Er:YAG Laser Micro Resurfacing Melbourne

Er:YAG Micro Resurfacing vaporises the entire treated skin surface in a controlled, uniform layer using the PS03 patterned handpiece. Every pixel of skin within the treatment zone is ablated and renewed. Fractional resurfacing (using the FS01 handpiece) drills microscopic channels into the skin, treating only about 5% of the surface area while leaving untreated bridges between channels. They serve different purposes: micro resurfacing is ideal for surface texture refinement, roughness, and dullness, while fractional targets deeper structural remodelling for scarring or significant wrinkles. At Pink Laser Clinics, both use the Fotona SP Dynamis Pro but are prescribed for different clinical needs.

Yes, and this is one of our specialist capabilities. We offer Er:YAG Micro Resurfacing for face, neck, chest, arms, hands, and other body areas. However, body treatment requires significantly different parameters than facial treatment because body skin has fewer hair follicles and sebaceous glands, which means it heals two to three times slower. Our technicians have performed body Er:YAG resurfacing since 2019 and use more conservative settings, MSP cold ablation mode, and longer healing intervals for body areas.

Er:YAG laser has a lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) compared to CO2 laser because it produces significantly less thermal injury to surrounding tissue. In MSP cold ablation mode, thermal depth is just 5 to 20 microns compared to 100 to 150 microns with CO2. For clients with Fitzpatrick skin types III to V, we may recommend a pre-treatment priming protocol 4 to 6 weeks before your first session and use the most conservative pulse settings. A patch test on a small area is standard practice before treating larger zones. Your suitability is assessed during your free consultation.

Downtime depends on the treatment area and pulse mode used. For facial treatments using MSP or SP mode, expect 12 to 72 hours of redness with mild peeling over days 2 to 5. For body areas, the same depth of treatment produces 2 to 5 days of downtime with redness lasting 3 to 7 days. Full re-epithelialisation on body skin takes 10 to 21 days. This is a significant difference from the face and one of the reasons body treatment requires specialist experience.

A typical treatment course involves 3 to 6 sessions. Facial treatments are usually spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, while body treatments are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart to allow for the longer healing cycle of body skin. Collagen remodelling continues for 3 to 6 months after your final session, so your full results develop progressively. The exact number of sessions depends on your skin type, treatment area, and goals, which we discuss during your free consultation.

For superficial texture refinement and micro peel treatments, Er:YAG has a demonstrably lower risk profile. Er:YAG energy at 2940nm is absorbed approximately 10 to 16 times more efficiently by water in skin tissue than CO2 at 10,600nm. This means Er:YAG achieves surface vaporisation with far less residual heat, translating to faster healing and lower PIH risk, particularly for darker skin types. An 8-year retrospective review found that micro peel treatments had a complication rate of 10.1% compared to 26.5% for deep resurfacing. CO2 produces more robust tightening in fewer sessions for deep wrinkles and significant laxity, but for surface texture concerns, Er:YAG is the clinically preferred approach.

The Micro Resurfacing serves a specific role within the lightening program. It removes melanin-rich surface cells and thickened stratum corneum, which immediately brightens the skin and creates a cleaner pathway for subsequent Q-Switched Nd:YAG lightening sessions to reach deeper pigment targets more effectively.

Published research shows that Er:YAG micro resurfacing and Q-Switched Nd:YAG address complementary layers, delivering more comprehensive results when combined within a structured treatment plan. Learn more about our Skin Lightening & Brightening program

We offer Er:YAG Micro Resurfacing across 16 treatment areas. Face zones include forehead, cheeks, upper lip, chin, nose, and various coverage options from quarter face to full face. Neck treatments cover front, back, or both. Combination zones pair face with neck, neck with decolletage, or all three together. Your technician will recommend the appropriate areas and treatment plan during your consultation.

Pricing depends on the treatment area and number of sessions in your course. We offer per-session pricing with discounts for multi-session packages. The best way to get accurate pricing for your specific treatment plan is to book a free consultation where we can assess your needs and design a personalised course. Use our configurator above to explore treatment areas and session options.

Er:YAG Micro Resurfacing is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with active skin infections or open wounds, or while taking isotretinoin (or within 6 months of stopping). It is also not recommended for those with a history of keloid scarring or uncontrolled diabetes affecting wound healing. Active cold sores in the treatment area must be resolved before treatment. These are assessed during your consultation.

Aftercare focuses on protecting the fresh skin as it heals. This includes gentle cleansing with a mild cleanser, consistent moisturisation, strict sun avoidance, and broad-spectrum SPF50 applied to all treated areas. For body areas, breathable non-friction clothing is recommended and tight garments should be kept away from healing skin for 10 to 14 days. Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and excessive sweating during the active healing phase. Your technician provides a detailed aftercare plan specific to your treatment area.

Most clients describe the sensation as a warm prickling during the treatment itself. Topical anaesthetic is available if needed. After treatment, the sensation is similar to mild sunburn and typically passes within 12 to 48 hours. Body areas may feel warm for slightly longer. The MSP cold ablation mode used for most body treatments produces the least post-treatment discomfort because it generates minimal thermal injury to surrounding tissue.

The core advantage of Er:YAG Micro Resurfacing over chemical peel is precision and reproducibility. The VSP Er:YAG system delivers exactly the same ablation depth each session, at each treatment zone, regardless of variations in skin thickness. Chemical peels rely on acid concentration, application technique, and individual skin biology, making depth of penetration less predictable. This is particularly significant on body areas where variable skin thickness makes chemical peels higher risk. Medium and deep chemical peels on the chest or neck are considered high-risk procedures by most guidelines, while Er:YAG Micro Resurfacing can treat these areas safely with appropriate parameters.

Our technicians are specialist-trained in Er:YAG laser resurfacing with specific competency in body treatment protocols. This includes parameter literacy (understanding fluence, spot size, and energy relationships), visual endpoint recognition for different skin depths, pulse mode selection for different skin types and treatment areas, and body-specific parameter adjustment. Our team has been performing Er:YAG body resurfacing on the Fotona SP Dynamis Pro since 2019.

Research has shown that VSP Er:YAG laser treatment can produce 51 to 75% improvement in skin texture for stretch marks (striae distensae). However, it is important to note that transient hyperpigmentation occurred in 75% of treated cases in the study, reinforcing the need for specialist assessment and appropriate pre- and post-treatment pigment management. For stretch marks, our FracRevive Fractional Laser Resurfacing is typically the recommended treatment as it targets deeper structural remodelling beneath the skin surface. Your suitability is assessed during consultation. Learn more about FracRevive here.