Benefits of Erbium Laser Skin Resurfacing | Centre for Surgery

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The erbium YAG laser sits at the heart of modern skin — a single wavelength of light that can vaporise photo-aged surface cells, smooth acne scarring, lift superficial pigmentation and trigger collagen renewal in the dermis below. At Centre for Surgery, we use the Fotona SP Dynamis Pro Er:YAG platform for all at our Baker Street private . Compared with older CO₂ resurfacing, Er:YAG delivers comparable cosmetic with substantially less thermal injury, faster healing and a markedly lower risk of pigmentary side effects.

This guide how the erbium laser works at a tissue level, where it sits relative to CO₂ and non-ablative alternatives, which conditions best, what recovery looks like, and how to decide whether you’re a good candidate.

What is the erbium YAG laser?

Erbium YAG (Er:YAG) is an ablative laser emitting light at a wavelength of 2,940 nanometres. Its defining property is extraordinarily high absorption by water — roughly 10–15 times stronger than the 10,600 nm CO₂ laser. Because human skin is mostly water, Er:YAG energy is absorbed almost instantly in the most superficial cell layers, vaporising them precisely without spreading heat into surrounding tissue.

That precision is the entire clinical advantage. CO₂ resurfacing achieves its partly by bulk heating; the surrounding zone of thermal injury is what drives long recovery, persistent Redness & Sensitivity and a higher rate of post-inflammatory . Er:YAG removes the same damaged layers, stimulates the same collagen response, but does so with a thin rim of thermal effect that the skin tolerates and heals far better.

For a side-by-side patient-facing comparison of the two systems, see our guide on .

How erbium laser resurfacing works on the skin

Resurfacing relies on a controlled wound-healing response. The Er:YAG laser passes over the skin in pulses, each pulse vaporising a uniform depth of tissue — typically 10 to 50 microns at a time. The clinician chooses pulse energy, pulse duration and number of passes based on the depth and severity of what’s being treated.

Once the damaged surface is removed, two healing processes happen in parallel. Within days, fresh epidermis migrates in from sweat glands and hair follicles to the surface. Over the following weeks and months, the dermis below lays down new collagen — a process called neocollagenesis — which thickens and tightens the skin from . The visible result is smoother texture, finer lines and tighter, more even skin.

Er:YAG can be used in two distinct modes:

A third mode — Fotona’s proprietary SMOOTH® pulse — delivers thermal energy in a fully non-ablative manner, heating the dermis without disturbing the epidermal surface. This is the basis of eyelid tightening, facial rejuvenation, and several intra-oral and intra-vaginal treatments.

What erbium laser treats well

Er:YAG is one of the most lasers in dermatological aesthetics. The conditions it treats best fall into three groups: surface texture and ageing, pigmentary concerns, and superficial skin lesions.

Static lines around the eyes, mouth and cheeks — those visible at rest, caused by accumulated UV damage and depletion — respond well to fractional or fully ablative Er:YAG. Dynamic lines caused by muscle (frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet during smiling) are better treated with or , sometimes alongside resurfacing.

Solar lentigines (age spots), uneven skin tone and the rough surface of chronic all clear well with erbium resurfacing. For diffuse pigmentation or melasma, our dedicated page covers tailored protocols. For the role of sun exposure in skin ageing more broadly, see our of the and how each can be .

Atrophic acne scars — ice pick, boxcar and rolling — are a flagship indication for fractional Er:YAG. The microcolumns of energy reach into the deep dermis where scar tissue sits, triggering collagen remodelling that gradually fills in pitted scars. Our service fractional Er:YAG with adjunctive techniques where appropriate.

Erbium laser is ideal for benign lesions sitting in the epidermis or upper dermis — , , , , , and . Each is vaporised layer by layer under local anaesthetic, typically in a single short appointment.

The five clinical advantages over CO₂

The water absorption coefficient of skin peaks sharply between 2,500 and 3,500 nm. Er:YAG at 2,940 nm sits inside that peak; CO₂ at 10,600 nm does not. The result is that Er:YAG vaporises water-rich tissue rapidly and cleanly, with minimal energy left over to heat the surroundings.

By shortening pulse duration (down to around 100 microseconds), the clinician can deliver “cold” ablation with essentially no thermal damage — suitable for the gentlest skin refreshes, sometimes marketed as light peels. Lengthening pulse duration (up to 1,000 microseconds) builds in controlled thermal effect for deeper collagen tightening. CO₂’s wavelength gives no equivalent flexibility.

Lower thermal effect translates directly into lower pain. Many small Er:YAG lesion treatments are tolerated under topical anaesthetic alone; CO₂ at equivalent depths requires more substantial local or oral sedation.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and hypopigmentation are driven primarily by thermal injury depth. Less heat means less PIH risk — particularly important for darker Fitzpatrick skin types (IV–VI), where CO₂ carries a clinically significant risk of long-lasting pigment change. Er:YAG is far safer in pigmented skin.

Because the wound is shallower and the surrounding tissue less heat-damaged, re-epithelialisation happens faster. A full-face Er:YAG resurfacing typically heals in 7 to 14 days; an equivalent CO₂ treatment often takes 14 to 21 days, with redness persisting for months in some cases.

Erbium laser skin tightening with SMOOTH® mode

Beyond ablative resurfacing, the Fotona Er:YAG laser has a dedicated SMOOTH® pulse profile to deliver thermal energy without removing tissue. This non-ablative mode underpins several of our most popular treatments:

SMOOTH® treatments have essentially no downtime, are well tolerated without anaesthesia, and work best as a course of three to four sessions spaced weeks apart. Results emerge gradually as new collagen forms over two to three months.

What happens during a treatment

Your visit begins with a consultation in which a clinician examines your skin, takes a medical history and explains which Er:YAG protocol fits your concerns. For full-face resurfacing, we’ll discuss preparation, recovery, realistic timelines and outcomes; for a localised lesion we may proceed the same day.

For resurfacing, anaesthetic is applied for around 30 to 45 minutes to numb the skin. Deeper protocols may add local anaesthetic or oral sedation. Protective eye shields are worn . The clinician passes the laser handpiece systematically over the treatment area, with each pass removing a defined layer of tissue. Total treatment time ranges from 30 minutes for a focal area to 90 minutes for full-face deeper resurfacing.

Immediately afterwards the skin feels warm and looks pink — comparable to a moderate sunburn. and an occlusive ointment are applied. You’ll go home the same day with detailed written aftercare .

Recovery, aftercare and pain

Recovery depends on the depth of treatment. A typical timeline for fractional Er:YAG resurfacing:

Pain during the healing window is mild and usually controlled with paracetamol. For more detail on the full arc, including weekly milestones and what to avoid, see . If you’re wondering about the procedure itself, our guide to covers what to expect during and after. Patients often ask when normal cosmetics can resume — typically around day 10 — and our dedicated guide on covers this.

Who is a good candidate

The ideal candidate for ablative Er:YAG resurfacing:

Patients with significant skin laxity or volume loss may benefit more from surgical options — , or RF microneedling — sometimes combined with Er:YAG to address surface quality.

Combining erbium laser with other treatments

Er:YAG resurfacing is often paired with complementary modalities to deliver a more comprehensive result. Common combinations:

For a comparison with our other flagship non-surgical platform, see .

What we don’t recommend

A few points where we differ from what’s often marketed:

Frequently asked questions

Surface improvements from a single fully ablative treatment can last five years or more, with continued benefit from the underlying collagen renewal. The ageing process continues, so maintenance with non-ablative SMOOTH® treatments or repeat fractional sessions can extend results indefinitely.

In experienced hands, on candidates, with proper preparation and aftercare, Er:YAG has an excellent safety profile. The main risks — pigmentation change, prolonged Redness & Sensitivity, infection, scarring — are uncommon and largely preventable.

Pricing depends on the area treated, the depth of resurfacing required and whether single or multiple sessions are needed. Lesion starts at around £450 per session; full-face resurfacing ranges from £1,500 to £6,000 depending on protocol. A consultation gives you an exact quote. We offer Chrysalis Finance.

Yes, but with caution. The neck and chest have fewer accessory skin than the face, which slows healing. We use conservative settings, often fractional rather than fully ablative, and may stage over a longer course.

Non-ablative lasers (such as 1,550 nm Erbium glass) heat the dermis without removing the surface, giving minimal but more gradual results — typically requiring three to four sessions. Ablative Er:YAG produces more change in a single treatment but real recovery. The choice depends on your for downtime versus desire for one-step transformation.

We the Fotona SP Dynamis Pro at our purpose-built Baker Street hospital — one of the most sophisticated Er:YAG platforms available. Our clinicians have extensive experience tailoring protocols to skin type, concern and downtime tolerance. Treatments are delivered in a CQC-regulated with the full safety infrastructure of a private hospital behind every session.

Centre for Surgery · CQC-regulated · GMC specialist-registered surgeons · · · ·

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Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering plastic and cosmetic surgery through GMC-registered specialist surgeons. Our expertise spans facial procedures including and , , for men, and body contouring procedures such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and results sit at the heart of everything we do.

Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s iconic , offering plastic and cosmetic surgery led by GMC-registered consultant surgeons.