Full-Field Erbium:YAG Laser Resurfacing: Complications and Suggested Safety Parameters

Laser skin resurfacing with erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) lasers is a newer alternative to CO2 laser treatment, and was developed to reduce common complications. Although Er:YAG lasers have been available for years, safety parameters for efficacious resurfacing with these devices have not previously been available.

The aim of this study was to utilize one practice's laser treatment settings and outcomes data to identify complication rates for various energies and areas of the face and to offer safe energy/depth parameters for treating each area.

A retrospective chart review was performed for full-field confluent laser resurfacing patients treated with a Sciton Contour Tunable Resurfacing Er:YAG laser by the senior author. The data were retroactively analyzed with a time range of 8 years (January 2007-December 2015).

The overall complication rate for MicroLaserPeels (ablation of 50 µm or less) was 10.1% (20 of 198 treatments) and the rate for deep resurfacing treatments was 26.5% (71 of 268 cases). In MicroLaserPeel treatments the cheek area had the highest complication rate, followed by the forehead, nose, perioral, and eyelid areas, in that order (complication rate range, 0%-9.1%). In deep resurfacing treatments the perioral area had the highest complication rate, 38.6% of 145 cases. This was followed by the lids, cheek, nose, and forehead, in that order (complication rate range, 15.2%-20.9%). There is a correlation between increased depth of ablation and increased rate of complication.

The study confirmed the efficacy of Er:YAG resurfacing and provides guidance for a safer approach to excellent outcomes.