What are the basic features of the erbium:YAG laser?

crystals are composed of yttrium and aluminum in a garnet crystal matrix. The Erbium:YAG crystal has some of the atoms of yttrium replaced with erbium atoms. The laser output is at 2490 nm. This wavelength is absorbed by water 10 times better than the 10,600-nm light of CO₂ lasers. This more efficient effect leads to little collateral damage to surrounding collagen and more efficient ablation of tissue. The clinical result is less effect on wrinkles but a smoother, faster-healing resurfacing procedure. By itself, the erbium:YAG laser has been used to treat mild facial sun damage, some sun damage on necks and hands, and acne scarring. In treating scars, the laser has the ability to plane down the edges of acne scars. Er:YAG lasers are also often used as a fractional device to decrease the healing time and side effects (Table 54-4).

Goldberg DJ, Cutler KB: The use of the erbium:YAG laser for the treatment of class III rhytids, Dermatol Surg 25:713–715, 1999.

McDaniel DH, Lord J, Ash K, Newman J: Combined CO₂/erbium:YAG laser resurfacing of perioral rhytides and side-by-side comparison with carbon dioxide laser alone, Dermatol Surg 25:285–293, 1999.