Aging is a natural biological process that affects all tissues of the human body, including those that make up a person's appearance. At the same time, facial tissues are more susceptible to aging than others because they are constantly under the influence of environmental factors, chewing, facial and speech functions. Since the face is a kind of "visiting card" of a person, it is especially important and urgent to preserve and restore the youth of the facial skin. 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 laser radiation on the skin. The laser beam is divided into the thinnest rays that affect the microscopic areas of the skin, located at a certain depth and evaporate them. Immune cells located between these regions stimulate the active production of collagen and elastin, the two main "building blocks" in the human body that are formed less with age. After this procedure, the skin color is improved, fine and medium wrinkles are corrected, bags under the eyes are removed and facial ovals are compressed. At the same time, the rehabilitation period is minimized. Fractional laser rejuvenation can be used not only as an independent method, but also to improve the results of plastic surgery or laser skin surface.
Lasers used for fractional laser rejuvenation
The world's first patent for fractional laser exposure was obtained in 2004 by the American company Palomar Medical Technologies. Fractional laser systems are currently represented by various laser technology companies. The most common are Palomar and Fraxel laser systems, Affirm laser from the famous American company Cynosure, GentleYAG laser from Candela and others. Since all these relationships are a common principle of operation, the outcome of the procedure is largely determined by the professionalism of the specialist conducting the procedure.
Contraindications to laser rejuvenation procedure
Contraindications to the procedure are:
- Pregnancy, lactation.
- Outbreaks of inflammation in the affected area.
- Psoriasis and dermatoses.
- Outbreaks of herpes infection in the affected area.
- A chemical peel of the treatment area to be performed less than two weeks before the procedure.
- Oncological diseases.
- Systemic diseases of the blood, immune system, connective tissue.
- Diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation.
- Severe forms of hypertension and coronary heart disease.
- Varicose veins in the area of the procedure.
- The tendency to form keloid scars.
- Family history of vitiligo.
Relative contraindications include active sun exposure in the last three weeks before the procedure, ie the presence of fresh sunburn, as well as superficial and moderate peeling in the treatment area three weeks before the procedure.
Benefits of Fractional Laser Rejuvenation
Due to the spot effect, skin damage is minimal, as the scars left after the procedure disappear within 3-4 days.
The method allows to treat large areas of skin in one procedure, while preserving and activating the regenerative source of the skin, which provides rapid rehabilitation and long-term growth of the positive effect.
The procedure does not require anesthesia and can be performed on the neck, décolleté and eyes.
Side effects are rare. Possible complications include temporary appearance of red-purple spots in the treatment area, mild and rapid itching, activation of herpes infection, changes in skin tissue, including burns, peeling and peeling. Scars, hyper and hypopigmentation in the area of the procedure are extremely rare, but can be permanent.
What is the full course of laser rejuvenation procedures
A session of fractional laser exposure lasts 20-40 minutes, depending on the nature of the problem and the area being treated. Repeated procedures are performed within 3-4 weeks. As a rule, a total of 3-4 sessions are required. The maximum positive effect occurs within three months after the last procedure. It is recommended to conduct maintenance sessions once every 10-14 months.
What to do after laser face rejuvenation procedure
The slight burning sensation that may be felt after the procedure passes within 1-2 hours, redness and small swelling may last for 1-3 days. During this period, foreign substances containing dexpanthenol (creams, ointments, sprays), such as Bepanten, Panthenol, D-Panthenol should be used. After the symptoms disappear and before the next procedure, apply a cream with hyaluronic acid.
You can take a shower on the day of the procedure, but it is better to wait in the sauna and pool. The foundation can be used one day after the procedure.
It is mandatory to use sunscreens with at least 30 protection factors, as this activates the skin's metabolism and makes it particularly sensitive to sunlight.
After the procedure, it is necessary to follow the recommendations of the specialist performing the procedure. The choice of cosmetic products, the frequency and duration of use is determined individually and depends on the type and characteristics of the skin.
Fractional laser rejuvenation is a cosmetological procedure in which the skin is exposed to a series of lasers made of micro-rays. The purpose of this effect is to activate regeneration processes and collagenogenesis. This is a relatively new, but already very popular technique. Another way is called fraxel, fractional laser coating or photothermolysis.
Principle of operation and types of fractional laser rejuvenation
How does a fractional laser work? The micro-rays emitted by the device cause a heat shock, and in response, "lazy" skin cells begin to work more actively. They split faster to repair the damaged area. Old cells that appear to be inactive die and give way to young ones. Warming of the deeper layers of the skin is accompanied by partial denaturation of proteins, as well as the formation of new components of the extracellular matrix, including elastin and collagen.
Ablative and non-ablative laser rejuvenation differ in the depth of effect. The first is superficial and similar to grinding. Laser treatment of the upper layers of the skin is accompanied by moisture evaporation, damage to the epidermis. After healing, the skin becomes more toned, comfortable and colored. During non-ablative photothermolysis, the laser affects the deeper layers of the skin. In this case, open wounds do not occur.
Each type of rejuvenation has its advantages and disadvantages. Thus, the effect of ablative laser coating is noticeable after the first procedure. With this method, you can get rid of deep wrinkles and age spots, acne, stretch marks, scars. There is no risk of infection with a non-ablative procedure, and the rejuvenating effect is noticeable for several years. This type of photothermolysis is recommended for people under the age of 40 with the first signs of aging: fine wrinkles, reduced turgor.
Instructions for the procedure and contraindications
Photothermolysis procedure, if any:
- Dark, sagging skin.
- Both fine and deep wrinkles, crow's feet.
- Pigmentation of any origin.
- Increased sebum secretion.
- Enlarged pores prone to acne.
- Scars, stretch marks, after acne.
- Vascular "stars" (rosacea).
- Pale skin.
Tips against fractional laser rejuvenation are:
- Allergy, psoriasis.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding.
- Blood diseases.
- Skin infections, inflammation in the area of intended treatment.
- Any chronic disease in the stage of decompensation.
- Oncology.
- Increased body temperature.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- The tendency to form keloid scars.
- Epilepsy.
Laser rejuvenation features
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 clean your skin, remove chemical peels, take sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines. Three days before the procedure, they stop going to the pool, bath, sauna, treat the suspected area with alcoholic cosmetics. To prevent complications, the cosmetologist may prescribe antiviral and antibacterial drugs for this period. The day before the procedure should be performed without alcohol and smoking, avoid going to the gym.
Before laser treatment, the skin is cleaned of cosmetics and impurities. Generally, the effect of the laser is felt as an unpleasant tingling sensation, but sometimes a pain reliever may be required. In this case, the cosmetologist applies anesthesia to the prepared skin area. After applying the ointment, the skin continues to be treated with laser. The duration of the procedure depends on the size of the treatment area and ranges from a few minutes to an hour. Finally, soothe the skin with a nourishing cream.
In the first days after the procedure, you should not use alcohol, you should compress the parts of the body where photothermolysis is performed with compression stockings. 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 moisturized with a special cream three times a day. So it's been half a month. It is undesirable to use cosmetics with peeling, retinol, salicylic acid. It is necessary to use a cream with a sun protection factor of 35 or more for two months.
How many procedures do you need to get results? What effects can be expected?
Rehabilitation period after laser fraction rejuvenation lasts from 3 to 7 days. The speed of recovery depends on your lifestyle. Alcohol consumption, smoking, overactivity, unbalanced diet, insomnia and anxiety - all of these can slow down the renewal process.
In the first three days after the laser treatment, the skin may become red and slightly swollen. Anesthesia and cooling of the skin can help reduce anxiety. Normal-skin is velvety, with no acne and even in colorThe side effect of the procedure may be a spontaneous bronze darkening after half a month.
After fractional photothermolysis, a lasting result occurs after 2-5 procedures. More precisely, the number of sessions can be determined only by a cosmetologist, based on preliminary data. The intervals between procedures are 3-4 weeks. Fractional laser rejuvenation inhibits the aging process: wrinkles disappear or become less noticeable, turgor increases, the severity of pores decreases and the skin improves. This method is an effective tool in the fight against scars, pigmentation, acne, stretch marks.
Laser fraction rejuvenation is one of the most popular apparatus cosmetic procedures. Advantages include efficiency, short healing time, physiology. The result is visible after the first procedure and lasts up to three years. The method has a wide range of indications. It is possible to choose the depth of the laser effect.
A woman of any age wants to see beautiful skin in the mirror, but not everyone is ready to go under the knife of a plastic surgeon.
Fractional rejuvenation with the use of lasers will help in this situation and is one of the first anti-aging procedures in modern cosmetology.
Types and methods of exposure
Ablatif photothermolysis
There are two methods of photothermolysis, each suitable for different situations. Choosing the right option in favor of the best will help the cosmetologist to make the first appointment.
This method is suitable for rejuvenating the skin, which has begun to age naturally.
The laser-assisted micro-damage network affects only the upper layers of the epidermis and is forced to regenerate in a short time.
The result seems to be that the wounds heal after the first procedure.
Non-ablative photothermolysis
This method is a little more serious intervention. The laser beam penetrates the deeper layers of the epidermis, ignoring the outer cells.
Damage also increases the production of elastin and collagen, as in ablative photothermolysis.
The healing process takes longer and the effect is more pronounced. Suitable for serious facial problems
Reads
Anyone who wants to rejuvenate without serious dental floss can use this method.
Fractional laser treatment combats many facial imperfections, including:
- very clear wrinkles on the forehead;
- nasolabial folds;
- stalk of crow's feet around the eye;
- epidermis, "flowing down";
- skin pigmentation, scars, scars, spider veins;
- enlarged pores, acne problem.
Laser therapy has been shown to be highly effective in overcoming all of these problems.
Just a warning that several procedures may be required depending on the severity of the defect.
Contraindications
Like any other external effect on the body, fractional laser rejuvenation has its own contraindications, in which case it is forbidden to apply such a procedure.
This includes:
- severe inflammation of the face;
- infectious, fungal 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;
- acute stage herpes;
- pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- immune deficiency conditions;
- bronchial asthma, severe allergic reactions;
- neurological diseases.
All contraindications are conditional, ie the cosmetologist takes all the risks of the patient.
Sometimes you have to treat skin problems first or wait for chronic diseases to improve, after which the renewal continues.
Preparation
No serious preparation is required as the intervention is not a surgical procedure. Initially, you should consult a cosmetologist who will assess the condition of the skin and give advice on the necessary method of photoregeneration.
The patient has to tell the doctor about all the conditions and diseases in the anamnesis, as well as the exacerbation of chronic diseases in the last six months.
If available, the specialist recommends that you visit a specialist to assess the safety of the procedure.
You should have a blood and urine test to identify or rule out inflammatory processes in the body. Then the date of the first visit is set.
Execution
Fractional skin rejuvenation in the facial area is performed on an outpatient basis, ie the patient enters, is treated, and then goes home.
The cosmetologist will first apply an anesthetic cream or ointment based on lidocaine to the epidermis.
In fact, the procedure is not too painful, so sometimes the therapy is carried out without going through this stage.
Remember that the use of local anesthetics slightly inhibits the natural regeneration of the skin.
The patient then lies on the couch and the specialist adjusts the depth of penetration of the laser beam on a special device. The device focuses on specific areas of the epidermis where the laser penetrates.
Manipulations last half an hour or more, depending on the area to be treated with the device. During the procedure, the patient may have an unpleasant odor, as well as a slight tingling sensation.
Immediately after the session, a grid of red spots appears on the face, the skin is red, slightly swollen, so it is better to look at ways to return home in advance.
Possible complications
Fraction rejuvenation does not exclude complications. In some cases, it is normal and disappears within a few days.
Others develop due to the inexperience of a cosmetologist or lack of proper facial care during rehabilitation.
What is the norm:
- severe pain or swelling at the site of laser exposure;
- lesions do not heal within two weeks;
- pigmentation and scars appeared.
Open redness, peeling and itching are a predictable condition for all types of epidermis.
Such results disappear on their own within 1-2 weeks without leaving any vision defect.
Rehabilitation
The outcome of the procedure is greatly affected by the patient's behavior. Carefully monitor the skin, protect it from the effects of aggressive environments and do not apply decorative cosmetics during treatment.
General rules:
- The first three days of the wound should be lubricated with a dexpanthenol-based ointment. will help micro-injuries heal faster. Then, it is recommended to use a light moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, recommended by a cosmetologist.
- Washing is prohibited.For 2 weeks, the epidermis should not be exposed to strong heat, so it is better to avoid baths and saunas, do not take hot baths.
- You shouldn & # 39; t go outside without sunscreenand it is best to choose over 50 sunscreens. If this is not done, hyperpigmentation will appear. Cosmetics should be applied, even in winter, until complete recovery.
It is recommended to consult a specialist who performs fractional laser rejuvenation after a few weeks. Assess the condition of the skin on the face, exclude complications.
Forecast
If the defects are not so pronounced, the result may appear immediately after recovery. Deep wrinkles or scars should be removed with several treatments.
Visually, the skin becomes smoother, has a natural color, the face is compressed, and in 99% of cases it blooms visibly.
One percent is devoted to contingencies, lack of proper care and lack of medical skills.
Advantages of the method
For many patients, this method has significant advantages. By choosing photothermolysis, a person gets:
- low cost with high efficiency;
- painlessness;
- such an effect from a procedure;
- non-invasiveness;
- No strong side effects.
In addition, the effect of the laser solves several problems of the aesthetic component of the epidermis at once, which is good news.
Disadvantages
If you choose the wrong clinic for rejuvenation or do not strictly follow the recommendations of a cosmetologist, you can get huge age spots on half of the face, which will not be easy to remove.
In addition, laser treatment lasts a long time, during which the patient feels an unpleasant odor on the damaged skin, which not everyone can tolerate.
Another disadvantage is the incomplete result of a procedure with deep depressions, scars and wrinkles.
Reviews
Fractional rejuvenation is gaining popularity in cosmetology. Every year, more and more women choose lasers instead of scalpels.