With its 2910nm cold-fibre wavelength and minimal thermal effect, UltraClear sets a new clinical benchmark in fractional resurfacing and advances the science of scar revision, says Dr Andrea Issler-Fisher, PhD.
Scar management demands not only technical precision but also deep understanding of tissue biology, patient psychology and long-term healing dynamics. Few clinicians embody this balance more than reconstructive and scar specialist Dr Andrea Issler-Fisher. From complex burn injuries to post-surgical keloids, her research-driven approach has advanced the possibilities of functional and aesthetic restoration.
Now, with the introduction of UltraClear cold-fibre laser technology, distributed by Device Consulting, Dr Issler-Fisher is exploring a new frontier in fractional resurfacing that delivers measurable improvements in comfort, control and recovery. UltraClear’s 2910nm wavelength and minimal thermal diffusion enable precise ablation with markedly less inflammation, making it suitable for a wider spectrum of scars and skin phototypes.
Q&A with Dr Andrea Issler-Fisher, PhD
Renowned expert in scar management and reconstructive surgery
How is emerging laser science reshaping the clinical approach to complex scar reconstruction?
Since the introduction of ablative fractional CO₂ laser (AFL-CO2) resurfacing in 2007, we’ve witnessed a paradigm shift in reconstructive surgery, particularly in burn and post-traumatic scars. AFL-CO₂ technology demonstrated that we could harness the skin’s intrinsic capacity for regeneration: reducing tension, improving pliability and modulating collagen architecture across large surface areas. This allowed us to move away from extensive excisions and flap reconstructions towards less invasive, tissue-preserving interventions with reduced hospital stays and costs.
Over the years, many new laser platforms have entered the market, yet few have genuinely advanced the reconstructive landscape – until the arrival of UltraClear.
UltraClear ‘s cold-fibre 2910nm wavelength and minimal collateral thermal effect represent a truly novel and scientifically sound evolution in fractional resurfacing. The very short thermal relaxation time translates to less inflammation, reduced discomfort and faster recovery – attributes that make it especially suited for scar tissue and complex reconstructive indications.
What makes the UltraClear laser different from traditional CO₂ or Er:YAG lasers?
UltraClear differs from conventional CO₂ and Erbium-YAG (Er:YAG) systems in both energy delivery and tissue interaction. CO₂ lasers ablate tissue through single, thermally dominated pulses that create broader ablation zones and significant collateral heat. Er:YAG, by contrast, relies on highly efficient water absorption to achieve almost pure photoablation with minimal residual thermal effect.
UltraClear’s cold-fibre 2910nm technology delivers 170 micrometer microbeams divided into four micro-pulses, each separated by an optimised thermal relaxation time (TRT). This design enables precise control of depth, density and coagulation, allowing the clinician to adjust the thermal component as desired to suit the indication. Energy is distributed at multiple levels, achieving three-dimensional collagen remodelling with markedly less pain and downtime.
The resulting micro-channels (approximately 220 µm) have a minimal coagulation rim (around 25 µm) – far smaller than CO₂ (about 150 µm) but greater than Er:YAG (under 10 µm) – providing a balanced profile of precision, haemostasis and safety. Clinically, this translates to faster recovery, excellent tolerance and broader applicability across scar types and skin phototypes, making UltraClear® a genuinely new approach to fractional resurfacing.
We’re still investigating what the ideal balance of wavelength, ablation-coagulation ratio and fractional depth or density might be for each specific type of scar; it’s very much an area of active study.
How do you integrate UltraClear® into your treatment protocols at Scarless – The Clinic?
Our approach is always multimodal and highly individualised. When UltraClear was first introduced in my practice, several of my long-term burn patients – many with extensive experience of ablative fractional CO₂ resurfacing – were keen to explore this new modality. Their familiarity with laser scar revision meant they could provide valuable insight into aspects such as comfort, recovery and perceived change in tissue quality.
Based on these early experiences, we progressively integrated UltraClear® into our broader protocols. It is now used across a wide range of scars – from early inflammatory regular, hypertrophic or keloid lesions to mature fibrotic scars – often in combination with laser-assisted drug delivery, surgical approaches/releases, and adjunctive light-based and mechanical treatments. The overall goal remains consistent: to improve function, texture and comfort, rather than pursue purely aesthetic change.
Which patients are ideal candidates for UltraClear?
UltraClear is suitable for a broad spectrum of patients with scars that affect function, comfort or confidence. Its cold-fibre mechanism and adjustable coagulation settings make it particularly advantageous in active or inflamed scars, in darker skin types where minimising thermal injury is critical, and in long-standing or mature scars that require controlled remodelling.
We also use it in early post-surgical or post-burn scars, as well as in cases of self-harm, acne, hypertrophic and keloid scars, and for revision of grafts or reconstructive donor sites. Its flexibility allows us to tailor energy delivery precisely to the scar’s maturity, vascularity and biological response over time.
How does UltraClear enhance your practice as a clinician?
UltraClear complements and extends the reconstructive options within my practice. It enables early intervention – even in very reactive or compromised skin – while maintaining the precision necessary for controlled tissue remodelling. It bridges the gap between traditional ablative lasers and purely non-ablative modalities, giving me the ability to individualise each treatment based on scar biology rather than technology limitations.
UltraClear has become an important component within the broader continuum of scar care, supporting the progression from acute recovery to long-term remodelling as part of a structured, multimodal treatment pathway.
How do you see UltraClear fitting into the future of scar and skin rejuvenation treatments?
Cold-fibre laser technology represents an exciting evolution in energy-based medicine. By decoupling depth from thermal damage, UltraClear offers a safer platform for early intervention, which may ultimately improve long-term outcomes and reduce the need for extensive surgical revision.
I also feel more comfortable utilising UltraClear in patients with a significant risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and in those with melasma, where minimising thermal load is crucial. In these situations, UltraClear’s cold-fibre delivery and adjustable coagulation parameters make it a more predictable and controlled option than traditional CO₂-based devices.
We are currently conducting prospective clinical trials to better define its role across different scar phenotypes and to quantify its effects on collagen architecture and vascular modulation. I see this as part of a broader movement towards precision laser medicine – where wavelength, pulse structure and tissue response are tailored to each individual scar’s characteristics.
There is still so much we don’t yet understand about scar biology, and the path towards truly scarless healing remains a long one. For me, it’s about continuing to learn, refine and challenge existing boundaries – combining rigorous science with genuine human outcomes.
UltraClear is distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Device Consulting. For more information, email reception@deviceconsulting.com.au, call 03 9998 2020 or visit https://deviceconsulting.com.au/.
