Taula de Continguts
- What ClearLift is and how it works on the skin
- What it can do for fine lines, tone and texture
- How the session feels, during and after
- How to fit it into your working day in Madrid
- How many sessions, and how ClearLift differs from iPixel and Q-Switched
- Who ClearLift is not for, or not yet
- How we work at Santé Madrid
- Frequently asked questions
ClearLift is a laser head on the Harmony XL Pro platform that works on the skin below the surface without removing it, and the manufacturer itself places it among "lunchtime" rejuvenation treatments. In a recent clinical study, no participant recorded any downtime and most showed improvements in fine lines, tone and texture, although results vary from skin to skin. In this guide we explain what ClearLift does, how it feels, how to fit it into your working day in Madrid, how many sessions studies describe and who it is not the right option for.
Key points
- ClearLift is a 1064 nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser that, with its fractional tip, is used to rejuvenate the skin without ablation, that is, without removing the surface layer.
- In a study of 36 women, almost none felt pain and none recorded social downtime, but it was a small study, with no control group and a follow-up of 3 months.
- That study used 4 sessions 4 weeks apart; the number that suits you is proposed by the doctor after assessing your skin.
- It is not a substitute for ablative laser for scars or marked texture, nor for Q-Switched for deep pigment.
- Tanned skin, pregnancy or breastfeeding, active infection or inflammation, melasma and a tendency to thick scars are reasons to wait or choose another path.
What ClearLift is and how it works on the skin
ClearLift is one of the heads on the Alma Lasers Harmony XL Pro platform. On the official Harmony XL Pro page, the manufacturer describes it as a 1064 nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG solution that delivers intense nanosecond pulses, with a roller attachment for fractional treatments and five different depths for non-ablative fractional rejuvenation. On the same page it places it among "lunchtime" skin rejuvenation treatments.
The Harmony XL Pro technical brochure adds how it works: the nanosecond pulses produce a photoacoustic effect, and the fractional tip creates small controlled wounds in the dermis, which the manufacturer directs at rejuvenation of the face, neck and décolletage. Among its indications it lists skin laxity and wrinkles.
A study published in 2026 in Lasers in Medical Science analysed this effect in skin samples: at medium and high energies, small cavities appeared below the epidermis with no damage to the surface. The authors explain that these micro-injuries set off dermal repair and the formation of new collagen. The practical idea is simple: the work happens inside and the surface stays intact, which is why no wound that needs to heal is expected.
What it can do for fine lines, tone and texture
The same Lasers in Medical Science study treated 36 women aged 35 to 55 with mild to moderate facial wrinkles using ClearLift. Three independent assessors, who did not know which photos were before and which were after, rated the skin 3 months after the last session: all participants showed some improvement in their overall appearance, and most showed a clear improvement. The investigator also observed changes in fine lines, tone, firmness and texture.
These data are worth reading calmly. The authors themselves point out their limits: there was no control group, follow-up lasted only 3 months, all participants were women and the assessment was made from photographs. The lead author declared research support from Alma Lasers. That is why we take it as a promising signal, not as a promise.
In practice, ClearLift suits people who notice dull skin, pores or slightly uneven texture and the first fine lines, and who want to improve without interrupting their life. What it does not do is erase deep wrinkles or replace other treatments when the problem is volume or marked laxity. Results vary from skin to skin. You can see how it fits with other options on our laser rejuvenation page.
How the session feels, during and after
The session begins with clean, make-up-free skin and protected eyes, as with any laser treatment. In the study cited no numbing cream was used, and the laser was applied in continuous motion over each area. In the first session, 33 of the 36 participants felt no pain at all and the remaining 3 described it as mild; in the following sessions, none reported pain. Every skin is different, and the doctor adjusts the parameters to what they see and to how you are feeling it.
Afterwards, all participants felt comfortable going out in public straight away, and no downtime or adverse events were recorded during the study. There is an important nuance the authors note: they defined downtime as the period in which the person did not feel comfortable going out, so that measure does not capture passing redness or slight swelling that did not stop normal life. It is reasonable for your skin to look a little pink for a while after the session.
If you notice anything that does not match what we have explained, such as discomfort that does not ease or a reaction that gets worse, write to us and we will check it.
How to fit it into your working day in Madrid
The phrase "lunchtime" sums up the practical promise of ClearLift: with no wound to look after, you can go back to your routine after the session. Our clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:00, so you can book first thing, during the midday break or after leaving the office, and for anyone working in Chamberí, Almagro, Salamanca or the Colón area the journey is usually short.
There are three things worth planning. The first is the sun: Madrid has sunny summers and a lot of outdoor life, and arriving at a session with tanned skin means postponing it. In the study, in fact, anyone who had tanned in the previous 30 days was excluded, and participants committed to not tanning during treatment. The second is broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning between sessions, in winter too. The third is not adding other facial treatments on your own during the plan without discussing it with your doctor first.
Winter, with heating and dry air, can leave the skin feeling tighter, and urban pollution is another factor that can affect it. A simple moisturiser and gentle cleansing are usually enough as care between sessions.
How many sessions, and how ClearLift differs from iPixel and Q-Switched
There is no universal number. In the 2026 study 4 sessions were done 4 weeks apart, with check-ups a month and 3 months after the last one. That is the schedule that has been studied, not a recipe: the doctor will propose a plan based on your skin and adjust it during follow-up. Because the effect relies on renewal of the dermis, improvement is usually assessed weeks later, not as you walk out of the clinic.
ClearLift shares a platform with other heads that are sometimes confused with it. The iPixel Er:YAG, according to the manufacturer's technical brochure, is a 2940 nm fractional ablative laser for resurfacing, and we explain it on our ablative laser page. Full-beam Q-Switched uses the same wavelength as ClearLift, but is directed at pigment; you will find it under laser for pigmentation. The table gives an indicative summary of how they differ.
| Aspect | ClearLift | iPixel Er:YAG | Q-Switched for pigment |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Fractional, non-ablative, below the surface | Fractional, ablative, renews surface layers | Nanosecond pulses aimed at pigment |
| What it is considered for | Fine lines, dull tone, mild texture | More marked texture, scars, pores | Pigmented spots, including deep ones |
| Back to routine | Designed for an immediate return | Usually needs more days of recovery | Depends on the lesion and the parameters |
| Who decides | The medical team, after assessing your skin | The medical team, after assessing your skin | The medical team, after assessing your skin |
Who ClearLift is not for, or not yet
A treatment that needs no downtime is not automatically right for everyone. The Lasers in Medical Science study left out women with active infection, inflammatory skin conditions, a history of cancer, immunosuppression, melasma, a tendency to thick scars, recent tanning, pregnancy or breastfeeding, among other reasons. The authors also point out that hyperpigmentation after inflammation is more frequent in darker phototypes, and that in those skins the device and parameters must be chosen with particular care. The manufacturer describes the platform for phototypes I to VI depending on the treatment, but that decision is always individual.
If the assessment reveals something that does not belong to an aesthetic treatment, such as a lesion that has changed in appearance, the right step is to have it checked first by the appropriate specialist.
How we work at Santé Madrid
Our clinic is at C. de Amador de los Ríos, 1, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid. This is the usual path when you come for ClearLift:
- First consultation. You can start with a free aesthetic assessment with a Beauty Coach or with a medical consultation at €50. We talk about what concerns you, your medication, your sun exposure and what you have had done before.
- Skin assessment. The Santé Madrid medical team checks whether your case fits ClearLift or whether another head on the platform suits you better, alone or combined.
- Plan. We propose the number of sessions, the interval and home care, with your schedule in mind too.
- Session. Cleansing, eye protection and application area by area, adjusting energy and depth to your skin.
- Follow-up. Before each session we check how your skin has responded and adapt the plan if needed.
The treatment is performed by the medical team after the assessment. Results vary from skin to skin. If you would like to know the platform's other heads, we explain them in our guide to the Harmony XL Pro laser.
Frequently asked questions
Does ClearLift hurt?
In the 2026 clinical study, almost no participant felt pain and no numbing cream was used. Every skin is different, and the doctor adjusts the energy during the session.
Can I go back to work straight afterwards?
That is what it is designed for, because it leaves no wound on the surface. Some passing redness may remain, and it is wise to wear sunscreen when you leave.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number. The published study used 4 sessions 4 weeks apart. The doctor proposes a plan based on your skin and adjusts it during follow-up.
When are results noticeable?
The effect relies on renewal of the dermis, so improvement is usually assessed weeks after the last session, not on the same day. Results vary from skin to skin.
How is it different from iPixel?
ClearLift is non-ablative and works below the surface. The iPixel Er:YAG is ablative, renews the surface layers and usually needs more recovery.
Does it work for pigmentation?
The manufacturer also describes it for pigment, but if your main concern is spots or melasma, the doctor may suggest another head or another plan.
Can I have it in summer?
Only if your skin is not tanned and you can protect it rigorously from the sun between sessions. If you have tanned, the right step is to wait.
ClearLift is a way to look after skin quality without putting your life on hold: it works from within, leaves the surface intact and adapts well to a busy schedule. What matters is knowing whether it is what your skin needs, choosing the right moment and protecting it from the sun between sessions. The first step is an assessment with the Santé Madrid medical team.
