Non-ablative laser rejuvenation helps to firm the skin, reduce expression lines, improve complexion, even out relief and tighten pores. This gentle version of laser exposure is recommended for people with photo marks and skin aging.
Ablative and non-ablative laser rejuvenation: what's the difference
Ablative and non-ablative rejuvenation methods differ in the degree of laser exposure to the treated area.
Ablative lasers, acting on the skin, damage its surface. The temperature of the treated areas rises almost instantly to 150 ° C. There is a targeted and controlled trauma to the skin to initiate the recovery processes.
The depth of exposure depends on the laser used. Carbon dioxide penetrates deeper than erbium, capturing the upper part of the dermis. The stronger the impact, the longer the payback period the customer will have to go through.
The non-ablative procedure is milder and does not involve a rehabilitation period. The doctor selects the power and diameter of the laser light beam, which ensures that the beam penetrates deep into the skin. The surface of the treated skin area is not disturbed, only hyperemia remains.
The essence of non-ablative laser rejuvenation, the effect of the method
The firmness of the skin depends on the amount of structural proteins. These include elastin and collagen. They are responsible for the skin's ability to stretch and contract.
If the amount of structural protein in the skin decreases, it recovers worse after stretching, becomes flabby and saggy. Wrinkles begin to appear.
Laser beam, which is a direct beam of light:
- Affects the structure of the dermis;
- Protein denaturation occurs;
- It stimulates the synthesis of new collagen and elastin molecules.
The purpose of non-ablative laser treatment is to heat the structural proteins to 42-80 ° C. At the limit of temperature, denaturation of proteins occurs: they thicken, activating aseptic inflammation, which leads to the beginning of the healing process. New fibroblast cells appear and the skin gradually renews itself.
Today, clients of cosmetology clinics have access to laser rejuvenation with a neodymium, erbium, diode or alexandrite laser.
Advantages of the procedure, disadvantages
The indications for non-ablative laser rejuvenation are:
- Photo and chrono-aging of the skin of the face, neck, décolleté, hands;
- Decreased tone;
- uneven complexion
- Post-acne;
- scars;
- Vascular asterisks.
The benefits of non-ablative laser rejuvenation include:
- Thrifty impact. The laser leaves no visible damage. Slight swelling may rarely occur;
- physiological rejuvenation;
- Fast recovery. The surface of the skin is not disturbed, after the procedure, hyperemia, which disappears within 24 hours;
- The accuracy of the impact. The diameter of the light beam, the pulse power and various operating options are set on the laser device.
The procedure has its drawbacks:
- More procedures are required than the ablative method;
- Mild impact is unable to eliminate deep scars;
- Monthly repetition. It is recommended to carry out a course of 3-6 procedures every 14-30 days. Then the cumulative effect will manifest itself in full and the result will be more noticeable;
- High price.
Non-ablative laser rejuvenation is recommended for people who do not want a rehabilitation period and can afford to perform the procedures as a course.
Possible complications
The likelihood of complications during non-ablative laser rejuvenation is significantly lower than with traditional treatments (chemical and acid peels, surgery, etc. ). The main risk is untrained personnel and low quality equipment. The problem is easily solved by checking the reviews of the clinic.
In a personal meeting with a cosmetologist, you should ask a question about the education of a cosmetologist and ask for a certificate for a laser.
It will not be superfluous to clarify when the last maintenance was carried out on the machine and ask for confirmation that the laser is in order.
The patient should inform the doctor of possible allergic reactions to drugs. Before the procedure, the doctor is obliged to talk about contraindications.
How does laser non-ablative skin rejuvenation work?
Before preparing for non-ablative laser rejuvenation, be aware that this procedure requires a mandatory consultation with a doctor. The cosmetologist evaluates the condition of the skin, predicts the result, selects a technique based on the individual characteristics of the patient's skin. It is important to make sure that there are no contraindications: pregnancy, skin neoplasms, inflammations and infectious diseases, and so on.
Preparation for the session
Before the procedure for non-ablative rejuvenation, it is worth stopping the use of alcohol, tetracycline antibiotics, anticoagulants and retinol.
There should be no damage to the treated area of the skin.
A week before going to the doctor, you need to give up aggressive peels, alcohol-containing cosmetics. Immediately before visiting the clinic, it is not necessary to apply decorative cosmetics, creams and lotions to the treated area.
techniques
The cosmetologist selects the procedure for the procedure, the intensity of radiation, the area to be treated. The customer goes through 4 stages:
- Accommodation. The patient lies down on the couch, assuming a comfortable position, in which he will spend 10 to 30 minutes. Hair is removed from the forehead under a disposable cap;
- Face cleaning. The doctor removes the remnants of cosmetics, sebum and other impurities;
- Laser treatment. The beautician in scan mode processes the required areas;
- To reduce redness, a cream is applied to the treated area which stimulates the regeneration processes.
Most people experience no pain during non-ablative rejuvenation. For a client with sensitive skin, the doctor will offer a local anesthetic.
Recovery
Slight redness in the area to be treated and a sensation of internal heat. These symptoms disappear on their own for 1-2 days.
For the best effect, the first 3-4 days, it is necessary to protect the treated areas from high temperatures: abandon the bath, saunas, solarium for 2 weeks. It is not necessary to rub the skin with your hands, actively massage, apply decorative cosmetics.
Prices for non-ablative laser rejuvenation
Depending on the device used in the clinic and the type of radiation source (erbium, neodymium, diode, etc. ), the price of non-ablative laser facial skin rejuvenation ranges from $ 45 to $ 330. The number of recommended procedures is at least three, the full course will cost the client $ 140-1000.
Neck and hand treatments are cheaper - $ 28 to $ 125 (these areas usually cost the same). Neckline - $ 33 to $ 145. The procedure can also be applied to other parts of the body: abdomen, buttocks, thighs, shoulders, and arms. Numerous clinics offer partial treatment: treatment of the frontal area, nose, facial wrinkles near the eyes.
Many clinics offer a complex: face + décolleté, face plus neck, face + neck + décolleté, etc. Such general anti-aging treatments are cheaper than the separate zone treatment.
The cost of the service is established independently by each clinic. A significant drop in prices should be alarming. The clinic may be using low-quality equipment or not following the recommendations for replacing consumable parts of the device.
Reviews
On the websites of cosmetology clinics, customers post reviews about non-ablative laser rejuvenation, share their impressions and advice, post "before" and "after" photos.
"I have completed a full course of laser rejuvenation. I'll tell you about the procedure itself, so beginners know what to expect: the beam will heat up. It feels like a slight electric shock, it burns a little, but you can take it. If anyone has done it. laser hair removal, then here's a feeling.
The face after the treatment has turned slightly red, but you can safely go to work the next day. The effect builds up gradually: the face is visibly smoothed, the skin thickens. After 5 days, my skin peeled off a little, but there was nothing like it peeling straight off. Overall, I'm happy with how the effect will fade, I'm going to repeat it. "
"The first time I decided on non-ablative laser skin rejuvenation was in 2015. And I was shocked by the effect! The first few hours my face burned, like scalded by boiling water. So the impressions were, like from a "light tan, no tightening occurred. The second time I made a decision after my friend's insistent publicity. She did it at another clinic and became noticeably younger, by 10 years. "
I went for a consultation with a beautician, he explained to me that the first time the power was chosen incorrectly. I told you something about wavelengths, about how a neodymium laser works, but I didn't understand anything. And the second time I liked everything! So now I also recommend to everyone. The main thing is to find a competent specialist. "
In most reviews of non-ablative laser rejuvenation, patients notice a visible result.
Non-ablative laser rejuvenation helps maintain skin tone, prolongs youth. The absence of aggressive effects allows people with sensitive skin to use the procedure.
Before performing non-ablative rejuvenation, a consultation with a cosmetologist is required.