Ablative erbium laser resurfacing is one of the most effective treatments available for dramatically improving skin quality. It works by gently vaporizing the outer layer of damaged skin, stimulating the body’s natural healing process and encouraging new collagen production. This results in smoother, tighter, and more youthful-looking skin.
What skin concerns does it treat?
The erbium laser is ideal for patients who want to address:
– Fine lines and deep wrinkles
– Sun damage and age spots
– Uneven skin tone or texture
– Laxity and loose skin
– Scarring from acne or other causesPatients often describe the results as “photoshopping the face” because of how transformative the improvements can be.
The erbium laser uses ablative technology, meaning it carefully removes thin layers of skin tissue. The depth of treatment can be adjusted depending on the area:
– Thinner skin (e.g., eyelids) requires a more delicate setting
– Thicker skin (e.g., around the nose or cheeks) can tolerate a deeper treatment
We can also choose between pure ablation (focused on resurfacing) or ablation with coagulation, which provides additional skin tightening by stimulating immediate collagen contraction.
Fractional lasers treat only a fraction of the skin at a time, leaving untreated skin between treated areas. This allows for quicker recovery but produces more subtle results.
Ablative erbium resurfacing, by contrast, treats the entire skin surface, offering more dramatic and longer-lasting improvement — particularly for deeper wrinkles, advanced sun damage, and skin laxity.
Ablative erbium resurfacing is best suited for lighter skin types, as darker skin tones may be at higher risk for pigment changes. For patients with more melanin, fractional or non-ablative lasers are usually recommended instead.
Ideal candidates are patients with significant signs of aging or sun damage who are prepared for a short recovery period in exchange for dramatic results.
Recovery typically takes 5–9 days, depending on the depth of treatment. During this time, you can expect:
– Redness, swelling, and crusting of the skin in the first few days
– Use of ointments such as Vaseline or Aquaphor to keep the skin moist and aid healing
– Daily soaks to soften the crust and gentle sloughing with clean fingertips
– Sleeping slightly elevated to reduce swelling
– Avoiding scratching or rubbing the skin
By the end of the first week, most patients are well on their way to revealing fresh, renewed skin.
– Initial results: Within 7–10 days once healing is complete
– Ongoing improvement: Over the next 3–12 months, as new collagen continues to remodel and strengthen the skin
– Longevity: With proper skincare and sun protection, results can last for many years. Some patients only require the procedure once a decade.
While deep chemical peels can also resurface the skin, lasers are more precise. With the erbium laser, we can customize the depth of treatment for different parts of the face. This makes the results more even and controlled, reducing the risk of over- or under-treatment.
– Most dramatic improvement in wrinkles, pigmentation, and skin laxity compared to other resurfacing options
– Long-lasting results that continue to improve over time
– Customizable treatment based on your skin thickness and cosmetic concerns
– A trusted and proven procedure with decades of successful outcomes
CosmeticDoctor.ie
6/7 Merrion Court,
Ailesbury Road,
Dublin 4,
D04 DD58
Tel: 01-6853100
Dr Lisa Fay
MB BCh BAO, DCH, MRCGP, HDip Derm, MSc Derm, BTEC, FPC, MBACD
Dr Lisa Fay is the founder of CosmeticDoctor.ie. She has over 19 years of clinical experience and has been performing aesthetic treatments for over 15 years.
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