Aging of the skin starts from the age of 25 and at first this process goes unnoticed.Meanwhile, the skin gradually loses its elasticity, its structure changes, it becomes looser, pores enlarge and wrinkles appear.Sooner or later, there comes a time when the changes become visible and then it becomes difficult to deal with them with ordinary cosmetic products.And pigmentation disorders and skin thinning cannot be corrected at all by conservative methods.
Fortunately, modern technologies do not leave us alone with the problems of fading.To restore youthful skin, it is not enough to simply eliminate existing blemishes and signs of aging.it must be stimulated and start cellular renewal processes in it.This is the only way to achieve not only a visual effect, but also a real rejuvenation of the face.Fractional laser facial skin resurfacing, used in cosmetology for more than 10 years, can solve such problems.
This technology is based on the method of fractional photothermolysis - exposure to a laser beam of a certain length, divided into several streams of light (fractions) for more efficient operation.Today, fractional rejuvenation is considered a real alternative to surgical facelift.
The mechanism of action of fractional laser facial skin resurfacing
Over time, all processes in the body slow down, including at the cellular level.This is what causes skin aging: cells are no longer recycled as quickly, new ones do not grow as actively, as a result of which skin renewal becomes more and more ineffective and practically stops.Studies have shown that laser irradiation of its cells helps restore the skin's ability to naturally regenerate.
Under the influence of a beam of light and the thermal shock it causes to the skin, an intensive cleaning of the tissues of already dead cells and those whose ability to further grow and develop has been lost takes place.At the same time, young and healthy cells benefit from just such an effect: they multiply actively, replacing the used cells and restoring the "broken" skin renewal mechanism.
Almost all cosmetic lasers have this effect on the skin of the face.The difference between Fraxel is that it uses the most effective laser beam size, with a diameter of less than 200 microns: it is this thin laser that contributes most to the replacement of old tissue with new and healthy ones.
The second feature of fractional rejuvenation is that the effect does not occur with one beam, but with a whole mass of microbeams into which the light flux is divided, creating a lattice effect.Thus, the radiation appears neither point-wise nor as a continuous pulse.It is found according to a certain matrix.
The skin is divided into small areas, in the center of each of which there are tissues that have undergone a strong thermal shock, and around them there are healthy cells that are not affected by the laser beam.The result of this treatment is active skin regeneration: exfoliation of damaged cells and growth of young skin in their place.
Types of fractional resuscitation
Fractional photothermolysis exists in two fundamentally different forms: ablative and non-ablative.These laser treatment methods differ from each other in many features: laser penetration depth, treatment intensity, skin stimulation mechanism and end result.
The removal technology involves a surface effect on epidermal cells through their evaporation.Non-ablative rejuvenation, on the contrary, does not affect the very top layer of the skin, but penetrates deep into it, where the lower layer of the epidermis is located and the dermis begins.In this case, the irradiated cells do not evaporate, but form columns of coagulated tissue.
In both cases, the laser treatment takes place in limited areas, around which are kept places with the so-called cell programming zones - healthy cells that have a high regeneration potential, which is caused by thermal shock.A short-term increase in temperature in the tissues causes activation of all metabolic processes in them, including the growth of elastin and collagen fibers, which are responsible for the elasticity and youth of the skin.
Ablative Fraxel gives a quick result and is more suitable for eliminating the first signs of aging: shallow wrinkles, slight rust loss.As a result of removal, micro-areas evaporate from the surface of the skin, which during regeneration are covered with new skin with the participation of cells from the surrounding areas.Thus, lifting (tightening) of the skin of the face as a whole occurs, as well as destruction of wrinkles and defects.
To solve the problems of a person with obvious signs of fading, such a superficial effect will not be enough.Aged skin needs "care" from the inside, in the deep layers where the cells responsible for renewing the skin framework are located.This result is achieved by nonablative fractional resuscitation.
Of course, no one forbids the combination of these two methods.Then the result will be even more impressive: the skin will receive a double boost for rejuvenation, both from the inside and from the outside, so a visible improvement in the condition of the face will be felt after one procedure, and activated tissue renewal will keep the face "in shape" for a long time.
Fractional laser resurfacing procedure
Like any other laser procedure, Fraxel is only performed by a qualified specialist.The fact is that the equipment used refers to medical laser equipment, to work with which you need to have medical education, attend training and gain relevant experience.
In the wrong hands, a laser can be dangerous due to complications and unforeseen consequences.In addition, this procedure has a fairly large number of contraindications.The preparation process for fractional resurfacing should begin by identifying barriers to using laser procedures.
Contraindications
We list those conditions and diseases that do not allow the use of laser-based procedures:
- the presence of any tumor formations in the body in the present and in the past.
- skin diseases in the treatment area: dermatitis, dermatoses, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo.
- damaged skin (scratches, scratches).
- history of photoallergy.
- tendency to keloid formation.
- chronic diseases of the endocrine, cardiovascular, hematological system.
- acute viral and bacterial infections;
- weak immunity;
- acute or chronic herpes in the acute stage.
- taking retinoid-based drugs (after the end of treatment, at least six months must pass before the procedure if tablets are taken and at least 2 weeks if external agents were used).
- pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- epilepsy and other mental and neurological problems.
- recent tan
After studying the medical history and the current state of health, the cosmetologist decides on the possibility of carrying out the procedure.In some cases, it needs to be temporarily postponed, for example, during a cold or menstruation.In general, fractional laser rejuvenation is a fairly safe procedure and, if performed correctly, does not cause complications.
Process progress
Fractional photothermolysis is considered a painless procedure.However, this cannot be stated 100%.Most patients still feel discomfort during and especially after laser resurfacing.
Therefore, local anesthesia is what is usually used to start a laser treatment session.A numbing agent is applied to the face to reduce overall skin sensitivity.When exposed to pulses, burning and tingling are acceptable.
The facial treatment lasts 20-40 minutes (session time depends on the size of the treatment area) and after its completion, a special protective cream is applied to the skin and the patient receives recommendations for facial skin care during the recovery period.
Skin regeneration after the procedure
It is believed that fractional resuscitation does not require a recovery period and does not disrupt the usual rhythm of life.In fact, this is not entirely true.To avoid getting into a difficult situation, it is better not to take risks and not try to combine a laser procedure with work or the upcoming vacation.It is recommended to take at least a week off, because these days you need to follow a rest regime, and your appearance is unlikely to allow you to lead an active life.The face will be red and swollen for several days, after a few days it will begin to peel, and only after 7-10 days we can talk about a normal appearance.
Treatment with ablative fraxel can be particularly unpleasant: with it, the condition of the face can resemble a burn.Other consequences after the procedure include:
- hyper- or hypopigmentation;
- the appearance of scars and scars, if the tendency to them was not previously detected.
- introducing infection into microwounds.
Such side effects are unlikely and account for less than 3% of all cases of fractional resuscitation.If the procedure itself is carried out correctly, without disrupting the preparation and recovery process, the likelihood of complications is reduced to zero.
After the fractional laser, you should not sunbathe, expose the skin to friction, use aggressive cosmetics, overheat or get cold.
Results of fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation
Fractional laser resurfacing, unlike fractional skin resurfacing, is a minimally invasive procedure.It does not "burn" the layers of the skin, so the result after one session is unlikely to be amazing.As a rule, fractional rejuvenation is done in courses - from 3 to 6 sessions, and then you can evaluate the result:
- tightening and firming of the skin.
- enhancing the oval of the face.
- smoothing of wrinkles;
- elimination of pigment spots;
- smoothing after acne;
- smooth the skin.
The rejuvenating effect lasts from one year to 10 years, then you can repeat the course.
Fractional laser rejuvenation is also well combined with other operations: repair, injection techniques, during the recovery period after plastic surgery.Laser radiation does not have a destructive effect on previously inserted fillers, but experts believe that it is better to first carry out a full course of Fraxel, and then begin to correct the remaining deficiencies.
As for patient reviews, they are mixed.Along with positive recommendations for this procedure, negative statements are often answered.Thus, many women express the following complaints:
- The recovery period lasts much longer than cosmetologists promise.As a rule, we are not talking about 4-7 days, as the workers in beauty salons say, but about 10-14 days.
- More than half of patients indicate insufficient efficacy.Many people find that fractional resurfacing has left their face puffy, making them look older than before the procedure.It is also noted that the ability of the procedure to smooth out wrinkles is very exaggerated and its main purpose is to eliminate hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
- The undoubted disadvantage of fractional laser rejuvenation is its cost.
Reviews about the process
Here are some reviews of fractional laser facial skin resurfacing:
Review #1
My husband and I gave my mother-in-law a fractional resuscitation certificate for our anniversary.She is a young, active woman and she went happily.It is clear that there is a result: the face is renewed, tightened, all defects are gone, wrinkles around the eyes are noticeably smoothed.He only did it once, but he wants to go again to consolidate the effect and asked for the same gift for the next holiday.
Review #2
I didn't like fractional revitalization.First of all I hurt.Second, after the procedure I was forced to stay home for almost 2 weeks.My face had increased in size several times, it was all red and wet, as if ichor was running.The result is zero.My main problem is acne on my cheeks.So everything stayed as it was, it was worth all the trouble, but also for my own money.
Review #3
I only had enough for one Fraxel procedure.Still a bit expensive and unpleasant.But after 6 days I saw the result, and it is excellent!The nasolabial folds disappeared and all the age spots disappeared and that just made me look much older than I actually am.Now I am satisfied with everything, I think that if necessary I will decide to do the course again.
Price
Regarding the cost of a fractional laser rejuvenation procedure, it varies significantly depending on the amount of work and the degree of intervention.Payment is usually set for individual areas, for the whole face as a whole, for the face including the neck and décolleté.Prices may vary by city.
Most cosmetologists consider this procedure a worthy alternative to plastic surgery, but it makes sense to carry it out without expecting significant changes in the skin, when their elimination is already difficult and expensive.If you start doing fractional rejuvenation from the age of 35-40, this will allow you to postpone for a long time the need to use more radical methods.