From the time of Cleopatra to the present day, there is no representative of the fairer sex who would not want to prolong the youth and beauty of her skin. Modern medical science does not cease to amaze with innovations in the field of cosmetology, offering various surgeries and anti-aging procedures.
Especially popular are techniques that allow you to get rid of the external signs of aging without resorting to 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 to "rejuvenate"
When the laser hits the skin, a burn occurs that spreads to the depths. Active healing processes (regeneration) begin, which provide the desired cosmetic effect. This procedure is also known in cosmetology as laser skin rejuvenation.
If the same laser is split into many micro beams, a so-called fractional laser beam is obtained. Such a beam will no longer act on the skin as a whole, but as a broken micro-slit. The burns after fractional laser thermolysis are in the form of a large number of micropoints among the intact skin. This significantly reduces the trauma of the procedure (and also the pain) and allows for faster skin recovery.
After laser exposure, intact healthy skin cells begin to actively divide, creating collagen and elastin, which provide elasticity and a youthful appearance to the skin.
Diverse fractional photothermolysis
Ablative
Under the action of laser radiation, water evaporates from the tissue and an "open" microscopic wound is created around which there are damaged (burned) cells.
During healing, there is a pronounced lifting effect, but there is a danger that the infection will penetrate into the deep layers of the skin.
Non-ablative
Radiation is used that leaves the epidermis intact, so there is no evaporation from the tissue and the formation of an "open" wound. The burn is formed and heals under the epidermis, so there is no risk of infection, but the rejuvenating effect of this procedure is less pronounced.
The cosmetologist chooses the method of fractional rejuvenation individually, 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 efficiency.
Main pluses:
- ability to affect any part of the body (including décolleté, neck, eyelids);
- a wide range of indications;
- physiology (the area of damage is only 20% of the total area treated with the laser);
- short healing period (2-7 days);
- method of anesthesia - application;
- possibility of use on people with dark skin (because it does not cause hyperpigmentation);
- duration of results (from one to several years).
The downside is insufficient knowledge of all aspects of the fractional laser effect, since the technology itself has emerged recently.
Indications for fractional rejuvenation:
- wrinkles (of any depth and place);
- reduction of elastic properties of the skin;
- enlarged pores;
- pigmentation;
- acne;
- spider veins;
- scars (postoperative, residual after acne);
- stretch marks (stretch marks), including on the skin of the mammary glands.
Characteristics of 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 activities, smoking and alcohol consumption.
Before the procedure, the skin is thoroughly cleansed and treated with a special anesthetic cream. In some cases, anesthesia is not needed at all.
The laser effect feels like "tingling" or "tingling". The duration of the procedure (from a few minutes to an hour) and their number are selected individually. After the laser treatment, a soothing nourishing cream is applied to the skin.
The following skin care:
- Moisturize the skin with a special cream 2-3 times a day (within 2 weeks);
- protect your 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 has been performed on the body);
- limit (exclude) smoking and alcohol throughout the treatment (reduce the regenerative functions of the skin).
The rehabilitation period lasts on average up to 3 days after non-ablative fractional laser thermolysis and up to 7 days after ablative thermolysis.
Skin changes after surgery
1-3 days after intense laser exposure, redness, discomfort, and slight swelling of the skin may persist. If this condition is subjectively poorly tolerated, then it is allowed to use painkillers and skin cooling.
After a few days, a bronze skin tone (tanning effect) may appear that lasts for up to 2 weeks and disappears on its own. Within 5-7 days after fractional rejuvenation, dryness and peeling of the skin are noticed.
Adverse effects and contraindications for photothermolysis
With improper skin care after the procedure, non-compliance with recommendations or technical errors during laser treatment, the following complications are possible:
- redness of the skin lasting 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 (occurrence of streptoderma);
- erosion, burns in the affected area;
- precise bleeding;
- hyperpigmentation.
To avoid side effects, the fractional laser rejuvenation procedure is performed after examination and exclusion of possible contraindications.
Absolute contraindications:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- tendency to form keloid scars;
- acute infectious process (including herpes);
- oncological pathology;
- condition after radiation, chemotherapy;
- epilepsy;
- significant disorders of the immune system;
- taking medications containing retinoids;
- psoriasis (atopic dermatitis) during exacerbation.
Relatively:
- renal pathology;
- diabetes;
- inflammation at the site of exposure;
- unwillingness of the patient to follow the recommendations of the cosmetologist;
- mental illness;
- anesthetic allergy;
- autoimmune diseases;
- fresh tanned skin (visit to the solarium in the last month);
- recent rejuvenation procedures (affecting the deep layers of the skin - in the last three months, superficially - within 10 days).
Fractional laser rejuvenation reviews and patient photographs from the "before" and "after" series generally harm the efficacy and low trauma of this method of preserving youth.
Remember!The procedure can only be performed by specialists (surgeon or dermatovenerologist) who are trained and licensed to work with laser devices. The competence of the doctor is the key to your beauty!