Dramatic Results – Minimal Downtime
In our image-conscious world, everyone seeks smooth, glowing skin. Laser skin resurfacing (LSR) is commonly used to restore the youthful appearance to wrinkled, sun-damaged or acne-scarred skin. Yet, while LSR yields excellent results, it often involves discomfort and significant downtime. This means an extended period indoors, with no sun exposure – an impossibility for many active and working patients.
A new option for high quality LSR with minimal downtime is the Erbium laser peel. Generally allowing patients to return to work within one week, this procedure restores skin to its fresh, healthy state.
What is a laser peel?
The laser peel is a technique for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. The outer layers of damaged skin are ablated by laser, while the lower layers are tightened, for a smoother, firmer look. Like LSR, laser peels can reduce the appearance of fine lines and, in some cases, deeper winkles. Unlike conventional LSR, the laser peel is accompanied by little discomfort and downtime.
What to expect?
The adjustable Erbium peel can be tailored to the particular needs of each patient. Selectively, the laser targets tissue to significantly improve various aesthetic imperfections, by gently ablating the epidermis. The ablated tissue sloughs off, and is replaced by a fresh new epidermis.
The use of topical anesthesia is all that is necessary. Most treatments will heal within five to seven days, enabling patients to resume activities relatively quickly. Very light redness may last for several weeks.
Why the Erbium laser?
The Erbium laser, today’s most popular skin resurfacing laser, is a gentle option for laser skin resurfacing. It is ideal for those who want significant and immediate change in skin texture and tone, but have little time for prolonged healing periods. Erbium peels have rapid healing times and shorter periods of redness than other ablative treatments.
What are the side effects?
In most laser peels, damage is well controlled and recovery proceeds smoothly. Possible adverse reactions include scarring, infection, skin redness and dryness. When skilled and qualified physicians perform this procedure on appropriate patients, side effects are infrequent.
Does it hurt?
Far more comfortable than conventional laser skin resurfacing, the Erbium peel is performed with topical anesthetic only.
Who is suited for this treatment?
Patients with skin irregularities such as wrinkles, lines, acne scars or blotchy pigmentation may be good candidates for an Erbium laser peel. This laser is also suited for younger patients with photo-damaged skin.
The Erbium Laser Advantage
Like the erbium laser, chemical peels, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion remove the top layers of the skin. Laser, however, is the most effective technique available for skin resurfacing.
As physicians can precisely control the strength and timing of laser light, they can more accurately predict the depth of the treatment that they can with deep chemical peels or dermabrasion.
Of all skin resurfacing lasers used today, the Erbium laser ensures the briefest periods of healing and redness. In short, the Erbium laser means great precision for physicians, and less discomfort and recovery time for patients. |
