From the time of Cleopatra to the present day, there is not a single representative of the fair sex who does not want to prolong the youth and beauty of his skin. Modern medical science never ceases to amaze with innovations in the field of cosmetology, offering various anti-aging surgeries and procedures.
Techniques that get rid of the external signs of aging without resorting to a scalpel or Botox injections are particularly popular. Fractional laser rejuvenation is virtually the fastest and safest way to fight aging skin today.
What is a fractional laser and how does it "rejuvenate"
When the laser hits the skin, a burn occurs that spreads deep. 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 several micro-beams, then the so-called fractional laser beam is obtained. Such a beam will no longer act on the skin as a whole, but as an intermittent microarray. Burns after fractional laser thermolysis are localized as a large number of microtips in the intact skin. This greatly reduces the trauma of the procedure (as well as the pain) and allows the skin to recover faster.
After laser exposure, healthy, intact skin cells begin to actively divide, with the formation of collagen and elastin, which provide elasticity and a youthful appearance to the skin.
Varieties of fractional photothermolysis
Ablative
Under the action of laser radiation, water evaporates from the tissues and a microscopic "open" wound is formed, around which damaged (burnt) cells are found.
During healing, a pronounced lifting effect occurs, but there is a risk of infection penetrating into the deep layers of the skin.
Non-ablative
Radiation is used, which leaves the epidermis intact, so that evaporation of tissue 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 method of fractional rejuvenation, 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 effectiveness.
Main advantages:
- the ability to affect any part of the body (including the décolleté, neck, eyelids);
- a wide range of indications;
- physiology (the damaged area is only 20% of the total 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 (because it does not cause hyperpigmentation);
- the duration of the result (from one year to several years).
The downside 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 location);
- decrease in elastic properties of the skin;
- Pores;
- pigmentation;
- acne;
- spider veins;
- scars (postoperative, residual after acne);
- stretch marks (striae), including on the skin of the mammary glands.
Features of Conductive 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 thoroughly cleansed and treated with a special anesthetic cream. In some cases, anesthesia is not necessary at all.
The effect of the laser is felt as a "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.
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 sunscreen with a sun 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 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, then it is permissible to use pain relievers and skin cooling.
After a few days, a bronze complexion (tanning effect) may appear, which lasts up to 2 weeks and disappears on its own. Within 5-7 days of fractional rejuvenation, dryness and peeling of the skin are noted.
Undesirable consequences and contraindications of 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 exposure site, 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 unwanted consequences, the fractional laser rejuvenation procedure is carried out after examination and 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;
- take medications that contain retinoids;
- psoriasis (atopic dermatitis) during an exacerbation.
Relative:
- renal pathology;
- Diabetes;
- inflammation at the site of exposure;
- the patient's reluctance to follow the recommendations of the cosmetologist;
- mental illness;
- allergy to the 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 detract from the effectiveness and low trauma of this youth-preserving method.
Remember!The procedure can only be performed by specialists (surgeon or dermatovenerologist) trained and licensed to work with laser devices. The competence of a doctor is the key to your beauty!