Erbium Laser Resurfacing

OUR DEDICATED SPECIALIST Dr Ed Robinson Medical Director

If you are searching for CO2 laser resurfacing in Manchester or deep laser resurfacing in the North of England, it is important to understand that not all ablative lasers are the same.

At Dr Ed Robinson Aesthetics clinic in Altrincham and Hale, we offer Erbium laser resurfacing using the JouleX platform. This is a modern, high-precision ablative laser system that delivers powerful structural skin correction with greater control and reduced unnecessary thermal damage compared to many traditional CO2 lasers.

For patients seeking meaningful improvement in acne scarring, deep wrinkles or advanced sun damage, Erbium laser resurfacing represents an evolution in resurfacing technology.

This is true dermal remodelling. Delivered with precision.

At a glance

Treatment Time
60 – 90 minutes
Numbing
Topical anaesthetic with optional local infiltration
Recovery Time
3 to 14 days depending on depth
Best Results
Progressively over 3 to 6 months

Benefits of Erbium Laser

  • PRECISE LAYER BY LAYER SKIN REMOVAL
    Removes damaged surface skin while stimulating deep collagen to improve skin strength and texture.
  • STRONG COLLAGEN STIMULATION
    Skin continues to improve as new collagen forms.
  • TARGETED SCAR TREATMENT
    Treats deeper scarring without overtreating surrounding healthy tissue.
  • ADJUSTABLE DEPTH TO SUIT DIFFERENT CONCERNS
    Layer by layer adjustment allows safe treatment of delicate areas and deeper scars.

What areas can be treated?

Forehead Lines
Reduces static lines and improves smoothness.
Acne Scars
Reduces acne scarring
Perioral lines around the mouth
Softens deep lines caused by collagen loss.
Jawline texture and mild laxity
Enhances texture and mild laxity.
Surgical or traumatic scars
Improves uneven texture by remodelling scar tissue.
Full face resurfacing
Improves overall texture, tone and fine lines.
Crow’s feet and eye area
Refines crepey skin and fine lines with adjusted depth control.

What conditions can Erbium Laser help with?

Acne Scarring

Removes damaged scar tissue and stimulates collagen to lift depressed scars and smooth texture.

Pigmentation concerns

Removes sun damaged skin and encourages healthier regeneration.

Lines and Wrinkles

We specialise in advanced non-surgical treatments for deep lines and wrinkles. Our Hale clinic offers personalised solutions to restore your skin’s youthful appearance.

There are different depth options available:

Nano peel
A superficial refresh that targets surface sun damage, refines texture and improves fine lines. Minimal downtime.

Micro peel
A medium depth treatment that addresses moderate wrinkles, early acne scarring and uneven tone. Around 5 days of downtime.

Profractional Erbium
Fractional ablative columns stimulate deeper collagen remodelling. Particularly effective for acne scarring and textural irregularities. Around 10 days of downtime.

Deep Erbium resurfacing
The most intensive option for significant acne scarring, deep perioral lines and advanced photoageing. Downtime can range from 2 to 4 weeks.

Suitability always depends on consultation, skin assessment and recovery tolerance.

Erbium Laser Aftercare

What to Avoid

• Direct sun exposure
• Tanning beds
• Active skincare ingredients such as retinoids and exfoliating acids until advised
• Picking or peeling flaking skin
• Intense exercise in the early healing phase


Recovery varies depending on treatment depth. Most patients experience redness, swelling and peeling as the skin re-epithelialises.

You can expect:

• Redness for 7 to 14 days for most treatments
• Swelling for several days
• Peeling and light crusting
• Pinkness that gradually fades
• Ongoing tightening and refinement over 3 to 6 months

Comfort and Recovery Tips

• Use prescribed post procedure skincare exactly as directed
• Keep the skin well hydrated
• Sleep slightly elevated for the first few nights to reduce swelling
• Apply strict broad spectrum SPF daily once re-epithelialisation has occurred

For deeper resurfacing, discomfort during treatment is managed with topical anaesthetic and, where appropriate, local infiltration or a nerve block to improve comfort.

Erbium laser resurfacing requires commitment to downtime and aftercare. In return, it offers long term structural improvement when delivered with the right clinical judgement and supported with appropriate skincare.

FAQs

For more general enquiries, please take a look at some of our frequently asked questions.

Is Erbium laser resurfacing as effective as CO2?

Yes. Erbium can achieve comparable depth of correction while offering even more precise ablation and reduced collateral heat damage, meaning less downtime post-treatment.

How long does deep laser resurfacing take to heal?

Healing time after Erbium laser treatment depends entirely on the depth of resurfacing performed. This is why consultation is key. Your treatment plan will always be tailored to your skin, lifestyle and recovery tolerance.

Nano peel is the most superficial option. It is similar to a strong weekend facial, with minimal downtime and mild redness that settles quickly.


Micro peel is slightly deeper and usually involves around 5 days of downtime. You can expect redness, light swelling and some peeling as fresh skin emerges.


Profractional Erbium laser is commonly used for acne scarring and more significant texture concerns. Downtime is typically around 10 days, as the skin undergoes deeper regeneration.


Deep Erbium laser resurfacing is the most intensive option and can involve 2 to 4 weeks of recovery. This approach is more surgical in nature and is often selected for advanced scarring or significant skin damage.

Is Erbium laser safe for darker skin types?

Erbium laser can be used on many skin types, but suitability depends on individual assessment. Factors such as skin tone, medical history and scarring patterns all influence treatment choice and depth. A detailed consultation is essential to assess suitability and minimise complications.

How many treatments will I need?

Many patients achieve significant improvement with one deep session. Severe scarring may require staged treatments at the deeper resurfacing level.

Is Erbium laser treatment painful?

Pain levels during Erbium laser resurfacing depend on the depth of treatment. For nano and micro peels, discomfort is generally mild and well managed with topical anaesthetic. Most patients describe the sensation as warmth or a mild stinging feeling.

For deeper treatments such as Profractional or deep Erbium resurfacing used for acne scarring, the procedure is more intensive. In these cases, Dr Ed Robinson can administer a nerve block to significantly improve comfort during treatment. This makes deeper resurfacing far more manageable than many patients expect.

Post treatment, the skin can feel warm and tight, similar to sunburn, particularly after deeper resurfacing. This is temporary and part of the healing process.

How long do results last?

Structural improvements are long lasting. Skin continues to age naturally, but collagen remodelling provides durable benefit when supported with good skincare.

Still have questions?

OUR DEDICATED SPECIALIST Dr Ed Robinson Medical Director

Dr Ed is a medically trained, experienced injector and your safety is our top priority.

We have extensive experience in anatomy which allows us to perform procedures safely. we are also fully trained in how to recognise and manage aesethetic complications.