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, facial functions and speech. Since the face is a sort of "calling card" for a person, the question of preserving and restoring the youthfulness of the skin of the face 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 fractional effect of a laser beam on the skin. The laser flux is divided into several thinnest beams, affecting microscopic areas of the skin, located at a strictly specified depth, and evaporating them. The intact cells located between these areas stimulate the active production of collagen and elastin - two main "building materials", which are formed 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 oval of the face is tightened. At the same time, the rehabilitation period is minimized. Fractional laser rejuvenation can be used not only as a stand-alone 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, a patent for the principle of 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 popular are the laser systems from Palomar and Fraxel, the Affirm laser produced by the famous American company Cynosure, the GentleYAG laser from Candela and others. Since all these parameters have a common principle of action, the outcome of the procedure is largely determined by the professionalism of the specialist who conducts the procedure.
Contraindications to the laser rejuvenation procedure
Absolute contraindications to the procedure are:
- Pregnancy, breast-feeding.
- Foci of the inflammatory process in the affected area.
- Psoriasis and dermatoses.
- Foci of herpes infection in the affected area.
- A chemical peel of the area of the planned treatment carried out 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.
- Tend to form keloid scars.
- Family history of vitiligo.
Relative contraindications include active sun exposure during the last three weeks before the procedure, i. e. the presence of fresh sunburn, as well as superficial and medium peels performed inthe treatment area less than three weeks before the operation.
Benefits of fractional laser rejuvenation
Thanks to the one-time effect, skin damage is minimal, thanks to which all traces after 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 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 in the neck, décolleté and around the eyes.
Side effects are rare. Possible complications include the temporary appearance of red-purple spots in the treatment area, light and rapidly passing itching, activation of herpes, changes in the texture of the skin, including burning, peelingand scabs. Scarring, hyper and hypopigmentation of the skin in the area of the procedure are extremely rare, but can be permanent.
What is a Complete Course of Laser Rejuvenation Procedures
A split laser exposure session lasts 20 to 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. Typically 3-4 sessions are required in total. The maximum positive effect occurs within three months of the last procedure. It is recommended to perform maintenance sessions once every 10 to 14 months.
What to do after the laser facial rejuvenation procedure
The slight burning sensation that may be felt after the procedure goes away within 1 to 2 hours, while the redness and slight swelling may persist for 1 to 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 take a shower and wash yourself the day of the operation, but it is better to wait with the sauna and the swimming pool. Foundation can be used one day after the procedure.
It is mandatory to use sunscreens with a protection factor of at least 30, because at this time the skin's metabolism is activated, and it becomes particularly sensitive to sunlight.
After the procedure, it is necessary to adhere to 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 cosmetic procedure in which the skin is exposed to a laser array made up of microbeams. The purpose of this effect is to activate the processes of regeneration 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 micro-beams emitted by the device cause a heat shock, in response to which "lazy" skin cells begin to function more actively. To repair the damaged area, they divide faster. The old cells that have turned out to be inoperative die, giving way to the younger ones. The heating of the deep layers of the skin is accompanied by partial denaturation of proteins, as well as the formation of new components of the extracellular matrix, in particular elastin and collagen.
Depending on the depth of the impact, ablative and non-ablative laser rejuvenation can be distinguished. The first is superficial and looks like 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. In non-ablative photothermolysis, the laser affects the deep layers of the skin. In this case, no open sores are formed.
Each type of rejuvenation has its benefits and minutes. Thus, the effect of ablative laser resurfacing is 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 rejuvenating effect is noticeable for several years. This type of photothermolysis is recommended for people under 40, showing the first signs of aging: fine wrinkles, reduced turgor.
Indications and contraindications for the procedure
The photothermolysis procedure is worth having if available:
- Laxity, sagging skin.
- Fine and deep wrinkles, crow's feet.
- Pigmentation of any origin.
- Increased secretion of sebum.
- Enlarged pores, prone to acne.
- Scars, stretch marks, post-acne.
- Vascular "stars" (rosacea).
- Dull complexion.
Contraindications to fractional laser rejuvenation are:
- Allergies, psoriasis.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding.
- Blood diseases.
- Skin infections, inflammation in the area for treatment.
- All chronic diseases in the stage of decompensation.
- Oncology.
- Increased body temperature.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Tend to form keloid scars.
- Epilepsy.
Features of laser rejuvenation
Preparation for the fractional photothermolysis procedure is to refuse to visit the solarium and the beach for two weeks. During all this time, you also can not clean your skin, do chemical peels, take sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines. Three days before the procedure, they stop going to the swimming pool, public baths, sauna, treat the area of the alleged exposure with cosmetics containing alcohol. In order to avoid complications, the cosmetologist can prescribe antiviral and antibacterial drugs for this period. On the day before the procedure should be carried out without alcohol and cigarettes, avoid going to the gym.
Before laser treatment, the skin is cleaned of cosmetics and impurities. Usually, the laser effect resembles an unpleasant tingling sensation, but sometimes pain relief may be needed. In this case, the esthetician applies an anesthetic to the prepared skin area. After the ointment has worked, he proceeds to treat the skin with a laser. The duration of the procedure depends on the size of the treatment area and ranges from a few minutes to an hour. Finally, the skin is soothed with a nourishing cream.
The first days after the procedure, you should not use alcohol products, compress the parts of the body where photothermolysis was carried out, with compression cloths. It is recommended to exclude physical activity for a week, to visit the pool, sauna or bath, to limit the time spent on the street. The skin is hydrated with a special cream three times a day. And so 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 get the result? What effect can you expect?
The rehabilitation period after fractional laser rejuvenation lasts 3-7 days. The speed of recovery depends a lot on the lifestyle. Alcohol consumption, smoking, excessive activity, unbalanced diet, insomnia and anxiety - all of these can slow down regenerative processes.
During 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 that if a feeling of skin tightness is felt during the week, there are scaly areas. A side effect of the procedure may be a bronze tan, which disappears on its own after half a month.
Persistent result after fractional photothermolysis occurs after 2-5 procedures. More precisely, the number of sessions can only be determined by a cosmetologist, based on the initial data. The intervals between procedures are 3-4 weeks. Due to fractional laser rejuvenation, aging processes are inhibited: wrinkles disappear or become less noticeable, turgor increases, pore severity decreases, and skin tone 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 physical 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. It is possible to choose the laser exposure depth.
A woman of any age wants to see beautiful skin in a mirror, but not everyone is ready to go under a plastic surgeon's knife.
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 right 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 started to undergo natural aging.
The laser-assisted micro-damage network only affects the upper layers of the epidermis, forcing it to regenerate in a short time.
The result appears after the first intervention, as soon as the wounds heal.
Non-ablative photothermolysis
This method is a bit more serious intervention. The laser beam penetrates the deep layers of the epidermis, ignoring the outer cells.
The 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 eliminating serious facial problems.
Readings
Anyone who wants to recharge their batteries without serious braces can use this method.
Fractional laser treatment fights many facial imperfections, including:
- very pronounced wrinkles on the forehead;
- nasolabial folds;
- crow's feet thread around the eyes;
- epidermis, "runny";
- 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 imperfection, more than one procedure may be necessary.
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 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 esthetician weighs all the risks of the patient.
Sometimes you have to first undergo treatment for skin problems or wait for remission of chronic diseases, after which rejuvenation is always carried out.
Preparation
Since the procedure is not a surgical operation, no serious preparation is required. As a first step, 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 ailments and diseases in the history, as well as exacerbations of chronic diseases in the past six months.
If there are any, the specialist will advise you to consult specialist 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.
Execution
Fractional laser skin rejuvenation in the facial area is carried out on an outpatient basis, that is, the patient comes in, is treated, and then goes home.
Beforehand, the cosmetologist will apply an anesthetic cream or ointment based on lidocaine on the epidermis.
Actually, the procedure is not too painful, so sometimes therapy is done without going through this step.
Note that the use of local anesthetics slightly inhibits the natural regeneration of the skin afterwards.
Then the patient lies down on the sofa, and the specialist adjusts the depth of penetration of the laser beam using a special device. The device is intended for certain areas of the epidermis, deep into which the laser penetrates.
The manipulations last half an hour or more, depending on the area to be treated with the device. During the procedure, the patient may experience 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 red, slightly swollen, so it is better to ensure a way home in advance.
Possible complications
Fractional rejuvenation does not exclude complications. In some cases, they are normal and go away within a few days.
Others develop due to the inexperience of the beautician or the lack of proper facials during the rehabilitation period.
What is not the norm:
- severe pain or swelling at the site of laser beam exposure;
- lesions do not heal in two weeks; Pigmentation and scars
- have appeared.
Slight redness, scaling and itching is a predictable condition for any type of epidermis.
These consequences disappear on their own in 1 to 2 weeks, without leaving any visual imperfection.
Rehabilitation
The outcome of the procedure is strongly influenced by the behavior of the patient himself. He should carefully monitor the skin, protect it from aggressive environmental influences, do not apply decorative cosmetics during wound healing.
General guidelines:
- The first three days of the wound should be lubricated with an ointment based on dexpanthenol,it will help in the rapid healing of microdamages. Afterwards, 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, not to take hot baths.
- You should not go out without sunscreen,and it is better to choose a protection of 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 see the specialist who performed the fractional laser rejuvenation again. He must assess 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 should be removed with several treatments.
Visually, the skin is smoother, has a natural color, the face is tightened and visibly blooms in 99% of cases.
One percent is spent on unforeseen circumstances, improper care and lack of physician skills.
Advantages of the method
Many patients are impressed with this method with significant benefits that are worth noting. By choosing photothermolysis, a person receives the following:
- low cost with high efficiency; painless
- ;
- effect even from a procedure;
- non-invasive;
- lacks strong side effects.
In addition, 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 if you do not strictly follow the recommendations of the cosmetologist, you can gain huge age spots on half of the face, which will not be easy to remove.
In addition, laser treatment lasts quite a long time, during which the patient experiences an unpleasant smell of damaged skin, which not everyone is able to resist.
Another drawback is the incomplete result of a procedure with deep depressions, scars and wrinkles.
Review of notices
Fractional rejuvenation is gaining popularity in cosmetology. Every year more and more women are choosing a laser instead of a surgical scalpel.