Laser
Thulium laser
A fractional laser for the look of pigmentation, uneven tone and early sun damage, with a few days of redness.
At a glance
- Appointment
- Varies
- We'll tell you how long to allow when you book
- Course
- 2 to 3 sessions
- About a month apart, in studies
- Downtime
- A few days
- Redness, swelling and fine flaking
- Results
- Over weeks
- Building after each session
- Lasting
- Varies
- Melasma tends to return
- Price from
- £95
- Free 20-minute consultation
Written using information from the American Academy of Dermatology, the British Association of Dermatologists and published research. Last reviewed October 2026. How we wrote this page
What thulium laser treatment is
Thulium lasers used on the skin are non-ablative fractional lasers. They heat a grid of microscopic columns in the skin while leaving the surface largely intact, so healing is quicker than with lasers that remove the surface. We use the OPERA thulium laser.
Thulium lasers work mainly in the upper layers of the skin. That's why they're used for pigmentation, uneven tone and early sun damage.
We plan the treatment around what you'd like to change: glass skin, fine lines and skin quality, melasma and pigmentation, breakouts and acne marks, brightening, or redness, and set the laser for it.
The evidence is strongest for pigmentation and early sun damage. It can improve the look of pigmentation, but it isn't a cure: melasma in particular tends to come back, so we plan maintenance and daily sun protection with you. For redness, active breakouts and scars, the evidence for thulium lasers is limited, and we'll say so honestly at your consultation. If CO2 laser resurfacing or another treatment would suit you better, we'll tell you.
| Option | What it is | Typical course |
|---|---|---|
| Glass skin | For overall tone and texture, on the face, neck and décolleté | Planned with you |
| Fine lines and skin quality | For fine lines and early signs of sun damage, including the eye area and neck | 3 sessions a month apart, in one study |
| Melasma and pigmentation | For sun spots and uneven pigment, and melasma as part of a long-term plan with daily sun protection | 2 sessions a month apart, in one study |
| Breakouts and acne marks | For dark marks left after breakouts. Evidence on active breakouts is limited, so moderate or severe acne needs your GP first | 1 to 4 sessions, 6 weeks apart, in one small study |
| Brightening | For dull or uneven-looking tone on the face, décolleté and hands | Planned with you |
| Redness | Evidence for thulium lasers on redness is limited. Rosacea is a long-term condition, best diagnosed by a GP or dermatologist first | Planned with you |
Who it’s for
Adults only
Treatment is only for adults aged 18 and over.
Often a good fit if you
- have sun spots or uneven skin tone
- are noticing early signs of sun damage
- have melasma and want it improved as part of a long-term plan
- have dark marks left after breakouts
- can protect your skin from the sun every day, during and after your course
Not suitable, or we’ll wait, if you
- have a tan, or have recently been in strong sun
- have taken isotretinoin, a prescription acne medicine, in recent months
- have a cold sore or skin infection in the area
- are pregnant
Deeper skin tones have a higher risk of dark patches after laser treatment. Lower settings reduce the risk, and we may suggest a patch test first.
What happens on the day
-
Step 1: Consultation and skin check
We talk through what you'd like to change, go through your medical history and look closely at your skin, including how it has reacted to past treatments and sun.
-
Step 2: Preparing your skin
Your skin is cleansed and prepared.
-
Step 3: The treatment
The laser handpiece is passed over the area in a set pattern, while you wear eye protection.
-
Step 4: Straight afterwards
Your skin will look red and may feel warm and swollen. You'll get aftercare advice for your treatment.
Recovery and results
In studies, people had 2 to 3 sessions about a month apart. We'll plan your course at your consultation.
-
The first few days
Redness and swelling are normal.
-
Within a week
Fine, dark flaking or light crusting as the treated skin renews.
-
Over the following weeks
Pigmentation and tone can gradually look more even.
-
Longer term
Melasma often returns, especially with sun exposure. Daily sun protection and maintenance sessions help.
Aftercare
Please do
- Protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sun cream every day, and keep out of strong sun.
- Keep your skincare simple and gentle while your skin heals.
- Get in touch if redness or swelling gets worse after the first few days, or your skin becomes increasingly sore or hot.
| Avoid | For |
|---|---|
| Picking or rubbing flaking skin | While it heals |
| Sunbathing and sunbeds | Throughout your course |
| Make-up | As we advise |
| Retinol, acids and exfoliating products | As we advise |
Risks and side effects
- Common and expected
- Redness, swelling and fine flaking or crusting for several days.
- Less common
- Dark patches after healing (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), especially in deeper skin tones.
- Rare but serious
- Melasma that flares or becomes more visible after treatment, and burns if a laser isn't used correctly.
- Your skin tone
- If your skin tans easily or is a deeper tone, we use more conservative settings and may suggest a patch test first.
Worried after your treatment?
If anything about your skin worries you, contact us straight away on WhatsApp (opens WhatsApp) or call 07532 895989.
Prices
Thulium laser
Per session
Glass skin
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Full face | £395 |
| Face and neck | £695 |
| Face, neck and décolleté | £895 |
Fine lines and skin quality
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Fine lines | from £395 |
| Power Boost | £395 |
| Loose-looking skin | £495 |
| Eye area | £295 |
| Neck | £395 |
Melasma and pigmentation
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Full face | £475 |
| Cheeks | £395 |
| Forehead | £295 |
| Upper lip | £250 |
| Hands | £395 |
Breakouts and acne marks
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Breakout-prone skin | £450 |
| Marks left by acne | £495 |
| One small scar | £95 |
Brightening
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Full face | £395 |
| Face and neck | £695 |
| Décolleté | £495 |
| Hands | £395 |
Redness
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Full face | £495 |
| Cheeks | £350 |
Your 20-minute consultation is free. We’ll confirm your final price and plan before any treatment.
Your questions
What is thulium laser treatment?
A non-ablative fractional laser that works on pigment and tone in the upper layers of the skin.
Can it cure melasma?
No. Melasma can improve, but it tends to return, so we plan maintenance and daily sun protection with you.
How much downtime is there?
Usually a few days of redness, swelling and fine flaking.
How many sessions will I need?
Often 2 to 3, about a month apart. We'll plan your course at your consultation.
Can it help with dark marks after breakouts?
It may. In a small study of people with darker skin, most saw the marks fade, alongside creams prescribed by a dermatologist. If you still have active breakouts, we'll talk about those first.
Can it help with redness or rosacea?
The evidence for thulium lasers on redness is limited. Rosacea is a long-term condition, so we suggest seeing your GP or a dermatologist first. We'll talk it through honestly at your consultation.
Is it suitable for deeper skin tones?
It can be, with care. Pigment changes are a risk, so we use conservative settings and may do a patch test first.
When will I see results?
Gradually, over the weeks after each session.
Are the prices per session?
Yes, each price is for one session on that area. We'll plan your course at your consultation, and confirm your price before any treatment.
Related treatments
-
CO2 laser resurfacing
A resurfacing laser for scars, stretch marks, lines and texture, with about a week to heal.
From £249
-
Chemical peels
Peels for dull, uneven-looking or breakout-prone skin, from gentler options to stronger ones.
From £99
-
Geneo Super Facial
A three-step facial that exfoliates and infuses serums, for fresher-looking skin.
From £89
How we wrote this page
Written using information from the American Academy of Dermatology, the British Association of Dermatologists and published research. Last reviewed October 2026.
- PubMed. Efficacy and safety of 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser for melasma: a retrospective study of 100 patients
- PubMed. Retrospective study of melasma patients treated with a 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser
- PubMed Central. Prospective study of a non-ablative 1927 nm fractional thulium laser for skin photoaging
- PubMed Central. Dual 1550 nm and 1927 nm non-ablative fractional laser in skin of colour: a review of clinical studies
- PubMed Central. Melasma flaring and unmasking after 1927 nm non-ablative fractional thulium laser
- American Academy of Dermatology. Melasma: Diagnosis and treatment
- PubMed Central. 1927 nm thulium laser for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in skin of colour: a pilot study
- British Association of Dermatologists. Rosacea
- British Association of Dermatologists. Cosmetic dermatology
This page is general information, not medical advice. At your consultation, we'll talk through what's right for you.
Have a question about thulium laser treatment?
Message us on WhatsApp, give us a call or send an enquiry with the form. Your 20-minute consultation is free, at our clinic on 8 Commerce Road, Wood Green.
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