Fractional laser rejuvenation- a cosmetic procedure, during which the skin is exposed to a laser network made up of microbeams. The purpose of this effect is to activate regeneration processes and collagenesis. This is a relatively new, but already very popular, hardware technique. In another way, it is called fraxel, fractional laser resurfacing or photothermolysis.
The principle of operation and varieties of fractional laser rejuvenation
How does a fractional laser work? The micro-rays emitted by the device cause a thermal shock, in response to which the "lazy" cells of the skin begin to function more actively. To repair the damaged area, they divide faster. The old cells that have become inoperative die, giving way to the younger ones. The heating of the deep layers of the skin is accompanied by a partial denaturation of proteins, as well as the formation of new components of the extracellular matrix, including elastin and collagen.
The depth of impact stands outablative and non-ablative laser rejuvenation. . . The first is superficial and looks like a grinding. Laser treatment of the upper layers of the skin is accompanied by evaporation of moisture, damage to the epidermis. After healing, the skin becomes more toned, its relief and color are unified. During non-ablative photothermolysis, the laser acts on the deep layers of the skin. In this case, no open sores are formed.
Each type of rejuvenation has its benefits and its minutes. Thus, the effect of ablative laser resurfacing is noticeable after the first procedure. Using this method, you can get rid of deep wrinkles and age spots, post acne, stretch marks, scars. With a non-ablative procedure, there is no risk of infection, and the anti-aging effect is noticeable for several years. This type of photothermolysis is recommended for people under 40, showing the first signs of aging: fine wrinkles, reduced turgor.
Indications and contraindications for the procedure
It is worth having the photothermolysis procedure if you have:
- Flaccidity, sagging skin.
- Fine and deep wrinkles, crow's feet.
- Pigmentation of any origin.
- Increased secretion of sebum.
- Dilated pores, acne prone.
- Scars, stretch marks, post-acne.
- Vascular "asterisks" (rosacea).
- Dull complexion.
Contraindications to fractional laser rejuvenation are:
- Allergies, psoriasis.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding.
- Blood diseases.
- Skin infections, inflammation in the area for treatment.
- Any chronic disease in the stage of decompensation.
- Oncology.
- Increase in body temperature.
- Diabetes.
- Tendency to form keloid scars.
- Epilepsy.
Features of laser rejuvenation
Preparation for the procedure of fractional photothermolysis consists of refusing to visit the solarium and the beach for two weeks. All the while, you can not also clean the skin, do chemical peels, take sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines. Three days before the procedure, they stop going to the swimming pool, public baths, sauna, treat the suspected exposure area with cosmetics containing alcohol. In order to prevent complications, the cosmetologist can prescribe antiviral and antibacterial drugs for this period. On the day before the procedure should be carried out without alcohol and cigarettes, avoid going to the gym.
Before laser treatment, the skin is cleaned of cosmetics and impurities. Usually, the laser effect is experienced as an unpleasant tingling sensation, but sometimes pain relief may be required. In this case, the beautician applies an anesthetic to the prepared skin area. Once the ointment is effective, he proceeds to laser skin treatment. The duration of the procedure depends on the extent of the treatment area and ranges from a few minutes to an hour. Finally, the skin is soothed with a nourishing cream.
The first days after the intervention, you can not use alcohol-based products, compress the parts of the body where the photothermolysis has been carried out, with compression cloths. It is recommended to exclude physical activity for a week, visit the swimming pool, sauna or bath, limit the time spent on the street. The skin is hydrated with a special cream three times a day. And so for half a month. It is undesirable to do peels, use cosmetics containing retinol, salicylic acid. For two months it is necessary to use a cream with a sun protection factor of 35 or more.
How many procedures do you need to get the result? What effect can we expect?
The rehabilitation period after fractional laser rejuvenation lasts 3-7 days. The speed of recovery depends a lot on the lifestyle. Alcohol consumption, smoking, excessive activity, unbalanced diet, insomnia and anxiety - all of these can slow down regeneration processes.
The first three days after laser exposure, skin redness and slight swelling may be observed. Anesthetics and skin cooling can help reduce the feeling of discomfort. It is normal that if you feel tightness in the skin within a week, there are scaly areas. A side effect of the procedure may be a tanned tan, which disappears on its own after half a month.
A lasting result after fractional photothermolysis occurs after 2-5 procedures. More precisely, the number of sessions can only be determined by a cosmetologist, based on the initial data. The intervals between procedures are 3 to 4 weeks. Thanks to fractional laser rejuvenation, aging processes are inhibited: wrinkles disappear or become less visible, turgor increases, the severity of the pores decreases and the complexion improves. This method is an effective tool in the fight against scars, pigmentation, post-acne, stretch marks.
Fractional laser rejuvenation is one of the three most popular physical cosmetic procedures. Its advantages include efficiency, short healing period, physiology. The result is visible after the first procedure and lasts up to three years. The method has a wide range of indications. It is possible to choose the laser exposure depth.