If we hear “Erbium Yag,” what comes to mind? Some sort of Star Wars character or an instance prehistoric creature? Both of those answers would be totally understandable, but as a medical spa in here in Palm Desert, CA “Erbium Yag” clearly refers to the gold standard for skin improvement.  

More specifically, Erbium Yag is a laser skin treatment. along and we’ll give you all the deets on this funny oddly named skincare treatment. And we promise not to giggle if you can’t pronounce the name correctly, because honestly, we had trouble ourselves.
What is an Erbium Yag Laser Treatment?

An Erbium Yag treatment is an ablative laser treatment that targets water in the epidermis and dermis. Ablative treatments cause damage to the superficial and deep layers of skin. This helps resurface the tissue resulting in improvement of texture, fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, skin laxity, and overall appearance. 

Is an Erbium Yag Laser Treatment Painful?

Prior to the start of the treatment, we apply a Tetracaine/Lidocaine numbing cream to patients. Some patients however, may still feel a warm pressure or a warm rubber band snap type of sensation during the treatment.

How Soon Will I See Results After Erbium Yag Laser Treatment?

Results from Erbium Yag Laser treatment can be seen immediately. The skin will look brighter, feel smoother and have an overall more even tone. Additionally, these results will continue to improve as the deeper layers of tissue heal over the next 3-6 months.

How Many Erbium Yag Treatments Will I Need?

While each patient’s desired results may vary, we usually recommend around three Erbium Yag treatments spaced about one month apart.

How Much Downtime is Needed Following an Erbium Yag Treatment?

There is no exact timeline for this, as an Erbium Yag resurfacing treatment can be performed at a variety of different intensity levels, based on an individual’s needs. Because of this, recovery results vary, but usually fall within the 1-3 week timeframe. But we usually recommend patients plan for at least 1 week of social downtime to let their skin heal.

What is Erbium Yag Treatment Aftercare Like?

After your Erbium Yag treatment, we’ll provide you with a petrolatum-based occlusive ointment. This helps the skin hold onto moisture. We recommend using this product for 48-hours post-treatment. Additionally, patients should only wash their face with cool or tepid water and avoid any facial products with retinol/retinoid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or any other chemical exfoliant. Patients should also avoid direct contact with the sun in the first few weeks after their treatment and should always be using SPF-30 or above.

Have questions about this or any other of our injectable or filler treatments? Schedule a one-on-one consultation to see what treatments might be right for you.