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, the tissues of the face are more susceptible to aging than others, as they are constantly under the influence of environmental factors, chewing, facial expressions and speech functions. Since the face is a kind of "business card" of a person, the theme of preserving and restoring the youthfulness of the facial skin is particularly 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 lies in the fractional effect of a laser beam on the skin. The laser stream is divided into many thinner beams that strike microscopic areas of the skin, located at a strictly specified depth, and evaporate them. 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, skin color improves, fine and medium wrinkles are corrected, bags under the eyes are removed and the facial contour is firmed. 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 resurfacing.
Lasers used for fractional laser rejuvenation
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 common are the laser systems from Palomar and Fraxel, Affirm laser from the famous American company Cynosure, GentleYAG laser from Candela and others. Since all these attitudes have a common principle of action, the result of the procedure is largely determined by the professionalism of the specialist conducting the procedure.
Contraindications to the laser rejuvenation procedure
The absolute contraindications to the procedure are:
- Pregnancy, lactation.
- Focuses of the inflammatory process in the affected area.
- Psoriasis and dermatosis.
- Outbreaks of herpes infection in the affected area.
- A chemical peel of the intended treatment area performed less than two weeks prior to the procedure.
- Oncological diseases.
- Systemic diseases of the blood, immune system, connective tissue.
- Diabetes mellitus in the phase of decompensation.
- Severe forms of hypertension and coronary heart disease.
- Varicose veins in the area of the procedure.
- Tendency to form keloid scars.
- Family history of vitiligo.
Relative contraindications include active sun exposure in the last three weeks before the procedure, i. e. the presence of a new sunburn, as well as superficial and medium peels performed in the treatment area less than three weeks before the procedure.
Advantages of fractional laser rejuvenation
Thanks to the point effect, the damage to the skin is minimal, so that all traces after the procedure disappear within 3-4 days.
The method allows you to treat large areas of the skin in one procedure, maintaining and activating the regenerative resource of the skin, which provides rapid rehabilitation and long-term growth of the positive effect.
The procedure does not require anesthesia, it can be performed in the neck, décolleté and eye area.
Side effects are rare. Possible complications include the temporary appearance of red-purple spots in the area to be treated, light and quick-passing itching, activation of herpes infection, changes in skin structure, including burns, peeling and crusting. Scarring, hyper, and hypopigmentation of the skin in the area of the procedure are extremely rare, but they can be permanent.
What is a comprehensive course of laser rejuvenation procedures
A fractional laser exposure session lasts 20-40 minutes, depending on the nature of the problem and the area of the treated area. Repeated procedures are carried out in 3-4 weeks. As a rule, 3-4 sessions in total are needed. The maximum positive effect occurs within three months of the last procedure. It is recommended to perform maintenance sessions once every 10-14 months.
What to do after the laser facial rejuvenation procedure
The slight burning sensation that can be felt after the procedure disappears in 1-2 hours, while redness and slight swelling may persist for 1-3 days. During this period, external agents (creams, ointments, sprays) containing dexpanthenol should be used, for example, Bepanten, Panthenol, D-Panthenol. After the disappearance of the listed symptoms and before the next procedure, a cream with hyaluronic acid is applied.
You can shower and wash on the day of surgery, but it is better to wait with the sauna and swimming pool. The foundation can be used one day after the procedure.
It is mandatory to use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30, since at this moment the skin metabolism is activated and becomes particularly 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 rejuvenation is a cosmetological procedure, during which the skin is exposed to a laser array consisting of micro beams. The purpose of this effect is to activate the regeneration processes and collagenogenesis. This is a relatively new but already very popular hardware technique. In another way, it is called fraxel, fractional laser resurfacing or photothermolysis.
The principle of operation and varieties of fractional laser rejuvenation
How does a fractional laser work? The microbeams emitted by the device cause a thermal 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 turned out to be non-functional die, giving way to the young ones. The heating of the deep layers of the skin is accompanied by a partial denaturation of proteins, as well as the formation of new components of the extracellular matrix, including elastin and collagen.
Based on the depth of impact, ablative and non-ablative laser rejuvenation is distinguished. The first is superficial and resembles grinding. Laser treatment of the upper layers of the skin is accompanied by evaporation of moisture, damage to the epidermis. After healing, the skin becomes more toned, its relief and color are leveled. During non-ablative photothermolysis, the laser targets the deep layers of the skin. In this case, no open wounds are formed.
Each type of rejuvenation has its advantages and minutes. Therefore, the effect of ablative laser resurfacing is evident after the first procedure. With this method, you can get rid of deep wrinkles and age spots, acne, stretch marks, scars. With a non-ablative procedure, there is no risk of infection and the anti-aging effect is evident for several years. This type of photothermolysis is recommended for people under 40, with the first signs of aging: fine wrinkles, reduced turgor.
Indications and contraindications for the procedure
It is worth resorting to the photothermolysis procedure, if available:
- Laxity, sagging 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 to fractional laser rejuvenation are:
- Allergies, psoriasis.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Pregnancy, lactation.
- Diseases of the blood.
- Skin infections, inflammation in the intended treatment area.
- Any chronic diseases in the decompensation phase.
- Oncology.
- Increased body temperature.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Tendency to form keloid scars.
- Epilepsy.
Characteristics of laser rejuvenation
Preparation for the fractional photothermolysis procedure consists in refusing to visit the solarium and the beach for two weeks. All this time, you can not even clean the skin, do chemical peels, take sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines. Three days before the procedure, they stop going to the pool, bathhouse, sauna, treat the area of alleged exposure with alcohol-containing cosmetics. In order to prevent complications, the cosmetologist can prescribe antiviral and antibacterial drugs for this period. The day before the procedure should be spent without alcohol and cigarettes, refrain from going to the gym.
Before laser treatment, the skin is cleaned of cosmetics and impurities. In general, the laser effect is perceived as an unpleasant tingling sensation, but pain relief may sometimes be necessary. In this case, the beautician applies an anesthetic to the prepared skin area. After the ointment has worked, it proceeds to treat the skin with a laser. The duration of the procedure depends on the extent of the area to be treated and varies from a few minutes to an hour. Finally, the skin is soothed with a nourishing cream.
The first days after the procedure, do not use alcohol-based products, compress the parts of the body where photothermolysis was performed with compression underwear. It is recommended to exclude physical activity for a week, visit the pool, sauna or bath, limit the time spent on the street. The skin is moisturized with a special cream three times a day. And so for half a month. It is undesirable to make peels, to 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 are needed to get the result? What effect can you expect?
The rehabilitation period after laser fractional rejuvenation lasts from 3 to 7 days. The speed of recovery depends a lot on the lifestyle. Consumption of alcohol, smoking, excessive activity, unbalanced diet, insomnia and anxiety can slow down the regeneration processes.
For the first three days after laser exposure, skin redness and slight swelling may occur. Anesthetics and skin cooling can help reduce the feeling of discomfort. It is normal if skin tightness is felt within a week, there are scaly areas. A side effect of the procedure can be a bronze tan, which disappears on its own after half a month.
A persistent result after fractional photothermolysis occurs after 2-5 procedures. More specifically, the number of sessions can only be determined by a cosmetologist, based on the initial data. The intervals between the procedures are 3-4 weeks. As a result of fractional laser rejuvenation, the aging processes are inhibited: wrinkles disappear or become less noticeable, turgor increases, the severity of the pores decreases and the complexion improves. This method is an effective tool in the fight against scars, pigmentation, post-acne, stretch marks.
Fractional laser rejuvenation 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 under the knife 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.
Types and methods of exposure
Ablative photothermolysis
There are two methods of photothermolysis, each suitable for different cases. The correct choice in favor of the best option will help the cosmetologist make the first appointment.
This method is suitable for rejuvenating skin that has just begun to undergo natural aging.
The laser-assisted micro-damage 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.
Damage also promotes the production of elastin and collagen, as in ablative photothermolysis.
The healing process takes longer and the effect is more pronounced. Suitable for removing severe facial problems.
Readings
Anyone who wants to rejuvenate without a serious appliance can use this method.
The fractional laser treatment fights many facial imperfections, including:
- very pronounced wrinkles on the forehead;
- nasolabial folds;
- crow's feet thread around the eyes;
- epidermis, "flowing down";
- skin pigmentation, scars, scars, spider veins;
- problem of enlarged pores, acne.
Laser therapy has proven to be very effective in eliminating all these problems.
The only caveat is that, depending on the severity of the imperfection, different procedures may be required.
Contraindications
Like any other external influence on the body, fractional laser rejuvenation has its 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;
- infectious and 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;
- herpes in the acute stage;
- pregnancy, lactation;
- immunodeficiency states;
- bronchial asthma, severe allergic reactions;
- neurological diseases.
All contraindications are conditional, that is, the cosmetologist weighs all the risks of the patient.
Sometimes it is necessary first to undergo treatment for skin problems or to wait for the remission of chronic diseases, after which rejuvenation is still carried out.
Preparation
Since the surgery 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 advice on the necessary method of photorejuvenation.
The patient is obliged to inform the doctor about all conditions and diseases in history, as well as exacerbations of chronic diseases in the past six months.
If there are any, the specialist will advise you to visit specialized doctors to assess the safety of the procedure.
You should also take a blood and urine test to identify or rule out inflammatory processes in the body. The date of the first visit is then fixed.
Run
Fractional laser skin rejuvenation in the facial area is performed on an outpatient basis, i. e. the patient enters, is treated, then returns home.
Previously, the cosmetologist will apply an anesthetic cream or lidocaine-based ointment to the epidermis.
Indeed, the procedure is not overly painful, so therapy is sometimes done without going through this stage.
Keep in mind that the use of local anesthetics slightly inhibits the natural regeneration of the skin later on.
Then the patient lies down on the couch and the specialist adjusts the depth of penetration 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 experience a slight tingling sensation and 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 get home early.
Possible complications
Fractional rejuvenation does not rule out complications. In some cases, they are normal and disappear within a few days.
Others develop due to the inexperience of the cosmetologist or the lack of adequate 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.
A slight redness, peeling and itching is a predictable condition for any type of epidermis.
Such consequences disappear on their own within 1-2 weeks, leaving no visual imperfections.
Rehabilitation
The outcome of the procedure is strongly influenced by the patient's behavior. He must carefully monitor the skin, protect it from aggressive environmental influences and do not apply decorative cosmetics during healing.
General guidelines:
- The first three days of the wound should be lubricated with an ointment based on dexpanthenol, will contribute to the rapid healing of microdamages. Afterwards, it is recommended to use a light moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, recommended 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 refrain from baths and saunas, not to take hot baths.
- You shouldn't go out without sunscreen,and it's best to choose the 50 protection. If you don't, hyperpigmentation will appear. The cosmetic product must be applied until completely healed, even if it is winter outside.
After a couple of weeks, it is recommended to visit the specialist who performed the fractional laser rejuvenation again. He must evaluate the condition of the skin of the face, exclude complications.
Forecast
The result can be seen immediately after healing, if the imperfections 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 firmed and flourishes noticeably in 99% of cases.
One percent is devoted to unforeseen circumstances, inadequate care and lack of medical qualifications.
Advantages of the method
For many patients, this method wins out with significant benefits that are worth noting. By choosing photothermolysis, a person receives the following:
- low cost with high efficiency;
- painless;
- also effect from a procedure;
- non-invasive;
- lack of strong side effects.
In addition, the effect of the laser simultaneously solves several problems of the aesthetic component of the epidermis, 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 earn huge age spots on half of the face, which will not be easy to remove.
In addition, the laser treatment lasts a long time, during which the patient feels an unpleasant smell of damaged skin, which not everyone is able to endure.
Another disadvantage is the incomplete result of a procedure with deep depressions, scars and wrinkles.
Review of opinions
Fractional rejuvenation is gaining popularity in cosmetology. Every year more and more women are choosing a laser instead of a surgical scalpel.