Controversies in skin resurfacing: the role of erbium.
Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing has been a valuable procedure for facial skin rejuvenation since the early 1990s, largely replacing medium and deep chemical peels and dermabrasion. The introduction of the erbium:YAG laser for resurfacing has caused confusion about its role. Because of its ability to resurface very superficially it has been limited by many laser surgeons to treating only superficial rhytides and sun damage. However, it is the equal of CO2 in improving deep rhytides but with quicker healing and fewer side-effects.
Fleming
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Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Institute of Australia, 51 Baxter Street Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Queensland 4006, Australia. clsia@yahoo.com
D004871:Erbium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*
D004871:Erbium