Your Complete Guide to Erbium Lasers

Clients benefit from advanced skin resurfacing with impressive results and minimal downtime.

Play Video

Learn About Laser Skin Resurfacing

Our educational videos are directed by Aesthetics HQ founder and certified physician assistant Melissa Singleton – an experienced injector and top Galderma national trainer.

Find a Provider

Ready to take the next step? Browse our directory to find a provider and book a consultation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Customizable

Treatments vary based on the patient’s needs and skin characteristics.

Depth
Erbium lasers do not penetrate as deeply as fully ablative CO2 lasers.
Recovery

Initially, the skin may feel tender, leading to itchiness and discomfort.

Visit Our Provider Directory
to Book an Appointment

Erbium Lasers: What You Should Know

Erbium treatments can effectively treat wrinkles, sun damage, age spots, and stretch marks

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Christina Mitchell, MD | Dermatologist

Erbium lasers allow precision targeting of small areas, causing less thermal damage than CO2 lasers. This precision of the Eribium laser leads to shorter recovery times, less swelling and bruising, and safe use on sensitive areas of the face.

Additionally, erbium treatments stimulate collagen production, which tightens and smooths the skin, and can effectively treat various skin conditions including wrinkles, sun damage, age spots, acne, scars, and stretch marks.

Pros

A variety of erbium laser options are currently available, and your provider will assist in choosing the most suitable device, treatment intensity, and session frequency to achieve the best possible outcomes. They have the expertise to customize erbium laser skin resurfacing treatments based on the patient’s needs and skin characteristics..

In addition to addressing aging signs and damaged skin, laser resurfacing can effectively target a diverse range of other concerns with reduced downtime compared to CO2 laser treatments.

Cons

Due to their targeted pigment capabilities, erbium lasers may present potential risks for people with medium to deep skin tones. While a less intense treatment may be possible, it is highly recommended to seek guidance from a skilled physician experienced in treating individuals with olive, brown, and deep skin tones to assess the appropriateness of this treatment option.

Additionally, multiple treatments may be necessary as erbium lasers do not penetrate as deeply as fully ablative CO2 lasers.

What to Expect

Erbium lasers allow precision targeting of small areas, causing less thermal damage than CO2 lasers. This precision of the Eribium laser leads to shorter recovery times, less swelling and bruising, and safe use on sensitive areas of the face. Additionally, erbium treatments stimulate collagen production, which tightens and smooths the skin, and can effectively treat various skin conditions including wrinkles, sun damage, age spots, acne, scars, and stretch marks.

Recovery

The downtime required for skin treatments can vary from several days to a week, depending on the intensity of the erbium laser treatment. During recuperation, it is typical for the skin to swell and develop a rough texture. Initially, the skin may feel tender, leading to itchiness and discomfort.

Ensuring the protection and retention of skin moisture during the healing phase is essential. This includes using ointments and heavy creams and gradually shifting towards lighter creams and serums as skin healing progresses.

Results

Recovery and results usually span just a few days, during which the skin may undergo flaking and peeling. However, it may take over a week for more intense erbium treatment, and full results may take several months for collagen and elastin to be fully regenerated.

Safety Profile

It is important to exercise caution with this laser technique, as it may not be suitable for individuals with skin types IV-VI, according to the Fitzpatrick scale, due to the heightened potential for hyperpigmentation. Nor is it recommended for a patient on Accutane or who has completed an Accutane course within the previous six to 12 months. Anyone with melanated or pigmented skin should seek a provider with extensive experience treating melanated skin.

Cost

The cost of an erbium laser session typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,000. The price can vary depending on factors such as location, type of laser, and the skill level of the provider.

Skill level is particularly important when using this type of laser. The cost may be higher in areas with higher living expenses or in facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. It is essential to choose a highly skilled provider when considering erbium laser treatment.

Tech Details

Erbium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser skin resurfacing is a highly effective method for managing various cutaneous conditions and lesions. Its primary indications include the treatment of photoaging, rhytids, and benign lesions. In the past, carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers (wavelength 10,600 nm) were the sole option available for laser skin rejuvenation.,Today, there are numerous alternatives. Er:YAG lasers received FDA approval in 1996 for cutaneous resurfacing. A comparative study with CO2 lasers showed that Er:YAG had comparable efficacy with a tendency towards a faster recovery time.

When an Er:YAG laser pulse is administered, the flashlamp-pumped crystal lasing medium emits light energy, which is absorbed by water in the epidermis and papillary dermis, resulting in two effects that facilitate skin rejuvenation. Firstly, the epidermis vaporizes, necessitating the dermal appendages (hair follicles and sweat glands) to regenerate the skin during the healing process. Secondly, thermal injury in the dermis stimulates collagen production, enhancing the appearance of photodamaged skin while reducing visible rhytids and scars. Additionally, the vaporized water acts as a heat sink, reducing the thermal damage to surrounding tissues. This cooling effect enables Er:YAG lasers to pass over the same target area multiple times in a single treatment session with reduced risk of causing burns, leading to improved outcomes with fewer treatment sessions.

Visit Our Provider Directory
to Book an Appointment

Related Procedures

Employs BroadBand light therapy to address an array of skin concerns.

A highly versatile skin rejuvenation treatment that offers a range of benefits.

CO2 lasers remove thin layers of skin and treat a range of skincare concerns.
Improve the skin’s appearance by exfoliating the outer layers to reveal smoother skin.