Question:
What is the Erbium laser? What does it best treat and how does it compare to other types of lasers?
Answer:
The Erbium laser is a family of lasers that use the laser medium Erbium to produce monochromatic light. The wavelength produced varies somewhat from devise to devise, but the chromophore or target of the energy in each circumstance is water. The Erbium laser is very strongly absorbed by water and has less collateral thermal injury than a CO2 laser. This has the effect of allowing faster recovery, but also may not have as much tissue tightening. We use two different Erbium lasers, the Whisper, which is a very superficial skin treatment and the Fraxel re:store. This laser is useful for pigment, fine lines and acne scarring. It requires multiple treatment sessions to be effective. We also have a fractionated CO2 laser that provides a greater degree of improvement, but also a longer recovery in appropriate patients.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
In my line of work, I spend a significant amount of time in the sun. If I were to have a Fraxel laser treatment, when would I be able to return to work?
Answer:
There are two types of Fraxel laser, re:pair and re:store. The ability to return to sun exposure is limited to when the skin will tolerate sunscreen, however even with this there is a risk of hyperpigmentation if not careful. The re:pair is a CO2 laser and has a longer recovery. Depending on what treatment level you use it may be 2-4 weeks before sun exposure is advised. The re:store is an erbium wavelength and the recovery is much quicker. Usually sunscreen can and should be worn immediately after the procedure, but sun exposure in any quantity should probably still be delayed for 4-5 days. At that time a hat should also be worn.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
I have severe Rosacea, so bad that I don’t even want to leave the house some days. Would a Fraxel laser treatment be able to eliminate the redness and blotchiness of my skin?
Answer:
Fraxel is not the best treatment for Rosacea. Severe Rosacea is best treated with a combination of good skin care and a vascular laser such as a pulsed dye laser.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
Aside from a facial spider vein treatment, are there any creams or serums that would help eliminate the appearance of spider veins in my cheeks?
Answer:
There are creams that can improve spider veins. Some of them are prescription and others part of skin care lines. Usually though these will only be partially effective and often laser therapy is needed as well. These creams can then be beneficial in maintaining the result.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
I’m in my early thirties and am considering getting a laser skin resurfacing procedure done. I’d like to know a bit more about the procedure such as the average time it takes and possible side effects.
Answer:
Laser skin resurfacing in our practice is performed with a fractionated CO2 laser. There are many different lasers and all of them can have different degrees of improvement and downtime. Even with the fractionated CO2 the treatment can be tailored to the individual patient’s needs and limitations for down-time. The down-time can be as little as about 5 days and as much as about 2 weeks. The risks are minimal as the laser leaves microscopic areas of untreated skin for healing, but they include, scarring, infection, pigmentation alterations, milia, acne, redness, itching etc.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
