Aging is a natural biological process that affects all tissues of the human body, including those that make up the appearance of man. However, facial tissues are more prone to aging than others because they are constantly under the influence of environmental factors, chewing, facial expressions, and speech functions. As the face is a kind of “business card” for man, the issue of preserving and restoring the youthfulness of the facial skin is particularly important and relevant. Of the many methods and techniques used today to solve this problem, laser facial rejuvenation deserves special attention.
The essence of the method is the fractional effect of the laser beam on the skin. The laser beam is divided into many of the thinnest beams that affect the microscopic areas of the skin that are located at a strictly defined depth and evaporate them. Intact cells located between these areas stimulate the active production of collagen and elastin, two major "building blocks" that are less and less produced in the human body as we age. After this procedure, the skin color improves, fine and medium wrinkles are corrected, the bags under the eyes are removed and the contour of the face becomes tighter. At the same time, the rehabilitation period is kept to a minimum. 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 rejuvenation.
Lasers used for fractional laser rejuvenation
For the first time in the world, in 2004, the US company Palomar Medical Technologies obtained a patent for the principle of fractional laser exposure. Fractional laser systems are currently represented by a number of laser technology companies. The most common are Palomar and Fraxel laser systems, Affirm lasers manufactured by the famous American company Cynosure, Candela GentleYAG lasers and others. Because these settings have a common principle of action, the outcome of the procedure is largely determined by the professionalism of the person performing the procedure.
Contraindications to the laser rejuvenation procedure
The absolute contraindication to this procedure is
- Pregnancy, breast-feeding.
- Focuses on the inflammatory process in the affected area.
- Psoriasis and dermatoses.
- Focuses of herpes infection in the affected area.
- Chemical exfoliation of the area of the planned treatment that was performed less than two weeks before the procedure.
- Oncological diseases.
- Systemic diseases of the blood, immune system, connective tissue.
- Diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation.
- Severe forms of high blood pressure and coronary heart disease.
- Returns to the procedure area.
- Tendency to form keloid scars.
- Family history of vitiligo.
Relative contraindications include active sunbathing in the last three weeks before the procedure, i. e. , fresh sunburn, and superficial and midline exfoliation in the treatment area less than three weeks before the procedure.
Benefits of fractional laser rejuvenation
Damage to the skin due to the point effect is minimal, so all traces disappear within 3-4 days after the procedure.
The method allows you to treat large areas of the skin in one procedure while maintaining and activating the skin’s regenerative resource, ensuring rapid rehabilitation and long-term growth of the positive effect.
The procedure does not require anesthesia and can be performed on the neck, décolleté and eyes.
Side effects are rare. Possible complications include transient appearance of red-purple spots in the treatment area, mild and transient itching, activation of herpes infection, changes in skin texture, including burns, peeling, and crust formation. Scarring, hyper- and hypopigmentation of the skin can be extremely rare but permanent in the area of the procedure.
What is the complete laser rejuvenation process
One phase of fractional laser exposure lasts 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the nature of the problem and the area of the area being treated. Repeat procedures are performed in 3-4 weeks. Usually a total of 3-4 sessions are required. The maximum positive effect occurs within three months after the last procedure. We recommend that you perform maintenance sessions every 10-14 months.
What to do after the laser facial rejuvenation procedure
The mild burning sensation after the procedure disappears in 1-2 hours, while redness and mild swelling may persist for 1-3 days. External agents (creams, ointments, sprays) containing dexpanthenol, such as Bepanten, Panthenol, D-Panthenol, should be used during this period. After the listed symptoms have disappeared and before the next procedure, a cream with hyaluronic acid is used.
You can shower and wash on the day of the procedure, but it is better to wait with the sauna and the pool. The primer can be used one day after the procedure.
It is mandatory to use sunscreens with a protection factor of at least 30, as this will activate the skin's metabolism and make it particularly sensitive to sunlight.
Following the procedure, the recommendations of the specialist performing the procedure should be followed. The choice of cosmetic products, their frequency and duration of use are determined individually and depend on the type and characteristics of the skin.
Fractional laser rejuvenation is a cosmetological procedure in which the skin is exposed to a series of lasers made of microplates. The purpose of this effect is to activate regeneration processes and collagenogenesis. This is a relatively new but already very popular hardware technique. It is also called fraxel, fractional laser regeneration, or photothermolysis.
Working principle and variants of fractional laser rejuvenation
How does a fractional laser work? The micropels emitted by the device cause heat shock, in response to which "lazy" skin cells begin to function more actively. They divide faster to repair the damaged area. Old cells that have proven inoperable are destroyed, giving way to young ones. Warming of the deep layers of the skin is accompanied by partial denaturation of proteins and the formation of new components of the extracellular matrix, including elastin and collagen.
We distinguish between ablative and non-ablative laser rejuvenation according to the depth of the stroke. The first is superficial and resembles grinding. Laser treatment of the upper layers of the skin is accompanied by moisture, damage to the epidermis. After healing, the skin becomes more toned, its topography and color are balanced. During non-ablative photothermolysis, the laser acts on the deep layers of the skin. In this case, there are no open wounds.
Each type of rejuvenation has its benefits and minutes. Thus, the effect of the ablative laser coating can be noticed after the first procedure. With this method you can get rid of deep wrinkles and aging spots, acne, stretch marks, scars. With a non-ablative procedure, there is no risk of infection and the anti-aging effect can be noticed for several years. This type of photothermolysis is recommended for people under the age of 40, with the first signs of aging: fine wrinkles, decreased turgor.
Indications and Contraindications to the Procedure
Photothermolysis should be used if available:
- Looseness, sagging skin.
- Both fine and deep wrinkles, magpies.
- Pigmentation of any origin.
- Increased secretion.
- Enlarged pores, prone to acne.
- After scars, stretch marks, acne.
- Vascular "stars" (rosacea).
- Dull complexion.
Contraindications to fractional laser rejuvenation:
- Allergy, psoriasis.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Pregnancy, breast-feeding.
- Blood disorders.
- Skin infections, inflammations in the area of the planned treatment.
- Any chronic disease in the decompensation stage.
- Oncology.
- Increased body temperature.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Tendency to form keloid scars.
- Epilepsy.
Features of laser rejuvenation
Preparation for the fractional photothermolysis process consists of refusing to visit the solarium and the beach for two weeks. During this time, you should not cleanse the skin, perform chemical peels, take sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, or take tetracyclines. Three days before the procedure, they stop visiting the pool, spa, sauna, and treat the area of the alleged exposure with alcoholic cosmetics. To prevent complications, the beautician may prescribe antiviral and antibacterial medications 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 cleansed of cosmetics and dirt. Usually, the effect of the laser can be felt as an unpleasant tingling, but sometimes pain relief may be needed. In this case, the beautician applies an anesthetic to the prepared skin surface. Once the ointment has taken effect, it treats the skin with a laser. The duration of the procedure depends on the size of the treatment area and can range from a few minutes to an hour. Finally, the skin is soothed with a nourishing cream.
In the first days after the procedure, it is forbidden to use alcoholic products, to compress the body parts where the photothermolysis was performed with a compression cloth. 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 hydrated three times a day with a special cream. And so for half a month. It is not desirable to peel, use cosmetics with retinol, salicylic acid. It is necessary to use a cream with a sun protection factor of at least 35 for two months.
How many procedures are needed to achieve the result? What effect can you expect?
The rehabilitation period after laser fractional rejuvenation lasts 3-7 days. The speed of recovery is highly dependent on lifestyle. Alcohol consumption, smoking, overactivity, an unbalanced diet, insomnia and anxiety - all can slow down the regeneration process.
Redness and mild swelling may occur during the first three days after laser exposure. Anesthetics and cooling of the skin can help reduce the feeling of discomfort. It is normal for the skin to feel tight within a week, there are flaky areas. The side effect of the procedure can be bronze-brown in color, which disappears on its own after half a month.
After fractional photothermolysis is a lasting result after 2-5 processes. More specifically, the number of sessions can only be determined by the beautician based on the initial data. The interval between procedures is 3-4 weeks. As a result of fractional laser rejuvenation, the aging processes are inhibited: wrinkles disappear or become less noticeable, the turgor increases, the severity of the pores decreases and the complexion improves. This method is an effective tool in the fight against scars, pigmentation, acne, stretch marks.
Laser fractional rejuvenation is one of the three most popular hardware cosmetic procedures. Its benefits include efficiency, short recovery period, physiology. The result is visible after the first procedure and lasts for 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 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 save you with the help of a laser, which occupies one of the first places in anti-aging procedures in modern cosmetology.
Exposure types and methods
Ablative photothermolysis
There are two methods of photothermolysis, each suitable for different cases. Instead of making the best choice, the right choice will help the cosmetologist make the first appointment.
This method is suitable for rejuvenating young skin that has started to age naturally.
The laser-assisted micro-damage network only affects the upper layers of the epidermis and forces it to regenerate in a short time.
The result will appear 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 cells outside.
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
If you want to rejuvenate without a serious braces, you can use this method.
Fractional laser treatment addresses many facial imperfections, including:
- very marked wrinkles on the forehead;
- nasolabial folds;
- magpie thread around the eye;
- epidermis "drains";
- 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 multiple procedures may be required depending on the severity of the imperfection.
Contraindications
Like all other external effects on the body, fractional laser rejuvenation has its own contraindications, in the presence of which it is forbidden to use such a procedure.
This includes:
- presence of severe inflammation on 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;
- herpes in the acute stage;
- pregnancy, lactation;
- immunodeficiency conditions;
- bronchial asthma, severe allergic reactions;
- neurological diseases.
All contraindications are conditional, meaning the beautician weighs all the risks to the patient.
You may need to first treat skin problems or wait for the remission of chronic diseases, after which it is still recurring.
Preparation
Because the procedure is not a surgical procedure, no serious preparation is required. Initially, you should consult a cosmetologist who will assess the condition of your skin and will also give recommendations for the necessary rejuvenation method.
The patient should inform the physician of any medical history and disease, and of any exacerbation of chronic disease in the past six months.
If available, the specialist will advise you to consult a specialist to assess the safety of the procedure.
You should also have a blood and urine test to identify or rule out inflammatory processes in your body. He then determines the date of the first visit.
Execution
Fractional laser skin rejuvenation in the facial area is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning the patient comes in, is treated, and then goes home.
Before that, the beautician applies a lidocaine-based anesthetic cream or ointment to the epidermis.
In fact, the procedure is not overly painful, so sometimes the therapy is done without going through this stage.
Keep in mind that the use of local anesthetics slightly inhibits the natural regeneration of the skin afterwards.
The patient then lies down on the couch 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 take 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 red polka dot grid is visible on the face, the skin is red, slightly swollen, so it is better to take care of the way back in advance.
Possible complications
Fractional rejuvenation does not rule out 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 facial care 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 appeared.
Light redness, peeling, and itching are predictable conditions for any type of epidermis.
Such consequences resolve on their own within 1-2 weeks, with no visual deficiencies.
Rehabilitation
The outcome of the procedure is greatly influenced by the patient's own behavior. You need to pay close attention to your skin, protect it from aggressive environmental influences, and do not use decorative cosmetics during healing.
General guidelines:
- The first three days of the wound should be lubricated with dexpanthenol ointment,contributes to the rapid healing of micro-lesions. It is then recommended to use a light hyaluronic acid moisturizing cream as advised by the beautician.
- Washing is not prohibited.The epidermis should not be exposed to strong heat for 2 weeks, so it is better to refrain from baths and saunas, do not take a hot bath.
- You should not go out without sunscreen,and it is better to choose the protection from 50. If this does not happen, hyperpigmentation will appear. The cosmetic product should be applied until complete healing, even when it is winter outside.
After a few weeks, it is recommended that you revisit the specialist who performed the fractional laser rejuvenation. You need to assess the condition of your facial skin, rule out complications.
Forecast
The result is visible immediately after recovery if the deficiencies were not too pronounced. Deep wrinkles or scars need to be removed with a number of treatments.
Visually, the skin is smoother, natural in color, the face is firm and visibly blooms in 99% of cases.
One percent is spent on unforeseen circumstances, inadequate care, and lack of medical qualifications.
Benefits of this method
For many patients, this method has significant benefits that are worth noting. By choosing photothermolysis, a person gets:
- low cost, high efficiency;
- pain relief;
- effect from even a single procedure;
- non-invasiveness;
- has no 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 don’t strictly follow the beautician’s recommendations, you can get huge age spots on half of your face that won’t be easy to remove.
In addition, laser treatment lasts for a fairly long time, during which the patient feels an unpleasant odor on the damaged skin that not everyone can resist.
Another disadvantage is that it is an incomplete result of a procedure with deep depressions, scars and wrinkles.
Review reviews
Fractional rejuvenation is becoming increasingly popular in cosmetology. Every year, more and more women are responding to a laser instead of a surgical scalpel.