# Erbium Laser Resurfacing: Results, Recovery and Risks

> What erbium (Er:YAG) laser resurfacing treats, how it compares with CO2, recovery time, complication rates by depth, and who is a good candidate.

Canonical: https://antiagingcare.org/blog/erbium-laser-resurfacing-complete-guide
HTML version: https://antiagingcare.org/blog/erbium-laser-resurfacing-complete-guide
Author: Anti Aging Care Editorial Team
Published: 2025-09-26
Updated: 2026-10-24
Category: Treatments

Erbium (Er:YAG) laser resurfacing removes thin layers of skin to improve wrinkles, sun damage, texture and some scars. The short answer: erbium usually means a shorter recovery than CO2, especially for lighter treatments, but deeper treatments bring more downtime and more complications.

## Erbium vs CO2

| | Erbium (Er:YAG) | CO2 |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Developed as an alternative to CO2 to reduce common complications ([Weniger et al., *Aesthet Surg J*, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32110799/)) | Described as the gold standard for ablative resurfacing ([Agrawal et al., *Facial Plast Surg*, 2014](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24488638/)) |
| Typical recovery | About one week ([ASPS: recovery](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-skin-resurfacing/recovery)) | Generally up to two weeks ([ASPS: recovery](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-skin-resurfacing/recovery)) |
| Sessions | Fractional erbium often needs 2 to 4 sessions ([Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/laser-resurfacing/about/pac-20385114)) | Traditional CO2 is often a single session |

## What depth means for risk

A practice-based review of 8 years of full-field erbium treatments found ([Weniger et al., *Aesthet Surg J*, 2020](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32110799/)):

| Treatment depth | Complication rate |
|---|---|
| "MicroLaserPeel" (50 microns or less) | 10.1% |
| Deep resurfacing | 26.5% |
| Deep resurfacing around the mouth | 38.6% |

Deeper ablation meant more complications. These came from one surgeon's practice and one laser model, so rates elsewhere may differ.

## What erbium treats

- Fine and moderate wrinkles
- Sun damage and uneven texture
- Some acne scars
- Certain pigment spots

## Recovery

- Redness, swelling and itching at first; skin may ooze and crust after deeper treatments, then peel at about 5 to 7 days ([ASPS: recovery](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-skin-resurfacing/recovery)).
- New skin is pink and gradually lightens over two to three months, sometimes longer ([ASPS: recovery](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-skin-resurfacing/recovery)).
- Daily sunscreen after healing is essential.

## Possible complications

Acne flares, infection, cold sore reactivation, darkening or lightening of skin, milia, prolonged redness, and rarely scarring ([ASPS: recovery](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-skin-resurfacing/recovery)). People with darker skin tones have a higher risk of hyperpigmentation ([Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11015-laser-skin-resurfacing)).

## Who is a good candidate

- People with sun damage or wrinkles who want more than topicals can offer
- People who can plan for downtime and avoid the sun afterward
- People without active infection, and who've told the provider about cold sore history

## Frequently asked questions

**Is erbium safer than CO2?** It was developed to reduce common complications, but deep erbium treatments still carry real risks.

**Does it hurt?** Numbing is used; deeper treatments may need more anesthesia.

**How long do results last?** Years, with sun protection, though skin keeps aging.

_This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist about your situation._

## Sources

- Weniger FG et al. Full-field erbium:YAG laser resurfacing: complications and suggested safety parameters. *Aesthet Surg J*. 2020. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32110799/)
- Agrawal N et al. Ablative skin resurfacing. *Facial Plast Surg*. 2014. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24488638/)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. [Laser skin resurfacing recovery](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/laser-skin-resurfacing/recovery)
- Mayo Clinic. [Laser resurfacing](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/laser-resurfacing/about/pac-20385114)
- Cleveland Clinic. [Laser skin resurfacing](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11015-laser-skin-resurfacing)