Nd:YAG Laser

First, what the heck do all those letters mean? Nd:YAG stands for neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet, which is the crystal used to refract light in the laser device. Now you know why everyone uses the abbreviation! It may sound technical, but it’s actually quite simple. The Nd:YAG laser is a type of non-ablative laser used for numerous procedures, both medical (such as cataract treatment) and cosmetic (such as laser tattoo removal). Non-ablative basically means “non-wounding,” and this is why the Nd:YAG laser has such broad applications, and can be used for the most delicate of procedures. The Nd:YAG laser penetrates the top layer of the skin—the epidermis—to reach a deeper level—the dermis. In addition, this type of laser emits light more slowly than others, which gives the skin a chance to cool off between pulses, thereby further avoiding damage to the skin.