Erbium:YAG

Scarring is a common outcome of skin injuries, surgery, and conditions such as acne. Although scars can fade over time, some may remain visible and cause significant emotional distress to those who have them.

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Erbium:YAG Laser for Scar Revision

Scarring is a common outcome of skin injuries, surgery, and conditions such as acne. Although scars can fade over time, some may remain visible and cause significant emotional distress to those who have them. Dermatologists have several methods to treat scars including surgery, injectables, peels and lasers. The Erbium:YAG laser is one of the most intensive and precise lasers that is used in the field of scar treatment.

CO2 laser resurfacing is considered the gold standard treatment for intensive skin rejuvenation. It is a non-surgical procedure that uses a carbon dioxide laser to very precisely remove the layers of the skin. This allows for the growth of new skin cells, resulting in a smoother, more youthful appearance. It is considered one of the most effective treatments for deeper wrinkles, scars and sun damage.

What is the Erbium:YAG Laser?

The Erbium:YAG laser is an ablative laser. It is named after the elements used to create the laser’s crystal: erbium and yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG). The laser’s energy is absorbed by water molecules in the skin, causing them to heat up and vaporize tiny areas of the skin’s surface. This process is called ablation, and it is the principle behind how the erbium:YAG laser works.

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Why Use the Erbium:YAG Laser for Scar Revision?

Scar tissue is different from normal skin tissue in several ways. It contains more collagen fibers and less elastin, which makes it thicker, stiffer, and less pliable than healthy skin. Scar tissue also lacks the natural pigment that gives skin its colour. These differences make scars more noticeable and can cause them to stand out on the skin.

The erbium:YAG laser’s ability to ablate tiny areas of the skin’s surface makes it an effective tool for treating scars. By removing the scar tissue layer by layer, the laser can stimulate the production of new collagen fibers and encourage the growth of healthy skin cells. The new tissue that forms after the laser treatment is smoother, softer, and more pliable than the scar tissue it replaces. This can help reduce the appearance of scars and improve the skin’s texture and tone.

The erbium:YAG laser is also a versatile tool that can be used to treat different types of scars. In a fractionated form, it is effective in treating hypertrophic and keloid scars, which are raised and thickened scars that form as a result of excess collagen production. It can also be used to treat atrophic scars, which are depressions or hollows in the skin that result from the loss of underlying tissue. Additionally, the erbium:YAG laser can be used to treat acne scars, surgical scars, and scars caused by trauma.

What to Expect During an Erbium:YAG Laser Treatment

Before undergoing erbium:YAG laser treatment, patients will have a consultation with Dr Manoharan to discuss their skin concerns and medical history. He will examine the patient’s skin and determine whether erbium:YAG laser treatment is appropriate for them. Often, Dr Manoharan will discuss his combination therapy options for optimal results for the patient.

During the treatment, the patient will initially have an anaesthetic cream applied to their skin. They will then have light sedation in the form of an injection given to them. Finally some local anaesthetic will ensure maximum comfort during the procedure. Dr Manoharan will then use the erbium:YAG laser to ablate the scar tissue layer by layer. The length of the treatment will depend on the size and complexity of the scar being treated.

After the treatment, patients may experience ooze, redness, and swelling, in the treated area. These symptoms usually subside within a period of 3 – 14 days, depending on intensity of treatment and treatment area. Patients will be given an after-care regime of cleansers and moisturisers, and will be expected to keep their skin clean and protected from the sun.

Conclusion

Erbium:YAG laser is a safe and effective tool for scar revision. It works by removing scar tissue layer by layer, stimulating the production of new collagen fibers, and encouraging the growth of healthy skin cells. Erbium:YAG laser treatment can be utilised on its own, or more commonly, by Dr Manoharan, as part of a combination treatment protocol to provide best results for individual scars.