Erbium:Yag Laser - Its Information

Laser is a light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers work by producing an intense beam of bright light that travels in one direction. Ablative lasers remove the tepidermis layer of the skin and heat the layer under the epidermis. There are three types of ablative lasers used for resurfacing:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2),
• Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG), and
• Long-pulsed erbium:YAG.

The Er:YAG laser is a high power laser produces energy in a wavelength that gently penetrates the skin, is absorbed by water, and scatters the heat effects of the laser light. These unique properties allow dermatologists to remove thin layers of skin tissue with exquisite precision while minimizing damage to surrounding skin.

The erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser can be as effective as the standard CO 2 laser for the removal of wrinkles with fewer side effects, according to a study from the Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine at the MGH.

The Er:YAG laser is a powerful tool in the cosmetic surgeon's armamentarium that can have beneficial effects when used properly for the correct indication. Mild-to-moderate photo-induced rhytides, superficial pigmentation, atrophic scars, and a variety of epidermal and dermal lesions can be treated successfully with the Er:YAG laser.

The Erbium laser produces a unique skin smoothing affect with minimal pain and rapid healing. The Er:YAG laser is commonly used for skin resurfacing in patients who have superficial to moderate facial wrinkles, mild surface scars, or skin discoloration. The gentle touch of the Er:YAG laser means it is uniquely effective in rejuvenating sun-damaged skin in areas such as the delicate skin around the eyes and mouth, where other lasers may cause scarring.

Benefits of Erbium: Yag Laser:

These includes:-

• This laser provides a relatively bloodless surgery.
• Anesthesia is not required.

• The erbium yag laser is safe, reliable, and effective for the treatment of skin resurfacing.

• It can be used to treat brown spots and wrinkles on the back of the hands and on the neck.

• The Erbium laser is one of the latest advances for the treatment of aging and sun-damaged skin.

• The Erbium laser provides a more accurate and less painful method of restoring softer, smoother, more youthful-appearing skin.

• The chances of scarring are remote.

• The Erbium laser produces less heating or burning of surrounding tissues than other lasers used for resurfacing.

• The Erbium laser stimulates the production of collagen, creating a tightening and smoothing of the skin.

Treatment with the short-pulsed Erbium:YAG laser is particularly well suited for patients with darker skin phototypes. Several studies have documented a lower risk of pigmentary alterations as compared to carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. Although studies suggest modulated Er:YAG lasers are associated with a lower risk of pigmentary alterations than carbon dioxide laser resurfacing, long-term data regarding the risks of delayed hypopigmentation are not yet available.

Skin resurfacing with a short-pulsed Er:YAG laser is most commonly used for the improvement of fine rhytides. For moderate photodamage and rhytides, modulated Er:YAG laser skin resurfacing results in greater collagen contraction and improved clinical results as when compared to short-pulsed Er:YAG systems.