What is Erbium? 

Erbium: YAG uses a 2940nm wavelength for skin resurfacing. The Erbium: YAG on the Spectrum is fully ablative and customizable, able to resurface skin from 10 to 100 microns.

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What is unique about Erbium? 

Because water is such a critical component in the epidermal and dermal tissue, the 2940 nm wavelength produced by Erbium: YAG lasers is capable of rapidly vaporizing water residing in the skin. This unique wavelength delivers an almost instant skin ablation while limiting heat damage in the surrounding area. Unlike CO2, Erbium is a more superficial skin-resurfacing tool for polishing the skin. The Erbium: YAG laser is capable of achieving superior resurfacing results while offering many advantages to the patient, e.g., reduced anesthetic requirements, shorter healing time, reduced erythema, less risk of pigmentary change, and more flexibility for facial skin resurfacing.

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What are some indications for Erbium? 

Erbium-YAG lasers have been used for laser resurfacing of skin. Example uses include treating acne scarring, rhytids, skin texture, and melasma. An Erbium Laser Peel can be very successful at reducing or eliminating these conditions, and it is the best way to address the problematic lines around the mouth and eyes.

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What does it do? 

Erbium: YAG laser skin resurfacing is an effective technique for minimally invasive and effectively managing many cutaneous conditions and lesions. Its main indications include treatment of photoaging, rhytids, wrinkles, and solitary benign and malignant cutaneous lesions.

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How does Erbium differ from other laser treatments? 

Unlike a CO2 laser, an erbium laser is a gentler approach to the skin, hence why it is named the “micro laser peel.” The erbium laser is usually more of a superficial treatment than a CO2 laser and will help treat fine lines, some hyperpigmentation, and mild scarring.

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Does it help anti-aging / stimulate collagen? 

Ablative and non-ablative Erbium laser resurfacing stimulates collagen reorganization and fibroblast activation in photoaged skin. Ablative resurfacing, as on the Spectrum laser, will yield more significant results in a shorter period.

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What to expect? 

Topical numbing cream is typically used to help mitigate any discomfort. Mild erythema (redness) can last a few hours up to a few days depending on the severity of the treatment. Mild sunburn sensation that may include some mild discomfort may persist for up to 24-48 hours. Patients may use ice to soothe areas of discomfort. A few days after mild peeling of the skin will begin, do not pick.

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How does it feel? 

The Erbium laser provides a safer, more accurate, and less painful method of restoring softer, smoother, more youthful-appearing skin. Patients can have their procedure performed in the doctor’s office and be home that same day.

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Pre-treatment 

Cannot be performed on tanned skin, please stay out of the sun. Avoid direct exposure to the sun/tanning beds 4 weeks before treatment. Wear broad-spectrum SPF, and pretreat if prone to cold sores.