What type of laser is the Erbium laser?

Reveal smoother, more youthful skin with Erbium laser resurfacing—a precision laser treatment that targets fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, and uneven skin texture with minimal downtime. This advanced technology gently removes damaged skin cells while stimulating collagen production, leaving you with refreshed, radiant skin—and it's a safer alternative to CO2 lasers for patients with deeper skin tones. Erbium laser resurfacing is a non-surgical treatment that uses laser energy to precisely remove the outermost layers of skin. It's effective for addressing common skin concerns while creating less thermal damage than traditional CO2 lasers. That means faster healing, more comfort—and greater safety for patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV and above, who may be more prone to hyperpigmentation after CO2 resurfacing.

As we age, signs of the passing of time can appear on the face, such as the development of fine lines and wrinkles, the appearance of age spots, and increased skin laxity. Scarring from infected acne breakouts or severe injury can mar the skin, and benign and malignant lesions may develop on the skin due to sun damage. Previously, many patients falsely believed that to achieve complete facial rejuvenation, you needed to visit a plastic surgeon for a facelift, which can have significant side effects and risk for major adverse events. Luckily, a safe and effective alternative to plastic surgery is available, which helps reverse the signs of the natural aging process with limited downtime necessary: the Erbium laser skin resurfacing treatment. The Erbium is a fractional ablative laser designed for laser resurfacing and skin rejuvenation. The ablative nature of the laser means that the outer layer of skin is removed, which triggers the natural healing process to promote skin cell turnover, revealing healthy, clear, and tight skin as the treated area heals. The light energy can also penetrate deep into the dermis, boosting the production of new collagen and treating skin conditions from the inside out. And, compared to other ablative lasers like the CO2 laser, less recovery time is necessary post-treatment, and the risk of side effects is lower. The Erbium laser may not be appropriate for everyone, so it is always best to consult an expert dermatologist, before receiving any laser treatment.

Erbium laser resurfacing treatment is ideal for:

*Fine lines and wrinkles

*Sun damage and pigmentation

*Uneven skin texture

*Acne scars

*Enlarged pores

*Dull or aging skin

The Erbium glass fractional fiber laser 1550nm machine uses a wavelength absorbed by water in the skin, allowing it to precisely vaporize damaged tissue while sparing surrounding areas. This stimulates your body's natural healing process and encourages new collagen formation—resulting in firmer, clearer, more even-toned skin over time. Because it generates less heat than CO2 lasers, Erbium is a preferred option for darker skin tones or individuals seeking effective resurfacing with a lower risk of pigmentation issues. Bestview Laser is a China Erbium laser manufacturer.

What to Expect

Patients love the Erbium laser for its ability to resurface and rejuvenate with less downtime than deeper ablative lasers.

Benefits include:

*Reduces fine lines and wrinkles

*Improves texture and tone

*Minimizes hyperpigmentation and sun spots

*Smooths acne scars and tightens pores

*Stimulates collagen for long-term skin renewal

*Customizable for light or deeper resurfacing

*Safe for medium to darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV and above)

Erbium laser resurfacing is an excellent option for those seeking smoother, healthier-looking skin without invasive surgery or extended downtime. It's especially well-suited for patients with deeper skin tones who may not be ideal candidates for CO2 laser treatments.

You may be a good candidate if you:

*Have mild to moderate skin aging or discoloration

*Are looking to improve scars or uneven texture

*Have Fitzpatrick skin type I–V

*Are in good health and not currently using photosensitizing medications

Dermatologist will assess your skin and goals during your consultation to create a treatment plan that's both safe and effective for your skin type.

After cleansing your skin and applying a topical numbing agent, we'll perform the Erbium laser treatment based on your customized plan. You may feel a warm, prickling sensation as the laser glides over your skin. Most treatments take 30–60 minutes. Depending on the intensity of your treatment, you can expect mild redness and peeling similar to a sunburn. Deeper treatments may require a few more days of healing.

Recovery from Erbium laser is generally quick and well-tolerated. Light treatments involve just a few days of redness and flaking. Deeper sessions may take 5–7 days. You'll receive detailed aftercare instructions, including how to keep your skin clean, moisturized, and protected.

Post-treatment guidelines include:

*Avoiding sun exposure

*Wearing broad-spectrum SPF daily

*Gently cleansing and hydrating the skin

*Skipping makeup for the first 24–48 hours

What type of laser is the Erbium laser?

The Erbium laser is a fractional ablative laser that uses light energy to cause controlled damage to the epidermis and the dermis, reversing signs of the natural aging process, such as wrinkles, age spots, and irregular skin texture. The treatment vaporizes the epidermis – or outer layer of skin – which triggers the body's natural healing response and the production of new collagen. The damage done to the outer layer of skin is what categorizes the Eribum laser as “ablative” rather than “non-ablative.”

*Is the Erbium laser ablative?

Ablative lasers are defined as lasers that remove the top layer of skin for total skin resurfacing. In contrast, non-ablative lasers do not remove or affect the outer layer of skin. Instead, non-ablative lasers generate thermal energy, which creates micro-injuries in the dermis, helping to improve the appearance of the skin without causing any damage to the surrounding tissue. Ablative lasers are highly effective at resurfacing the skin and provide patients with dramatic results in as few as one treatment session. On the other hand, non-ablative lasers often require several treatment sessions to be visibly effective. However, while ablative lasers will provide patients with immediate, dramatic results, the recovery time following ablative laser treatment is much more significant, whereas non-ablative lasers require minimal downtime.

*Is the Erbium laser painful?

The treatment process for the Erbium laser involves the removal of the outer layer of skin to rejuvenate and resurface the skin, achieving a more even skin tone and texture. Due to the ablative nature of the Erbium laser procedure, there is a risk of pain and discomfort during the treatment and post-treatment during the recovery process. However, dermatologist has many methods to increase patient comfort during the treatment, including localized anesthesia or sedative. Following the treatment, dermatologist will provide patients with aftercare instructions, including skincare products like moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen, to keep the skin hydrated during healing.

*Does the Erbium laser hurt?

The Erbium laser can be painful, but dermatologist will apply or administer anesthesia before the procedure to minimize patient discomfort. Pain during and post-treatment will vary depending on the intensity of the laser treatment. A more superficial resurfacing in a smaller area will not require as much treatment time or downtime, and the side effects of a more superficial resurfacing are mild. A more intense treatment session with a more concentrated laser emission can cause more pain during the treatment itself, and dermatologist will administer a more local anesthesia or numbing agent. Recovery time following the treatment may also be more significant, with redness and swelling lasting up to several weeks.

What are the side effects of Erbium laser resurfacing?

As with any ablative laser, there are side effects associated with the procedure that may persist for days or weeks post-treatment. Patients often experience redness and swelling in the treated area in the first couple of days after the procedure. In the following days, the skin may start to peel and become itchy, but it is essential to avoid scratching or rubbing at the area. Applying a moisturizer to the treatment site will be vital in creating a hydrated environment for the treated area to heal. Even after the outer layer of skin has recovered, redness may persist for as many as three months post-treatment. Other potential side effects of the Erbium laser treatment include:

*Bleeding

*Redness

*Swelling

*Scarring

*Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

*Acne breakouts

How long does it take to heal from the Erbium laser?

With an ablative laser, the healing process can take some time as the epidermal layer of skin reforms. Specific side effects, such as redness and swelling, may persist for as many as three months after treatment, remaining red even after the skin has healed. The Erbium laser takes advantage of the body's natural healing response to trigger collagen production, which helps to improve skin tone and texture for a rejuvenated, youthful appearance. Patients should start to see full treatment results within three to eight weeks post-treatment as new collagen production increases.

Following the in-office treatment with dermatologist, following all of the aftercare skin care instructions is essential to ensure the healing process goes smoothly, minimizing any discomfort or potential for infection. Immediately after treatment, dermatologist will apply a bandage to the treated area, which should be left on the face for 24 hours. Once the wound dressing has been removed, patients should cleanse the treated area with a saline solution 2-5 times daily before applying a moisturizing cream or gel, such as Aquaphor, to keep the site hydrated. The skin starts flaking or peeling, resembling a sunburn, so using a moisturizer is essential in healing. Total recovery time may vary from patient to patient, but it is vitally important to follow the aftercare instructions to prevent the development of any severe side effects.

Erbium laser resurfacing treatment is a long-lasting solution that results in as few as one treatment session. Patients looking to eliminate the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation, improve skin tone and texture, and tighten the skin can turn to the Erbium laser for dramatic results. The number of treatments necessary will depend on the patient's specific aesthetic goals, as some may require additional treatment sessions. The Erbium laser resurfacing treatment can be repeated once every six to twelve months to maintain the treatment results.

Does the Erbium laser really work?

The Erbium laser is an effective treatment for various skin conditions, including hyperpigmentation, coarse skin texture, acne scars, surgical scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin tightening. Compared to the CO2 laser, Erbium has a shorter recovery time associated with the treatment and a lower risk of severe side effects. In a study comparing the CO2 laser and Erbium laser, researchers found that the Erbium laser is just as effective as the CO2 laser with as little as half the needed recovery time.

The Erbium laser can tighten the skin to combat skin laxity. As we age, the production of the structural proteins collagen and elastin begins to decrease, leading to increased skin laxity and the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. The Erbium laser causes controlled damage to the dermal layer of the skin, which boosts the production of new collagen, giving the skin more structure for a full anti-aging effect.

Is the Erbium laser worth it?

The Erbium laser is an effective treatment for reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and other scarring, eliminating hyperpigmentation in the form of sun damage and dark spots, tightening the skin, and improving skin tone and texture. The treatment is safest for patients with lighter skin that fall into the Fitzpatrick skin types I and II, as patients with darker skin are at a higher risk of burns and the development of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. While the Erbium laser resurfacing treatment does require some downtime, the results are dramatic, and many patients only need one treatment session to achieve their desired cosmetic effect.

Results

You'll start to see smoother, more even skin once the peeling subsides—usually within a week. Improvements continue over several weeks as collagen remodeling occurs. For optimal results, especially with acne scars or deeper lines, a series of treatments may be recommended.