Erbium or CO2: why at Taletsky we choose the erbium laser (what really happens to your skin after treatment)
If you are looking for acne scar treatment in Tel Aviv, you have probably heard of the CO2 laser and the erbium laser. They sound similar, but the week after treatment looks completely different. Here we explain in plain words what each laser does to the skin, what the studies say and how to choose a facial treatment that suits you.
- There is no CO2 laser at Taletsky. We work only with the fractional Er:YAG erbium laser by Quanta System.
- In this article we compare both lasers so you can see the difference. At the end we explain why we chose erbium.
- All before and after photos in this article are from erbium treatments at our clinic, not CO2.
- Both lasers work on the same principle: a strong, precise beam vaporises tiny dots of skin. The skin heals, builds new collagen and improves acne scars, pores and texture. The difference is how much heat is left around each dot.
- CO2 laser: its light is absorbed less by the water in the skin, so much of the energy turns into heat. It goes deep and heats a lot of tissue around it. The result is strong, but the treatment hurts more and recovery usually takes about a week to 10 days.
- Er:YAG erbium laser: its light is absorbed by the water in the skin 10 to 15 times more strongly. It precisely vaporises an ultra-thin layer and leaves very little heat around. It is a small, clean, controlled micro-injury, so most people are back to their routine within a few days.
- Studies show less pain and shorter redness after erbium. Some studies also found fewer dark spots.
How a laser renews the skin, simply explained
Both the CO2 laser and the erbium laser are "ablative" lasers: a strong, focused beam vaporises thousands of tiny dots in the skin, thinner than a hair. It is a controlled micro-injury. The skin heals, builds new collagen and a new, smoother layer. That is how acne scars become shallower, pores look smaller and the texture evens out.
The difference between them is how deep each laser goes and how much heat it leaves around every dot. More heat means more pain, more redness and more days at home.
Facial skin renewal at Taletsky →CO2 laser: strong, deep and hot
The CO2 laser (10,600 nm) is the oldest and most powerful laser of its kind. We do not have it at Taletsky, but it is worth knowing because many clinics use it. Its light is absorbed less by the water in the skin, so much of the energy turns into heat: it vaporises a deep channel and heats a lot of tissue around it. In a study of human skin under the microscope, at high energy the CO2 channels went deeper than two millimetres. That gives a strong change after one session.
The price of that power: the treatment hurts and needs strong numbing cream. Then come about a week to 10 days of redness, swelling, crusting and peeling. Most people stay at home during those days. Darker or tanned skin also carries a higher risk of dark spots after treatment (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation).
Er:YAG erbium laser: more precise and gentle
The erbium laser (2940 nm) works on the same principle, but its light is absorbed by the water in the skin 10 to 15 times more strongly. So almost all the energy goes into precisely vaporising an ultra-thin layer at each dot, and very little heat is left around it. The result is a small, clean, controlled micro-injury that the skin heals quickly and turns into new collagen.
What it means for you: less pain, shorter redness and usually back to your routine within a few days. That is why erbium also suits people who work, meet others and cannot disappear for a week.
Everything about the Er:YAG erbium laser →What do the studies say? In 2024 researchers pooled 8 studies with 418 patients comparing both lasers for acne scars. The result: CO2 gave a slightly bigger improvement, but it hurt more and the redness lasted longer. Some studies also found less redness and fewer dark spots after erbium. Simply put: with erbium you may need one or two more sessions, but each one is much easier and does not take you out of life for ten days.
The comparison in short
| CO2 laser | Er:YAG erbium laser | |
|---|---|---|
| Depth and heat | very deep, a lot of heat around | precise, little heat |
| Pain | high, needs strong numbing | low to moderate, with cold air cooling |
| Recovery | about a week to 10 hard days | usually a few days |
| Dark spots | higher risk, especially on darker skin | lower risk |
| Number of sessions | usually fewer | sometimes one or two more |
* Results, number of sessions and price vary from person to person and are set only after a skin assessment by a specialist at the clinic.
Why Taletsky chose the Quanta System erbium laser
After the comparison, our choice is easy to understand. At Taletsky in Tel Aviv there is no CO2 laser and no Morpheus8. We chose the fractional Er:YAG erbium laser by the Italian company Quanta System, because it gives the right balance between result and recovery:
- A real result: shallower acne scars, smaller pores and smoother texture, with new collagen from within.
- Easy recovery: usually a few days of mild redness instead of ten days at home.
- Less pain: we cool the skin with cold air (Zimmer Cryo 7) throughout the treatment.
- Lower risk of dark spots after treatment.
- Precision: depth and power are tailored to every skin after an assessment.
We prefer to do one or two more sessions and protect your skin and your routine. That is the Taletsky philosophy: a facial treatment that delivers results without taking you out of life.
A facial for men? Men's skin is thicker, oilier and often has large pores. Many men also still have acne scars from their teens. The erbium laser works very well on this skin too. The power is set in a personal assessment.
Acne scars: why they don't fade on their own and what actually helps →Our treatments at Taletsky:
Acne scar treatment in Tel Aviv →Facial skin renewal →Pigmentation treatment →The Taletsky Method →All treatments →Before and after gallery → What about Morpheus8? Morpheus8 vs erbium →Real results from Taletsky: fractional erbium laser only
Please note: these photos are not CO2 laser and not Morpheus8. All of them are after fractional Er:YAG erbium laser treatments by Quanta System at our clinic in Tel Aviv. No filters, no make-up, just real skin.
FAQ
Does the erbium laser hurt?
Most people feel tingling and warmth. Cold air cooling during the treatment makes it much more comfortable. The CO2 laser is more painful and needs strong numbing.
How long is the recovery?
After the erbium laser, usually a few days of mild redness. After the CO2 laser, usually about a week to 10 days of redness, crusting and peeling.
How many sessions do acne scars need?
Usually 3 to 4 sessions about two months apart. The exact number is set only after a skin assessment.
Can I have laser treatment on darker or tanned skin?
On darker skin the risk of spots after laser is higher. The erbium laser is considered a more careful choice than CO2 for this skin. The power is set only after a personal assessment.
Is the treatment suitable for men?
Yes. At Taletsky in Tel Aviv we do facial treatments for men and women, always after a personal skin assessment.
Want to know what suits your skin?
Message us on WhatsApp and we will book a personal skin assessment at Taletsky, a facial treatment clinic in Tel Aviv: Migdalei HaTze'irim, Menachem Begin 158. We tailor the exact facial treatment to your skin.
Book a consultation on WhatsApp
Scientific sources
- Efficacy and safety of CO2 fractional laser versus Er:YAG fractional laser in the treatment of atrophic acne scar: a meta-analysis and systematic review. J Cosmet Dermatol, 2024.
- Comparison of four different lasers for acne scars: resurfacing and fractional lasers. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 2016.
- Osman MA, Kassab AN. Fractional Er:YAG laser versus fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of immature and mature scars: a comparative randomized study, 2024.
- Ex Vivo Human Histology Fractional Treatment with a New CO2 Scanner: A Potential Application on Deep Scarring. Medicina, 2023 (CC BY 4.0).
