Erbium laser or ultrapulse CO2 for indented scars?

Both Erbium and Ultrapulse CO2 lasers can be effective for treating slightly indented or atrophic scars, but they work in slightly different ways.
Ultrapulse CO2 penetrates deeper and is more aggressive, which can be beneficial for stimulating collagen and remodeling deeper scars. It typically offers more noticeable improvement but comes with a longer downtime and higher risk of pigmentation changes, especially in darker skin types.
Erbium laser is more precise with less thermal damage, making it better for superficial scarring and patients looking for shorter recovery times. It’s often preferred when precision and minimal downtime are priorities.
In expert hands, both technologies can yield good results. The choice often depends on your skin type, scar depth, downtime tolerance, and individual response to treatment. For slight atrophic scars, Erbium may be sufficient, but Ultrapulse CO2 could offer more significant collagen stimulation if more aggressive treatment is needed.

Both Erbium and CO2 lasers are powerful tools that can effectively address atrophic scars and improve skin texture. The choice between the two depends on various factors, including the specific characteristics of your scar, your skin type, and your individual preferences.

Erbium lasers are known for their precision in targeting the water content in the skin's tissue. They work by removing thin layers of the skin's surface, promoting collagen production and stimulating skin rejuvenation. Erbium lasers are generally considered to have less thermal damage to surrounding tissue compared to CO2 lasers, which can result in a quicker recovery time. They are often favored for treating lighter skin types and less severe scarring.

Ultrapulse CO2 lasers deliver high-energy pulses of light that can effectively resurface the skin. They can be used for deeper resurfacing compared to Erbium lasers, making them a suitable choice for addressing more severe scars and skin irregularities. CO2 lasers promote collagen remodeling and skin tightening, leading to a smoother and more even skin texture. However, they typically require a longer recovery period due to the more extensive tissue removal.

For slightly indented scars, both Erbium and CO2 lasers can potentially yield positive results. It's important to remember that individual responses to treatments can vary, and the effectiveness of either laser will also depend on the skill of the practitioner performing the procedure.

Before undergoing any laser treatment, I strongly advise seeking out a reputable and experienced practitioner who can thoroughly evaluate your scar and create a tailored treatment plan. A thorough consultation will help determine which laser technology is best suited to your specific scar type and provide you with a clearer understanding of what to expect in terms of results and recovery.

Fractional CO2 laser is an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation in our center in Santa Monica. We use the fractional multi-depth ablative approach to help resurface the skin, recontour acne scars, improve incisional plastic surgery scars, and reduce surface irregularities from skin tone to dark pigmentation. Our approach utilizes a multi-depth approach that targets melanocytes in the epidermis and collagen fibroblasts in the dermis. This approach can be combined with a TCA Peel in a process known as a sapphire peel. Fractional laser is excellent for acne scars and contour scars in the skin. Patients are advised to undergo skin protocols with Melarase creams before and after treatment to help reduce pigmentation. Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. After the laser, we expect redness for a few weeks as the skin improves. PRP and Hydrafacial enzyme facials can further improve skin quality after fractional co2.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon