I have practised aesthetic medicine in Ireland for thirty years, and in that time, I have seen many technologies come and go. When it came to laser resurfacing, I chose to hold back. The results with older CO2 and Erbium lasers could be striking, but they often came at a price that did not fit with the lives of my patients. The discomfort was considerable, the downtime was long, and the risk of lingering side effects was something I was not comfortable with.

Most of our patients who come to see us on the Lisburn Road in Belfast are practical and private. They want treatments that genuinely work, but they also want to carry on with life without drawing attention. They have work to do, families to run and commitments they cannot step away from. Hiding away for two weeks while skin recovers has never felt realistic, and that is why I did not bring those older lasers into my clinics.

UltraClear has changed this for me.

What is different about UltraClear

UltraClear is a new generation fractional ablative laser that does the hard work of resurfacing while keeping unnecessary heat to a minimum. That means faster healing, less redness and a lower risk of complications.

The important point is flexibility. At lighter settings, UltraClear can freshen the skin and improve tone with only a few days of recovery. At higher settings, it has the power to deliver the kind of results that used to belong only to CO2 lasers. We can go intense when that is right for you and still see a quicker and steadier recovery than the older approaches. This gives us a treatment that can range from a subtle refresh to deep resurfacing with a recovery that feels realistic.

What you can expect as a patient

Numbing cream is usually all that is required
The treatment brings heat and tingling, but most people find it manageable
Afterwards, the skin looks pink and feels a little rough, like fine sandpaper
This settles within a few days for most patients
Light make-up can return quite soon, depending on how strong we go
We tailor the intensity to your skin and your diary

Who does it suit best

People who want smoother, clearer, more even skin without long downtime
Those who want fine lines softened and texture improved
Patients with sun damage or uneven tone
Early acne scarring, where a measured resurfacing plan can help
Anyone who wants a natural result that draws compliments, not questions

One visit or a small plan

Many people see a clear lift in skin quality after a single treatment. When we are targeting older texture changes or scarring, we may plan a short series. Stronger sessions are usually spaced by two to three months. We decide this together after a careful consultation.

Safety and discretion

Good results start with the right assessment. I will ask about your skin tone, past treatments, medicines and how you tend to heal. We will also look at your calendar so that the plan respects work, family and social commitments. You will leave with simple aftercare and the right products to support healing. You will have a direct point of contact if you want to check anything. Discretion matters here, and we keep it that way.

You are also welcome to speak first with our practice manager, Maura Connor. Maura is on hand to discuss the treatment, explain how we tailor the settings and answer your initial questions. She understands how to plan around busy lives, and she will make sure you feel prepared and comfortable.

Why not the older lasers

CO2 and Erbium lasers still have a place for very specific cases. Most people I see do not want the higher discomfort, the prolonged downtime or the increased risks that come with them. UltraClear allows us to deliver that level of visible improvement when needed while avoiding those drawbacks. In practice, that means you can choose a light refresh or you can choose an intensive programme that aims for the results people once expected only from CO2, with a shorter and steadier recovery.

The bottom line

I waited to bring laser resurfacing into my practice because I wanted excellent results without asking patients to pause their lives for weeks. UltraClear finally meets that standard. It lets us tailor treatment to each person from a gentle polish to deep resurfacing with outcomes that you can see and a recovery that respects your time and your privacy.

If you are interested, the next step is a simple consultation. You can start by speaking with Maura Connor, or you can book to see me directly. We will look at your skin together, talk about your goals and agree on a plan that feels right for you. After thirty years of caring for patients in Ireland, I will only recommend what I believe is best for you.

Dr Mervyn Patterson

UltraClear Laser