From the time of Cleopatra to the present, there is not a single representative of the fair sex who does not want to prolong the youth and beauty of her skin. Modern medical science never ceases to amaze with innovations in the field of cosmetology, which offer a wide range of anti-aging surgeries and procedures.
The most popular are techniques that allow you to get rid of external signs of aging without using a scalpel or Botox injections. Fractional laser rejuvenation is currently practically the fastest and safest way to combat aging skin.
What is a fractional laser and how to "rejuvenate"
When the laser hits the skin, it causes deep, widespread burns. An active healing (regeneration) process begins, which gives the desired cosmetic effect. This procedure is also known in cosmetology as laser resurfacing of the skin.
If the same laser is divided into many micro-beams, a so-called fractional laser beam is obtained. Such rays will no longer act on the skin as a whole, but as discontinuous microgrids. Burns after fractional laser thermolysis are present in the form of a large number of microdotes between intact skin. This significantly reduces the trauma of the procedure (as well as pain) and allows the skin to heal more quickly.
Once exposed to the laser, intact healthy skin cells begin to divide actively, with the build-up of collagen and elastin, which give skin elasticity and a youthful appearance.
Fractional photothermolysis varieties
Ablative
Under the action of laser radiation, water evaporates from the tissue and a microscopic "open" wound is formed, where damaged (burned) cells are located.
In the process of healing, a noticeable lifting effect occurs, but there is a danger of infection penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin.
Non-ablative
Radiation is used, which keeps the epidermis intact, so that evaporation from the tissue and formation of an "open" wound does not occur. The burn forms and heals under the epidermis, so there is no risk of infection, but the rejuvenating effect of the procedure is less pronounced.
The beautician chooses the fractional rejuvenation method individually, depending on the condition and skin type.
Effects and Benefits of Fractional Laser Thermolysis
The main difference between the technique and all other procedures is the optimal balance between safety and effectiveness.
The main added value:
- the ability to affect any part of the body (including décolleté, neck, eyelids);
- various indications;
- physiology (the area of damage is only 20% of the total laser treated area);
- short healing period (2-7 days);
- anesthetic method - application;
- possibility of using it in people with dark skin (as it does not cause hyperpigmentation);
- duration of the results (from one year to several years).
The downside is insufficient knowledge of all aspects of the fractional laser effect, as the technology itself has emerged recently.
Indications for fractional rejuvenation:
- wrinkles (of any depth and location);
- decreased elasticity of the skin;
- enlarged pores;
- pigmentation;
- acne;
- spider veins;
- scars (postoperative, residual after acne);
- stretch marks (striae), including on the skin of the mammary glands.
Features perform fractional laser thermolysis
A few days before the photothermolysis procedure, the cosmetologist may prescribe (if indicated) antibacterial or antiviral drugs in prophylactic doses.
On the day of fractional rejuvenation, it is necessary to completely exclude physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption.
Before the procedure, the skin is cleaned and treated with a special anesthetic cream. In some cases, anesthesia is completely unnecessary.
The laser effect feels like "tingling" or "tingling". The duration of the procedure (from a few minutes to an hour) and the amount are selected individually. After laser treatment, a soothing nourishing cream is applied to the skin.
Advanced skin care:
- Moisturizes the skin with a special cream 2-3 times a day (within 2 weeks);
- protect the skin from UV radiation for 2 months (do not visit the solarium, use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30);
- do not use peels and scrubs (within 2 weeks);
- do not use cosmetics containing salicylic acid and retinol (within 2 weeks);
- do not wear compression underwear for several days (if fractional photothermolysis is carried out on the body);
- limit (exclude) smoking and alcohol during the entire treatment (reduce skin regenerative function).
On average, the rehabilitation period lasts up to 3 days after non-ablative fractional laser thermolysis and up to 7 days after ablative thermolysis.
Skin changes after the procedure
For 1-3 days after intense laser exposure, redness, discomfort and slight swelling of the skin may persist. If this condition is subjectively not well tolerated, then it is permissible to use pain relievers and skin coolers.
After a few days, a bronze skin tone (tanning effect) may appear, which lasts up to 2 weeks and goes away on its own. Within 5-7 days after fractional rejuvenation, the skin becomes dry and peels off.
Undesirable consequences and contraindications for photothermolysis
With improper skin care after the procedure, non-adherence to recommendations, or technical errors during laser treatment, the following complications are possible:
- redness of the skin that lasts more than 3 days;
- edema at the site of exposure, lasting more than 2 days;
- exacerbation of herpes infection (if previously in the treatment area);
- infection (appearance of streptoderma);
- erosion, burns in affected areas;
- determine bleeding;
- hyperpigmentation.
In order to avoid undesirable consequences, a fractional laser rejuvenation procedure is carried out after the examination and exclusion of possible contraindications.
Absolute contraindications:
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- tendency to form keloid scars;
- acute infectious processes (including herpes);
- oncological pathology;
- conditions after radiation, chemotherapy;
- epilepsy;
- significant impairment of the immune system;
- take medications containing retinoids;
- psoriasis (atopic dermatitis) during exacerbation.
Relatively:
- kidney pathology;
- diabetes;
- inflammation at the site of exposure;
- patient reluctance to follow the recommendations of the cosmetologist;
- psychiatric illness;
- allergic to anesthetics;
- autoimmune disease;
- fresh tan (visits to the solarium in the last month);
- recent rejuvenation procedures (affecting the deep layers of the skin - in the last three months, superficial - within 10 days).
Reviews of fractional laser rejuvenation and patient photographs from the "before" and "after" series generally undermine the effectiveness and low trauma of this youth preservation method.
Remember!This procedure can only be performed by a specialist (surgeon or dermatovenerologist) who is trained and licensed to work with laser devices. A doctor's competence is the key to your beauty!