Aging is a natural biological process that affects all tissues in 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 as they are constantly under the influence of environmental factors, chewing, mimicking and speech functions. Since the face is a kind of "business card" in a person, the issue of preserving and restoring youthfulness in 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 is the fractionated effect of a laser beam on the skin. The laser current is divided into many thinnest rays that affect microscopic areas of skin, placed at a precisely specified depth and evaporating them. The intact cells located between these areas stimulate the active production of collagen and elastin - two "building materials" that are less and less formed in the human body with age. After this procedure, the skin color is improved, fine and medium-sized wrinkles are corrected, bags under the eyes are removed and the contour of the face is tightened. 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 surface treatment.
Lasers used for fractional laser rejuvenation
For the first time in the world, a patent for the principle of fractional laser exposure was obtained in 2004 by the American company Palomar Medical Technologies. Fractionated laser systems are currently represented by a variety of laser technology companies. The most common are laser systems from Palomar and Fraxel, Confirm laser from the famous American company Cynosure, GentleYAG laser from Candela and others. Since all these attitudes have a common principle of action, the outcome 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, breast-feeding.
- Focus on the inflammatory process in the affected area.
- Psoriasis and dermatoses.
- Herpes infection foci in the affected area.
- A chemical peel of the area for the intended 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 area of the procedure.
- Tendency to form keloid scars.
- Vitiligos family history.
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 middle peel performed in the treatment area less than three weeks before the procedure.
Benefits of Fractional Laser Rejuvenation
Thanks to the point effect, skin damage is minimal, so all traces of the procedure disappear within 3-4 days.
The method allows you to treat large areas of the skin in one procedure while maintaining and activating the skin's regenerative resource, providing 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 temporary appearance of reddish-purple spots in the treatment area, mild and rapid transient itching, activation of herpes infection, changes in skin texture, including burns, peeling and crusting. Scarring, hyper- and hypopigmentation of the skin within the procedure is extremely rare but can be permanent.
What is a complete course of laser rejuvenation procedures
One session of fractional laser exposure lasts 20-40 minutes depending on the nature of the problem and the area of the treated area. Repeated procedures are performed in 3-4 weeks. As a rule, 3-4 sessions in total are required. 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 facial rejuvenation procedure
The faint burning sensation that can be felt after the procedure disappears within 1-2 hours, while redness and slight swelling can last 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, apply a cream with hyaluronic acid.
You can take a bath and wash on the day of the procedure, but it is better to wait with the sauna and pool. Foundation can be used one day after the procedure.
It is mandatory to use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30, as the skin's metabolism is activated at this time and it 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 is determined individually and depends on the skin type and its properties.
Fractional laser rejuvenation is a cosmetological procedure in which the skin is exposed to a laser array 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 hardware technology. Alternatively, it is called fraxel, fractional laser surface, or photothermolysis.
Operating principle and varieties of fractional laser rejuvenation
How does a fractionated laser work? Micro-rays emitted by the device cause heat shocks in response to which "lazy" skin cells begin to function more actively. To repair the damaged area, they split faster. Old cells that have been shown to be inactive die off and make room for the young. Heating of the deep layers of the skin is accompanied by partial denaturation of proteins as well as the formation of new components in the extracellular matrix, including elastin and collagen.
According to the depth of shock, ablative and non-ablative laser rejuvenation are distinguished. The first is superficial and resembles 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, its relief and color are evened out. During non-ablative photothermolysis, the laser affects the deep layers of the skin. In this case, no open wounds form.
Each type of rejuvenation has its benefits and minutes. The effect of ablative laser surface is thus noticeable 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 visible 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.
Indications and contraindications for the procedure
The photothermolysis procedure is worth resorting to if available:
- Laxity, 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, post-acne.
- Vascular "stars" (rosacea).
- Dull skin.
Contraindications for fractional laser rejuvenation are:
- Allergies, psoriasis.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Pregnancy, breast-feeding.
- Blood Diseases.
- Skin infections, inflammation in the area where the treatment is intended.
- Any chronic disease in the decompensation stage.
- Oncology.
- Increased body temperature.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- 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. Throughout this time it is also impossible to cleanse the skin, chemical peels, take sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines. Three days before the procedure, they stop going to the pool, the bathhouse, the sauna, treating the area with the alleged exposure with alcoholic cosmetics. To prevent complications, the beautician may prescribe antiviral and antibacterial drugs during this period. The day on the eve of the procedure must be performed without alcohol and cigarettes, refrain from going to the gym.
Before laser treatment, cleanse the skin of cosmetics and impurities. In general, the effect of the laser is felt as an unpleasant tingling sensation, but pain relief may sometimes be necessary. In this case, the beautician applies an anesthetic to the prepared area of skin. After the ointment has worked, he continues 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 one hour. Finally, the skin is soothed with a nourishing cream.
For the first few days after the procedure, do not use alcohol-based products, compress body parts where photothermolysis was performed, with compression linen. 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 then for half a month. It is undesirable to peel, 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 laser fractional rejuvenation lasts from 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 all slow down the regeneration processes.
For the first three days after laser exposure, skin redness and slight swelling may occur. Anesthetics and cooling of the skin can help reduce the feeling of discomfort. It is normal if there is a tightness in the skin within a week, there are scaly areas. A side effect of the procedure may be a bronze-brown color that 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 beautician, based on the original data. The intervals between procedures are 3-4 weeks. As a result of fractional laser rejuvenation, aging processes are inhibited: wrinkles disappear or become less visible, turgor increases, the severity of pores decreases, and skin color improves. This method is an effective tool in the fight against scars, pigmentation, post-acne, stretch marks.
Laser fractional rejuvenation is one of the three most popular hardware-cosmetic procedures. Its benefits 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. It is possible to select the depth of laser exposure.
A woman of all ages wants to see beautiful skin in the mirror, but not everyone is ready to go under a plastic surgeon's knife.
In this case, fractional rejuvenation will come to the rescue using a laser, which in modern cosmetology takes 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 right choice in favor of the best option helps the beautician 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 and forces it to regenerate in a short time.
The result is displayed 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 and ignores the cells outside.
Injuries also promote the production of elastin and collagen, as in ablative photothermolysis.
The healing process takes longer and the effect is more pronounced. Suitable for eliminating serious facial problems.
Readings
Anyone who wants to rejuvenate without serious braces can use this method.
Fractional laser treatment combats many facial imperfections, including:
- very pronounced wrinkles on the forehead;
- nasolabial folder
- thread of crow's feet around the eyes;
- epidermis "flows down";
- skin pigmentation, scars, scars, spiders;
- problem with enlarged pores, acne.
Laser therapy has been shown to be extremely effective in eliminating all of these problems.
The only caveat is that depending on the severity of the imperfection, several procedures may be required.
Contraindications
Like any other external influence on the body, fractional laser rejuvenation 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 of the face
- Infectious, fungal skin lesions
- diseases of the epidermis - psoriasis, eczema;
- excessive dryness of the skin
- malignant tumors in the body;
- history of epilepsy;
- heart disease
- varicose veins on the face
- acute stage herpes
- pregnancy, lactation
- immune deficiency conditions;
- asthma, severe allergic reactions
- neurological diseases.
All contraindications are conditional, ie. the beautician weighs all the patient's risks.
Sometimes you first have to undergo treatment for skin problems or wait for remission of chronic diseases, after which rejuvenation is still performed.
Preparation
As the intervention is not a surgical operation, no serious preparation is required. Initially, you should consult a beautician who assesses the condition of the skin and will also give recommendations on the necessary method of light rejuvenation.
The patient is required to tell the doctor about all the conditions and diseases in the history as well as exacerbations of chronic diseases during the last six months
If there is any, the specialist will advise you to visit specialist doctors to assess the safety of the procedure.
You should also take a blood and urine test to detect or rule out inflammatory processes in your body. The date of the first visit is then set.
Execution
Fractional laser skin rejuvenation in the facial area is performed outpatient, ie. the patient comes in, is treated, then he goes home.
The beautician first applies a lidocaine-based anesthetic cream or ointment.
In fact, the procedure is not too painful, so sometimes therapy is performed without going through this step.
Be aware that the use of topical anesthetics easily inhibits the natural regeneration of the skin afterwards.
Then the patient lies down on the sofa and the specialist adjusts the penetration depth of the laser beam on a special device. The device targets certain areas of the epidermis, deep into which the laser penetrates.
Manipulations last from half an hour or 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 with red dots is seen on the face, the skin is red, slightly swollen, so it is better to take care of the way to return home in advance.
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 cosmetologist's lack of experience 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.
Light redness, scaling and itching are a predictable condition for any type of epidermis.
Such consequences disappear by themselves within 1-2 weeks without leaving any visual defects.
Rehabilitation
The outcome of the procedure is greatly affected by the patient's behavior. He must closely monitor the skin, protect it from aggressive environmental influences and not apply decorative cosmetics during healing.
General Guidelines:
- The first three days of the wound should be lubricated with dexpanthenol ointment,it will promote rapid healing of microdamages. Then 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 heat, so it is better to refrain from baths and saunas, do not take hot baths.
- You should not go outside without sunscreen,, and it is better to choose protection from 50. If this is not done, hyperpigmentation will appear. The cosmetic product should be applied until complete healing, even if it is winter outside.
After a few weeks, it is recommended to visit the specialist who performed fractional laser rejuvenation. He must assess the condition of the skin of the face and rule out complications.
Forecast
The result can be seen immediately after healing, if the defects were not very significant. Deep wrinkles or scars should be removed with several treatments.
Visually, the skin is smoother, has a natural color, the face tightens and blossoms noticeably in 99% of cases.
One percent is set aside for unforeseen circumstances, inadequate care and lack of medical education.
Advantages of the method
For many patients, this method gains significant benefits that are worth noting. By selecting photothermolysis, a person gets the following:
- low cost with high efficiency;
- pain freedom
- effect even from a procedure;
- non-invasiveness;
- Lack of strong side effects.
In addition, the effect of the laser solves several problems with the aesthetic component of the epidermis at once, which is good news.
Disadvantages
If you choose the wrong clinic for rejuvenation or do not closely follow the beautician's recommendations, you can earn huge age spots on half of the face, which is not easy to remove.
In addition, laser treatment lasts quite a long time, where the patient feels an unpleasant odor of damaged skin, which not everyone is able to resist.
Another disadvantage is the incomplete result of a procedure of deep depression, scars and wrinkles.
Opinion Review
Fractional rejuvenation is gaining popularity in cosmetology. Every year, more and more women are choosing a laser instead of a surgical scalpel.