The Erbium:YAG laser provides a lighter resurfacing than the traditional CO2 laser. It is therefore suitable for people who only need superficial resurfacing, for young people who do not require the additional skin shrinkage provided by the CO2 laser, for those who want a quick settling time (less time off work) and for those whose skin pigment precludes the use of the stronger laser.
The treatment can be performed after the application of anaesthetic cream. For localised areas, local anaesthetic injections may be used prior to lasering. A dressing is applied after the treatment. This absorbs fluid from the skin and also provides pain relief. The dressing is changed the following day and the next day if required (usually not). Vaseline is then applied for two days and then some special skin care products (provided) are used. At the end of the week, the skin is usually a pale pink but healed, and the majority of any swelling has subsided.
Wearing your (provided) sunscreen, you will look quite passable. The pinkness continues to fade usually quite quickly, but may last ultimately for several weeks. While pink, the skin is prone to pigmentation from sun exposure, so it is important to avoid the sun as much as possible and wear sunscreen as a routine. Erbium resurfacing can also be used on other areas apart from the face such as the neck and décolletage, hands, arms etc. Because these areas do not heal as easily as the face, the treatments to these extra-facial areas are lighter, and therefore the results will be less dramatic. The erbium laser can also be used to resurface the neck in conjunction with a CO2 resurfacing of the face.