Laser resurfacing procedures in actinic skin damage and the treatment of di
sorders associated with skin ageing are becoming more popular. For both pur
poses Erbium:YAG laser-technology enables us to perform a highly precise sk
in ablative work, which can be most helpful in the removal of circumscribed
skin lesions of ageing skin as well as in larger skin resurfacing procedur
es. In most circumstances, superficial skin ablation is not technically dem
anding, is not associated with major discomfort, and can be controlled with
precision. Tissue sparing ablation is of special value in the treatment of
disorders in atrophic skin of elderly patients or in more delicate areas,
where it can avoid prolonged healing and unwarranted side-effects.