What is Erbium laser ?
Erbium:YAG is an ablative laser whose wavelength is absorbed almost exclusively by water in skin cells. This technique very precisely vaporises superficial, middle or deep skin layers while producing little heat diffusion in the dermis, generally reducing the inflammatory phase and side effects.
This characteristic explains its excellent precision. Each impact removes a highly controlled amount of tissue, allowing the doctor to adapt treatment to the exact depth of the lesions.
The advantages of Erbium laser
Erbium laser's main strength is its precision. It allows highly controlled treatment of skin layers while respecting adjacent tissues. This precision makes it possible to treat thin-skinned areas such as the eye area or lips.
Its low thermal diffusion is another major advantage. This limits inflammation, promotes faster healing and reduces pigmentation complications.
Treatment can be adjusted to individual needs. Very superficial abrasion quickly improves radiance, while deeper resurfacing corrects wrinkles or scars.
Indications for Erbium laser
Erbium laser is an excellent option for patients wishing to improve skin quality with faster recovery than other ablative lasers. This technology can be offered to :
- Treat superficial facial wrinkles and fine lines.
- Improve mild, moderate and severe photoageing.
- Smooth perioral wrinkles.
- Improve wrinkles around the eyes.
- Correct irregular skin texture.
- Reduce enlarged pores.
- Improve superficial scars, particularly acne scars.
- Treat certain benign skin lesions.
- Improve overall skin quality.
Which areas can be treated
with Erbium laser ?
The face is the main indication for Erbium laser.
The lip and eye areas respond particularly well to this technology because the skin in these regions is thin.
Treatment can also be performed on the neck, décolletage or hands to improve signs of ageing. Certain body scars or pigmentation can also be addressed when their depth suits this type of resurfacing.
The choice of treatment areas always depends on a precise clinical assessment, skin quality and the patient's expectations.
Contraindications
Erbium laser is contraindicated during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active skin infection (herpes, impetigo or a wound), active inflammatory skin disease, a recent tan or recent sun exposure. Particular care is also taken with patients who have a history of hypertrophic scars or keloids, receive photosensitising treatments or have taken isotretinoin in recent months. For dark phototypes, the risk of pigmentation disorders requires rigorous selection and protocol adaptation.
What happens during an Erbium laser session ?
Every treatment is preceded by a medical consultation to assess skin characteristics, wrinkle and scar depth, photoageing severity, phototype and the patient's expectations. Laser settings are then adjusted to achieve the most appropriate resurfacing depth for each indication.
Recommendations before treatment
Strict sun protection is recommended during the 4 weeks before the session. Intense sun exposure and self-tan should also be avoided during this period to reduce pigmentation disorders.
Topical retinoids (tretinoin, retinol, adapalene, tazarotene...) are generally stopped 5 to 7 days before treatment. Exfoliating or irritating products (AHA, BHA, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, high-concentration vitamin C, scrubs) should also be stopped 5 to 7 days beforehand.
Superficial peels are usually avoided during the 2 to 4 weeks before treatment, while 3 to 6 months are needed after a medium or deep peel.
For patients with a history of lip or facial herpes, preventive antiviral treatment is prescribed. It generally starts the day before or on treatment day and continues for 5 to 7 days.
What happens during the session
After thorough skin cleansing, an anaesthetic cream is applied. Dr Romano then makes several passes with the laser beam, precisely adapting treatment depth to each anatomical area. Depending on the surface treated, the session generally lasts between 20 and 45 minutes. A sensation of warmth or tingling is usual, but remains well tolerated thanks to anaesthesia and cooling systems.
Recommendations after treatment
Aftercare is essential for healing. A repair cream is applied immediately after the session and continued several times daily until the skin barrier is fully restored. The skin must be cleansed gently, without rubbing, and protected daily with very high-protection sunscreen. Topical retinoids, exfoliating products, scrubs and potentially irritating cosmetics should only be reintroduced once the skin has completely healed and the barrier is restored.
How many sessions of
Erbium laser will be needed ?
The number of sessions depends directly on the indication.
A single session may suffice to improve mild photoageing, smooth superficial fine lines or restore radiance. Superficial scars or more significant skin changes generally require 4 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Possible side effects of Erbium laser
Like any ablative laser, Erbium laser can cause temporary side effects linked to normal healing.
The most frequent are redness, slight swelling, warmth, dryness and peeling for a few days. More rarely, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, herpes reactivation, skin infection or delayed healing may occur. These complications remain rare when indications are correctly established, settings are adapted to phototype and aftercare recommendations are followed properly.
Results of an Erbium laser session
Once healing is complete, skin texture looks more regular, fine lines are reduced and the complexion is brighter and more even. Pores are less visible and superficial scars gradually become less pronounced.
Improvement continues during the 3 months after treatment through gradual remodelling of superficial tissues. Results nevertheless depend on lesion depth, the patient's age, sun exposure and intrinsic skin quality.
Good sun protection helps prolong treatment benefits over time.
Findings from clinical studies on Erbium laser
- A review published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine highlights that Er:YAG laser enables very precise skin resurfacing thanks to strong water absorption and low thermal diffusion, promoting faster healing while improving superficial wrinkles and skin texture.
- A study published in Dermatologic Surgery reports significant improvement in perioral wrinkles and photoageing after Erbium laser resurfacing, with high patient satisfaction and shorter recovery than other ablative techniques.
- Publications in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy show that Erbium laser improves skin texture, enlarged pores and certain superficial scars through controlled epidermal renewal, with an excellent safety profile when settings are adapted to the patient's phototype.
- International recommendations published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine emphasise that the choice between Erbium and CO₂ laser should be guided by lesion depth, desired recovery time, phototype and patient expectations. Each technology has specific indications.
Erbium laser prices
The cost of Erbium laser treatment depends on the area treated, surface involved, resurfacing depth and time needed for the session.
An Erbium laser session costs between 600 CHF and 1200 CHF.
A personalised quotation is provided during the consultation after clinical examination. It establishes the most suitable protocol, estimated number of sessions and total treatment cost.
Frequently asked questions about Erbium laser
What is the difference between Erbium laser and CO₂ laser ?
Both belong to the ablative laser family, but interact differently with tissue. Erbium laser produces extremely precise ablation with limited heat diffusion, while CO₂ laser generates more heat in the dermis, encouraging deeper collagen remodelling. The choice depends on the indication, skin type and desired result.
With appropriate settings, deep skin remodelling is also possible with Erbium laser.
Is Erbium laser painful ?
Treatment is generally well tolerated thanks to an anaesthetic cream applied beforehand. Warmth or tingling may be felt during the session, but quickly disappears afterwards.
When can I resume normal activities ?
Recovery depends on resurfacing depth. Redness and peeling are usual for a few days, but daily activities can often be resumed sooner than after some deeper ablative treatments.
Are the results permanent ?
Treatment corrects lesions present at the time of the session, but does not stop natural skin ageing. Daily sun protection and suitable skincare preserve results for longer.
Can Erbium laser be combined with other treatments ?
Yes. Depending on the patient's needs, it can form part of comprehensive care combining botulinum toxin injections, hyaluronic acid, Skinboosters or biostimulation treatments to improve volume, expression lines and skin quality simultaneously.
