How Plastic Surgery is Changing: From Scars to Skin Quality, Real Results That Last

Why Skin Quality Matters in Plastic Surgery

Surgical procedures no longer end at the closing of the incision. Today’s patients want more than a technical correction. Patients want to heal faster, with smoother scars, less bruising, and overall healthier-looking skin. Aerolase’s Neo (650-microsecond 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser) and Era (2940 nm Er:YAG laser) address these demands safely and directly. With protocols validated across all skin types, these devices accelerate recovery, improve patient satisfaction, and open new avenues for your practice to grow.

Practical Protocols for Plastic Surgeons

Post-Operative Bruising & Swelling (Neo)
Neo treatments are best performed within 24-72 hours post-injection or surgery. The short-pulse 1064nm Nd:YAG energy reduces bruising, swelling, and edema, allowing an efficient and accelerated recovery process. Patients are met with improved comfort, while surgeons confidently provide faster and visible results.

Scar Revision (Era)
The Era laser offers an alternative to topical and oral scar therapies. Once a wound is fully epithelialized (typically 3-8 weeks post-op), the Era can be introduced to gradually resurface the scar. The precise depth of ablation to the epidermis allows for smoother, and less noticeable scars.

Comprehensive Skin Recovery Packages
By combining both devices (Neo + Era), surgeons can offer custom recovery programs—addressing a vast range of indications including, scars, elasticity, texture, and pigment. Combining the Neo and Era, you’ll be able to target deep within the dermis to the outer layer of the epidermis, boosting collagen while improving the superficial levels. This comprehensive approach will restore patients skin closer to its natural state. 

Clinical Outcomes: Neo Elite

In 2023, a prospective study¹ evaluated the Aerolase Neo laser for breast reduction scars. Sixteen patients completed three treatment sessions with no anesthesia, and the results were clear:

• Patient satisfaction with scars improved significantly (3.2 → 3.9, p<0.001)
• Overall Breast-Q scores improved across psychosocial well-being, satisfaction with breasts, nipples, and outcomes (p<0.05)
• Plastic surgeon assessments confirmed scar appearance improved (p<0.001)
• Clinical evidence shows that the Neo and Era are safe & well tolerated: no adverse effects, even in patients with prior keloid history
• The Er:YAG laser proved most effective on early-stage scars, delivering faster, safer results with high patient satisfaction

Applications for Plastic Surgeons

• Pre-op skin optimization: Clear acne and calm erythema prior to surgery for better operative conditions and outcomes.
• Post-op bruise reduction: Enhance patient satisfaction by speedy recovery after facelifts, rhinoplasties, blepharoplasties, and injectables.
• Inclusivity across skin types: Proven safe and effective for all Fitzpatrick types (I–VI), leading to an expansion of possible candidates.
• Workflow efficiency: Quick, anesthesia-free treatments easily fit into consultations or post-op follow-ups.

Clinical Outcomes: Era Elite

• A clinical series on Er:YAG scar revision found 30% of patients rated outcomes excellent, 50% good, and 20% satisfactory, with no reported complications. Notably, fresher scars responded more quickly.²
• Compared with CO₂ lasers, Er:YAG offers higher water absorption, reduced thermal damage, and faster recovery times. This has been validated in classic split-face trials³ and reaffirmed in modern reviews.⁴

Applications for Plastic Surgeons

• Surgical scar refinement: Precisely smooth hypertrophic or textured incision lines after healing.
• Skin resurfacing & rejuvenation: Improve rhytids and texture with shorter downtime than CO₂.
• Adjunctive therapies: Pair with PRP or other regenerative modalities to further enhance scar remodeling and skin texture.

The Business Case for Aerolase in Plastic Surgery

The Neo and Era are not limited to pre- and post-operative care—they can function as everyday practice drivers.

• Revenue expansion: Offer structured packages such as “scar care programs” or “acne recovery packages” that keep patients engaged long-term.
• Practice differentiation: Market your ability to provide faster healing, reduce bruising, and increase healthier skin in addition to surgical expertise.
• Enhanced patient loyalty: Smoother recoveries and visible improvements translate into stronger referrals and repeat bookings.

Position your practice as more than just a surgical provider by creating customizable treatment plans that extend beyond surgery.

These technologies enable you to reduce bruising and swelling, refine surgical scars, and restore skin quality in ways that elevate patient satisfaction and trust. Going beyond patient these tools provide new opportunities for practice growth through specialized recovery packages and ongoing skin health programs.

‍

See how Aerolase can redefine the standard of care you provide, here.

‍

References

1. Kelsey Lipman, Halley Darrach , Peter Deptula , Dung Nguyen .(2022). Laser Treatment of Breast Reduction Scars - A Patient Reported Outcomes Study. Derma J Cosmetic Laser Therapy, 1(1), 12-16.
2. Khatri KA, Moiseev V. Clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction in laser scar revision using a 300-microsecond pulsed Er:YAG 2940 nm laser. Presented at the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery Annual Conference; 2016. Published online March 10, 2023.
3. Khatri KA, Ross V, Grevelink JM, Magro CM, Anderson RR. Comparison of Erbium:YAG and Carbon Dioxide Lasers in Resurfacing of Facial Rhytides. Arch Dermatol. 1999;135(4):391-397.
4. StatPearls [Internet]. Diphtheria. Lamichhane A, Radhakrishnan S, editors. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.