Fractional laser rejuvenation

Fractional laser rejuvenation is a cosmetic procedure during which the skin of the face is exposed to laser microbeams, this is called fractional laser rejuvenation. The purpose of the manipulation is to activate the processes of regeneration and collagen production at the cellular level. The second name of the procedure is photothermolysis. The duration of the session is short, and the resulting effect lasts up to 5 years! The procedure has a minimal list of contraindications and a low likelihood of complications and side effects. In the clinic, photothermolysis is carried out only after consultation with a specialist!

What is laser fractional photothermolysis?

The essence of the photothermolysis procedure is that a laser beam, penetrating through a fractional lattice, "breaks up" into many microbeams: a targeted effect is exerted on the skin. Damaged lesions form in all layers of the dermis, which stimulates regeneration processes in the surrounding tissues. Cells begin to quickly divide and fill the "scorched" areas.

The surface layer of the dermis, under the influence of laser microbeams, eliminates or radically lightens age spots, smoothes wrinkles and reduces the severity of scars.

According to the results of clinical studies, the procedure in question gives results identical to classic laser resurfacing. But photothermolysis does not require the use of general anesthesia and subsequent long-term rehabilitation.

Types of fractional photothermolysis

In a cosmetology clinic, the photothermolysis procedure is carried out using different methods. Each of them has its own advantages, but the choice is made by the doctor taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. It is important to take into account the initial condition of the skin, the type of dermis, the person’s age, the level of sensitivity of the epidermis, existing dermatological problems, and the severity of signs of aging.

Non-ablative fractional laser rejuvenation

This method is especially effective when it comes to removing acne marks, acne, stretch marks and for rejuvenating the face, neck and eyelids. During non-ablative laser fractional rejuvenation, the skin is not subjected to powerful effects and is moderately damaged, which makes it possible to carry out the procedure for lifting and improving the appearance of the epidermis.

A distinctive feature of non-ablative fractional laser rejuvenation is its prolonged action:

• acne treatment gives results after just 4 sessions, they improve over another 24 months;
• when eliminating stretch marks, not only the actualstretch marks become minimally noticeable or disappear completely, but the skin around them becomes firm and elastic after 1-2 months;
• after 5 sessions wrinkles disappear, and smoothing of deep wrinkles occurs for another 3 months after the end of the course.

The likelihood of side effects occurring after performing the procedure in question using a non-ablative method is low - this is recorded in only 5% of all patients.

Ablative fractional photothermolysis

It involves the penetration of laser microbeams to a certain depth of the dermis, where under their influence the process of protein folding begins with their subsequent destruction. Within 3 months after ablative fractional photothermolysis, collagen is formed in damaged areas. This method is especially effective when it is necessary to eliminate deep age wrinkles, smooth out scars and scars, increase the elasticity of the skin, and excessive pigmentation.

Ablative fractional photothermolysis is the use of long laser beams that can penetrate the deepest layers of the dermis.

A distinctive characteristic of the method under consideration is that patients experience pain during the procedure and after its completion. But if we compare the ablative method with others, it is considered the most effective and safe.

CO2 laser method

This implies the use of a CO2 laser of a certain length and power - the beam is capable of eliminating only those epidermal cells that were initially damaged. In tissues, under the influence of rays, biological fluids begin to heat up - they evaporate, which leads to the disintegration of some structures, although healthy cells remain unchanged.

Damaged areas are actively restored due to the division of surrounding cells.

DOT method

Using special equipment, thermal microtraumas of the dermis are caused, which ensures the activation of the processes of collagen and elastin production by skin cells. The surrounding tissues are not injured, so the rehabilitation period is reduced.

The peculiarity of DOT laser fractional rejuvenation is that the first results are obtained 5-7 days after the procedure. They improve over another 2-3 months and persist for a long period.

The choice of method largely depends on the patient’s age - for example, non-ablative fractional rejuvenation is recommended for use at the age of 35-40 years, when age-related changes on the face are still mild. But with early aging, the procedure becomes impractical, so the doctor will recommend other methods.

Indications for fractional laser rejuvenation

The photothermolysis procedure has clear indications for:

• Cuperosis– spider veins, spider veins, which began to appear after 35 years and this is associated with age-related changes in the body, and not with vascular diseases;
• Sagging skin– visible sagging, the face "slides" down, jowls form;
• Wrinkles– small facial expressions, including "crow’s feet" (at the outer corners of the eyes), deep folds and folds (nasolabial), muslin around the mouth;
• Excessive production of sebaceous secretions– may be associated with oily skin type, hormonal disorders;
• Enlarged pores– visually identified, periodically clogged with sebum and provoke the appearance of profuse acne;
• Presence of excessive pigmentation– regardless of its origin (hereditary predisposition, impaired melanin production, skin aging);
• Presence of scars, scars, stretch marks, acne marks– how long ago they were formed does not matter;
• Changes in complexion– there is no natural blush, the tone becomes dull, acquires a grayish, yellowish tint.

Fractional laser rejuvenation can also be used as a prevention of age-related changes on the face if the patient has a hereditary predisposition to early aging.

Contraindications to the rejuvenation procedure

Since the laser beam acts at the cellular level, the procedure has clear contraindications. Unconditional restrictions include:

• Neurological pathologiesaccompanied by convulsive syndrome (epilepsy of any origin and any severity);
• Autoimmune diseasesoccurring at any stage;
• Diabetes, regardless of the type, severity and existing complications;
• Oncological pathologies– a malignant neoplasm can be located in any organ;
• Chronic internal diseaseswho are in the stage of decompensation;
• Predisposition to the formation of keloid scars;
• HIV and hepatitis B, C;
• Psoriasis;
• Warts, multiple papillomas, large warts in areas exposed to a laser beam.

It is worth postponing the procedure if:

• Long-term course of taking antibiotics, hormonal drugs;
• Increased body temperature;
• Menses;
• Pregnancy and during breastfeeding;
• Infectious processes localized in the facial area;
• Focal inflammation of the skin in the areas where the procedure is intended to be performed.

The listed conditions are conditional contraindications - the patient will have to undergo a full course of therapy, restore the level of immunity, and only after the permission of the attending physician begin fractional laser rejuvenation.

Preparation for the procedure

It all starts with a consultation with a cosmetologist. At the clinic, a specialist will examine the patient, identify existing problems, and collect anamnesis to exclude contraindications. During the consultation, the doctor will immediately determine the amount of work, the number of sessions, the depth and time of exposure to micro-rays. Laboratory blood tests may be needed. The patient will be given recommendations regarding behavior in the preparatory period:

• Stop taking medications from the categories of fluoroquinolones, sulfamamides, tetracyclines(Be sure to consult with your doctor! );
• For 10 days before the appointed date, do not visit the solarium, do not sunbathe under the sun's rays, do not do chemical peels.;
• 3 days before the session do not visit baths, saunas, or take a hot bath, refuse to use alcohol-containing cosmetics;
• 24 hours before the procedure, avoid cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, strong coffee and tea, and physical activity.And.

If necessary, the cosmetologist can prescribe a short course of antibacterial and/or antiviral drugs - this will serve to prevent complications during the rehabilitation period.

Facial photothermolysis procedure

In the clinic, fractional laser facial rejuvenation is performed on an outpatient basis - the patient does not require hospitalization. The duration of the procedure ranges from 30-60 minutes and depends on the volume of the area that needs to be treated with rays. The manipulation is performed according to a strict protocol:

1. Skin cleansingfrom remnants of decorative and skincare cosmetics, dust, dirt and sebaceous secretions. For this purpose, the doctor uses professional cosmetic products that do not contain ethanol.
2. Applying anesthetic gel to the skin– it is absorbed within 3-5 minutes. Anesthesia is performed at the request of the patient and depends on the level of sensitivity of the epidermis and pain threshold.
3. Treating the skin with a special ointment, which facilitates the sliding of the nozzle. It does not contain dyes, fragrances, flavors or any other substances that can cause an allergic reaction.
4. Working with the selected attachment– the patient does not feel significant pain, there may be mild discomfort. During the procedure, the face is exposed to a flow of cold air, which significantly reduces the severity of discomfort.

After finishing the skin treatment, the doctor removes the remaining ointment for better contact of the hardware attachment with the epidermis and applies a product that has soothing, anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory properties to the face - this will speed up the recovery process.

Results of the procedure

It will not be possible to evaluate the effectiveness immediately after the session - the face will be red and swollen. The first results will appear no earlier than after 5-7 days:

• the color of the epidermis is evened out;
• pigment spots become less noticeable or disappear completely;
• increases skin firmness and elasticity– it is felt when touched;
• facial relief is evened out– "tubercles", "pits", "grooves" disappear.

Regeneration, active production of collagen and elastin continue for another 2-3 months after the end of the course of several sessions - the tone and structure of the skin improve, the epidermis is tightened, all fine wrinkles disappear, and deep age folds become minimally noticeable. By the end of 3 months after the procedure, scars, scars, stretch marks, and acne marks become invisible.

How many sessions are needed to achieve the rejuvenation effect?

StandardIt is recommended to carry out a course of 5-8 proceduresfractional laser rejuvenation. Each session is performed 4 weeks after the previous one. In this case, it is possible to achieve sustainable results that last for 1-1. 5 years.

The clinic prefers to prescribe the duration of therapy on an individual basis. Only a doctor who examines the patient and assesses the initial condition of the skin is able to determine the advisability of conducting a full course or shortened to 3 sessions. The reaction of the body, the human dermis, to exposure to a laser beam also plays an important role.

Care and rehabilitation after the procedure

The speed of skin restoration after a fractional laser rejuvenation session depends on how strictly the patient follows the doctor’s recommendations:

• During the first week, do not heat your face.. You need to give up a hot bath, visiting a bathhouse and sauna, and take a hot shower. These days you can only wash your face with water at room temperature, but it is better to abandon this method of cleansing the dermis and use gentle tonics.
• For one and a half months, do not visit the solarium and do not expose your facial skin to ultraviolet (sun rays). When going outside, be sure to apply sunscreen with a high level of SPF filters to your face. The rule even applies to being outside in cloudy weather - ultraviolet light can penetrate through dense clouds.
• For 10 days, apply moisturizers to pre-cleansed facial skin at least 2-3 times a day.. It is strictly forbidden to allow the epidermis to dry out, because this will lead to increased peeling and severe irritation.
• Use masks with panthenol every day for 7 days.. This will help quickly restore the epidermis and avoid complications. If the patient is allergic to the specified substance, the doctor will select another product with identical properties.
• It is strictly forbidden to forcibly remove crusts! They must exfoliate on their own, so in the first 2 weeks you cannot use scrubs for cleansing (even the most soft, gentle ones).

You need to be prepared for the fact that in the first 3-5 days after the fractional laser rejuvenation procedure you may experience pain, burning, and itching of the face. This is a normal reaction; to alleviate the condition, you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, classical painkillers, antihistamines - only as prescribed by a cosmetologist!

Side effects and complications

Unpleasant consequences are uncharacteristic of laser fractional rejuvenation. But in some cases, side effects and complications may appear:

• skin redness and swelling– are considered a normal reaction of the body to heating of dermal cells, disappear on their own on the 3-5th day of the recovery period;
• peeling and excessive dryness– this is how the cells of the epidermis are renewed, so the process can be considered natural, the condition can be alleviated and recovery can be accelerated by correctly performing skincare manipulations (daily, massive application of moisturizer);
• increased pigmentation– possible only in the absence of protection from ultraviolet rays during the rehabilitation period (this also applies to ignoring the ban on visiting the solarium);
• inflammatory process in the superficial layer of the epidermis– develops when antiseptic rules are violated or due to lack of proper cleansing during rehabilitation.

Keloid scars form only if a predisposition to such formations was not identified at the initial consultation or the patient forcibly removed the crusts.

FAQ

There are a lot of questions from patients about the procedure under consideration. Below are answers to frequently asked questions.

What does a fractional laser do?

Micro-rays rejuvenate, eliminate age spots, scars, stretch marks, acne marks. Fractional laser accelerates the regeneration of dermal cells and activates the production of collagen and elastin. Can be used as an additional therapy for excessive production of sebaceous secretions, excessive acne and enlarged pores.

How long does laser facial rejuvenation last?

The final results appear 3 months after the procedure and last for 24 months. But much depends on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body - a repeat course of sessions may be needed after 1 year.

When is the best time to do fractional laser facial rejuvenation?

Cosmetologists recommend carrying out a course of procedures in autumn, winter and early spring. During these periods, the intensity of ultraviolet rays is reduced, which eliminates the risk of developing excessive pigmentation as a complication.

What is better Botox or laser rejuvenation?

These are completely different procedures! Botox is very effective and gives a quick visual effect, but fractional laser rejuvenation is a safer and absolutely harmless procedure.

How long does it take for a face to heal after laser?

Within 2-3 days the skin will be red, and by 3-4 days it will begin to actively peel off. Full visual recovery occurs 7-9 days after the session, and healing of all layers of the dermis occurs after 2-4 weeks.

Opinions on fractional laser rejuvenation

Most patients leave positive reviews about the procedure - this is a fact. But you can get the desired results and avoid complications only if fractional laser rejuvenation is performed at a professional level, and the patient strictly follows all the doctor’s recommendations/prescriptions.

The professional clinic employs specialists who have enough experience and knowledge to carry out fractional laser rejuvenation procedures using different methods. They provide a comprehensive service to each patient - from initial consultation and determining the feasibility of the manipulation to support during the recovery period. Such rejuvenation has a positive effect not only on a person’s appearance, but also on his psycho-emotional state - seeing a beautiful, young and flawless face in the mirror is worth a lot and always gives a great mood and self-confidence.