Erbium yag laser

Pulsed solid state laser with a wavelength of 2940 nm.

The emitted light of a wavelength in the mid-infrared range is almost exclusively absorbed by water, i.e. the penetration depth in the tissue is relatively small (epidermis, upper parts of the corium). Due to the extreme power densities, tissue can be ablated extremely precisely without significant damage to the surrounding area ("cold ablation" of the skin). Ablation is more precise than with_{CO2 laser}, mechanical dermabrasion methods (milling cutter) or cauterization ("spherical cautery"). A disadvantage is the incipient bleeding when the capillary vessels are opened.

Versatile use (good "entry laser" for a practice) for indications such as actinic and seborrhoeic keratoses, milia, xanthelasma, epidermal nevi, syringomas, verrucae, acne scars, up to lentigines. Also suitable for the indication "skin resurfacing".

Before the medical use of ablative laser systems, a histological diagnosis of the lesion to be ablated should be confirmed.