Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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Erbium (Er:YAG) and CO₂ are both ablative resurfacing lasers that improve skin texture, fine lines
and scarring — but they differ in intensity and downtime. CO₂ is more powerful, with stronger
results and longer recovery; erbium is more superficial, with gentler results and quicker healing.
One important caveat: for mole removal, laser is usually not the right tool — moles should
be removed in a way that allows the tissue to be examined. This guide compares the two honestly.
How the Two Lasers Differ
Both work by removing precise layers of skin to stimulate renewal, but they’re absorbed by water in the skin
differently. CO₂ penetrates deeper and delivers more dramatic resurfacing with more downtime and a
longer redness/healing period. Erbium is absorbed more superficially, treating the surface with
less heat spread, gentler results and faster recovery — often preferred for finer concerns and lighter downtime.
Which to Choose for Rejuvenation
Neither is universally “best” — it depends on your concern, skin type and acceptable downtime. Deeper wrinkles or
more significant scarring may favour CO₂; finer lines, texture and quicker recovery may favour erbium. Skin tone
matters too, as ablative lasers carry pigmentation considerations in darker skin. A consultation matches the laser
(and settings) to you — see CO₂ laser skin rejuvenation.
Why Lasers Aren’t First-Choice for Moles
This is the important honest point: lasers destroy the tissue they treat, leaving nothing to examine. A mole
should be removed by a method (shave or excision) that preserves the tissue so it can be sent for
histology if needed — never simply lasered away, which could miss something important. The proper
approach is covered in the mole removal guide.
A changing or atypical mole should always be assessed first.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the difference between erbium and CO₂ lasers?
- Both are ablative resurfacing lasers, but CO₂ penetrates deeper for stronger results with more downtime, while erbium is more superficial with gentler results and faster recovery. The right one depends on your concern, skin type and acceptable downtime.
- Which laser is best for skin rejuvenation?
- Neither universally — deeper wrinkles or scarring may favour CO₂, while finer lines and quicker recovery may favour erbium. Skin tone also matters, as ablative lasers carry pigmentation considerations in darker skin. A consultation matches the laser to you.
- Can a mole be removed with a laser?
- It’s usually not advised. Lasers destroy the tissue, leaving nothing to examine, whereas a mole should be removed by shave or excision so it can be sent for histology if needed. A changing or atypical mole should always be assessed first.
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