Laser Treatments
Erbium laser resurfacing in Raleigh, precise and lighter than CO2.
Erbium laser resurfacing in Raleigh NC on the Pix E platform by Rohrer Aesthetics is a fractional Er:YAG treatment at 2940 nm. It removes tiny columns of skin with less heat spreading into the surrounding tissue than a CO2 laser, which is why erbium is often chosen for fine lines, rough texture, sun damage, and mild scarring by patients who want real resurfacing with about 3 days of downtime.
What this is
What erbium laser resurfacing does, and how it differs from CO2
Erbium resurfacing is ablative: the laser removes microscopic layers of skin rather than only heating beneath the surface. Its 2940 nm wavelength sits close to the peak absorption of water, so the energy is taken up almost entirely at the point of contact. The result is a clean, shallow ablation with a thin zone of heat around it, which the skin then repairs with fresh surface cells and new collagen.
CO2 lasers work at 10,600 nm and leave a wider zone of heated tissue around each treated area. That extra heat is part of why CO2 can tighten and remodel more in a single session, and also why its recovery is generally longer. In a published side-by-side study of facial wrinkles, patients treated with erbium recovered faster than those treated with CO2, while deeper erbium treatment narrowed the difference in results. Erbium sits between gentle non-ablative lasers and CO2: more change than a maintenance laser, less recovery than our deepest option.
Erbium can be delivered two ways. Full-surface erbium treats the entire area evenly and asks for a longer recovery. Fractional erbium, which is what we offer at La Miel on the Pix E platform by Rohrer Aesthetics, treats a grid of tiny columns and leaves untreated skin between them. That untreated skin is what lets you heal faster, and it is why fractional erbium is planned as a series rather than one aggressive session. Depth and coverage are decided at consultation, based on your concern and your skin type.
At La Miel
What erbium laser resurfacing treats
Erbium is best suited to concerns that live in the upper layers of the skin. Deep folds, significant laxity, and severe scarring generally need a different or combined approach, and we will tell you when that is the case.
Fine lines and etched wrinkles
Superficial and moderately deep lines around the eyes, mouth, and forehead are a classic erbium indication. Resurfacing addresses the surface and collagen changes that neurotoxin cannot, so many patients pair the two over time.
Suited for: Patients with static lines that remain visible when the face is at rest.
Rough texture and enlarged-looking pores
Removing the outermost damaged layer and prompting new collagen leaves skin feeling smoother and looking more even. Pores cannot be closed, but they often look less prominent as the surrounding skin improves.
Suited for: Patients whose main complaint is coarse, uneven, or dull-looking skin.
Sun damage and uneven tone
Years of sun exposure show up as roughness, sun spots, and a weathered surface. Erbium resurfacing removes the damaged top layer so healthier skin can replace it. Strict sun protection afterward is part of keeping the result.
Suited for: Patients with lighter skin types and visible sun damage on the face, neck, chest, or hands.
Mild to moderate acne scarring
Shallow textural scars can soften with erbium, usually over more than one session. Published reviews describe CO2 as reaching deeper for severe scarring, while erbium offers a gentler approach with a lower risk of pigment change.
Suited for: Patients with shallow rolling or textural scars who prefer a shorter recovery.
Ready to start?
A consultation tells us what your skin needs. It takes under an hour.
What to expect
What to expect from treatment day through recovery
Because our erbium treatment is fractional, recovery is short. Most patients plan for about 3 days of visible healing per session, and the plan is typically 3 to 4 sessions.
Consultation first
Required before any erbium treatment. We assess your Fitzpatrick skin type, review your medical history, medications, and any history of cold sores, discuss realistic outcomes, and agree on the approach and depth.
Treatment day
Topical numbing is applied beforehand. Most patients describe heat and a prickling or snapping sensation during the passes. Afterward the skin looks red and feels warm, similar to a sunburn, with a fine grid pattern visible on the surface.
About 3 days of healing
Expect redness, mild swelling, and a rough, sandpaper texture that flakes away as new skin forms. At La Miel we tell patients to plan for about 3 days of downtime after each fractional erbium session. Keep the skin moist, do not pick, and follow your aftercare exactly.
Across the series
Most plans are typically 3 to 4 sessions, with results building as the skin remodels between them. Light pinkness can linger for a short time after each session. Collagen remodeling continues for weeks to months, so the final result comes after the series, not the week after one treatment. Daily sun protection matters throughout.
Pricing
A note on pricing
Erbium resurfacing is quoted at consultation, because the price depends on the area treated and the number of sessions in your plan, which is typically 3 to 4. Financing is available for treatment plans.
At a glance
Both are ablative lasers that target water in the skin. The differences come from how much heat each one leaves behind.
| Factor | Erbium (Er:YAG) | CO2 |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelength | 2940 nm | 10,600 nm |
| Heat spread to surrounding skin | Less | More |
| Typical recovery | Generally shorter | Generally longer |
| Pigment change risk | Lower than CO2, still present | Higher, especially in deeper skin tones |
| Commonly chosen for | Superficial to moderate lines, texture, sun damage, shallow scars | Deeper wrinkles, more severe scarring, tightening |
Sources: American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Laser Resurfacing; Cleveland Clinic, Laser Skin Resurfacing; Khatri KA et al., Comparison of erbium:YAG and carbon dioxide lasers in resurfacing of facial rhytides, Arch Dermatol 1999;135(4):391-7; Meghe SR et al., A Comprehensive Review of CO2 vs. Er:YAG Laser Therapy for acne scars, Cureus 2024;16(4):e57572. Individual results and recovery vary.
Common questions
Common questions about erbium laser resurfacing
Neither is better across the board. Erbium removes tissue with less heat, so recovery is generally shorter and the risk of pigment change is lower. CO2 reaches deeper and tightens more, which suits severe scarring and deeper wrinkles. Erbium is a strong fit for fine lines, texture, and sun damage when you want less downtime.
Ready to book Erbium Laser Resurfacing?
Tell us what you would like to address. A consultation maps the right plan, the right product, and the right sequence for your skin.
Ready When You Are
Two ways to start: book the specific treatment you came for, or book a consultation and we will build your plan together.
Tue to Wed 10 to 5, Thu 10 to 9, Fri 10 to 3. Closed Sat to Mon.
7718 Six Forks Road, Suite 106, Raleigh, NC 27615