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Elite Medi Spa in Bend is proud to offer Erbium YAG Resurfacing Laser as one of its laser treatment options. These lasers offer a bevy of benefits for your skin and its health. What are Erbium Yag lasers, and what sets them apart from other laser treatments?
What is YAG Skin Rejuvenation?
YAG skin rejuvenation is one of the cosmetic treatments we offer at Elite Medi Spa. It uses a specific laser, the Neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Erbium Yag. The laser rejuvenates your skin by targeting its deeper layers. Unlike other laser treatments, Erbium Yag lasers are non-ablative. “Non-ablative” means they don’t remove the top layer of your skin. This makes them less invasive (they don’t go inside your body) and reduces recovery time.
How YAG Skin Rejuvenation Works
The Erbium Yag laser functions at a wavelength of 1064 nm. Lasers at this wavelength can penetrate deeper into your skin without causing significant damage to its surface. Deep penetration encourages your skin’s natural healing processes. Collagen is part of that healing. You may already know that collagen is a protein. It gives your skin its firmness and elasticity. The Erbium Yag skin rejuvenation can reduce wrinkles and fine lines by boosting your collagen levels. Plus, it tightens your skin and improves its overall texture.
What It Treats
The Erbium Yag skin rejuvenation addresses skin concerns like wrinkles, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, and skin laxity. It’s especially useful if you have a darker skin tone. Why? Compared to other lasers that focus on the surface layer, Erbium Yag laser therapy has a lower risk of causing post-treatment hyperpigmentation.
Other Skin Rejuvenation Treatments
Laser treatments for skin rejuvenation have become popular for dealing with wrinkles, pigmentation, and irregular texture. Apart from YAG skin rejuvenation, several other laser treatments are commonly used to improve your skin’s appearance.
CO2 Laser Treatments
CO2 (carbon dioxide) lasers are among the most aggressive laser treatments. They remove the outermost layer of your skin and heat its deeper layers. This approach is known as “ablative,” meaning it destroys the surface layer to trigger significant collagen production. Because it is invasive, recovery can take longer. You may also notice side effects like redness and peeling. CO2 lasers are effective for treating deep wrinkles and severe skin damage. However, they require careful post-treatment care and typically involve downtime.
Erbium: YAG Laser Treatments
Erbium: YAG lasers are less intense than CO2 lasers but still ablative (recall that “ablative” treatments wear away the top layers of your skin). They often treat surface-level skin issues, like fine lines and mild discoloration. Recovery time is shorter than with CO2. But, there can still be redness and peeling for a few days after treatment. Our Elite Medi Spa professionals often recommend Erbium: YAG lasers if you’re seeking visible results without the long recovery associated with CO2 lasers.
Fractional Laser Treatments
Fractional lasers, CO2 or Erbium: YAG, break the laser beam into smaller sections, allowing targeted treatment. This approach reduces the overall damage to the skin, leading to a shorter recovery time and fewer side effects. Fractional lasers can treat wrinkles, scars, and pigmentation issues while minimizing the impact on the surrounding skin.
Erbium Yag vs. Other Laser Treatments: Key Differences
Erbium Yag skin rejuvenation stands out from other laser treatments. Above, we discussed CO2 and Erbium: YAG lasers. Here’s how Erbium Yag differs from those options.
Ablative vs. Non-Ablative
Erbium Yag lasers are typically non-ablative, meaning they don’t remove or destroy the surface layer of your skin. This speeds up your recovery. It also reduces your risk of irritation, redness, and peeling. In contrast, CO2 lasers are ablative. CO2 lasers are aggressive and abrade your epidermis. Your result? Longer recovery time.
Safety for Darker Skin Tones
Erbium Yag lasers are safer for people with darker skin tones because they are less likely to cause post-treatment hyperpigmentation (“dark spots”). Hyperpigmentation happens when your skin makes extra melanin (the pigment in your skin) after your treatment. CO2 and Erbium: YAG lasers have a higher risk of causing such issues. They affect the surface of your skin, where melanin is in higher amounts.
Versatility
Erbium Yag lasers can help with skin conditions like lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and discoloration issues. Fractional lasers, which can be either CO2 or Erbium: YAG, offer similar versatility but with a more targeted approach.
Benefits of Erbium Yag Skin Rejuvenation
Looking for non-invasive ways to improve your skin’s appearance? Erbium Yag skin therapy can help you.
A Quicker Bounce Back
You have a life. You have responsibilities and obligations. So, you deserve to get your treatment over with so that you can resume doing the things you love. If that’s you, the Erbium Yag skin treatment might be your best option. Since Erbium Yag lasers don’t disturb the outer layer of your skin, you won’t have to worry about as much irritation. Why is that a big deal? It means you can get back to your life faster.
Deep Collagen Stimulation
We’ve spoken about collagen. Remember that collagen is an important protein for your skin. Collagen keeps your skin healthy by influencing its firmness and stretchiness. It makes your skin a better barrier for your body. The Erbium Yag laser helps your skin make more collagen. Your skin will have a gorgeous glow and a youthful radiance. Plus, you’ll notice that it feels better to the touch.
Safe for Various Skin Tones
Are you hesitant about laser treatments because you have darker skin? Erbium Yag treatments have a lower risk of causing spots or patches. That makes them an ideal choice for folks with tanner or darker skin tones. So you can breathe easily. The Erbium Yag laser therapy works on deeper layers, reducing the risk of damage to melanin-rich skin.
Erbium Yag Skin Treatment at Elite Medi Spa
The Erbium Yag laser treatment at Elite Medi Spa offers several advantages for people in Bend and beyond. Want to know more about our options? Go here to request an appointment and get started on your skin rejuvenation today!