From the time of Cleopatra to the present day, there is not a single representative of the fair sex who would 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, offering various surgeries and anti-aging procedures.
Particularly popular are the techniques that allow you to get rid of the external signs of aging without resorting to a scalpel or Botox injections. Fractional laser rejuvenation is currently practically the fastest and safest way to combat skin aging.
What is a fractional laser and how it "rejuvenates"
When the laser hits the skin, a burn occurs that spreads deeply. Active healing (regeneration) processes begin, which provides the desired cosmetic effect. This procedure is also known in cosmetology as laser skin resurfacing.
If the same laser is divided into many micro-beams, the so-called fractional laser beam is obtained. Such a beam will no longer act on the skin as a whole spot, but as an intermittent microgrid. Burns after fractional laser thermolysis are found in the form of a large number of microdots between the intact skin. This significantly reduces the trauma of the procedure (and also the pain) and allows the skin to recover faster.
After exposure to the laser, intact healthy skin cells begin to actively divide, with the formation of collagen and elastin, which provide elasticity and a youthful appearance to the skin.
Variety of fractional photothermolysis
Ablative
Under the action of laser radiation, water evaporates from the tissues and an "open" microscopic wound is formed, around which the damaged (burned) cells are located.
A pronounced lifting effect occurs in the course of healing, but there is a danger that the infection will penetrate into the deep layers of the skin.
Not ablative
Radiation is used, which leaves the epidermis intact, so evaporation from the tissues and the 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 this procedure is less pronounced.
The cosmetologist individually selects the fractional rejuvenation method, depending on the condition and type of skin.
Effects and benefits of fractional laser thermolysis
The main difference between the technique and all other procedures is the optimal balance between safety and efficacy.
Main advantages:
- the ability to hit any part of the body (including the décolleté, neck, eyelids);
- a wide range of indications;
- physiology (the damaged area is only 20% of the entire area treated with a laser);
- short healing period (2-7 days);
- method of anesthesia - application;
- the possibility of using it on people with dark skin (since it does not cause hyperpigmentation);
- the duration of the result (from one year to several years).
The disadvantage is insufficient knowledge of all aspects of the effect of a fractional laser, since the technology itself has appeared recently.
Indications for fractional rejuvenation:
- wrinkles (of any depth and position);
- decrease in the elastic properties 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 of the conduction of fractional laser thermolysis
A few days before the photothermolysis procedure, the cosmetologist may prescribe (if indicated) antibacterial or antiviral drugs at 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 thoroughly cleaned and treated with a special anesthetic cream. In some cases, anesthesia is not required at all.
The effect of the laser is perceived as "tingling" or "tingling". The duration of the procedure (from several minutes to an hour) and their number are selected individually. After the laser treatment, a soothing nourishing cream is applied to the skin.
Follow up skin care:
- Moisturize the skin with a special cream 2-3 times a day (within 2 weeks);
- protect the skin from UV rays for 2 months (do not visit the solarium, use sun creams 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 was performed on the body);
- limit (exclude) smoking and alcohol during the entire course of treatment (reduce the regenerative functions of the skin).
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 to 3 days after intense laser exposure, redness, discomfort, and slight swelling of the skin may persist. If this condition is subjectively poorly tolerated, the use of analgesics and skin cooling is allowed.
After a few days, a bronze skin tone (tanning effect) may appear, which lasts up to 2 weeks and disappears on its own. Within 5-7 days after fractional rejuvenation, dryness and peeling of the skin are noted.
Undesirable consequences and contraindications for photothermolysis
With improper skin care after the procedure, non-compliance with the recommendations or technical errors during laser treatment, the following complications are possible:
- skin redness lasting more than 3 days;
- edema at the site of exposure, lasting more than 2 days;
- exacerbation of herpes infection (if it was previously in the treatment area);
- infection (appearance of streptoderma);
- erosion, burns in the affected area;
- identify bleeding;
- hyperpigmentation.
In order to avoid undesirable consequences, the fractional laser rejuvenation procedure is carried out after the examination and the exclusion of possible contraindications.
Absolute contraindications:
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- tendency to form keloid scars;
- acute infectious process (including herpes);
- oncological pathology;
- condition after radiotherapy, chemotherapy;
- epilepsy;
- significant disorders of the immune system;
- taking medications containing retinoids;
- psoriasis (atopic dermatitis) during an exacerbation.
Relative:
- kidney pathology;
- diabetes;
- inflammation at the site of exposure;
- the patient's reluctance to follow the recommendations of the cosmetologist;
- mental disease;
- allergy to anesthetic;
- Autoimmune diseases;
- fresh tan (visit 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).
Fractional laser rejuvenation reviews and patient photos from the "before" and "after" series generally hurt the effectiveness and low trauma of this youth preservation method.
Remember!The procedure can only be performed by specialists (surgeon or dermatovenerologist) who have been trained and are allowed to work with laser devices. The competence of a doctor is the key to your beauty!