Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which type of laser is commonly used for laser resurfacing?

1. YAG Laser

2. CO2 or Erbium Laser

3. Alexandrite Laser

4. Pulsed Dye Laser

The correct answer is: CO2 or Erbium Laser

Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure aimed at improving the appearance of the skin by addressing issues like wrinkles, scars, and overall skin texture. The CO2 laser and the erbium laser are the two types commonly utilized in this specific application. The CO2 laser is effective because it emits a beam that can penetrate deeply into the skin, allowing it to precisely remove layers of skin while also stimulating collagen production. This leads to significant skin tightening and resurfacing, making it highly valuable for procedures targeting severe skin issues such as deep wrinkles or scars. On the other hand, the erbium laser is favored for its ability to remove less skin and deliver more targeted treatments, resulting in less thermal damage to surrounding tissues. This makes it suitable for milder resurfacing tasks and shorter recovery times. In contrast, lasers like the YAG, Alexandrite, and Pulsed Dye Laser have different primary functions. The YAG laser is often used for hair removal and vascular lesions, the Alexandrite laser is also more associated with hair removal and tattoo removal, and the Pulsed Dye Laser is primarily used for treating vascular lesions and pigmentation but is not typically employed for resurfacing the skin. Therefore, the use of CO2 or erbium lasers for laser resurfacing stands out