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The skin is the largest organ in our bodies. It protects us from infection and shields us from harmful substances. However, as we age, the effects of the sun, wind, time, and hormones begin to show. At first fine lines appear around our eyes and lips. Then, as the collagen beneath our skin wears out, deeper wrinkles begin to appear. Surface irregularities such as pigment discolorations and acne scarring may also occur.
Although no-downtime treatments for rejuvenating the skin are very popular, ablative laser resurfacing is coming back into fashion. Depending on the amount of sun damage and wrinkling, more complex procedures may be necessary achieve results demanded by our patients. In the past, the treatments of choice for moderate to deep wrinkles were dermabrasion or chemical peels. In dermabrasion, layers of skin are actually sanded away and in chemical peels, layers of skin are burned away with an acid solution. Nowadays, lasers have advanced to become the gold standard for the treatment of aging and sun-damaged skin. Lasers provide a safer, more accurate and less painful method of restoring a softer, smoother, more youthful appearing skin. In most cases, patients can have their procedure performed in the doctor's office and be home that same day.
Erbium Laser Skin Resurfacing is a procedure specifically designed to remove superficial and moderately deep lines and wrinkles on the face. The Erbium laser produces less heating or burning of surrounding tissues than other lasers used for resurfacing. This allows your doctor to gently and comfortably vaporize the damaged skin cells layer by layer. Most cases require only a local or topical anesthetic. Recent studies have shown that the Erbium laser stimulates the production of collagen, creating a tightening and smoothing of the skin.
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What Conditions Can Laser Resurfacing Treat?
Laser resurfacing is performed in the dermatologic surgeon's office to help:
- Erase fine lines and wrinkles of the face
- Smooth and tighten eyelid skin
- Improve crow's feet around the eyes
- Soften pucker marks and frown lines
- Remove brown spots and splotchy, uneven skin color
- Improve and flatten scars
- Repair smoker's lines
- Improve skin tone and texture
How Does the Erbium (Er) Laser Work?
The high-powered erbium:YAG laser produces energy in a wavelength that gently penetrates the skin, is readily absorbed by water (a major component of tissue cells), and scatters the heat effects of the laser light. These unique properties allow dermatologic surgeons to remove thin layers of skin tissue with exquisite precision while minimizing damage to surrounding skin.
What are the benefits of Erbium Laser Skin Resurfacing?
- Erbium Laser Skin Resurfacing is a safe, reliable out-patient procedure.
- Skin resurfacing with the Erbium laser can be performed with local or topical anesthesia in many cases.
- Resurfacing with the Erbium laser produces fewer unwanted side-effects and complications.
- Erbium lasers can sometimes be used on the neck, chest and hands.
- With the Erbium laser it is often possible to treat darker pigmented skin tones.
- Treatment with the Erbium laser produces minimal heating and burning of surrounding tissue.
- Healing is more rapid because the Erbium laser causes minimal redness, swelling and bruising.
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