Erbium Laser

The Erbium laser gently resurfaces the skin to rejuvenate the skin’s complexion, minimize wrinkles and acne scarring, and diminish the effects of sun damage. While a good skincare regimen is an important part of maintaining skin health, laser treatments offer an effective way to correct the skin concerns that accompany the aging process. The erbium laser gently removes dead and damaged skin to make way for the growth of healthy new skin cells and improves the underlying structure of the skin. Alyce Versagli and the team at Skin Care by Alyce are dedicated to total skin health, and helping patients regain their unique glow. The erbium laser can treat a wide range of cosmetic concerns in one simple procedure that is virtually pain-free. The first step to seeing brighter, younger skin is to schedule a personal consultation. If you would like to speak with one of our team members directly, please call us at (610) 685-2575.

About The Erbium Laser

Laser skin treatments use focused light energy to create a thermal effect in the skin and a controlled injury that causes tissue regeneration. There are many different lasers used for skin resurfacing today, but not all lasers are created equally! The wavelength of the laser energy determines how deeply it penetrates the skin, and the different skin concerns that it can treat. Until recently, most laser treatments were performed with a CO² laser. And while still used and an effective way to treat more advanced signs of aging, it remains an intensive treatment with a considerable recovery process. Through different comparative trials, the Erbium laser has shown to be equally as effective as the CO² laser but results in less recovery time.^[1] These lasers were first approved by the FDA in 1996, and since then have become the preferred way to resurface skin more gently. The Erbium laser has a wavelength of 2940nm, which allows the energy to be absorbed by the water naturally present in the skin. As the erbium device pulses millisecond-long pulses, the energy is absorbed by both the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, and the papillary dermis: the thin, layer underneath the epidermis. This layer is highly vascular and contains loose connective tissue.^[2]

When the erbium laser energy permeates the epidermis, the water is vaporized, and the outer layer of skin is safely removed. This vaporization has a cooling effect on the skin, so less damage occurs. And, because the skin is cooled, the erbium laser can pass over the same treated areas multiple times to improve results without causing any permanent thermal damage.^[1] As the deeper layer of the dermis absorbs this energy, the thermal effect stimulates collagen production. As new collagen restores and replaces old collagen fibers, skin tightens, wrinkles fade, and scars are diminished. If we pass the laser over sunspots areas, the thermal energy damages hyperpigmented cells and causes new, regular colored cells to replace the old ones. 

Treatable Conditions

With the erbium laser, we can treat a number of different cosmetic conditions. 

Wrinkles & Fine Lines

While they seemingly appear overnight, wrinkles and fine lines are years in the making before their debut. Healthy collagen fibers keep our skin smooth and wrinkle-free. With age and extrinsic aging factors like sun exposure, stress, and an unbalanced diet, our collagen fibers gradually lose tensile strength to keep our skin firm and wrinkle-free.^[2] To counteract this sign of aging, the erbium laser activates collagen production. One study found that the erbium laser improved the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes by 50%-100%.^[3]

Sun Spots & Hyperpigmentation

Without adequate protection and prolonged exposure, our skin can absorb too many UV rays from sunlight. When we’re younger, our skin is well-equipped to replenish and repair damaged cells. However, as our body’s processes slow down, our skin can’t keep itself blemish-free. Sunspots can appear on our face, neck, hands, arms, chest, and back. Because these are superficial blemishes, the erbium laser removes the hyperpigmented layer of the epidermis and allows for restoration in the targeted area.

Benefits

While other cosmetic lasers and facial procedures offer similar results, they don’t come with the added benefits of the erbium laser. 

Non-Surgical 

An erbium session is non-surgical and non-invasive. You won’t require any extensive steps or prolonged recovery instructions. This is a simple procedure performed in one of our own private treatment rooms. Even if your conditions need multiple passes of the laser technology, an erbium laser session does not take long to complete. You will be in and out of our offices and back into your daily routine in no time at all!

Safe For Most Skin Tones

Other laser resurfacing technologies are only equipped to handle lighter skin tones. When performed on darker skin, these lasers can affect pigmentation, leaving lighter or darker patches behind. However, the erbium laser is safe to use on a wider range of skin types. The best way to determine if the erbium laser is right for your complexion is to schedule a personal consultation with Alyce! She’ll be able to recommend the best treatment for your skin concerns and skin type. To get started, make an appointment by calling (610) 685-2575.

Shorter Recovery

While other lasers reach deep into the dermis to remodel and repair the skin, the erbium laser treats the superficial layers. This allows you to take little time off from your daily routine. The first few days after your erbium session your skin may be a little red and sensitive. Other lasers and cosmetic services take weeks to fully recover from. But with erbium, patients can be ready to socialize and look their best in as little as a few days. 

Candidates

If you are interested in seeing how the erbium Laser can rejuvenate your complexion, please schedule a personal consultation by filling out this online form. A member of our team will be in touch with you shortly. We all have complexion concerns at different points in our life. So, there is no set age limit for an erbium session. Many younger patients choose to go with erbium for preventative measures against aging. 

Personal Consultation

If this is your first time with us, we will begin with a brief new patient intake interview and a physical examination. Most patients have more than one cosmetic concern. We will note your conditions and recommend the services that we feel are best for you. Then, Alyce will inspect your trouble spots and note your skin’s elasticity. The erbium laser might not be the best route for you. If this is the case, Alyce and her team will recommend other treatment options that can better achieve your desired results. At the end of your consultation, we will use all of this information and compile it into a personalized treatment plan. Before you leave our care, we will give you a list of preparatory steps to follow between now and the date of your erbium session. 

Preparation

To best prepare for your erbium laser appointment, we recommend that you follow this list of steps. First, avoid using any harsh topicals like AHA, BHA, retinol or vitamin A for one week before your session. This includes strong acne cleansers. These products are rough on the skin and may cause the skin to be over-sensitive on your treatment date. Come to our offices without a clean and clear face! If you’re currently having an active outbreak, we will need to reschedule your session. 

Procedure

We will begin your erbium procedure by administering a numbing cream to your face. This will help prevent any discomfort during your procedure. Next, we will pass the laser along the surface of your skin. The thermal energy will be emitted from the laser handpiece in short, quick bursts of light. After we have treated your desired areas, we will perform a second pass if needed. Then, you will be free to leave our offices and resume your daily routine. 

Recovery & Results

For the next few hours, your face will appear red and may feel tender. These conditions will last for the next day or two. Be sure not to apply any harsh chemicals or topicals during this time. You may need to avoid wearing makeup for the next couple of days. Your skin will be sensitive, so avoid over-exposure to sunlight and wear SPF and zinc of 30 or more. We will give you more specific recovery instructions after your erbium session. 

Other Facial Rejuvenating Procedures

During your consultation, we may recommend complementary procedures or different services that can better achieve your desired results. Another popular skincare treatment is a chemical peel. 

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are applied topically to the skin. These safe chemical formulas strip away dirt, cellular debris, and dead skin from the epidermis, while also activating fibroblast cells in the dermis. New collagen fibers gradually enhance skin tone and texture while improving the person’s complexion. These peels are ideal treatment methods for clogged pores, acne, ingrown hairs, and photodamaged skin. If you would like to learn more about how chemical peels can enrich your complexion, please schedule a personal consultation at our Wyomissing offices today!

How Much Does Erbium Laser Cost in Wyomissing?

References

1. Yumeen S, Khan T. Laser Erbium-Yag Resurfacing. [Updated 2021 Aug 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560931/
2. Brown TM, Krishnamurthy K. Histology, Dermis. [Updated 2021 Nov 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535346/?log$=activity
3. David J. Goldberg, MD, Erbium: YAG Laser Resurfacing: What Is Its Role?, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 18, Issue 4, July 1998, Pages 255–260, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1090-820X(98)70053-6