Why Erbium:YAG Lasers Offer Better Results for Skin Resurfacing Than CO2 Lasers

1. An Erbium:YAG laser wavelength is optimal for skin ablation.
Erbium:YAG lasers have a very efficient beam to target water and relatively limited hemoglobin absorption. The 2,940nm unique wavelength of Erbium:YAG delivers an almost instant skin ablation while limiting heat damage in the surrounding area.
This thermal damage is the biggest difference between Erbium:YAG and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) lasers. Because the absorption in skin tissue is relatively low in CO2 lasers compared to Erbium: YAG lasers (in both water and hemoglobin), their result is substantial excess heat in the surrounding tissue. The consequences of that are localized tissue death, more post-treatment discomfort, and greater instances of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH, dark spots) in CO2 lasers.
2. Erbium:YAG laser treatments create less thermal damage and are less painful.
Thanks to the greatly limited thermal effects of Erbium lasers, Erbium:YAG treatments are notably less painful than CO2 lasers, and patients do not require any anesthesia when receiving treatment for small lesions. These safety features make Erbium:YAG lasers the superior choice for treating delicate areas such as the periorbital region, neck, chest, and hands.
3. Erbium:YAG laser treatments have a lower risk of side effects, including hyperpigmentation and/or skin bleaching, compared to CO2 treatments.
Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation are mainly due to thermal damage. Because the absorption in skin tissue is relatively low in CO2 lasers compared to Erbium: YAG lasers (in both water and hemoglobin), their result is substantial excess heat in the surrounding tissue. Excessive heating in surrounding tissues can result in either skin darkening (hyperpigmentation) or skin bleaching (hypopigmentation), which more likely can be a side effect of CO2 lasers.
4. Erbium:YAG treatments require a shorter recovery time compared to CO2 lasers.
Erbium:YAG lasers require a shorter recovery time compared to CO2 lasers because of the shallow depths of wounds they create. Furthermore, Erbium:YAG lasers deliver reduced thermal damage to the surrounding skin tissue, allowing for much faster healing compared to the deeper injuries and extensive thermal damage that CO2 lasers produce.
Our clinic has the latest Erbium:YAG laser – the Fotona TimeWalker. It is a versatile laser with combination Nd:YAG and Erbium:YAG platforms to treat a wide array of skin problems such as Deep Scars, Wrinkles and Sagging Skin, Active Acne, Rosacea and more.
Want to know more about Fotona TimeWalker/Erbium:YAG laser? Ask our Board-Certified and Internationally-Trained Dermatologist about it.
Please call us at 88088140, 88869148 or 0917-9579335, or send us an email at cordermlasercenter@yahoo.com to schedule your consultation/treatment.