Erbium Skin Resurfacing
As we age, our body’s natural processes begin to slow down. The surface of our skin doesn’t turn over as frequently as it used to and we begin to get a dull, lifeless look. The damage from the tanning we did in our teenage years begins to come to the surface. We stop producing as much collagen and we begin to see the drooping eyelids, cheeks and jawline. Our elastin begins to weaken and we get the fine lines around the eyes and lips. Mother Nature just doesn’t do what she did when we were in our 20’s. Skin rejuvenation treatments at Elase Medical Spas of Salt Lake City are the answer.
Erbium Skin Resurfacing in Salt Lake City, helps to supplement the processes that a younger body does naturally. Skin Resurfacing provides deep exfoliation while stimulating collagen and elastin formation in the dermis of the skin. Erbium Skin Resurfacing is significantly more effective than facials, microderm, and chemical peels because it works by both exfoliating the surface of the skin (ablation) and stimulating the generation of new skin fibers deep in the skin.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions can be treated with Erbium Skin Resurfacing?
Is Erbium Skin Resurfacing good for acne scarring?
How many treatments will I need?
How do I prepare for a resurfacing treatment?
What can I expect during the treatment?
What can I expect after the treatment?
What are the potential side-effects from this treatment?
How does Erbium Resurfacing compare to CO2 resurfacing?
What is “fractional” resurfacing?
What conditions can be treated with Erbium Skin Resurfacing?
Erbium Skin Resurfacing is ideal for treating skin discoloration due to aging, sun damage or trauma. It is perfect for softening scarring due to acne or trauma. It will help soften rough texture, tighten enlarged poors, and minimize the fine lines around the eyes and mouth. Erbium Skin Resurfacing also provides some tightening benefits around the eyes and the mouth, although for exceptional results, we recommend combining it with our ND:YAG laser skin tightening treatments.
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Is Erbium Skin Resurfacing good for acne scarring?
Yes. This is the best treatment on the market for acne scarring. The ER: YAG (Erbium) wavelength has the highest absorption of water, and is therefore the best resurfacing technology for surface conditions such as acne scarring.
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How many treatments will I need?
Clients generally required 2-3 resurfacing treatments to achieve their desired results. As with all skin care treatments, to achieve optimal results, we recommend that you consider our Skin Care Membership program. Doing multiple treatments, over an extended period of time, is always the best way to achieve and maintain the results you want.
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How do I prepare for a resurfacing treatment?
- Avoid all alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy products (AHA/BHA), hydroquinones, retinols/retinoids, aspirin, Tazorac, Differin, and Vitamin E products for 3 days before your treatment.
- Clients should come to their treatment with a clean face and no make-up.
- Avoid extended sun exposure or tanning for 1 week pre & post treatment.
- Clients who are darkly tanned or sunburned should wait at least 2 weeks before being treated in order to avoid additional skin damage.
- If you are prone to cold sores, take an anti-viral medication (such as Valtrex) prior to your treatment.
- Clients who have used Accutane within the last 6 months CANNOT have laser skin resurfacing.
- Clients receiving a deep peel should apply a numbing cream 60 minutes prior to treatment.
What can I expect during the treatment?
- During your treatment you can expect some minor discomfort. A cooling system is used during the procedure to minimize discomfort.
- You will experience mild to severe discomfort, similar to a sunburn, for up to 48 hours post treatment.
- You may experience mild to severe swelling for up to 72 hours post treatment.
- Expect skin to be red, tight, itchy, tender and dry for up to 5 days post treatment.
- You may also experience bruising, blisters, open lesions and/or scabbing.
- Less common side effects include histamine reactions that can result in minor rashes, cold sores and mild to moderate breakouts.
What can I expect after the treatment?
- You should experience 1-5 days of redness, tenderness and swelling from this treatment.
- Complete healing will occur within approximately 5-10 days from your treatment and the full results may not be seen for 8 weeks from the date of your treatment.
- Avoid all alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy products (AHA/BHA), hydroquinone’s, retinols/retinoids, aspirin, Tazorac, Differin, and Vitamin E products for up to 5 days post treatment.
- It may take 2 to 4 weeks after the peeling, bruising, and scabbing have subsided for lesions to disappear and skin tone to lighten. DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH blisters or scabs if they develop.
- Discomfort can be relieved with a cool compress or acetaminophen (Tylenol). DO NOT ingest aspirin or products containing aspirin until complete healing has occurred. To reduce swelling you may apply ice packs to the treated area. Ice should be wrapped in a soft cloth and applied for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- When washing your face for the first 1-2 days, do not scrub. Use a gentle cleanser with no acids.
- Showers are permitted but prolonged bathing is not advised. You may pat the treated area gently with a soft cloth but DO NOT RUB with a towel or washcloth for at least 3 days or until redness subsides.
- Apply a protective ointment to the treated area 2 or more times daily for 3 to 5 days. This process is critical in keeping the skin hydrated and preventing bacteria from entering the skin.
- It is imperative that you use a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of at least 20 or higher and avoid direct sunlight for at least 7 days post treatment.
- Within 48 to 72 hours post treatment, you may experience flaking or peeling. This will generally last 2 to 5 days. DO NOT PICK OR PULL THE SKIN.
- Do not have any other facial treatments for at least 2 weeks post treatment.
- Avoid swimming and contact sports while the skin is healing.
What are the potential side-effects from this treatment?
The best way to minimize the risk of side effects is to avoid sun exposure for 7 days pre and post treatment. Side effects are temporary and uncommon but may include; post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, histamine reactions, excessive swelling, open lesions, minor burns or blisters.
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How does Erbium Resurfacing compare to CO2 resurfacing?
Both Erbium and CO2 resurfacing are great treatments to help get the youthful look back into your skin. They are very similar treatments in results and down time. Erbium resurfacing has a higher absorption rate of water than CO2, and therefore can achieve better overall ablation (exfoliation of the surface layers of the skin).
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What is “fractional” resurfacing?
Fractional resurfacing is a method of delivering the Erbium laser pulse. Fractional, or fractionated, treatments deliver the laser light in a grid, as opposed to a solid pulse. This allows portions of the skin to remain undamaged, and therefore promotes faster healing. Fractionated treatments generally required additional treatments to achieve the same results. Elase Medical Spas does offer a fractionated version of our Erbium Skin Resurfacing treatment.
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Erbium Skin Resurfacing
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