Laser Skin Resurfacing
in St. George, Utah

At Aera Medical Aesthetics, ClearLift sessions typically run $300–$450 per session, with multi-session packages discounted. A typical course is 3–6 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart for full results. Single sessions are also available for pre-event glow. Call (435) 319-4064 for an exact quote based on the area and your goals.

It depends on the type. Non-ablative resurfacing (which is what ClearLift is) has essentially no downtime — patients return to work and exercise the same day with minimal redness. Ablative CO2 laser has 7–14 days of significant recovery (redness, peeling, oozing). Fractional non-ablative falls in between (1–3 days of redness). At Aera we use the non-ablative ClearLift approach, which is why patients can do it on a Friday and return to normal Monday.

Neither is universally better — they're different tools for different patients. CO2 ablates the top layer of skin and delivers dramatic resurfacing in one session, but with 7–14 days of significant downtime. ClearLift is non-ablative — it stimulates collagen below the surface without breaking it, producing comparable long-term improvements over a series of 3–6 sessions with no downtime. If you can take a week off and want maximum aggressiveness, CO2 wins. If you can't (or prefer gentler), a ClearLift series gets you there with no recovery.

Fractional lasers (like Fraxel, Halo) treat fractions of the skin with tiny columns of light, leaving healthy tissue between to speed healing. They're more powerful than non-ablative lasers like ClearLift, but cause 1–3 days of redness and pinpoint marks. ClearLift treats the full area at lower intensity per session — gentler, no downtime, but takes more sessions for the same long-term result. Best fit depends on your downtime tolerance and how aggressive you want to go.

Some lasers are riskier on darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV–VI) because they target melanin in the surface layers. ClearLift is safer in this regard — it uses a Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser that delivers energy below the surface without targeting surface pigment, making it one of the better non-ablative options for medium-to-dark skin. Janessa adjusts settings per Fitzpatrick type at every session.

Most patients need 3–6 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart for a full course, then maintenance every 6 months. Improvement is gradual: brighter skin and finer texture after the first session, with continued improvement over 3–4 months as new collagen forms. A single session is excellent for pre-event glow.

Fine lines and early wrinkles, dull skin and uneven tone, mild scarring including acne scars, melasma support (gentle enough to use on melasma when stronger lasers are too risky), and overall skin rejuvenation. Patients with deep wrinkles, established acne scars, or significant sun damage may benefit more from a stronger fractional or ablative approach — Janessa will tell you honestly if that's the case.

Most patients describe ClearLift as a series of warm taps — easily tolerated without numbing. There's no skin-breaking sensation. Sessions take 20–30 minutes for a full face. You'll feel mild warmth that fades within an hour.