From the time of Cleopatra to the present day, there is no 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 cosmetics that offer a variety of anti-aging surgeries and procedures.
Especially popular are techniques that allow you to get rid of external signs of aging without resorting to scalpel or Botox injections. Fractional laser rejuvenation is currently the fastest and safest way to combat skin aging.
What is fractional laser and how to "rejuvenate"
When the laser hits the skin, a deeply spreading burn occurs. Active healing (regeneration) processes begin, providing the desired cosmetic effect. This procedure is also known as laser resurfacing in cosmetics.
If the same laser is split into many microbeams, then the so-called fractional laser beam is obtained. Such a beam will no longer act as a full point on the skin, but as an intermittent micro-grid. Burns after fractional laser thermolysis take place in the form of many microdots between intact skin. This significantly reduces the trauma of the procedure (as well as pain) and allows the skin to heal faster.
After exposure to the laser, healthy skin cells begin to actively divide with the formation of collagen and elastin, which provide elasticity and a youthful appearance on the skin.
Fractional photothermolysis types
Ablative
Under the influence of laser radiation, water evaporates from the tissues, creating an "open" microscopic wound with damaged (burnt) cells around it.
In the healing process, a pronounced lifting effect occurs, but there is a danger of infection penetrating the deep layers of the skin.
Non ablative
Radiation is used that leaves the epidermis intact, so that 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 selects the fractional rejuvenation method 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 optimum balance between safety and efficiency.
Main pluses:
- the ability to affect any part of the body (including décolleté, neck, eyelids);
- a wide variety of indications;
- physiology (the area of damage is only 20% of the entire laser-treated area);
- short recovery time (2-7 days);
- anesthesia method - application;
- the possibility of use in people with dark skin (as it does not cause hyperpigmentation);
- duration of the result (from one year to several years).
The disadvantage is that the technology itself has recently appeared, so insufficient knowledge of all aspects of the effect of the fractional laser.
Fractional rejuvenation indications:
- wrinkles (of any depth and place);
- decrease in the elastic properties of the skin;
- enlarged pores;
- pigmentation;
- acne;
- spider veins;
- scars (postoperative, post-acne residual);
- cracks (cracks), including in the skin of the mammary glands.
Fractional laser thermolysis conductivity properties
A few days before the photothermolysis procedure, the cosmetologist may prescribe antibacterial or antiviral drugs in prophylactic doses (if indicated).
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 felt as "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:
- Moisten 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 tanning salon, use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30);
- do not use peeling and rubbing (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 treatment period (reduce skin regenerative functions).
On average, the rehabilitation period lasts up to 3 days after non-ablative fractional laser thermolysis and up to 7 days after ablative thermolysis.
Post-procedural skin changes
Redness, discomfort and mild swelling may persist for 1-3 days after intense laser exposure. If this condition is subjectively poorly tolerated, the use of painkillers and skin cooling is allowed.
After a few days, a tan complexion (tanning effect) may appear, which lasts up to 2 weeks and disappears spontaneously. Dryness and peeling of the skin are noted within 5-7 days after fractional rejuvenation.
Adverse consequences and contraindications for photothermolysis
The following complications are possible with improper skin care after the procedure, failure to follow the recommendations or technical errors during laser treatment:
- Rash on the skin that lasts more than 3 days;
- Edema in the area of exposure that lasts more than 2 days;
- exacerbation of herpes infection (if it was previously in the field of treatment);
- infection (appearance of streptoderma);
- erosion, burns in the affected area;
- stop bleeding;
- hyperpigmentation.
In order to avoid undesirable consequences, the fractional laser rejuvenation procedure is performed after the examination and exclusion of possible contraindications.
Absolute contraindications:
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- tendency to form keloid scars;
- acute infectious process (including herpes);
- oncological pathology;
- post-radiation situation, chemotherapy;
- epilepsy;
- important disorders of the immune system;
- taking drugs containing retinoids;
- psoriasis during exacerbation (atopic dermatitis).
Relative:
- kidney pathology;
- diabetes;
- inflammation in the area of exposure;
- unwillingness of the patient to follow the advice of the beautician;
- mental illness;
- allergy to anesthesia;
- autoimmune diseases;
- fresh tan (visit to the solarium in the past month);
- last rejuvenation procedures (affecting the deep layers of the skin - in the last three months, superficial - within 10 days).
Fractional laser rejuvenation examinations and photographs of patients from the "before" and "after" series often undermine the effectiveness and low trauma of this youth preservation method.
Remember!The procedure can only be performed by trained specialists (surgeon or dermatovenerologist) who are permitted to work with laser devices. The competence of a doctor is the key to your beauty!