Erbium: YAG laser resurfacing: what is its role?

Although carbon dioxide laser resurfacing has become increasingly popular, concerns have been raised about this laser's thermally induced effects on the skin. Such thermal damage may lead to delays in healing, prolongation in posttreatment erythema, and an increased risk of postinflammatory pigmentary changes. The erbium:YAG laser, with its 2940 nm wavelength at the peak of water absorption, leads to less thermal damage in laser-treated skin. This study describes the clinical results in 100 patients with class I and II facial rhytids treated with the erbium:YAG laser.