LaseMD Ultra: The Hybrid Laser Treatment Changing Skin Rejuvenation in Chicago

If you've researched laser treatments and felt overwhelmed by the trade-off between results and downtime, LaseMD Ultra is the option most people don't know exists. It sits in a sweet spot most laser technologies miss — meaningful improvement to pigmentation, texture, and fine lines, with downtime measured in hours instead of weeks.

At Chicago Integrated Health, LaseMD Ultra is one of the most requested treatments because of what it does after a long Midwest summer: undo sun damage, even out tone, and refresh skin texture — without taking you out of commission. Here's everything you need to know.

What is LaseMD Ultra?

LaseMD Ultra is a non-ablative, fractional thulium fiber laser. That technical mouthful breaks down into four things that matter:

• Non-ablative, it doesn't remove the top layer of your skin (unlike CO₂ or fully ablative lasers). This is why downtime is so short.
• Fractional, it treats a fraction of the skin at a time, creating thousands of microscopic columns of heat that stimulate healing, surrounded by untreated tissue that speeds recovery.
• Thulium fiber laser, this specific wavelength targets water in the skin and reaches deeper than older non-ablative lasers, getting at pigmentation and fine lines without surface damage.
• Customizable depth, your provider can dial intensity up or down based on your goals and downtime tolerance, from a "light refresh" before an event to a more aggressive resurfacing.

The result is a treatment that feels less like surgery and more like a tune-up — but with the kind of long-term collagen response usually reserved for more intense procedures.

The top 7 benefits of LaseMD Ultra

1. Pigmentation and sun damage

This is LaseMD Ultra's signature use case. Sunspots, age spots, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, all respond well. The laser breaks up pigment clusters, your body clears them out, and your skin re-emerges noticeably more even-toned. For Chicago patients who spend summer at Montrose Beach, in Grant Park, or out on the lakefront trail, this is the treatment that resets things in the fall.

2. Fine lines and early wrinkles

LaseMD Ultra triggers collagen and elastin production over the weeks following treatment. You won't see overnight tightening, but at the 8-12 week mark, skin looks smoother, especially around the eyes, mouth, and on the cheeks.

3. Skin texture and pore appearance

The fractional pattern of micro-channels prompts your skin to remodel its surface. Patients often describe their skin feeling "softer" or "more refined" within the first month. Enlarged pores appear smaller because the supporting collagen structure around them is more robust.

4. Minimal downtime

This is where LaseMD Ultra wins decisively. Most patients experience:

• Day of treatment — mild redness (like a sunburn), slight warmth, possibly a sandpaper texture.
• Day 1-2 — light flaking or "frosting" as treated areas exfoliate.
• Day 3 onward — largely back to normal, with continued mild dryness.

Compare that to ablative resurfacing (1-2 weeks of significant recovery) or even older fractional lasers (4-7 days of visible redness). Most LaseMD Ultra patients return to work the next morning.

5. Customizable with topical serums

One of the most unique features: immediately after treatment, the micro-channels in your skin are wide open. We use this window to apply targeted serums — vitamin C, peptides, growth factors, brightening complexes — that absorb at dramatically higher concentrations than they would on intact skin. The treatment isn't just laser; it's laser plus tailored topical delivery.

6. Year-round treatment in Chicago

Some lasers limit you to fall and winter because of sun sensitivity. LaseMD Ultra's gentler profile means you can treat skin year-round, though we still recommend daily SPF 30+ and being thoughtful about direct sun in the first week. For Chicago patients, this flexibility matters: you can plan around weddings, vacations, or just life.

7. Builds with multiple sessions

While many patients see noticeable improvement after one treatment, the standard protocol is 3-4 sessions spaced 3-4 weeks apart. Each session compounds the result. Annual or biannual maintenance keeps the gains.

LaseMD Ultra vs. microneedling: which one is right for you?

Both treatments rely on the same biological principle, controlled injury triggers collagen remodeling, but they get there differently and excel at different concerns. We covered this comparison in detail in our microneedling guide, but here's the short version:

ConcernBetter choiceSun damage, age spots, hyperpigmentationLaseMD UltraFine lines on the upper faceLaseMD Ultra (slight edge)Deep acne scars, surgical scarsMicroneedlingStretch marksMicroneedlingHair restoration (scalp)Microneedling + PRPOverall skin tone and texture refreshLaseMD UltraSensitive skin or active rosaceaMicroneedling (with caution); LaseMD Ultra at low settingsTreatment in pregnancyNeither, wait until after

Many patients use both throughout the year, LaseMD Ultra for pigmentation post-summer, microneedling for specific scar areas or hair restoration. We'll build a plan in your consultation.

What to expect at your LaseMD Ultra appointment

A typical session at our Chicago location runs 60-90 minutes, including prep and recovery. A typical session at our Chicago location runs 60-90 minutes.

• Consultation and skin prep (10-15 min) — we cleanse the area, take baseline photos, and review your goals.
• Topical numbing (20-30 min) — applied to keep you comfortable. Some patients tolerate the treatment without it; most prefer numbing.
• Laser treatment (15-25 min) — your provider moves the handpiece systematically across the treatment area. Most people describe the sensation as warm prickling, manageable and brief.
• Custom serum application (5-10 min) — we choose the post-treatment serum based on your goals (brightening, hydration, peptide-driven collagen support).
• Post-care guidance (5 min) — clear instructions and an SPF for the trip home.

After your LaseMD Ultra session

The first 48 hours matter most:

Lifestyle restrictions:

• No direct sun for 7 days; SPF 30+ daily after that, indefinitely.
• No saunas, hot tubs, or intense cardio for 48 hours.
• No retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, or vitamin C for 5-7 days (your provider will tell you exactly when to resume).
• Hydrate generously and use bland, gentle moisturizer.

Pairing LaseMD Ultra with other treatments

LaseMD Ultra is often most effective as part of a broader skin-health plan. Common pairings we recommend at Chicago Integrated Health:

• Microneedling: alternated throughout the year to target different concerns.
• IV Therapy: antioxidant and hydration drips support skin healing from the inside out. Many patients book an IV session a day or two before treatment to optimize recovery.
• Topical skincare: a medical-grade home routine (vitamin C, retinoid alternated with bakuchiol if sensitive, daily SPF, peptide serum) compounds in-office results.
• Aesthetic treatments within our aesthetics and wellness menu: like medical-grade chemical peels for in-between maintenance.

Who isn't a candidate for LaseMD Ultra?

LaseMD Ultra is well-tolerated by most healthy adults across a wide range of skin tones, but it's not for everyone. Skip or postpone treatment if you have:

• An active skin infection or cold sore in the treatment area (treat the infection first; cold-sore-prone patients may pre-treat with antivirals)
• Recent isotretinoin (Accutane) use within the last 6 months
• Open wounds or recent significant sun exposure (sunburn) on the treatment area
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding (out of caution, not proven harm)
• Some autoimmune skin conditions in active flare

In your consultation, your provider will review your medical history and confirm whether LaseMD Ultra fits — or if a gentler option makes more sense.

Booking LaseMD Ultra in Chicago

We offer LaseMD Ultra at Chicago Integrated Health, 30 S Michigan Ave, Suite 400 — downtown Chicago, near Millennium Park and the Art Institute. Lake Forest patients can also book at our Lake Forest location.

Book your LaseMD Ultra consultation or contact us to ask questions before scheduling.

Frequently asked questions

Is LaseMD Ultra painful?

With topical numbing applied before treatment, most patients describe the sensation as warm and prickling, uncomfortable but tolerable. The treatment itself is relatively quick (15-25 minutes on the face), so any discomfort is brief. Tell your provider if anything feels too intense; settings can be adjusted on the fly.

How many LaseMD Ultra treatments do I need to see results?

Most patients see visible improvement after one session, but the standard protocol is 3-4 sessions spaced 3-4 weeks apart for cumulative results. Annual or biannual maintenance keeps the gains. Heavier sun damage or deeper pigmentation may require additional sessions.

When will I see results from LaseMD Ultra?

You'll notice initial brightness and smoother texture within 1 week as surface flaking resolves. The bigger collagen-driven changes: firmness, line softening, deeper tone improvement, develop between weeks 4 and 12, with continued benefits up to 6 months.

Can I do LaseMD Ultra year-round in Chicago?

Yes. Unlike more aggressive lasers that require strict sun avoidance, LaseMD Ultra is gentle enough for year-round treatment. The key requirement is consistent SPF 30+ daily after treatment and during the recovery window. Many Chicago patients schedule sessions in fall and winter to address summer sun damage, but spring and summer treatments are also fine with proper sun protection.

Who isn't a candidate for LaseMD Ultra?

Active skin infections, recent isotretinoin use (within 6 months), pregnancy or breastfeeding, open wounds, and active sunburn on the treatment area are reasons to postpone. Some autoimmune conditions in active flare may also be a contraindication. Your provider will review your full history during consultation.

How much does LaseMD Ultra cost in Chicago?

Cost depends on treatment area (face, neck, décolletage, hands) and whether you're booking a single session or a package. We share pricing during your consultation so it matches your goals. Packages of 3-4 sessions typically offer better per-session value than one-off bookings.

How is LaseMD Ultra different from BBL or Fraxel?

BBL (BroadBand Light) uses intense pulsed light to target pigment and vascular concerns, different mechanism, often complementary. Fraxel is another fractional laser, but typically more aggressive with longer downtime. LaseMD Ultra's distinguishing features are the thulium wavelength, fast recovery, and the customizable serum delivery into open micro-channels right after treatment.