Lotus III by Laseroptek: Er:YAG Fractional Laser Resurfacing in NYC
A Highly Versatile Korean Er:YAG Laser for Resurfacing, Scar Revision, and Skin Rejuvenation
The Lotus III is an advanced multi-pulsed Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser developed by Laseroptek, a South Korean medical laser company founded in 2000 with a strong global presence across aesthetic and medical dermatology. FDA-cleared and distributed in more than 60 countries, the Lotus III is designed to address skin resurfacing, acne scar revision, wrinkle reduction, pore refinement, superficial lesion removal, and overall skin rejuvenation through a uniquely flexible dual-mode pulse delivery system.
What sets the Lotus III apart from other Er:YAG lasers is its combination of an Ultra Short Pulse mode and an Ultra Long Pulse mode within a single device. This dual capability allows the same platform to perform both precise cold ablation and deep thermal coagulation, expanding the range of treatable indications and enabling treatments to be customized in ways that single-mode Er:YAG systems cannot match.
How the Lotus III Works
The Lotus III operates at a wavelength of 2940nm, which is the wavelength most strongly absorbed by water in tissue. This makes Er:YAG lasers highly efficient at removing thin layers of skin with minimal collateral heat damage compared to CO2 lasers, which is why they are widely regarded as the gold standard for precise superficial resurfacing.
The Lotus III builds on this foundation by offering two distinct pulse modes that can be used independently or in combination within a single treatment session.
The Ultra Short Pulse mode, also referred to as cold ablation, uses a pulse duration of 40 microseconds to deliver deep ablation while minimizing heat transfer to surrounding tissue. This cold ablation approach removes skin layers with precision while significantly reducing the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, making it well suited for patients with medium to darker skin tones who require a safer resurfacing option. It is also effective for rhytid reduction and superficial lesion removal.
The Ultra Long Pulse mode uses a pulse duration of 5 milliseconds to deliver controlled thermal energy deep into the dermis, promoting collagen and elastin stimulation through a coagulative effect. Traditional Er:YAG lasers have historically been limited in their ability to coagulate tissue, but the Lotus III’s long pulse mode addresses this weakness directly, enabling a level of collagen remodeling and wound healing response more typically associated with CO2 laser treatments.
Diffractive Optical Element Fractional Technology
The Lotus III features Laseroptek’s proprietary Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) fractional handpiece, which divides the laser beam into a precise array of uniform microbeams. Unlike many fractional systems where the outer beams in an array carry less energy than the central ones, the DOE technology in the Lotus III ensures equal fluence and energy distribution across every point in the fractional grid. This uniform distribution enables consistent skin ablation, a reduced risk of hot spots or burns, and more predictable outcomes for resurfacing and scar treatments.
The fractional delivery allows laser energy to penetrate into the dermis and stimulate the regeneration of collagen and elastin while leaving the surrounding untreated skin intact to support faster healing. Patients experience meaningful improvement in fine lines, acne scarring, pore size, and skin texture with a recovery profile that is generally shorter than fully ablative resurfacing.
What the Lotus III Can Treat
The combination of cold ablation, thermal coagulation, and fractional delivery makes the Lotus III one of the more clinically versatile Er:YAG platforms available.
For skin resurfacing and rejuvenation, it can improve fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin texture, enlarged pores, and overall skin tone and quality. The fractional mode makes it possible to treat these concerns with less downtime than fully ablative approaches, while still achieving meaningful dermal remodeling.
For acne scarring, the DOE fractional handpiece drives collagen remodeling within the dermis, improving the appearance of atrophic scar types including boxcar, rolling, and ice pick scars over a series of treatments.
For superficial skin lesions, the cold ablation mode allows precise removal of epidermal growths such as seborrheic keratoses, skin tags, moles, and other benign superficial lesions with controlled depth and minimal surrounding tissue damage.
For tattoo removal, the cold ablation mode is particularly effective at targeting red-colored ink, which is one of the more challenging colors for many laser systems to address. The low heat delivery reduces the risk of scarring or pigment changes around the treated tattoo.
Benefits of Lotus III
- Dual-mode pulse system combining cold ablation and thermal coagulation in a single device
- FDA-cleared with a strong international clinical track record
- Proprietary DOE fractional technology for uniform energy distribution and consistent outcomes
- Lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation compared to traditional ablative lasers
- Versatile across resurfacing, scarring, lesion removal, and tattoo ink treatment
- Suitable for a broader range of skin types due to the reduced thermal profile of the cold ablation mode
- Fractional delivery supports faster recovery than fully ablative resurfacing
Ideal Candidates for Lotus III
The Lotus III is a strong option for patients seeking skin resurfacing or scar revision who want a treatment with a more favorable side effect profile than fully ablative CO2 laser. It is particularly well suited for patients with medium to darker skin tones where the risk of PIH from heat-generating lasers is higher, and where the cold ablation approach of the Lotus III provides a safer alternative.
Patients with fine lines, acne scarring, enlarged pores, or uneven skin texture who want meaningful improvement with a reasonable recovery period are also good candidates. For those with superficial lesions or difficult tattoo ink colors such as red, the Lotus III offers a precise and controlled treatment option.
As with any ablative or fractional resurfacing procedure, a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist is essential to assess skin type, treatment goals, and candidacy before proceeding.
What to Expect During Treatment
Topical numbing cream is typically applied before a Lotus III treatment session to maximize comfort. Treatment time varies depending on the area being addressed and the settings used, generally ranging from 20 to 60 minutes.
During treatment, patients typically experience a warm sensation along with brief sensations of snapping or mild heat as the laser passes over the skin. Most patients tolerate the procedure well with topical numbing in place.
Results and Recovery
Recovery following Lotus III treatment depends on the settings used and the depth of treatment. For superficial rejuvenation protocols using fractional delivery, mild redness and some skin flaking or peeling are common in the days following treatment, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days to one week.
For deeper resurfacing or scar revision protocols, redness and skin peeling may be more pronounced and can last one to two weeks. Strict sun avoidance and diligent skincare following treatment are important to support healing and protect results.
Results from fractional and resurfacing treatments develop progressively as new collagen forms and the skin remodels, with the most visible improvements typically appearing over four to eight weeks following each session. A series of treatments is often recommended to achieve optimal outcomes, particularly for acne scarring.
How Lotus III Fits Within Korean Laser Technology
Laseroptek has been developing and exporting advanced laser systems from South Korea since 2000, and the Lotus III reflects the company’s commitment to combining clinical efficacy with patient safety through thoughtful engineering. The dual-mode pulse architecture addresses longstanding limitations of Er:YAG technology, and the DOE fractional system represents a meaningful refinement in how fractional energy is delivered and distributed across the skin. For patients and clinicians interested in the caliber of laser innovation coming from Korea, the Lotus III is a compelling example of how established wavelength science is being advanced through Korean medical device development.
Learn More About Er:YAG Laser Resurfacing and Scar Revision
To learn more about whether fractional Er:YAG laser treatment may be appropriate for your skin concerns, schedule a consultation with Dr. Yoo.