Erbium YAG Laser Resurfacing

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Algonquin, IL

Erbium YAG laser resurfacing is a minimally invasive treatment that can help you achieve brighter, clearer, and smoother skin. This procedure uses laser technology to concurrently target the outermost and underlying layers of your skin, addressing superficial concerns and stimulating the production of new collagen.

Utku Dolen, MD, is a plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine Plastic Surgery. Dr. Dolen and his team have helped many patients transform their skin using the latest, most advanced laser technologies available, including the erbium YAG laser.

If you are ready to learn more, please schedule a consultation by visiting our office or calling (847) 854-3522.

About Erbium YAG Laser Resurfacing

Erbium YAG laser resurfacing revitalizes the texture, tone, appearance, elasticity, and overall health of your skin. This treatment is an ablative laser treatment, which means it removes the outermost layers of the skin to improve the skin at deeper levels. (1) This process also stimulates neocollagenesis, leading to smoother, tighter, and more youthful-looking skin over time.

Benefits

Erbium YAG laser resurfacing does more than just elevate your appearance. Patients regularly experience benefits such as:

  • Softer Skin: Laser resurfacing can address damaged layers of skin to soften and smooth rough or uneven patches.
  • Brighter Complexion: Your specialist can use the laser technology to improve the radiance of your skin by targeting concerns such as dullness, sun damage, or pigmentation concerns.
  • Reduced Signs of Aging: This treatment can effectively address deeper and shallower wrinkles, creases, fine lines, and crow’s feet, leading to a more youthful look overall.
  • Stimulated Neocollagenesis: This treatment can elevate your skin’s collagen levels, offering gradual improvements in your skin’s appearance, firmness, elasticity, and health.
  • Tailored Solutions: Our team personalizes each treatment according to your personal preferences, aesthetic goals, and skin quality.
  • High Safety Profile: Erbium YAG lasers have FDA approval, which means they have undergone rigorous testing and must meet the standards of safety and efficacy before consumer use.

Candidates for Erbium YAG Laser Resurfacing

You may be an ideal candidate for erbium YAG laser resurfacing if you are interested in rejuvenating your skin and addressing concerns such as:

  • Sun Damage
  • Pigmentation Irregularities
  • Wrinkles
  • Facial Scarring
  • Skin Laxity
  • Rough Skin Texturing (2)

To qualify for this treatment, you should be in good general health with realistic expectations regarding your results. Your specialist will finalize your candidacy during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

The first step to transforming your skin is attending a personal consultation at our office in Algonquin. During this consultation, one of our laser specialists will meet with you to talk about what erbium YAG laser resurfacing entails, your medical history, your personal concerns, and your desired results. They will also perform a physical evaluation to assess your skin.

Your specialist will use this information to determine the best approach for your concerns and create your treatment plan. They will explain each step of the treatment process to ensure you have a full understanding of what to expect.

If you are ready to schedule this conversation and receive your treatment plan, please call (847) 854-3522.

We proudly serve the areas of:

  • Barrington
  • Shaumburg
  • Hoffman Estates
  • Arlington Heights
  • McHenry
  • Crystal Lake
  • Lake in the Hills
  • Algonquin
  • St. Charles
  • Union
  • Huntley
  • Carpentersville
  • DeKalb
  • Marengo
  • Woodstock
  • Carry
  • Bartlett
  • Streamwood
  • Wauconda
  • Dundee
  • Elgin
  • Aurora
  • Naperville
  • Fox Lake

Preparation

Once you have scheduled your appointment, you may need to make certain preparations. Your specialist will provide you with a set of detailed instructions, which may direct you to:

  • Alter Your Routine: Modify your skincare routine to avoid harsh or irritating products, such as retinoids, retinals, and exfoliants.
  • Refrain from Tanning: Avoid any direct, excessive, and unprotected sun exposure, and use plenty of sunscreen when leaving your home.
  • Arrive Ready: Come to your appointment with clean skin free of any skin care products, makeup, or facial jewelry.

Procedure

On the day of your treatment, a member of our team will lead you to a private treatment room where you will meet with your specialist one last time. They will reconfirm each detail of your treatment plan, cleanse your skin, and provide you with eye protection. You will also receive a topical or local anesthetic, depending on the extent of your treatment.

Once you are comfortable, your specialist will use the handpiece to administer the laser energy to your skin. As the laser passes over your skin, it will target the damaged outer layers to address more superficial concerns while also stimulating collagen production deep within the skin. Your specialist will repeat this motion until they address the entire treatment area. They will then apply a soothing ointment, and you will be ready to head home.

Recovery

After your laser treatment, you may experience some redness, peeling, or flaking in the treatment area. These effects are part of your skin’s renewal process and will subside on their own with time, but you may also manage them by wearing a gentle moisturizer and sun protection.

During this time, you will need to refrain from wearing any makeup or using harsh skin care products. You will also need to refrain from tanning and excessive sun exposure. Your specialist will give you a full set of aftercare instructions to help you manage your recovery. If any questions arise, we ask that you contact us so our team can provide you with the necessary guidance.

Results

Erbium YAG laser resurfacing offers both immediate and gradual results. You will be able to experience immediate enhancements in the appearance of your skin as the laser reduces superficial concerns. You will also be able to enjoy long-term improvements in firmness, elasticity, and overall appearance as your internal collagen levels increase.

The results of erbium YAG laser resurfacing are long-lasting, and you may enjoy them for several months to over a year. To best preserve these effects, we recommend maintaining a good skincare regimen and wearing the proper sun protection when leaving your home.

Corresponding Procedures

Pixel 8 RF Microneedling

Pixel 8 radiofrequency (RF) microneedling is a treatment that combines radiofrequency energy and traditional microneedling techniques to rejuvenate the appearance of your skin while addressing concerns such as visible signs of aging, acne scars, pigmentation concerns, skin laxity, and more. This treatment uses a device fashioned with fine needles to create microwounds on your skin’s surface while simultaneously delivering thermal RF energy to the underlying layers of tissue, stimulating the production of new collagen and skin-building cells in the targeted areas.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is a treatment that uses powerful light energy to refine the health and appearance of your skin. IPL uses broad-spectrum light waves to stimulate the production of new collagen and address several skin conditions and concerns, such as age spots, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, visible signs of aging, and more. With IPL, you can achieve clearer, more even, and youthful-looking skin with ease.

Cost of Erbium YAG Laser Resurfacing in Algonquin, Illinois

The cost of your laser resurfacing treatment will vary depending on certain aspects of your treatment, such as the size of the treatment area and the extent of your corrections. Once your specialist has met with you to discuss each of these factors, they will give you a comprehensive price estimate.

To learn more, please schedule a consultation by visiting our office or calling (847) 854-3522.

FAQ

What concerns can erbium YAG laser resurfacing address?

Erbium YAG laser resurfacing can address several skin concerns, such as sun damage, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin, visible signs of aging, and more.

How will I know if I am a candidate for erbium YAG laser resurfacing?

The best way to determine whether this treatment is for you is by attending a personal consultation. During this meeting, your specialist will ask you about your concerns and goals and assess your skin. Using this information, they will help you create your treatment plan with erbium YAG or recommend an alternative treatment.

How long will it take to recover after undergoing erbium YAG laser resurfacing?

You will be able to return to most of your daily activities within several days to one week.

When undergoing erbium YAG laser resurfacing, will I need to undergo multiple treatment sessions?

You may need to undergo several sessions depending on the type and extent of your concerns and your desired results. Your specialist will let you know what to expect once they have discussed each of these with you and established your treatment plan.

Can my specialist combine erbium YAG laser resurfacing with another skin rejuvenation treatment?

Your specialist may combine erbium YAG laser resurfacing with another skin rejuvenation treatment; however, this will depend on the treatment you are interested in, as we want to avoid irritating your skin. During your personal consultation, your specialist can provide you with personalized recommendations for combining your treatment with others if you are interested in doing so.

References

  1. Verma N, Yumeen S, Raggio BS. Ablative Laser Resurfacing. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557474/
  2. Yumeen S, Khan T. Laser Erbium-Yag Resurfacing. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560931/