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Our skin contains stem cells (skin stem cells) that play a key role in repairing damage.
When an injury occurs, these stem cells gather at the wound site and promote healing by regenerating new skin tissue.
📷 The mechanism behind scar formation
Column
CO2 Laser vs. Erbium YAG Laser Comparing Methods for Scar-Free Removal
- Author : プリミクリニック
- Date : 2025.02.21 10:13
- Views : 34
Recently, I've noticed an increase in advertisements offering "Mole Removal for 100 yen" and "Skin Tag Removal for 100 yen (only one)" using inexpensive lasers.
Especially CO2 laser (carbon dioxide laser) is very affordable, which is why mole removal is sometimes done not only in dermatology clinics but also in general medicine or internal medicine clinics.
However, many people may underestimate the procedure, and as a result, it is not uncommon for scars to remain after the removal.
Especially for larger moles and skin tags, they tend to reappear even after removal, leading to cases where patients regret saying, "The scar from mole removal is still there."
In this article, I will explain the methods for removing moles and skin tags without leaving scars, using CO2 laser and Er:YAG (Erbium YAG) laser. This information is important not only for dermatologists but also for patients to understand.
1️⃣ What is the difference between CO2 laser and Er:YAG laser?
📷 Comparison of CO2 Laser (Carbon Dioxide Laser) and Er:YAG Laser
Patients don’t need to understand the specifics of each laser, but it’s important to know which laser is suitable for which type of treatment.
✔ Er:YAG Laser (Erbium YAG) → Allows for precise removal of skin layers. ✔ CO2 Laser (Carbon Dioxide Laser) → Capable of removing deeper layers of skin.
In terms of price, Er:YAG Laser tends to be more expensive, which is why many clinics commonly use CO2 Laser.
2️⃣ Which laser is better for avoiding scars?
✔ If you want to remove scars → CO2 laser is more suitable
✔ For removing skin tags, syringomas, flat warts, and moles → Erbium YAG laser is more appropriate
📷 Comparison of CO2 Laser and Erbium YAG Laser
Comparison of Erbium:YAG and Carbon Dioxide Lasers in Resurfacing of Facial Rhytides, Khalil. A. Khatri (1999)
CO2 lasers can penetrate deeper into the skin because they cause a broader area of thermal damage.
However, if the treatment is too aggressive, it may lead to significant tissue damage, increasing the risk of scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
📷 Erbium YAG lasers cause minimal thermal damage, so redness is less likely to persist.
Comparison of Erbium:YAG and Carbon Dioxide Lasers in Resurfacing of Facial Rhytides, Khalil. A. Khatri (1999)
When using an Erbium YAG laser, there is less redness and oozing immediately after the procedure, and the chances of scarring are lower.
On the other hand, CO2 lasers can cause post-treatment redness that may persist for a longer period.
3️⃣ So, why is the CO2 laser still considered beneficial?
📷 CO2 lasers are highly effective in stimulating collagen production.
Collagen Tightening Induced by Carbon Dioxide Laser Versus Erbium:YAG Laser Richard E. Fitzpatrick, MD(2000)
Because CO2 lasers cause greater thermal damage, they stimulate collagen production in the dermis layer, helping to restore skin firmness.
This is why CO2 lasers are considered more effective for treating deep acne scars and repairing other types of scars.
(It works on the same principle as high-frequency RF treatments.)
📷 CO2 lasers are more effective in scar repair compared to Erbium YAG lasers.
Pulsed carbon dioxide and erbium-YAG laser resurfacing: a comparative clinical and histologic study Robert M Adrian(1999)
CO2 lasers are generally considered more effective than Erbium YAG lasers for improving scars and wrinkles.
This is because CO2 lasers deliver thermal energy to deeper layers of the skin.
4️⃣ What causes scars to form?
A Beginner’s Introduction to Skin Stem Cells and Wound Healing, Daniel diaz-garcia(2021)
📷 The mechanism of skin damage and regeneration
Contribution of platelets, the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems to cutaneous wound healing. 179:56–63. Copyright 2019
Small wounds tend to heal cleanly, but large or deep wounds often go through multiple repair processes, which can result in scar tissue (fibrosis).
How can moles or warts be removed without leaving scars?
To remove moles without leaving scars, it is important to meet the following two conditions:
✔ A sufficient amount of skin stem cells remains in the surrounding area
✔ The wound caused by the laser is minimal
5️⃣ What is the “Laser Pin-Hole Technique” for scar prevention?
📷 Image of the Laser Pin-Hole Technique
Laser Ablation of Xanthelasma Palpebrarum by Using the Pinhole Method, suhyun lee (2018)
The Laser Pin-Hole Technique is a method used for removing moles or warts by creating small holes at regular intervals, rather than removing the entire lesion at once.
📷 Advantages of the Pin-Hole Technique
Comparison of Erbium:YAG and Carbon Dioxide Lasers in Resurfacing of Facial Rhytides, Khalil. A. Khatri (1999)
✔ The skin can fully regenerate, making it less likely for scars to form
✔ Helps maintain clear skin while preventing the recurrence of moles or warts
By using this method, it becomes possible to remove large moles or warts without leaving scars.
✅ Summary (3-line recap)
✔ For mole, skin tag, syringoma, and flat wart removal, Erbium YAG laser is suitable to minimize scarring.
✔ CO2 laser delivers stronger thermal energy, promoting collagen production—ideal for acne scars and deeper wounds.
✔ For removing larger moles without leaving scars, the Laser Pin-Hole Technique is the best approach.
💬 If you have any questions about the procedure, feel free to leave a comment 😊
Thank you for reading to the end!
📍 Primi Clinic
3F, 52 Seongsuil-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Primi Clinic)
