Erbium YAG | CO2 Fraxel

WHAT DOES Er:YAG HELP?

Eribum YAG is best for superficial things like fine lines & wrinkles, improving the appearance of larger pore sizes, triggering positive textural changes, targeting more surface photo damage, and improving those who have a sallow complexion in the areas they are seeking to treat. This can be used on the body and the face, giving us a great tool to revitalize and repair tissue and it can be used with minimal risks on most skin types 3 through lighter 4's and 5's since we are targeting more of the Epidermis than the Dermis. Those with Skin Types 3-lighter 4's and 5's are suggested to use lightening creams post their treatment on day 15 to keep the skin from having a post inflammatory response that can leave the melanin production in more of a high state. Sun Screen and a specific regimen are needed to maintain the best results. 

WHAT DOES Er:YAG TREATMENT DO?

The erbium: YAG (Er:YAG) laser is a new addition to the armamentarium of skin resurfacing lasers. This laser, with a wavelength of 2940 nm, produces laser irradiation in the near infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. This wavelength corresponds to the main peak of water absorption. The water absorption coefficient is 12,800/cm, compared with the CO2 laser water absorption coefficient at 800/cm. The Er:YAG laser can remove as little as 1 mm of skin with a single laser impact; the ablation threshold is only 1.6 J/cm2. The Er:YAG laser releases pulses of 250 to 350 us duration. It has been suggested that these attributes lead to the observed faster wound healing and shorter duration of erythema after Er:YAG laser resurfacing compared to the CO2 Fraxel laser resurfacing. 

WHAT DOES CO2 FRAXEL HELP?

CO2 in its Fraxel, Pixel, and or Modified form can repair things deeper in the dermis like general chronological aging that affects everyone over time, improving skin elasticity, reaching deeper photo damage that includes laxity and encouraging positive changes to lighten up darker areas, early rhytids (wrinkles) that happen simply from normal facial expression and sleeping positions, scaring of all kinds, healing skin post acne damage from lots of breakouts, tackling superficial facial spider veins, the ablation and resurfacing of soft tissue, improving stretch marks on the body and repairing the tissue appearance from over stretched skin, textural irregularities and addressing larger pores by helping them shrink. This can be used on the body and the face, giving us a great tool to revitalize and repair tissue and it can be used with minimal risks on most skin types since we are targeting more of the Dermis than the Epidermis. Those with Skin Types 3-6 are suggested to use lightening creams post their treatment on day 15 to keep the skin from having a post inflammatory response that can leave the melanin production in more of a high state. Sun Screen and a specific regimen are needed to maintain the best results. 

WHAT DOES CO2 TREATMENT DO?

The Cortex Fractional CO2 Laser emits light at a wavelength of 10,600 nm. The light is absorbed strongly by water down to the lower dermis. Each pulse of CO2 energy vaporizes a microscopic  column of tissue, leaving small areas of untreated skin between columns.  As ablation occurs, deep heating stimulates collagen growth and  remodeling. Distributing the laser energy in an even pattern allows for  quicker healing and reduces patient downtime.

BENEFITS OF USING BOTH OPTIONS INTO A SINGLE TREATMENT?

All fractionally ablative resurfacing devices are far from equal. Before the introduction of the Cortex Laser, typical fractionally ablative lasers penetrated the skin to a depth of 400 to 800 µm. The  Er:YAG light source provides full surface ablation to a depth of 100 µm, allowing the Cortex Laser to achieve maximum flexibility in a single device.

Fractional CO2 and fully ablative Er:YAG work synergistically for a variety of indications. For example, performing a shallow and fully ablative Er:YAG treatment after fractional CO2 resurfacing removes the zone of thermal necrosis created by the CO2 treatment. Ablating the epidermis in this manner promotes prompt healing and reduces the duration of crusting, swelling, and itching after fractional  CO2 treatment. In combination, these procedures can substantially improve medium to deep (Grade III) facial rhytids and or static wrinkles.  

Most patients are able to heal faster when we are able to use both options for a layered treatment. Targeting both deep and more surface issues in one single treatment. Which can certainly help amplify ones results with the ability to work on more Chromophores and or problem areas/items. 

Many Patients heal in 3-4 days, without the combination, healing with the CO2 Fraxel passes alone may take up to one week. Less Downtime is another perk. 

The Sandstone™ Cortex™

Er:YAG 2940 nm

CO2 10,600nm

Zimmer Cryo 6 

Topical Benzocaine 20%, Lidocaine 10%, and Tetracaine 10% 

Dermacerin 

Post Care Kits Available for $75 

Results can typically be seen post the peel or light scabbing has healed, however non ablative and ablative lasers have been shown to stimulate collagen and there is a histochemical effect that improves the skin. In 3 to 6 months, patients will look better than they look at 2-4 weeks. Sometimes your skin will look less volumized post given the length of time it takes for the collagen cycle to be complete itself. Its important to note everyone will have their own personal response to their treatment(s) and some may need more than 1-2 to get the results they are seeking. 

Prescription Anesthetic used Topical Benzocaine 20%, Lidocaine 10%, and Tetracaine 10% 

Applied for 20-45 Minutes 

Erbium:YAG

None to Mild | 0-2/10 on avg. per patient feedback

CO2 Fraxel

Minimial to Mild | 0-3/10 on avg. per patient feedback

Times Noted Below On Specific Options 

From 15 Minute to 2 Hours Needed

Bring a Book, Your Phone, and Relax in a treatment room while you numb. 

Erbium:YAG 

Face/Neck

2-4 Days 

Light Flake - Light Peel

Chest/Body/ Target Areas

5-7 Days 

Light Flake - Light Peel

CO2 Fraxel 

Face/Neck

3-5 Days 

Light Peel - Medium Peel

Chest/Body/Scars/Stretch Marks

3-5 Days 

Light Peel - Medium Peel

For those who are not good patient fits for either option above due to being a darker skin type 4 or 5, skin types 6, those who have Melasma, and or who dont have time to handle a light peel and or 3-4 days of at home recover time - we would suggest Skin Pen or Morpheus8 Microneedling as a safer and lower risk option to yield similar results.  Adding PRP to Microneedling can help accelerate results too.