Despite the variety of scrubs, cleansers, serums, and exfoliators that are available, does it feel like you’re not getting the results you want? That’s where Erbium laser machine treatments come in as an effective treatment for fine lines, uneven skin texture, scarring, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage.

In erbium laser resurfacing, a trained professional uses laser technology to reduce the appearance of scars, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Using light energy, this cosmetic procedure can treat wrinkles, tighten the skin, and remove malignant and benign lesions on and around treatment sites. This skin rejuvenation technique works by firing short, concentrated pulses of laser light at skin irregularities. The erbium laser is highly precise at removing one layer of skin at a time. It effectively removes the outermost layer of your skin, called the epidermis, while heating the layer underneath. This is the dermis and it’s the layer of skin cells that contains connective tissues, blood vessels, and sweat glands. The heat from erbium laser treatment stimulates the production of new collagen fibers, which results in smoother and firmer skin.

Benefits of Erbium laser resurfacing treatment

Here are some of the benefits of choosing erbium glass fractional fiber laser 1550nm machine resurfacing for your skin concerns:

1.Treating deep wrinkles

For starters, erbium laser resurfacing is effective for reducing the appearance of mild to moderate fine lines and wrinkles that are caused by sun damage and aging. It can also smoothen moderately deep lines to some extent. It uses ablative lasers that direct an intense beam of light at your skin. It removes the outermost layer of your skin using short pulsed light energy while activating the healing process of underlying tissue. This speeds up collagen production, which improves your skin tone and texture because of its importance in giving your skin a supple, hydrated look.  

2.Short recovery time

A major advantage of erbium laser resurfacing is that it has a short recovery time compared to some other types of laser resurfacing. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons explains that it takes one full week to recover from erbium laser resurfacing. Though, you can expect to go back to your regular skincare routine, including wearing makeup, after 2 to 3 days. In contrast, you may need up to two weeks or more to recover from CO2 laser resurfacing.

3.Causes little discomfort

Because erbium lasers have limited thermal effects, they’re less painful than carbon dioxide laser treatment, which use continuous light beams. In fact, patients typically don’t need anesthesia when getting treated for small lesions. In the event that resurfacing is needed for deeper wrinkles or scars, you can be given a local or topical anesthetic. After the procedure, your skin may feel as though it’s been sunburned, but this will reduce in a few days.

4.Lightens acne scars and birthmarks 

The erbium laser is fairly effective for various skin concerns, including scars and birthmarks, which may appear as reddish bumps of tissue and dark spots. It works by targeting the water in skin cells, vaporizing them to remove one layer of skin at a time. And because it’s fractionated, it creates small channels that trigger the production of more collagen. Essentially, it replaces your scar with a less noticeable one and encourages the healing process. When the skin heals, areas with hyperpigmentation due to damage look lighter and feel smoother.

5.Improves skin that isn’t responding to products

If you have concerns like sun damaged skin or coarse skin texture that aren’t responding to regular topical treatments, you should consider getting erbium laser resurfacing instead. Though skincare creams and ointments can reduce the appearance of fine lines and lighten new scars, they’re not as effective for deeper wrinkles and older scars. Instead of trying to supplement the existing skin, it removes the outer layer of the skin and encourages it to heal again.

6.Improves skin discoloration

If you’re struggling with skin discoloration because of damage and your skin isn’t responding to other forms of treatments, erbium laser resurfacing is recommended. Encouraging the healing process in the skin allows the treatment area to recover while reducing the visibility of issues like sun spots and hyperpigmentation. Your board-certified dermatologist will use the Fitzpatrick scale to determine the level of melanin in your skin. Very brown skin is a 5 or 6, and is at a lower risk of sun damage.

What if you have darker skin?

To know if you’d be a good candidate for erbium laser resurfacing, it’s recommended that you consult a licensed dermatologist. This is especially recommended for people with very dark skin and a deeper skin tone since Erbium laser resurfacing is safest for lighter skin tones.

If you have a lighter Black, Hispanic, or Asian skin tone, erbium laser resurfacing can pose a lower risk of discoloration compared to a few different resurfacing lasers. But if your skin is a darker tone, it’s worth checking out other skin-resurfacing options. If your skin tone ranges between types 4 and 6 on the Fitzpatrick scale, you may want to proceed with caution due to the risk of discoloration.

Preparing for Erbium laser resurfacing

If you’re set to attend an erbium laser resurfacing appointment, appropriate preparation is needed to reduce the risk of adverse reactions and uncomfortable side effects.

1.Arrive with clean skin

One instruction you’ll get from your dermatologist is to arrive with clean skin. This means not applying any creams or makeup on the day of your appointment. Leaving any product on the skin can affect the laser’s ability to evenly remove the uppermost layers, affecting its accuracy. This can lead to poor results or possible side effects.

2.Avoid excessive sun exposure

When getting erbium laser treatments, reducing sun exposure before and after sessions is critical for protecting your skin and ensuring safe results. Dermatologists advise that you should avoid excessive sun exposure for a month before and after your erbium laser resurfacing appointments. That’s because UV rays can cause changes in your skin’s pigment by increasing the level of melanocytes in the skin. This can increase the risk of poor results, patchiness, and scarring. Make sure your sunscreen has a sun protection factor of at least 30 or more.

3.Stop smoking

Preferably, you should also stop smoking for two weeks before and after your erbium laser resurfacing treatment session. Smoking can dry out the skin, and because erbium laser technology targets the water in skin cells, the treatment becomes less effective. It also prolongs the healing process, so you end up having to wait a longer time before going back to your everyday routine.

4.Avoid facial peels

It’s also best that you avoid facial peels for at least one month before your erbium laser resurfacing appointment. This includes other types of laser resurfacing treatments, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels. That’s because they can make your skin more sensitive, affecting the results of the erbium laser resurfacing process.

5.Ask your doctor about discontinuing topical treatments

If you’re using any topical treatments like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, retinol, or vitamin C as part of your skincare routine, speak to your dermatologist about whether or not you can continue using them. These products can make your skin more sensitive to the effects of erbium laser resurfacing, which could contribute to irritation.

6.Ask your doctor about medications

Dermatologists generally recommend that you stop taking medications and supplements like ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamin E, or fish oils before your erbium laser resurfacing treatment. Such medications tend to thin down the blood, increasing the risk of bruising after the procedure and prolonging the healing process.

What to expect during and after the erbium laser procedure

When you approach a clinic for erbium laser resurfacing, they will perform a patch test. This is to see how your skin responds to the laser and determine whether it’s the right choice for you. A patch test also allows your specialist to find out the right energy settings for your treatment. If there are no side effects, they’ll proceed by setting a date for your appointment.

*Preparation and duration

On the day of your erbium laser resurfacing session, the technician will clean your skin and apply a numbing agent to reduce how much discomfort you experience. Depending on what area you’re getting erbium laser resurfacing for, the appointment can take between half an hour and 45 minutes. Meanwhile, full-face treatments can take upwards of two hours.

*Post-treatment dressing

After completing the treatment, the specialist will apply a nonstick dressing to the treatment site for 24 hours. Once the dressing is removed, you can try to resume your daily routine.

Since your skin is still recovering, you should cleanse it two to five times a day using saline or other solution as recommended by your doctor. After cleansing, you’ll need to apply an emollient ointment, such as Aquaphor, so that your skin stays moist and doesn’t scab.

CONCLUSION

In essence, erbium laser resurfacing is a form of ablative laser treatment that can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and sun damage. It’s typically painless and only requires the use of a local anesthetic. Though it’s usually used on the face, it’s also suitable for the hands, chest, and neck. It offers many benefits, like being suitable for different treatment areas, requiring less downtime, and having a quicker procedure. Before getting erbium laser resurfacing, it’s recommended that you avoid sun exposure and facial peels and cut back on smoking. You should also ask your dermatologist whether it’s required to stop taking certain medications or apply topical treatments.