Resurface the skin
Written by harry
The Erbium laser is another proven technique used to resurface the skin. Time and the sun cause aging and photo-aging of the skin. The skin looses its vibrant appearance and becomes dull. Brown spots, both age spots and sunspots appear. Fine lines develop, and eventually progress into deeper lines. Smoking decreases the oxygen flow to the skin and facilitates this process. For years, people have looked to rejuvenate their skin and bring back its youthful appearance.
In the past this has successfully been done with chemical peels, dermabrasion, and then with the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Now, the erbium laser offers a significant advantage in treatment. Lasers have been used in the treatment of various skin conditions for the past several decades. This intense beam of light vaporizes thin controlled layers of skin to create a smoother and more youthful appearance. The surgeon can fine tune and individualize treatment for each patient to address each area of the face separately to create the optimal outcome. Recent innovations have allowed doctors to be able to vaporize thinner and thinner layers of tissue. The Erbium removes the thinnest layer of tissue possible. Also, minimal heat is generated, so the skin stays pink only for a short period of time. The Erbium laser removes a thinner layer of tissue than the carbon dioxide laser and also causes less heat, or thermal damage. This allows for a much speedier recovery. The patient can return to wearing make-up in less than one week and the skin will remain pink only for one to three weeks. Thus, the overall recovery period is much shorter.
This laser can also be used to treat the skin on the chest and hands to remove the brown spots and sun damage there. Due to the decrease in the heat produced, darker skin types can also be treated more safely. Lastly, the Erbium can be done under purely local anesthesia. The skin is treated with a cream called EMLA to numb the area. No intravenous sedation or injections are needed. However if the patient prefers this, it can be done with some mild anesthesia. Treatment with the Erbium laser focuses on removing lines on the face, superficial acne scars and irregular pigmentation. Lines around the mouth, eyes and forehead can be treated. Depending on the type and severity of the lines, botox and/or collagen or fat injections in addition to your laser surgery may give you the optimal result. Acne and surgical scars can also achieve significant improvement with erbium laser resurfacing. Deep lines and severe scarring may be better treated with the carbon dioxide laser. We will discuss your individual face and determine which treatment is best for you and your lifestyle. Pre-treatment with both topical and oral medications is necessary. Strict avoidance of the sun is essential to help prevent hyper pigmentation. A test site may be performed to assess an individual's reaction prior to treating an entire area.
After treatment there will be redness, oozing and swelling for 2-5 days. Pain medication will be provided if necessary. Meticulous wound care will need to be followed. Make-up can usually be applied 3-6 days after treatment. Healing is approximately 1 week, but persistent redness may be seen for a few weeks after the treatment. When treating the chest and hands, the skin tends to stay pink for a longer period, occasionally up to several months. Detailed instructions on pre-operative and post-operative care are attached. As with any procedure, risks are associated with this procedure. They are however, very infrequent. These include, but are not limited to, infection, pigmentation changes, prolonged redness and scarring. Although the skin condition will improve with treatment, a subsequent touch-up may be necessary, particularly with deeper lesions.
Read more about spa in orange county , orange county laser and orange county botox
Article author
About the Author
Further reading
Further Reading
Article
Contact Lens and Glasses Prescriptions: A Complete Guide
Learn about the difference between contact lens prescriptions and glasses prescriptions. Learn about the different values involved in contact lenses such as sphere, cylinder, axis, base curve, and diameter. You will learn why you should never use your glasses prescription to get contact lenses.
September 22, 2026
Article
Thin Upper Lip but Don’t Want More Volume? What to Know About a Lip Flip in 2026
Thin upper lip but do not want fillers? Learn how a lip flip differs from filler, what the research shows, and what to discuss with a qualified medical professional.
September 18, 2026
Article
How General Dentistry Supports Patients Preparing For Cosmetic Improvements
Think of your smile like a house. Cosmetic dentistry is the paint, fixtures, and decor. General dentistry is the foundation, wiring, and plumbing.
September 14, 2026
Article
Why ToneWell is The Best Whoop Alternative in Wellness Tracking?
ToneWell positions itself as the strongest WHOOP alternative by trading the strap for a 30-second voice scan, offering a Wellness Report built from acoustic patterns instead of heart-rate and sleep data.
September 5, 2026