Aging is a natural biological process that affects all tissues of the human body, including those that make up a person's external appearance. At the same time, facial tissues are more susceptible to aging than others, since they are constantly under the influence of environmental factors, chewing, facial and speech functions. Since the face is a kind of "business card" of a person, the issue of preserving and restoring the youthfulness of the facial skin is especially important and relevant. Among the many methods and techniques used today to solve this problem, laser facial rejuvenation deserves special attention.
The essence of this method is the fractional effect of a laser beam on the skin. The laser current is divided into many thinner beams that affect microscopic areas of the skin, located at a strictly specified depth, and evaporate them. The intact cells located between these areas stimulate the active production of collagen and elastin, two main "building materials", which form less and less in the human body with age. After this procedure, the skin color improves, small and medium wrinkles are corrected, bags under the eyes are removed, and the facial oval is tightened. At the same time, the rehabilitation period is minimized. Fractional laser resurfacing can be used not only as a standalone method, but also to improve the results of plastic surgery or laser skin resurfacing.
Lasers used for fractional laser resurfacing
For the first time in the world, the American company Palomar Medical Technologies obtained in 2004 a patent for the principle of fractional laser exposure. Fractional laser systems are currently represented by a variety of laser technology companies. The most widespread are the Palomar and Fraxel laser systems, the Affirm laser from the famous American company Cynosure, the GentleYAG laser from Candela and others. Since all these settings have a common principle of action, the outcome of the procedure is largely determined by the professionalism of the specialist who performs the procedure.
Contraindications to laser resurfacing procedure
The absolute contraindications of the procedure are:
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding.
- Foci of the inflammatory process in the affected area.
- Psoriasis and dermatosis.
- Foci of herpes infection in the affected area.
- Chemical peeling of the area of the planned treatment performed less than two weeks before the procedure.
- Oncological diseases.
- Systemic diseases of the blood, immune system, connective tissue.
- Diabetes mellitus in the decompensation stage.
- Severe forms of hypertension and coronary heart disease.
- Varicose veins in the procedure area.
- Tendency to form keloid scars.
- Family history of vitiligo.
Relative contraindications include active sun exposure in the last three weeks before the procedure, that is, the presence of fresh sunburns, as well as superficial and midline peels performed in the treatment area less than three weeks beforeof the procedure.
Benefits of fractional laser resurfacing
Thanks to the spot effect, skin damage is minimal, so all traces after the procedure disappear in 3-4 days.
The method allows you to treat large areas of the skin in a single procedure, while maintaining and activating the regenerative resource of the skin, which ensures rapid rehabilitation and long-term growth of the positive effect.
The procedure does not require anesthesia, it can be performed on the neck, décolleté and eye area.
Side effects are rare. Possible complications include the temporary appearance of purplish-red patches in the treatment area, mild and fast-paced itching, activation of herpes infection, changes in skin texture, including burns, peeling, and crusting. Scarring, hyper and hypopigmentation of the skin in the procedure area are extremely rare, but can be permanent.
What is a complete course of laser resurfacing procedures?
A fractional laser exposure session lasts 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the nature of the problem and the area of the area treated. Repeated procedures are carried out in 3-4 weeks. As a general rule of thumb, 3-4 sessions are required in total. The maximum positive effect occurs within three months after the last procedure. It is recommended to perform maintenance sessions once every 10-14 months.
What to do after the laser resurfacing procedure
The slight burning sensation that may be felt after the procedure disappears in 1-2 hours, while the redness and slight swelling may persist for 1-3 days. During this period, external agents (creams, ointments, sprays) containing dexpanthenol, for example, Bepanten, Panthenol, D-Panthenol, should be used. After the disappearance of the listed symptoms and before the next procedure, a cream with hyaluronic acid is applied.
You can shower and wash the day of the procedure, but it is better to wait with the sauna and pool. The foundation can be used one day after the procedure.
It is mandatory to use sunscreens with a protection factor of at least 30, since at this time the skin's metabolism is activated, and it becomes especially sensitive to the sun's rays.
After the procedure, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of the specialist who performed the procedure. The choice of cosmetic products, the frequency and duration of their use are determined individually and depend on the type of skin and its characteristics.
Fractional laser resurfacing is a cosmetic procedure, during which the skin is exposed to a laser matrix made of microbeams. The purpose of this effect is to activate the regeneration and collagenogenesis processes. This is a relatively new, but already very popular hardware technique. Otherwise, it is called fraxel, fractional laser resurfacing, or photothermolysis.
The working principle and varieties of fractional laser resurfacing
How does a fractional laser work? The microbeams emitted by the device cause a heat shock, in response to which the "lazy" skin cells begin to function more actively. To repair the damaged area, they divide faster. The old cells that have been inoperative die, giving way to the young ones. The heating of the deep layers of the skin is accompanied by the partial denaturation of proteins, as well as the formation of new components of the extracellular matrix, such as elastin and collagen.
According to the depth of impact, ablative and non-ablative laser resurfacing is distinguished. The first is superficial and looks like polished. Laser treatment of the upper layers of the skin is accompanied by evaporation of moisture and damage to the epidermis. After healing, the skin becomes more toned, its relief and color are leveled. During non-ablative photothermolysis, the laser affects the deep layers of the skin. In this case, no open wounds are formed.
Each type of rejuvenation has its advantages and its minutes. Therefore, the effect of ablative laser resurfacing is remarkable after the first procedure. With this method, you can get rid of deep wrinkles and age spots, acne, stretch marks, and scars. With a non-ablative procedure, there is no risk of infection and the rejuvenating effect is noticeable for several years. This type of photothermolysis is recommended for people under 40 years of age with the first signs of aging: fine wrinkles, reduced turgor.
Indications and contraindications of the procedure
It is worth resorting to the photothermolysis procedure if available:
- Laxity, sagging of the skin.
- Fine and deep wrinkles, crow's feet.
- Pigmentation of any origin.
- Increased sebum secretion.
- Enlarged pores, prone to acne.
- Scars, stretch marks, post-acne.
- vascular "stars" (couperosis).
- Dull complexion.
Contraindications for fractional laser resurfacing are:
- Allergies, psoriasis.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding.
- Diseases of the blood.
- Skin infections, inflammations in the area of the planned treatment.
- Any chronic illness in the decompensation stage.
- Oncology.
- Increase in body temperature.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Tendency to form keloid scars.
- Epilepsy.
Characteristics of laser resurfacing
Preparation for the fractional photothermolysis procedure consists of refusing to visit the solarium and the beach for two weeks. During all this time, you can not cleanse your skin, do chemical peels, take sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines. Three days before the procedure, they stop going to the pool, baths, sauna, treat the area of alleged exposure with cosmetics containing alcohol. To prevent complications, the cosmetologist can prescribe antiviral and antibacterial medications during this period. The day on the eve of the procedure should be done without alcohol and cigarettes, refrain from going to the gym.
Before laser treatment, the skin is cleansed of cosmetics and impurities. In general, the effect of the laser feels like an unpleasant tingling sensation, but pain relief may sometimes be necessary. In this case, the esthetician applies an anesthetic to the prepared skin area. Once the ointment has worked, she proceeds to treat the skin with a laser. The duration of the procedure depends on the extent of the treatment area and varies from several minutes to an hour. Finally, the skin is soothed with a nourishing cream.
The first days after the procedure, you should not use alcohol-based products, compress the parts of the body where the photothermolysis was performed, with compression clothing. It is recommended to exclude physical activity for a week, visit the pool, sauna or bath, limit the time you spend on the street. The skin is hydrated with a special cream three times a day. And so on for half a month. It is undesirable to do peels, use cosmetics with retinol, salicylic acid. For two months it is necessary to use a cream with a sun protection factor of 35 or more.
How many procedures do you need to achieve the result? What effect can you expect?
The rehabilitation period after fractional laser resurfacing lasts 3 to 7 days. The speed of recovery depends a lot on the lifestyle. Alcohol consumption, smoking, excessive activity, unbalanced diet, insomnia and anxiety can slow down the regeneration processes.
During the first three days after laser exposure, skin redness and slight swelling may appear. Anesthetics and cooling the skin can help reduce the feeling of discomfort. It is normal if the skin feels tight within a week, there are scaly areas. A side effect of the procedure can be tanning, which disappears on its own after half a month.
A persistent result occurs after fractional photothermolysis after 2-5 procedures. More specifically, the number of sessions can only be determined by a cosmetologist, based on the initial data. Intervals between procedures are 3 to 4 weeks. As a result of fractional laser resurfacing, aging processes are inhibited: wrinkles disappear or become less noticeable, turgor increases, pore severity decreases, and complexion improves. This method is an effective tool in the fight against scars, pigmentation, post-acne, stretch marks.
Fractional laser resurfacing is one of the three most popular hardware cosmetic procedures. Its advantages include efficiency, short healing period, physiology. The result is visible after the first procedure and lasts up to three years. The method has a wide range of indications. You can choose the depth of laser exposure.
A woman of any age wants to see beautiful skin in the mirror, but not everyone is ready to go through the operating room of a plastic surgeon.
In this case, fractional rejuvenation will come to the rescue through the use of a laser, which in modern cosmetology occupies one of the first places in anti-aging procedures.
Exposure types and methods
Ablative photothermolysis
There are two photothermolysis methods, each suitable for different cases. The correct choice in favor of the best option will help the cosmetologist to make the first appointment.
This method is suitable for rejuvenating skin that has just begun to undergo natural aging.
The laser-assisted microdamage network affects only the upper layers of the epidermis, forcing it to regenerate in a short time.
The result appears after the first procedure, as soon as the wounds heal.
Non-ablative photothermolysis
This method is a slightly more serious intervention. The laser beam penetrates the deep layers of the epidermis, ignoring the outer cells.
The damage also promotes elastin and collagen production, as in ablative photothermolysis.
The healing process takes longer and the effect is more pronounced. Indicated to eliminate serious facial problems.
Readings
Anyone who wants to rejuvenate without serious braces can use this method.
Fractional laser treatment fights many blemishes on the face, including:
- very pronounced wrinkles on the forehead;
- nasolabial folds;
- string of crow's feet around eyes;
- epidermis "flowing down";
- skin pigmentation, scars, scars, spider veins;
- problem of large pores, acne.
Laser therapy has been shown to be very effective in eliminating all of these problems.
The only caveat is that depending on the severity of the blemish, multiple procedures may be required.
Contraindications
Like any other external influence on the body, fractional laser resurfacing has its own contraindications, in the presence of which it is forbidden to resort to such a procedure.
This includes:
- the presence of severe inflammation on the face;
- fungal infectious skin lesions;
- diseases of the epidermis - psoriasis, eczema;
- excessive dryness of the skin;
- malignant neoplasms in the body;
- history of epilepsy;
- heart disease;
- varicose veins on the face;
- herpes in the acute stage;
- pregnancy, lactation;
- immunodeficiency states;
- bronchial asthma, severe allergic reactions;
- neurological diseases.
All contraindications are conditional, that is, the esthetician weighs all the patient's risks.
Sometimes you need to undergo treatment for skin problems first or wait for remission of chronic diseases, after which rejuvenation still takes place.
Preparation
Since the procedure is not a surgical operation, no serious preparation is required. Initially, you should consult a cosmetologist who will assess the condition of the skin and also give you recommendations on the necessary method of photorejuvenation.
The patient is obliged to inform the doctor about all conditions and diseases in the anamnesis, as well as about exacerbations of chronic diseases in the last six months.
If there is one, the specialist will advise you to visit specialized doctors to assess the safety of the procedure.
You should also perform blood and urine tests to identify or exclude inflammatory processes in the body. Next, the date of the first visit is set.
Execution
Fractional laser skin resurfacing in the facial area is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning the patient enters, is treated, and then goes home.
Previously, the cosmetologist will apply an anesthetic cream or ointment based on lidocaine on the epidermis.
In fact, the procedure is not too painful, so sometimes therapy is done without going through this stage.
Please note that the use of local anesthetics slightly inhibits the natural regeneration of the skin afterwards.
Then the patient lies on the stretcher and the specialist adjusts the penetration depth of the laser beam on a special device. The device is aimed at certain areas of the epidermis, deep into which the laser penetrates.
The manipulations last from half an hour and more, depending on the area to be treated with the device. During the procedure, the patient may feel a slight tingling sensation, as well as an unpleasant odor.
Immediately after the session, a grid of red dots is visible on the face, the skin is reddened, slightly swollen, so it is better to take care of the way to return home in advance.
Possible complications
Fractional rejuvenation does not exclude complications. In some cases, they are normal and disappear in a few days.
Others develop due to inexperience of the cosmetologist or lack of proper facial care during the rehabilitation period.
What is not the norm?
- severe pain or swelling at the site of exposure to the laser beam;
- lesions do not heal in two weeks;
- Pigmentation and scars appeared.
Mild redness, scaling and itching is a predictable condition for any type of epidermis.
These consequences disappear on their own in 1-2 weeks, leaving no visual imperfections.
Rehabilitation
The result of the procedure is highly influenced by the patient's own behavior. You need to carefully monitor the skin, protect it from aggressive environmental influences, and do not apply decorative cosmetics during healing.
General guidelines:
- The first three days after the wound should be lubricated with a dexpanthenol-based ointment, will contribute to the rapid healing of micro-damages. Subsequently, it is recommended to use a light moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which was advised by the beautician.
- Washing is not prohibited.For 2 weeks, the epidermis should not be exposed to strong exposure to heat, so it is better to abstain from baths and saunas, not to take hot baths.
- You should not go without sunscreen,and it is better to choose protection of 50. If not, hyperpigmentation will appear. The cosmetic product should be applied until complete healing, even if it is winter outside.
After a couple of weeks, it is recommended to revisit the specialist who performed the fractional laser resurfacing. You need to assess the condition of the skin of the face, exclude complications.
Forecast
The result can be seen immediately after healing, if the blemishes were not very pronounced. Deep wrinkles or scars need to be removed with several treatments.
Visually, the skin is smoother, has a natural color, the face is taut and visibly blooms in 99% of cases.
One percent is dedicated to unforeseen circumstances, inadequate care, and lack of medical qualifications.
Advantages of the method
For many patients, this method gains significant advantages that are worth mentioning. By choosing photothermolysis, a person receives the following:
- low cost with high efficiency;
- painless;
- effect even from a procedure;
- non-invasive;
- lack of strong side effects.
Furthermore, the laser effect solves several problems of the aesthetic component of the epidermis at the same time, which is good news.
Disadvantages
If you choose the wrong clinic for rejuvenation or do not strictly follow the recommendations of the cosmetologist, you can get huge age spots on the middle of the face, which will not be easy to remove.
Furthermore, laser treatment lasts for quite a long time, during which the patient smells an unpleasant smell of damaged skin, which not everyone can bear.
Another disadvantage is the incomplete result of a procedure for deep depressions, scars and wrinkles.
Feedback review
Fractional rejuvenation is gaining more and more popularity in cosmetology. Every year more and more women choose a laser over a surgical scalpel.