What is the Er:YAG 2940 laser? How micro-ablation treats scars and how it differs from CO2 fractional
- 1What is the Er:YAG laser?
- 2What can the Er:YAG 2940 laser treat?
- 3How do Er:YAG 2940 fractional laser and CO2 fractional differ?
- 4Who should and should not have Er:YAG laser?
- 5How long does healing take after Er:YAG laser, and what aftercare is needed?
- 6How much does Er:YAG 2940 laser cost at Foxy M.D?
- 7Why choose Foxy M.D Da Nang for Er:YAG laser?
- 8Conclusion
- 9Quick summary of this article
- 10Frequently asked questions
1 What is the Er:YAG laser?
The Er:YAG laser is an ablative laser that uses an Erbium crystal and emits a 2940 nm wavelength. This wavelength is very strongly absorbed by water in the skin, so the laser vaporizes ultra-thin layers of tissue one at a time, with little heat spreading to the surrounding area.
Er:YAG stands for Erbium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet, a YAG crystal doped with the element Erbium. Most skin tissue is water, and the 2940 nm wavelength sits right at water's absorption peak, with absorption more than 10 times higher than the 10,600 nm CO2 laser. As a result, the energy is used up almost exactly at the point of impact: tissue is vaporized precisely, and less residual heat warms the neighboring tissue.
In fractional mode, the laser does not remove a whole patch of skin but creates a series of tiny micro-columns separated by untreated skin. This untreated skin helps the micro-wounds close quickly and triggers collagen remodeling in the dermis. At Foxy M.D, the Er:YAG 2940 nm laser is the Twain 2940 handpiece on the Chrome Lase Station by Quanta System (Italy).
2 What can the Er:YAG 2940 laser treat?
According to the Twain 2940 handpiece poster shared by Foxy M.D, the Er:YAG laser is used for acne scars, post-traumatic scars, micro-ablative dermatology procedures, and skin resurfacing and rejuvenation.
Atrophic acne scars come in many types, and no two types respond the same way. The Er:YAG laser is most suitable for shallow depressed scars, boxcar scars and mild to moderate rolling scars. Narrow, deep ice-pick scars usually need TCA CROSS; scars tethered by fibrous bands need Subcision first, followed by laser to smooth the surface.
Acne scars
Smooths scar edges and stimulates new collagen to gradually fill shallow depressed, boxcar and rolling scars.
Post-traumatic scars
Improves the unevenness, color mismatch and texture of old flat or depressed scars.
Micro-ablation procedures
Precisely removes thin layers of superficial, benign lesions as prescribed by the doctor.
Skin resurfacing
Smooths rough skin, fine wrinkles and enlarged pores, giving a more even skin surface.
3 How do Er:YAG 2940 fractional laser and CO2 fractional differ?
Both are fractional ablative lasers for treating scars. Er:YAG 2940 nm vaporizes tissue cleanly with little heat, so it usually heals faster with a lower risk of hyperpigmentation; CO2 10,600 nm generates more heat, causing stronger collagen contraction but a longer recovery.
No laser is better for every case. The CO2 laser is still a strong choice for severe acne scars and thick skin; Er:YAG has the advantage for Asian skin that marks easily, for people who need to return to work soon, or for thin-skinned areas. For more on CO2, see our articles Fractional CO2 Laser for Acne Scars and how long CO2 laser takes to heal.
| Criteria | Er:YAG 2940 nm (Twain 2940) | Fractional CO2 10.600 nm |
|---|---|---|
| Water absorption | Very high; energy is used up right at the surface | Lower; heat spreads deeper and wider |
| Heat zone around each micro-column | Thin | Thicker; stronger collagen contraction |
| Pinpoint bleeding with deep treatment | May occur, due to less vessel coagulation | Less, thanks to heat coagulating the vessels |
| Redness and scabbing time | Usually 3–5 days | Usually 5–7 days; redness may last longer |
| Risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation | Lower in darker skin | Higher if aftercare is not good |
| Suitable for | Shallow to moderate scars, skin that marks easily, need for fast recovery | Moderate to severe acne scars, thick skin |
| Price at Foxy M.D | As prescribed by the doctor | From $83/session |
4 Who should and should not have Er:YAG laser?
Suitable for people with stable acne scars, old traumatic scars, rough skin and enlarged pores, especially those who tend to get dark marks after laser. Not recommended during severe inflamed acne, with open wounds, during pregnancy or for people prone to keloid scars.
Note: people who are taking or have recently taken isotretinoin (an oral acne medication) must tell their doctor, as the timing of ablative laser treatment needs to be considered individually. People with a history of cold sores (lip herpes) may need preventive medication before treatment around the mouth.
Good candidates
Stable acne scars with no active inflamed acne; long-standing traumatic scars; rough skin, fine wrinkles.
Especially suitable
Asian skin prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; people who want a short downtime.
Postpone
Lots of inflamed acne, irritated skin, heavy tanning, pregnancy, active herpes outbreak.
Needs assessment by a doctor
Tendency to keloid scars, autoimmune skin disease, taking medication that slows wound healing.
5 How long does healing take after Er:YAG laser, and what aftercare is needed?
The skin is usually red and slightly stinging for the first 1–2 days, then forms tiny scabs that gradually flake off within about 3–5 days. New collagen keeps forming for many weeks afterward, so scars improve gradually with each session.
A scar treatment course with ablative laser usually involves several sessions, about 4–6 weeks apart, to give the skin time to regenerate. The exact number of sessions depends on the severity of the scars and how each person responds. Aftercare: do not pick the scabs, avoid saunas, protect your skin carefully from the sun and use only the recovery products your doctor prescribes.
Redness, mild stinging
Skin feels warm and red like a mild sunburn; there may be some oozing or tiny pinpoint spots of blood if treated deeply.
Tiny scabs, gradually flaking
Small scabs fall off on their own; keep the skin moisturized, do not pick, avoid heavy makeup.
Slightly pink skin
New skin is slightly pink and sensitive to the sun; apply broad-spectrum sunscreen every 3–4 hours.
Collagen remodeling
The scar base gradually fills in; the doctor assesses and schedules the next session.
6 How much does Er:YAG 2940 laser cost at Foxy M.D?
The Er:YAG 2940 laser (Chrome's Twain 2940 handpiece) does not yet have a listed price on the Foxy M.D menu effective March 10, 2026. It is priced after a doctor's consultation, depending on the treatment area, scar severity and combined protocol.
As a reference, the scar treatments currently priced on the Foxy M.D menu include: Laser Fractional from $41, Fractional CO2 from $83 per session, RF Needle from $83 per session, TCA CROSS from $21 and Scar Subcision from $21. These are the prices of those services, not the price of Er:YAG laser. For moderate and severe scars, the clinic also offers acne scar treatment packages combining several methods.
7 Why choose Foxy M.D Da Nang for Er:YAG laser?
Foxy M.D has both Er:YAG laser (Twain 2940 on a genuine Quanta System Chrome Lase Station) and Fractional CO2, so the doctor can choose the laser that suits your scar type, skin background and downtime.
Scar treatment rarely needs just one tool. At Foxy M.D, a dermatologist classifies each type of scar on your face before choosing a combination of laser, Subcision, TCA CROSS or regenerative injections. See an overview of the protocol in our article acne scar treatment in Da Nang.
Two ablative laser options
Er:YAG 2940 nm and CO2 10,600 nm, chosen according to your skin and scar severity.
Genuine equipment
The Chrome Lase Station was delivered by Quanta System through TRANFA, with an ownership certificate.
Combined protocols
Combining Subcision, TCA CROSS, PRP and Rejuran S mesotherapy injection when there are several types of scars.
Follow-up visits
Skin check-ups between sessions to adjust the energy and interval.
8 Conclusion
The Er:YAG 2940 laser is a fractional ablative laser that works precisely with little heat, suitable for shallow to moderate scars and skin that marks easily. Compared with CO2 fractional, Er:YAG usually recovers faster; the final choice should be based on an examination.
Everyone has their own scar type and skin background, so results vary from person to person. If you want to know whether your scars suit Er:YAG, CO2 or a combination, book an appointment at Foxy M.D, 288 Nguyen Van Linh, Thanh Khe, Da Nang, hotline 070 860 7739 – 093 157 1185.
Read more: What Is a Laser Peel? How It Differs From Carbon Peel and Chemical Peel · What Is a Ruby Laser? Ruby 694nm vs. Nd:YAG and Pico
9 Quick summary of this article
- The Er:YAG laser emits a 2940 nm wavelength, very strongly absorbed by water in the skin, so it vaporizes tissue precisely with little heat.
- Main uses: acne scars, post-traumatic scars, micro-ablation and skin resurfacing.
- Compared with CO2 fractional: usually heals faster (3–5 days) with a lower risk of hyperpigmentation; CO2 is stronger for severe scars.
- At Foxy M.D it is the Twain 2940 handpiece on the Chrome Lase Station; priced after a doctor's consultation.
- Ice-pick or tethered scars usually need to be combined with TCA CROSS or Subcision.
10 Frequently asked questions
1. What is the Er:YAG laser?
The Er:YAG laser is an ablative laser that uses an Erbium-doped YAG crystal and emits a 2940 nm wavelength. Water in the skin absorbs this wavelength very strongly, so the laser vaporizes thin layers of tissue one at a time with little heat spreading to the surrounding area. It is commonly used to treat acne scars and traumatic scars and to resurface the skin.
2. Er:YAG or CO2 laser: which is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Er:YAG produces less heat, usually heals faster and carries a lower risk of dark marks, making it suitable for shallow to moderate scars and skin prone to hyperpigmentation. CO2 generates more heat and causes stronger collagen contraction, making it suitable for severe acne scars, but recovery takes longer. The doctor chooses based on your scar type, skin background and how much downtime you can take.
3. Does Er:YAG laser treatment hurt?
You will feel a prickling, burning sensation, like a rubber band lightly snapping against the skin, more noticeable over the cheekbones and forehead. The doctor usually applies numbing cream for about 30–45 minutes before treatment and adjusts the energy to your comfort level. Afterwards, the skin feels warm and stings for a few hours, easing as it is cooled and allowed to recover.
4. How many sessions of Er:YAG 2940 fractional laser are needed?
The number of sessions depends on the severity and type of scarring. Shallow scars may improve noticeably after a few sessions, while moderate to severe scars usually need more sessions, each about 4–6 weeks apart. The doctor reassesses after each session to decide the energy, interval and whether other methods should be combined.
5. How soon can I go back to work after Er:YAG laser?
Many people can return to work after 1–2 days if they don't mind slightly red skin. Tiny scabs usually flake off within about 3–5 days, and the skin stays slightly pink for another 1–2 weeks. During this time, protect your skin carefully from the sun, do not pick the scabs, avoid saunas and limit heavy makeup so the skin heals well and the risk of dark marks is reduced.
6. Does Er:YAG laser thin the skin?
Fractional ablative laser only treats tiny micro-columns separated by untreated skin, so it does not strip away the entire skin surface. The healing process also stimulates new collagen in the dermis. However, treating too densely or too frequently can cause irritation, so the doctor needs to adjust the settings and the interval between sessions.
Article adapted from a post dated September 24, 2026 on the Foxy M.D Fanpage.
