In youth, the skin of the face looks smooth, fresh and toned, despite the well-being and lack of cosmetic care. Over the years, its appearance gradually changes: first, a pleasant color disappears, and the first wrinkles appear, then spider veins, age spots, and deep folds. Each change indicates that the skin is aging. When ordinary face masks fail to help, more powerful procedures come to the rescue, one of them being laser facial rejuvenation.
The advantage of fractional photothermolysis (this is its second name) is complete safety and high efficiency in removing wrinkles and other defects. This procedure is a gentler alternative to surgery or injection intervention.
laser skin rejuvenation technology
What causes skin aging? There are several main reasons:
- weakening of metabolic processes;
- slow or incomplete waste removal;
- impaired cell growth function;
- reduction in the transfer of nutrients to the cells.
Of course, it is impossible to start the reverse process of cell rebirth, but there is a chance to activate the activity of "dormant" cells. For this, laser facial rejuvenation is used. After heat treatment, viable cells are activated and weak cells die completely, giving way to stronger specimens. In a word, a renewal of the cellular composition of the skin occurs.
The quality and speed of the recovery process depend on the diameter of the laser beam. Its thickness should be less than 200 microns. Fractional thermolysis has improved the effect of laser treatment: instead of a single beam, many microbeams act on the surface of the skin, as if forming a grid. Local microthermal zones are innovations in the application of laser technology. They help not to touch healthy areas of the skin, thus contributing to a speedy recovery.
Types of fractional laser resurfacing
Rejuvenation and lifting occur through the use of two effective methods of exposure, differing in some features of laser use.
Ablative photothermolysis
Its main function is the evaporation of the upper cells of the epidermis. Superficial and visible microsites are removed, which causes a lifting effect: the skin appears to tighten. As a result, the first sign of aging disappears - a network of fine wrinkles.
Non-ablative photothermolysis
It acts on the deepest and lowest layers of the dermis and epidermis, without affecting the upper area. In this way, it is recommended to solve deep problems related to the irreversible process of skin aging. With the help of a laser beam, a new cell membrane framework is built, the metabolic process is activated, collagen production improves, and as a result, the skin becomes younger from the inside.
Both methods are intended for local treatment, that is, the surrounding skin areas are not affected; this is necessary for a quick and complete restoration of the skin. In fact, fractional laser facial resurfacing can be called heat shock, which resumes the growth of healthy cells.
The combination of both methods, ablative and non-ablative, allows you to obtain the maximum result due to the double boost of well-being from the outside and from the inside. This technique is practiced in many modern clinics with laser equipment.
The course of the procedure and its results.
The advantage of skin laser treatment is the absence of pain, which is an attractive factor for people with a great fear of pain. The procedure itself is divided into several stages.
- Superficial anesthesia, after which the patient does not experience pain, but only a slight tingling in the treatment area. An anesthetic composition is applied immediately before the session.
- Conducting a session using a special apparatus, the action of which is based on the use of a fractional laser. The duration of the session is one hour, although the exact time depends on the number of areas treated.
- Apply a revitalizing cream on the skin.
- Expert advice on skin care.
It will take about a week for the skin to acquire a renewed appearance. This is a fairly short period compared to, say, surgery.
In the first two days, the swelling will remain on the face, then it will be replaced by redness, after which the skin will begin to peel off - the process of dead cells is released. They will be replaced by healthy and young cells, which will give the face a fresh and youthful appearance.
Indications for fractional photothermolysis
Most women, and some men are no exception, carefully monitor themselves, so not only fractional facial rejuvenation has become popular, but also laser photothermolysis of other parts of the body. Very often, patients ask if they need:
- restoration of the skin of the entire body or some of its parts, especially visible ones;
- removal of capillary reticulum and pigmentation;
- pore reduction;
- removal of scars, stretch marks, scars;
- skin whitening;
- alignment or removal of wrinkles on the face;
- rejuvenation of the skin of the hands, chest, neck;
- skin texture renewal, lifting.
Contraindications of the procedure.
Each salon procedure has general and particular contraindications, laser treatment of facial skin is no exception. Therefore, procedures using a fractional laser are prohibited for patients with any of the following diagnoses:
- immunity deficiency, as a result - frequent infectious diseases;
- period of pregnancy, lactation;
- dermatosis in the treatment area;
- keloid scars;
- oncological disease;
- chronic blood diseases, diabetes mellitus;
- herpes.
Also, laser resurfacing should be postponed if you have been taking retinoids for six months prior to the session and you have a fresh tan on your body.
There are a number of diseases in which the procedure is possible, but only after consulting a specialist, therefore, before the session, you should consult with your doctor. However, if one or more contraindications are identified, it is recommended to wait a certain period until full recovery or the onset of a state in which the body is ready for laser exposure. The procedure itself is safe, but if there is a disease, it can provoke its further development.
If it is impossible to use a laser, then you should choose other methods to eliminate signs of skin aging, for example, Botox injections or hyaluronic acid.