Laser skin resurfacing is one of the most effective procedures for getting rid of age spots, reducing the appearance of scars and wrinkles, and rejuvenating the face. The procedure involves applying laser energy directly onto the skin to vaporize the skin tissue and heat up the skin’s deepest layers. This process breaks down dead skin cells and encourages collagen production so the skin becomes firmer and more toned, and the Erbium: YAG laser is one of the most popular ablative laser used for
facial rejuvenation today.
The Erbium laser uses a low wavelength of energy to penetrate into the skin, and can be used to treat deep scars and skin discoloration. Are you a good candidate for the Erbium laser? Here’s a close look at how this
laser skin resurfacing treatment works:
Erbium: YAG Basics
The Erbium: YAG laser works by stripping away the top layer of dead skin and also heating up the second and third layers of skin slightly. This trauma to the skin encourages rapid skin cell production which is essentially the body’s way of healing after the ‘injury’; within a few days and weeks, the skin will begin to repair itself and push up fresh skin cells to the surface. The Erbium laser effectively triggers this natural response.
The entire procedure can take up to an hour and a half as the doctor passes the laser gently over the treatment area. The length and power of the laser beam can be controlled, which means the doctor can adjust the laser to reach deeper in areas where they may be more scar tissue. After the procedure is complete, the skin will be covered with a light gauze to help with healing.
Best Candidates for Erbium Laser Procedures
The Erbium:YAG laser is often the best choice for individuals who have a darker skin tone and relatively strong, healthy skin. The patient must be in good health or the skin will not be able to heal quickly; in some cases, a nutritional supplementation plan is recommended for the post-op phase.
You may be a good candidate for the Erbium laser if you have
- Deep scars or wrinkles
- Superficial acne scars
- An uneven skin tone
- Brown spots
- Facial skin laxity (sagging skin)
- Sun damage of the lips
- Enlarged oil glands
- Precancerous spots
- Age spots and extensive photodamage
The Erbium laser is often preferred over other types of laser skin resurfacing treatments because there is little to no swelling involved, and the treated area can be managed with some basic topical ointments during the healing phase. The procedure is typically performed with local or topical anesthesia, and has a track record of few complications and a low risk of burning of the surrounding tissues. In almost all cases, patients need to undergo just one treatment in order to achieve results.
Published: 03/13/2009, Last Updated: 03/13/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics obtained from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.