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2026.09.03
Who Is a Good Candidate for Alma Hybrid? A Doctor Explains Key Considerations When Evaluating Suitability and Treatment Options
As an Assistant Professor, Associate Ward Director, and Chief of Dermatopathology at the university hospital dermatology department, I deepened my expertise through academic presentations and paper publications both domestically and internationally. I have handled a wide range of treatments, from birthmark therapy in children to adult pigmentation concerns, utilizing various lasers and injection therapies, while also contributing to community healthcare. Through encountering numerous cases, I strongly felt the potential and necessity of aesthetic medicine, resolving to pursue further expertise. Building upon my solid dermatological knowledge and meticulous diagnostic skills, I value treatments that gently support each individual's skin while bringing out its inherent beauty.
Alma Hybrid™ is a fractional laser that features two wavelengths: a CO2 laser and a 1570 nm laser.
Some of you may be wondering, “Is it good for acne scars?” “Can it treat enlarged pores and loss of firmness?” or “Is Alma Hybrid right for me?”
The key is not to choose a treatment based on the name of the device, but to consider which method is best suited to your skin condition and the results you’re aiming for. At BIANCA CLINIC, we’ve divided the Alma Hybrid into four treatment options and design treatment plans that include not only cosmetic dermatology procedures but also combinations with cosmetic surgery.
Alma What kind of people are a good fit for hybrid vehicles?
This treatment is recommended for those who have acne scars, pitted scars, enlarged pores, fine lines, or loss of firmness, and who wish to have the laser treatment adjusted based on their specific concerns and skin condition.
The Alma Hybrid may be a good option for the following types of people:
- For those concerned about acne scars, pitted scars, or other scars
- For those concerned about pores, skin texture, fine lines caused by dryness, and loss of firmness
- For those considering full-face rejuvenation or tightening
- For those who want to choose from multiple wavelengths based on their skin condition
- For those who want to undergo laser treatment while taking downtime into consideration
- For those who wish to combine surgical procedures, such as facelifts involving incisions, with skin treatments
The Alma Hybrid is characterized by its ability to deliver either an ablative CO₂ laser* or a non-ablative 1570 nm laser*, either individually or in combination, depending on the treatment objective.
However, even for the same concern, depending on your skin condition and the results you’re hoping to achieve, other laser treatments or cosmetic procedures may be more suitable.
*Ablative CO2 laser: A laser that vaporizes moisture from the skin's surface to smooth the skin
*Non-ablative 1570 nm laser: A laser that delivers heat to the deeper layers of the skin without vaporizing the skin's surface
BIANCA At CLINIC, Alma... I use the hybrid in four different ways.
At Bianca Clinic, even though we use the same Alma Hybrid system, we offer four different treatment options tailored to specific purposes and use different irradiation methods for each.
At Bianca Clinic, we offer the following four treatment options tailored to each patient's skin concerns and goals.
- Soft Lift: Pores, skin texture, fine lines caused by dryness, loss of firmness
- Hybrid Lift: Full-Face Rejuvenation and Tightening
- Scar: Acne Scars and Pits
- Facelift + FaceTite: Tightening with Alma Hybrid During Facelift Surgery
Rather than simply choosing from four options, we’ll assess your skin condition and desired results during your consultation to determine whether Alma Hybrid is a suitable treatment option for you, and then decide on the best treatment method.
The mechanism behind Alma Hybrid’s dual-wavelength technology, HyGrid™, and its pros and cons are explained in detail in “What Is Alma Hybrid? A Clear Explanation of Expected Effects, Pros, and Cons.”
Soft Lift | For those concerned about pores, skin texture, fine lines caused by dryness, and loss of firmness
Soft Lift is a treatment option for those concerned about visible pores, skin texture, fine lines caused by dryness, and loss of firmness.
This treatment uses a 1570-nm non-ablative laser on its own to deliver heat deep into the skin without vaporizing the skin’s surface, with the goal of improving skin texture and firmness.
This treatment is a good option to consider when you want to improve the overall condition of your skin, rather than specifically targeting deep acne scars or pitted scars.
Hybrid Lift｜For those looking to improve the overall texture and firmness of their skin
The Hybrid Lift is a treatment designed to rejuvenate and tighten the entire face.
This treatment combines a CO2 laser with a 1570 nm laser, using our proprietary HyGrid™ technology to adjust the irradiation ratio. By combining treatment of the skin’s surface with treatment of the deeper layers, it is recommended for those seeking comprehensive improvement in pores, skin texture, loss of firmness, and skin tightening.
However, depending on the degree of sagging, other cosmetic treatments or cosmetic surgical procedures may be more appropriate.
Scar | For those who want to focus on improving acne scars and pitted scars
Scar is,For those who want to focus on improving skin texture issues such as acne scars and pitted scarsHere are the menu items to consider.
We combine a CO₂ laser and a 1570 nm laser to tailor the treatment to the specific condition of acne scars and pitted scars.
The appropriate treatment approach for acne scars varies depending on factors such as their texture and depth. Therefore, rather than automatically choosing the Scar treatment just because you have acne scars, we’ll determine during your consultation whether the Alma Hybrid is the right option for you.
Face Lift + FaceTite | For those who want to combine surgical procedures, such as facelifts involving incisions, with skin treatments
The Face Lift + FaceTite treatment differs from the other three in terms of how the menu is structured.
At Bianca Clinic, we offer a treatment plan that involves applying Alma Hybrid to the same area during surgical procedures, such as facelifts that involve incisions.
In addition to the surgical lifting achieved through a facelift, skin tightening and skin rejuvenation can also be incorporated into the same treatment plan by applying laser energy during the procedure.
A key feature of this approach is that surgical and skin treatments are considered as part of a single treatment plan, rather than being performed separately. By scheduling surgery and laser treatments at the same time, it may be possible to reduce the burden of multiple clinic visits and separate recovery periods.
However, this technique is not used in every facelift procedure. We will assess the specifics of the surgery, the condition of your skin, and your desired results to determine whether it is necessary.
Alma What kind of people might not be suited for a hybrid car?
Depending on the desired results, downtime, and skin condition, other laser treatments or cosmetic surgical procedures may be more suitable than the Alma Hybrid.
While Alma Hybrid can address a wide range of skin concerns, it is not a treatment that is suitable for everyone. In particular, we will consider other treatment options in the following cases:
- For those who want to minimize downtime, such as redness or peeling, after the treatment
- For those who are looking for significant improvements in sagging skin rather than laser-based skin texture improvements
- People who have acne scars or pitted scars but for whom a different treatment approach may be more appropriate depending on their condition
- For those whose specific concerns—such as enlarged pores or fine lines—are better addressed by other lasers or cosmetic procedures
- For those who find it difficult to achieve their desired results using Alma Hybrid alone
With the Alma Hybrid treatment, redness, a sensation of heat, roughness, and peeling may occur depending on the treatment parameters. While these symptoms typically subside within a few days to a week, individual responses vary; therefore, those who have very little time for recovery may need to consider the timing of their treatment or explore other options.
Additionally, even if you’re looking for a solution to sagging skin, if the desired change is significant, it may be best to consider options that include cosmetic surgery to better meet your needs.
The same applies to acne scars. While we do offer a treatment called “Scar,” the most appropriate approach varies depending on the condition of the acne scars. It’s important not to limit treatment options to Alma Hybrid simply because you have acne scars; instead, we should determine the treatment plan after a consultation.
Alma Factors to Consider When Deciding If a Hybrid Is Right for You
When deciding if a treatment is right for you, it’s important to consider the priority of your concerns, the treatment method, the desired results, downtime, and how it can be combined with other treatments.
First, we’ll determine which skin concerns you’d like to prioritize addressing. The necessary treatment approach may vary depending on whether you’re dealing with acne scars, pitted scars, enlarged pores, fine lines, or loss of firmness. Based on your skin condition, we’ll decide whether to combine two types of lasers or use them individually.
Next, it is also important to consider the balance with downtime. While the Alma Hybrid allows you to adjust the treatment ratio and output, it does not guarantee that redness or peeling will not occur. If you have important plans, please be sure to inform your doctor of those plans and the timing as well.
In addition, if you are considering cosmetic surgery, such as a facelift, this should also be an important factor in choosing a treatment. Your treatment plan will vary depending on whether you opt for laser treatment alone to improve your skin or a combination of surgery and skin treatments.
Alma Frequently Asked Questions About Who Should Consider a Hybrid
While acne scars, other scars, and skin tightening are all potential treatment options, the appropriate treatment method and treatment plan will vary depending on your skin condition.
Q. Is Alma Hybrid suitable for treating acne scars?
A. If you are concerned about acne scars or pitted scars, the Alma Hybrid is one option to consider. While the CO₂ laser and 1570 nm laser can be adjusted to suit your skin condition, the most appropriate treatment approach will be determined after examining the condition of your acne scars.
Q. Can Alma Hybrid be used on scars?
A. It is also used to treat scars. At Bianca Clinic, we can consider treatment for areas where scars or pitted scars are prominent. However, since suitability varies depending on the condition of the scar and other factors, we will make a determination after a consultation.
Q. Can the Alma Hybrid also be used for skin tightening?
A. At Alma Hybrid, you can also consider treatments designed to improve skin firmness and tightening. While there are plans that combine these treatments with surgical procedures such as facelifts, the doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment based on the results you’re hoping to achieve.
Q. How long is the downtime for the Alma Hybrid?
A. Depending on the treatment, you may experience redness, a sensation of heat, roughness, or peeling; these symptoms typically subside within a few days to about a week. The specific symptoms and duration vary from person to person and also depend on factors such as the treatment intensity and coverage area.
Q. Does the Alma Hybrid always use both types of lasers at the same time?
A. We do not necessarily use both types at the same time. Depending on your skin condition and treatment goals, we may combine the CO2 laser and the 1570 nm laser, or we may use each one on its own. The treatment method will be determined following your consultation.
Q. How can I tell if the Alma Hybrid is right for me?
A. We’ll make a decision after assessing your skin condition, your top concerns, the changes you’d like to see, downtime, and how this treatment might be combined with other procedures. Since treatments other than Alma Hybrid may be more suitable in some cases, we’ll discuss a treatment plan during your consultation.
Alma Consider the entire treatment process to determine whether hybrid treatment is right for you.
We determine whether Alma Hybrid is suitable not only based on your skin concerns, but also by considering the results you’re aiming for, downtime, and how it can be combined with other treatments.
Alma Hybrid is a treatment that allows the irradiation method to be adjusted according to your skin condition and goals to address acne scars, enlarged pores, fine lines, and loss of firmness. At BIANCA CLINIC, in addition to our four treatment options, we offer cosmetic dermatology procedures and aesthetic
We’ll review your entire treatment plan, including surgical procedures. If you’d like to find out which treatment is right for you, please consult with us during your consultation.
▶Please contact us via the online reservation form.
[Treatment Details] Alma Hybrid
[Estimated Treatment Frequency and Duration] Alma Hybrid Soft: approximately once a month; Alma Hybrid Lift and Alma Hybrid Scar: approximately once every two months. *May vary depending on individual conditions.
[Cost] 66,000–132,000 yen
*May vary depending on the treatment.
[Risks, Side Effects, etc.] Redness, a sensation of heat, roughness, peeling, etc.
【Important Notes Regarding Unapproved Devices】
・This treatment uses medical devices that have not been approved by the Japanese regulatory authorities.
・Medical devices used in treatments are imported through personal import procedures under the supervision of a physician. For details, please refer to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Information on Medicines and Other Products Requiring Caution for Personal Import."
https://www.yakubutsu.mhlw.go.jp/individualimport/purchase/index.html
・Except for products that have obtained regulatory approval, there may be no other domestically approved medical devices with identical performance.
・Serious risks or side effects may not yet be known.
・In the unlikely event of serious side effects, you may not be eligible for the national compensation system (Pharmaceutical Side Effects Victim Relief System).
