MICROLaser Peel & Ablative
Erbium MICROLaser peel is a mildly ablative laser resurfacing procedure that erases wrinkles and fine lines, brown spots, acne scars, and benign lesions. It also improves skin tone, texture and restores skin to a more youthful and younger-looking skin.
During the procedure, a laser is emitted into the affected skin to dissolve molecular bonds that make up the skin’s damaged cells layer by layer. Once those layers are removed, smoother, clearer skin is revealed.
BCLC usually recommends the Erbium laser if thinner layers of the skin are to be removed. This procedure is also suggested for patients with dark skin to minimize the risk for pigmentation changes.
A partial skin resurfacing procedure takes only 30 to 45 minutes. Healing takes up to 5 days. Crusting and redness is expected. In partial resurfacing, the laser heat is limited, which limits the extent of skin removal. MICROlaser peel can be combined with IPL. IPL is a 100% density treatment to remove pigmented and vascular lesions and is followed by MICROLaser peel.
Erbium Ablative Resurfacing
Erbium laser treatments treat deep lines and wrinkles. Additionally, Erbium is also a great option to treat minor scars on the face and other irregularities that might otherwise be difficult to treat with other non-invasive treatments.
Erbium is a laser skin-resurfacing module that ablates the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin. The treatment uses laser technology to create tiny microscopic holes similar to that of fractionated CO2 laser treatments. The process of microscopically damaging a fraction of the skin, also known as tissue vaporization, induces the production of new skin. This process allows the undamaged areas of the skin to provide anatomical support towards the healing of the injured epidermis. Erbium fractional laser treatments have the same function as CO2 lasers. They remove the top layers of the skin, causing new skin to be produced. The new skin has increased qualities in the smoothness and firmness of the skin on the face. Limited downtime should not prevent patients from receiving the fractional laser treatments that they desire, because the recovery with erbium is quicker than that of CO2 treatments. Patients who undergo laser resurfacing treatments see their skin’s texture and quality improve. Erbium works by stimulating collagen production in the treated areas, which results in smoother, tighter skin after healing.
There are few side effects associated with erbium laser treatments. Common post-treatment symptoms include pink or redness in the skin after the procedure with some minor swelling and peeling. It is crucial to follow your aftercare instructions to achieve the best possible results following your Erbium ablative laser treatments. BCLC ensures that all clients receive the best in their treatment care pre-and post-procedure.
How does skin age?
Collagen is the substance that gives the skin strength and elasticity and plumps the skin, keeping it tight and smooth. After age 20, we produce about 1% less collagen every year which leads to thinner and more fragile skin and wrinkling.
In addition to aging, years of sun exposure and environmental damage accelerate collagen loss and cause the skin to take on a rough texture and discolorations like sun and age spots and freckles form. Sun damage can cause skin cancer and precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses which are scaly, crusty growths. Erbium ablative resurfacing can help to rebuild collagen and remove discolorations, lines and wrinkles, and improve the tone and texture of the skin.
Erbium Ablative laser resurfacing is available to treat:
Acne Scarring
Acne scarring is permanent damage to the deep layers of skin and changes the texture of the skin. Erbium Ablative treatment generates new collagen to smooth acne scars. Discolorations may fade with time but can become permanent, and can be removed with this treatment.
Surgical and traumatic scars
These scars can be disfiguring and may restrict normal movement of the skin. When the skin is injured the body tries to fix it with collagen. Treatment can improve the appearance of these scars through the formation of new collagen and new healthy skin.
Sun damage on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands
Erbium Ablative Resurfacing treatment can treat photodamage and pigment changes improving texture and tone, and eliminating age spots, pigmented spots and liver spots also called lentigines (small brown patches on the skin) caused by sun damage.
Around the eyes
Resurfacing can refresh and rejuvenate the eyelids, erase upper and lower eyelid wrinkles and creepiness, and lift droopy upper eyelids.
Around the mouth
Smoker’s lines, pucker marks and wrinkles around the mouth can be softened and smoothed.
Face and neck
Deep wrinkles, crosshatching on the cheeks, dullness, roughness, leathery skin, and discolorations can all be removed.
Many types of skin lesions can be removed with Erbium Ablative resurfacing treatment. Treatment is safe and effective to remove moles, seborrheic keratosis (common noncancerous skin growths that appear as brown, black and tan growths on the face, chest, neck that may be mistaken for a wart or mole), actinic keratoses (Precancerous scaly, crusty growths caused by sun damage), skin tags (harmless skin growths that appear on the eyelids, and other areas), and warts.
You will receive detailed instructions for postoperative care. Following these instructions is essential for maximizing your comfort, for achieving best results, and to avoid complications.
After your Erbium Ablative resurfacing treatment, you will look like you have a bad sunburn, and your skin will be warm. Initially, swelling is usually most significant around the eyes. It is normal for the skin to be moist and even contain some crusting. Over the course of 3-5 days, the old, damaged skin will begin to come off and light flaking will continue for up to 10 days. Although your skin can remain pink for a few weeks, most patients are able to apply make-up in 7-10 days post-treatment. We will watch your healing closely to make sure you are progressing well and that you are healing as expected. Our staff is available for any questions you may have during your recovery period. Although your skin will be visibly tighter and smoother in 1 week after the procedure, final results are typically seen at 3-6 months later as it takes time for new collagen to synthesize.
As with all cosmetic laser procedures, the skill and expertise of your cosmetic laser technician will determine your outcome. At BCLC we have the skills, experience and expertise to deliver superior, individualized results.
