortable for you. You’ll also receive special eyewear to protect your eyes during the procedure.
Am I suitable for Alma Hybrid laser treatment?
Laser skin resurfacing is not for everyone. Your therapist will tell you your suitability for the procedure during consultation. However, they may caution against the procedure if you:
- Have a viral infection
- Have had radiation to the face
- Have a weak immune system or an autoimmune disease
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
How many treatments will I need?
How many treatments you’ll need depends on your specific skin concerns and needs. For example, someone with heavier scaring will need more treatments than another with light scaring. However, the common recommendation is a course of 3 to 5 treatments spaced 12 weeks apart.
How fast will I see results?
How fast you’ll see results after an Alma Hybrid laser procedure varies, depending on the particular case. However, many patients see results even after one session, but optimal results are seen several weeks after completing a series of treatments.
Is the Alma Hybrid laser safe?
The Alma Hybrid laser is FDA-approved, so it is a safe laser resurfacing treatment.
What is the cost of the Alma Hybrid laser treatment?
The cost of the treatment depends on your specific case. However, we provide discounts depending on the course of treatments.
Takeaway: Rejuvenate your skin with Alma hybrid
Birthmarks, sun damage, wrinkles, laxity, and scars are just a few of the things that can plague our skin and deprive us of a smooth and clear appearance.
Thankfully, there are different skin resurfacing solutions that can take away the “beaten” skin and reveal the smooth and clear appearance we crave.
The Alma Hybrid is the latest of those solutions, and it combines ablative and non-ablative lasers to give maximal effect with minimal downtime.
While the Alma Hybrid laser treatment is a comfortable yet incredibly powerful rejuvenation technique that will give you the smooth skin you crave, results also depend on where you have your procedure. This is where Highline Aesthetics comes in!
As Colorado’s only protocol-based Med-Spa, we use our expertise in skincare protocols to provide elevated aesthetic services, guaranteeing spectacular results for your ultimate beauty and confidence.
Schedule a free consultation today to see how we can help you rejuvenate your skin.