Erbium YAG Laser Skin Resurfacing
Lunch-Time Laser Peels or Deeper Resurfacing Options?
Smooth fine lines, improve texture, and refresh sun-damaged skin with precise laser resurfacing and minimal downtime.
Treat Fine Lines, Wrinkles, and Uneven Texture
The Erbium YAG laser uses a less invasive approach for treating superficial wrinkles and sun-damaged skin. Erbium is an ideal treatment for patients wanting dramatic improvement in skin tone and texture while minimizing downtime.
This procedure removes surface pigmentation and mild-to-moderate fine lines and wrinkles on the face, neck, chest, and hands. The treatment is gentle, safe, and effective, making it suitable for many skin types when performed by trained professionals.
What Is Erbium YAG Laser Resurfacing?
Erbium YAG laser resurfacing targets the upper layers of the skin to improve texture, tone, and clarity. By delivering controlled laser energy, the treatment removes damaged surface cells while stimulating collagen production beneath the skin.
Compared to older resurfacing lasers, Erbium YAG causes less thermal damage to surrounding tissue, resulting in improved comfort, fewer side effects, and shorter recovery times.
Treatment Areas
- Face
- Neck
- Chest
- Hands
Benefits of Treatment
- Treatment time ranging from 15 minutes to 1 hour
- Improves uneven skin tone
- Smooths skin texture
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Stimulates collagen production
- Less thermal damage than traditional resurfacing lasers
- More comfortable treatment experience
- Lower risk of hyperpigmentation
- Shorter recovery compared to earlier laser resurfacing options
How It Works
Laser resurfacing delivers wavelength-specific pulses of energy to targeted areas of the skin. The Erbium YAG laser precisely removes damaged surface layers while encouraging collagen remodeling in the deeper layers.
Discomfort is typically minimal and often compared to the snap of a rubber band. Depending on your skin concerns and goals, a single deeper treatment or a series of lighter laser peels may be recommended. The Erbium YAG laser is safe, effective, and appropriate for many skin types.
Real Results. Real People.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I have laser skin resurfacing?
Fall and Winter are considered “laser treatment season.” Because laser-treated skin is hypersensitive to sun exposure for up to a year following some procedures, many cosmetic surgeons recommend undergoing laser resurfacing during fall or winter months, when daytime hours are shorter and you are spending most of your time indoors.
Regardless of what time of year you have your laser procedure, wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen daily and reapply as needed. This not only helps to keep your results looking their best, it also provides protection against skin cancer and helps prevent additional premature aging.
Will treatments hurt?
They might. They might not. What laser resurfacing feels like depends on the laser, the depth and area of treatment, and an individual’s tolerance for pain. Patients and doctors commonly compare the sensation felt during laser treatments to a rubber band snapping against the skin.
Deeper ablative (some outer layers of skin are removed) laser treatments may require local anesthetic injections or sedation to keep patients comfortable.
For most, multiple treatments of minimally invasive Erbium Laser Peels will achieve the desired result with less downtime, risk, or discomfort. In this case, topical numbing and/or chilly air blowing on the skin keeps the patient comfortable.
Some non-ablative laser treatments (the laser passes through the skin without removing layers) cause little-to-no pain and require only a topical numbing cream to offset discomfort. Non-ablative lasers include pulsed-dye, ND: Yag, and Alexandrite lasers. Following the procedure, some degree of tenderness in the treatment area can be expected. Your provider will recommend safe ways to control discomfort after laser resurfacing when necessary.
Does darker skin preclude me from laser surfacing?
No. A common misconception is that laser resurfacing is only safe for light skin types. While it is true that certain lasers pose a higher risk for cell damage or discoloration in darker skin, there are safe and effective resurfacing options. For lighter-toned African American, Hispanic or Asian skin tones, Erbium laser resurfacing can sometimes be a good option, posing less risk for discoloration. Patients with darker brown or black skin may need to consider other skin resurfacing options, such as radio-frequency treatments or micro needling.
The best way to ensure safe, effective treatment for your skin type? Consult with a provider who has extensive training and knowledge in laser resurfacing procedures and experience working with darker-skinned patients.
What is the most important thing to know before making this decision?
Can medications or conditions affect how my skin reacts to laser treatment?
Yes. Always be upfront and honest with your provider about your medical history and any medications or supplements you are taking. For instance, if you are prone to cold sores or fever blisters, laser treatments may induce breakouts.
Acne medications that contain isotretinoin (i.e., Accutane) can lead to poor healing or scarring from laser resurfacing, while common over-the-counter products like aspirin can increase the risk of post-procedure bleeding; other medications can lead to poor healing or scarring after laser treatments.
Diabetes and other chronic conditions can also impact safety and results with laser resurfacing. You should also quit smoking at least two weeks prior to and after laser treatments to avoid complications with healing and provide your body with the best chance for optimal results.
Why are there so many different types of lasers? Which one do I need?
- CO2 Lasers are generally ablative lasers used to treat scars, warts, wrinkles and other deeper skin flaws.
- Erbium Lasers can be ablative or non-ablative. They promote collagen remodeling, making them popular options for treating fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and age spots.
- Pulsed-Dye Lasers are typically non-ablative lasers that heat the skin and absorb pigments to reduce redness, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, and rosacea.
- Fractional Lasers break up the laser energy into thousands of tiny beams to treat only a fraction of the skin in the area, which reduces downtime. Fractional lasers can be ablative or non-ablative and are used to treat a number of age-related blemishes.
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments technically are not lasers but are often used to treat similar concerns as lasers, such as sun damage, acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation.
Will I need multiple treatments?
While in some cases, a single laser treatment will take care of a patient’s concerns, most non-ablative lasers call for a series of treatments to produce the most satisfying results. This is a trade-off that comes with a no-downtime treatment, but once the treatment series is complete, results are long-lasting.
What about recovery?
Depending on the area treated, some swelling and irritation may occur. However, the majority of treatments have little to no down time and few side effects. Avoid sunlight and use sunscreen or antibiotic ointments to promote healing and prevent damage. Anti-aging skin care products may be prescribed by your doctor. If a scab forms, it should not be picked, or scarring may occur. For best results, follow your clinicians’ instructions after treatment.
Will I need downtime?
That depends on which treatment you receive. Although laser treatments are generally considered non-surgical, not all are downtime-free. Laser resurfacing recovery time varies depending on the type of laser used as well as an individual’s health and healing rate.
Non-ablative lasers often require no downtime at all, while ablative lasers can require a two to three week healing process, depending on depth, before the new skin has healed completely and final results are evident.
This does not mean you have to stay at home for a month; it just means that your skin will be raw, red and scab over as it heals. You may not feel comfortable in certain social situations, and you will need to modify your activities to avoid situations where infection is possible (e.g., swimming, gym workouts, etc.)
How do I prepare for my consultation?
For your first consultation, come prepared with clear details on what improvements you are looking to attain. A medical record of your skin condition will be required and you will want to mention any sensitivities, infections, or prior skin treatments. Along with your history, your skin type and pigmentation will be examined in order to determine the best treatment to reach your desired goals.
