Softening wrinkles, tightening saggy skin, and more with powerful erbium laser resurfacing
At Andromeda Aesthetics in Moneta, Virginia, we use an innovative “five-in-one” laser system to treat all sorts of conditions, from excess hair to unwanted tattoos. One of those lasers, the Erbium: YAG, is ideal for skin resurfacing. This “laser-assisted peel” is highly customizable, so it is well-suited to treat a wide range of conditions across a wide spectrum of patients.
What is laser resurfacing?
We can resurface the skin using various methods, including chemical formulas, mechanical techniques like microdermabrasion and dermabrasion, and lasers. These services encourage cell turnover. They help to bring new skin cells to the surface, replacing the old, dead ones that tend to build up as we age. Lasers can resurface the skin by targeting areas of concern, such as scarred, lined, wrinkled, spotted, or otherwise damaged tissue. Depending on the type of laser used and wavelengths employed, this treatment may involve removing the outermost tissue or heating the underlying tissue to promote structural changes deep within the skin. These changes include stimulating the production of new collagen, the protein responsible for skin firmness, which decreases each year at an accelerating rate starting around age 25.
What type of laser is the Erbium: YAG?
The Erbium is a type of YAG laser. This category of laser technology stands for “Yttrium, Aluminum, and Garnet.” YTG refers to the crystal located within the laser. The materials used in the crystal all affect how deeply the laser penetrates the tissue, as well as capabilities like how the tissue absorbs the energy from the laser light. The erbium laser sets itself apart from other types of YAG lasers in that it is “ablative,” which means Er: YAG is high-powered and designed to remove the outermost layers of skin. In doing so, we also stimulate a healing response by creating controlled injuries within the deeper layers of skin (the dermis).
How does the Erbium laser heal the skin?
Specifically, Er: YAG wavelengths remove damaged and old skin cells. The energy from the laser is also absorbed by the water in the skin cells, which transforms the skin’s appearance, feel, and quality at the cellular level. The heat that is associated with the laser energy promotes collagen remodeling or the production of new collagen. As part of the healing process, more elastin is also produced. Elastin is the protein that supports the skin’s flexibility. It helps our skin to “bounce back” after movement. In turn, by restoring these essential structural components, we can restore the skin’s smoothness, firmness, and softness.
How long does it take to see results?
You may notice a renewed “glow” immediately; however, improvements are gradual since this laser supports a healing process. Your skin gets better over time. Results for lines and wrinkles may appear in around four to six weeks. Be patient. It takes time to produce fresh collagen and elastin.
Is there a lot of downtime with an ablative procedure like this?
Andromeda Aesthetics can customize the aggressiveness of erbium laser treatment. While more aggressive procedures are largely most appropriate for severe wrinkles and texture-related concerns, as they provide the most dermal restructuring, these treatments are also associated with longer social downtime than their less aggressive counterparts. Depending on the treatment you need and desire, set aside three to seven days of “social downtime.”
Though you can get great results with one session, additional treatments can maximize the outcomes of this powerful laser. We are happy to provide more information about this option to tighten, fight wrinkles, and renew the skin. Simply request your free consultation by calling us at (540) 488-2675 today.
Erbium : Before and After
