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 her skin. Modern medical science never ceases to amaze with innovations in the field of cosmetology, offering various surgeries and anti-aging procedures.
Especially 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 a fractional laser is and how it "rejuvenates"
When the laser hits the skin, a burn that spreads deep. Active healing processes (regeneration) are initiated, which provide 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, then the so-called fractional laser beam is obtained. This beam will no longer act on the skin as a whole point, but as an intermittent microgrid. Burns after fractional laser thermolysis are located in the form of a large number of microdots between intact skin. This significantly reduces the trauma of the procedure (as well as the pain) and allows the skin to recover more quickly.
After laser exposure, healthy skin cells begin to actively divide, with the formation of collagen and elastin, which provide elasticity and youthful appearance to the skin.
Varieties of fractionated photothermolysis
Ablative
Under the action of laser radiation, water evaporates from the tissues and an "open" microscopic wound is formed, around which damaged (burned) cells are located.
During healing, there is a pronounced lifting effect, but there is a danger of infection penetrating the deep layers of the skin.
Non-ablative
Radiation is used, which leaves the epidermis intact, preventing tissue evaporation and the formation of an "open" wound. 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 individually fractionated rejuvenation method, 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 ideal balance between safety and effectiveness.
Main advantages:
- the ability to affect any part of the body (including neckline, neck, eyelids);
- a wide range of indications;
- physiology (the damage area is only 20% of the entire laser-treated area);
- short healing period (2-7 days);
- anesthesia method - application;
- possibility of use in people with dark skin (as long as it does not cause hyperpigmentation);
- the duration of the result (from one year to several years).
The disadvantage is the insufficient knowledge of all aspects of the effect of a fractional laser, since the technology itself has recently appeared.
Indications for fractional rejuvenation:
- wrinkles (of any depth and location);
- decreased 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.
Conduction characteristics of fractional laser thermolysis
A few days before the photothermolysis procedure, the cosmetologist can 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 carefully cleaned and treated with a special anesthetic cream. In some cases, anesthesia is not necessary.
The effect of the laser is felt as "tingling" or "tingling". The duration of the procedure (from several minutes to an hour) and its number are selected individually. After laser treatment, a nourishing and soothing cream is applied to the skin.
Follow-up skin care:
- Moisturize the skin with a special cream 2 to 3 times a day (within 2 weeks);
- protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation for 2 months (do not use the solarium, use sunscreen with a minimum protection factor of 30);
- do not use peels and scrub (within 2 weeks);
- do not use cosmetics that contain 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 throughout the course of treatment (reduce the skin's regenerative functions).
On average, the rehabilitation period lasts up to 3 days after fractional non-ablative 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 poorly tolerated, painkillers and skin cooling are allowed.
After a few days, a tanned skin tone (suntan effect) may appear, lasting up to 2 weeks and disappearing on its own. Within 5 to 7 days after fractional rejuvenation, dryness and flaking of the skin is observed.
Undesirable consequences and contraindications for photothermolysis
With inadequate 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 previously in the treatment area);
- infection (appearance of streptoderma);
- erosion, burns in the affected area;
- detect bleeding;
- hyperpigmentation.
To avoid undesirable consequences, the fractional laser rejuvenation procedure is performed 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 radiation, chemotherapy;
- epilepsy;
- significant disorders of the immune system;
- taking medications containing retinoids;
- psoriasis (atopic dermatitis) during an exacerbation.
Relative:
- renal pathology;
- diabetes;
- inflammation at the site of exposure;
- the patient's reluctance to follow the cosmetologist's recommendations;
- 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 - in 10 days).
Fractional laser rejuvenation assessments and photos of patients in the "before" and "after" series often impair the effectiveness and low trauma of this youth preservation method.
To remember!The procedure can only be performed by specialists (surgeon or dermatovenerologist) trained and qualified to work with laser devices. The competence of a doctor is the key to your beauty!