Non-ablative laser rejuvenation helps firm the skin, reduce expression lines, improve skin tone, unify relief and tighten pores. This gentle version of laser exposure is recommended for people with photo signs and skin aging.
Ablative vs Non-Ablative Laser Rejuvenation: What's the Difference
Ablative and non-ablative rejuvenation methods differ in the degree of laser exposure of 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 targeted and controlled trauma to the skin to start the recovery process.
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 recovery period the client will have to go through.
The non-ablative procedure is gentler and does not have 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 less well after stretching, becomes flabby and flabby. Wrinkles start to appear.
Laser beam, which is a directed beam of light:
- Affects the structure of the dermis;
- Denaturation of proteins occurs;
- Stimulates the synthesis of new collagen and elastin molecules.
The goal of non-ablative laser therapy is to heat structural proteins to 42-80 ° C. At the temperature limit, the proteins denature: they thicken, activating aseptic inflammation, which leads to the start of the recovery process. New fibroblast cells appear and the skin is gradually renewed.
Today, cosmetology clinic clients have access to laser rejuvenation with 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 skin tone
- Post-acne;
- Scars;
- Vascular asterisks.
The benefits of non-ablative laser rejuvenation include:
- Saving impact. The laser leaves no visible damage. Rarely, slight swelling may occur;
- Physiological rejuvenation;
- Quick recovery. The surface of the skin is not disturbed, after the intervention, hyperemia, which disappears in 24 hours;
- The precision of the impact. On the laser device, the diameter of the light beam, the pulse power and various operating options are set.
The procedure has its drawbacks:
- More procedures are needed compared to the ablative method;
- A light impact is not able to remove deep scars;
- Monthly repetition. It is advisable to carry out a course of 3-6 procedures every 14-30 days. Then the cumulative effect will fully manifest itself and the result will be more noticeable;
- High price.
Non-ablative laser rejuvenation is recommended for people who do not want a period of rehabilitation and can afford to do the procedures in the form of a course.
Possible complications
The likelihood of complications during non-ablative laser rejuvenation is significantly lower than with traditional treatments (chemical and acid peels, surgical procedures, etc. ). The main risk is untrained staff and poor quality equipment. The problem is easily solved by consulting the clinic's reviews.
In a personal meeting with a cosmetologist, you should ask a question about the training of a cosmetologist and apply for a certificate for a laser.
It will not be superfluous to specify when the machine was last serviced and to ask for confirmation that the laser is in order.
The patient should inform the doctor about possible allergic reactions to the drugs. Before the procedure, the doctor is obliged to report contraindications.
How does non-ablative laser skin rejuvenation work?
Before settling in for non-ablative laser rejuvenation, please note that this procedure requires a mandatory consultation with a doctor. The cosmetologist assesses 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, inflammation and infectious diseases, etc.
Preparation of the session
Before the non-ablative rejuvenation procedure, alcohol, tetracycline antibiotics, anticoagulants and retinol should be stopped.
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, cosmetics with alcohol. Immediately before going to the clinic, you do not need to apply decorative cosmetics, creams and lotions to the treated area.
Technical
The cosmetologist selects the procedure for the procedure, the intensity of radiation, the treatment area. The customer goes through 4 stages:
- Accommodation. The patient lies down on the sofa, taking a comfortable position, in which he will spend 10-30 minutes. The hair is removed from the forehead under a disposable cap;
- Facial cleansing. The doctor removes the remains of cosmetics, sebum and other impurities;
- Laser treatment. The beautician in scan mode treats the desired areas;
- To reduce redness, a cream is applied to the treated area, which stimulates the regeneration processes.
Most people do not experience any pain during non-ablative rejuvenation. For a client with sensitive skin, the doctor will suggest local anesthesia.
Recovery
Slight redness in the area to be treated and a feeling of internal heat. These symptoms go away on their own for 1 to 2 days.
For the best effect, the first 3-4 days should be protected from high temperatures in the treated areas: abandon the bath, saunas, solarium for 2 weeks. No need to rub the skin with 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 for non-ablative laser facial skin rejuvenation is $ 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 - from $ 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. Several clinics offer partial care: treatment of the frontal area, the nose, facial wrinkles near the eyes.
Many clinics offer a complex: face + neckline, face + neck, face + neck + neckline, etc. Such general anti-aging treatments are cheaper than treating the areas separately.
The cost of the service is set independently by each clinic. A significant drop in prices should be alarming. The clinic may use poor quality equipment or may not follow the recommendations for replacing consumable parts on the device.
Comments
On the websites of cosmetology clinics, customers post reviews of non-ablative laser rejuvenation, share their impressions and tips, post "before" and "after" photos.
"I completed a full laser rejuvenation course. I'll tell you about the procedure itself, so that beginners will know what to expect: the beam heats up. It's like a slight electric shock, it burns a little bit, but you can take it. If anyone has done laser hair removal before, here is a unique feeling.
The face after the treatment turned slightly red, but it is safe to go to work the next day. The effect is gradually reinforced: the face is visibly smoother, the skin thickens. After 5 days my skin peeled off slightly, but nothing like it peeled off straight away. Overall I'm happy with how the effect will wear off, plan to repeat. "
"The first time I opted for non-ablative laser skin rejuvenation was in 2015. And I was shocked by the effect! The first few hours, my face burned, as if scalded by boiling water. Then the impressions were, as from a light tan, no tightening took place. The second time around, I made my decision after my friend's persistent publicity. She did so at another clinic and became noticeably younger, by 10 years.
I went to see a beautician, he explained to me that the first time the power had been poorly chosen. I told you about wavelengths, how a neodymium laser works, but I didn't get it. And the second time around, I liked everything! So now I also advise everyone. The main thing is to find a competent specialist. "
In most reviews of non-ablative laser rejuvenation, patients note a visible result.
Non-ablative laser rejuvenation helps maintain skin tone, prolong youth. The lack of aggressive effects allows people with sensitive skin to use the procedure.
Before proceeding with non-ablative rejuvenation, consultation with a cosmetologist is required.