What laser skin resurfacing does
Laser skin resurfacing is a non-surgical treatment that uses focused light energy to remove damaged layers of skin and start collagen remodeling. As your skin heals, it grows back smoother, more even in tone and firmer-looking.
At Embrace Eternal Beauty we use a 2940 nm Erbium YAG laser on our Spectrum laser system. It removes precise, controlled layers of skin with minimal heat damage to the tissue around them, and every plan is customized by Dr. Pabona.
What it can improve
- Fine lines and deep wrinkles
- Acne scars and uneven texture
- Enlarged-looking pores
- Sun damage, dark spots and uneven pigment
- Mild laxity, for a firmer look
Fractional or full ablative resurfacing
Erbium resurfacing comes in two depths. Dr. Pabona recommends one after looking at your skin, your goals and how much downtime you can plan for, usually at a skin consultation.
Fractional ablative
The laser treats a grid of microscopic columns and leaves the skin between them intact, so healing is faster. It’s a fit for fine lines, rough texture and pigmentation, and it’s often done as a series.
Full ablative
The laser removes the entire surface layer of the treated area. Recovery takes longer and the change is more dramatic, with stronger collagen remodeling. It’s used for deeper wrinkles, acne scars and advanced sun damage.
Erbium (2940 nm) vs CO2 lasers
Erbium and CO2 are the two classic resurfacing lasers. Both remove damaged skin, but they handle heat differently. Water in the skin absorbs the Erbium wavelength far more strongly, so the energy vaporizes a precise layer and leaves little heat behind. CO2 lasers leave more heat in the surrounding skin.
That extra heat can tighten more in a single treatment, but it typically means longer healing and a higher risk of lasting lightening or darkening of the skin. Erbium’s precision usually means a shorter recovery and suits more skin types. Embrace uses Erbium YAG for resurfacing.
Who it’s right for, and why a physician
Resurfacing suits adults who want to improve wrinkles, scarring, texture or sun damage on the face, neck, décolleté or hands, and who can protect their skin from the sun while it heals. For patients in Hot Springs and Hot Springs Village, it’s one of the most direct ways to treat years of sun damage.
Skin type matters. Erbium is gentler on many skin tones than CO2, but for Fitzpatrick skin types V–VI Dr. Pabona may recommend a different protocol. If you have melasma, say so: ablative and fractional lasers can make it worse, so it’s treated with a separate melasma and dark spot plan.
Depth, settings and aftercare depend on your health history and medications. Dr. Pabona is board certified in internal medicine (ABIM), a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and credentialed by the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. Tell him about cold sores, keloid scarring, a recent tan or recent isotretinoin use.
What to expect, day by day
Recovery depends on depth. This is a typical course; your aftercare plan will be specific to your treatment.
Before treatment
Your plan may start with medical-grade skincare to prepare the skin. Avoid tanning in the weeks before. If you get cold sores, antiviral medicine is often prescribed before treating around the mouth.
Treatment day
A topical numbing cream is typically applied first. The Erbium handpiece then passes over each area, and you go home with detailed aftercare instructions.
Days 1–3
Skin is red, swollen and feels sunburned. After full ablative treatment, the skin may ooze lightly, and a protective ointment keeps it covered while it starts to heal.
Days 3–10
Treated skin flakes or peels as fresh skin comes through. Redness typically lasts 3 to 10 days, with fractional treatment at the shorter end.
After healing
Some pinkness can linger, especially after full ablative resurfacing. Use gentle skincare and strict sun protection, and hold off on hot tubs, saunas and bathhouse soaks until your skin has fully healed.
Sessions, results and pairings
Most patients see visible improvement after one treatment. For deeper wrinkles, acne scars or advanced sun damage, 2 to 3 sessions spaced several weeks apart may be recommended. Collagen keeps remodeling for months after the skin heals, so results typically build over time.
In one case, fractional Erbium resurfacing for fine lines and texture left smoother-looking pores, less redness and a more even tone across the cheeks and forehead. In another, full ablative treatment softened deep wrinkles, rough texture and sun damage. See more in our fractional laser before-and-after gallery. Individual results vary.
Resurfacing can be combined with PRF or Rejuran for added rejuvenation. In one gallery case, medical-grade skincare prepared the skin, a single fractional session followed, and a targeted skin booster supported hydration and elasticity.
Laser skin resurfacing cost
Pricing depends on depth and area, and a series of three saves on progressive resurfacing. Your skin consultation is complimentary with the purchase of a treatment or skincare product, and CareCredit financing is accepted.
Fractional ablative
- Face: $499 per session, or $1,399 for three
- Neck: $399 per session, or $1,099 for three
- Décolleté: $399 per session, or $1,099 for three
- Hands: $499 per session, or $1,399 for three
- Face and neck: $799 per session, or $2,199 for three
- Face, neck and décolleté: $999 per session, or $2,799 for three
Full ablative
- Face: $899 per session, or $2,499 for three
- Neck: $699 per session, or $1,899 for three
- Décolleté: $799 per session, or $2,159 for three
- Hands: $899 per session, or $2,499 for three
- Face and neck: $1,499 per session, or $3,999 for three
- Face, neck and décolleté: $1,999 per session, or $5,399 for three
Dermis
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Deep dermis
- Fat pads
- Muscle
Questions
Common questions about laser resurfacing
How many laser skin resurfacing sessions will I need?
Most patients see visible improvement after one treatment. For deeper wrinkles, acne scars or more advanced sun damage, Dr. Pabona may recommend 2 to 3 sessions spaced several weeks apart. Fractional resurfacing is often planned as a series, which is why three-session packages are offered. Your plan depends on your skin type, your concerns and how much downtime you can take.
What are the downsides of laser skin resurfacing?
The main trade-off is downtime: expect redness for about 3 to 10 days, plus swelling and peeling. Less common risks include infection, a cold sore flare, temporary darkening or lightening of the skin and, rarely, scarring. Deeper treatments carry more risk along with bigger results. Choosing the right depth for your skin type and following aftercare closely keeps those risks low.
Can laser resurfacing get rid of acne scars?
Erbium YAG resurfacing can noticeably soften pitted and post-acne scars. It removes damaged surface skin and stimulates new collagen, which smooths uneven texture. Deep scars typically improve rather than disappear completely, and they may need full ablative treatment or a series of sessions. At your consultation, Dr. Pabona will tell you what’s realistic for your scars and skin type.
Is Erbium laser resurfacing safe for darker skin tones?
It can be, with the right plan. Erbium YAG lasers leave less heat in the surrounding skin than CO2 lasers, which lowers the risk for many skin tones. Deeper skin is still more prone to temporary darkening after any laser, so Dr. Pabona assesses your skin type first and may recommend an alternative protocol for Fitzpatrick skin types V–VI.
How long do laser resurfacing results last?
Improvements in texture, scarring and fine lines are often long-lasting because the treatment rebuilds collagen. Your skin keeps aging, though, and new sun exposure can bring back spots and damage. Daily sunscreen and a consistent skincare routine help protect your results, and some patients choose an occasional maintenance treatment over the years.
How much does laser skin resurfacing cost in Hot Springs?
At Embrace Eternal Beauty, fractional ablative resurfacing starts at $399 per session for the neck or décolleté and $499 for the face. Full ablative resurfacing of the face is $899 per session. Three-session packages lower the cost per visit, CareCredit financing is accepted, and your skin consultation is complimentary with the purchase of a treatment or skincare product.
When can I use a sauna, hot tub or bathhouse after laser resurfacing?
Wait until your skin has fully healed, with no raw, oozing or peeling areas. That’s typically at least a week after fractional treatment and longer after full ablative resurfacing. Heat, steam and shared water can irritate new skin and raise the risk of infection, so save your Bathhouse Row soak for after you’ve healed. Your aftercare plan gives your exact timing.
