Skin aging begins at the age of 25, and at first this process goes unnoticed.Meanwhile, the skin gradually loses its elasticity, its structure changes, sags, the pores expand 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 thinning of the skin cannot be corrected at all by conservative methods.
Fortunately, modern technology does not leave us alone to face the problem of fading.To restore youth to the skin, it is not enough to simply eliminate existing defects and signs of aging;it must be stimulated and the process of cell renewal launched in it.This is the only way to get not only a visual effect, but also real facial rejuvenation.Fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation, used in cosmetology for more than 10 years, can solve the problem.
The technology is based on the method of fractional photothermolysis - exposure to a laser beam of a certain length, divided into several light streams (fractions) for more efficient operation.Today, fractional rejuvenation is considered a real alternative to surgical facelift.
Mechanism of action of fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation
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 quickly, new cells do not grow actively, as a result skin renewal becomes increasingly ineffective and practically stops.Studies have shown that laser irradiation of the cells helps restore the skin's natural rejuvenating potential.
Under the influence of light rays and the heat shock they produce in the skin, there is an intensive cleansing of the tissue from dead cells and cells whose ability to grow and develop further has been lost.At the same time, young and healthy cells only benefit from this effect: they actively multiply, replacing used cells and restoring “damaged” skin renewal mechanisms.
Almost all cosmetic lasers have this effect on facial skin.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 most contributes to the replacement of old tissue with young, healthy tissue.
The second feature of fractional rejuvenation is that the effect occurs not with one beam, but with a whole mass of microbeams in which the light flux is divided, creating a lattice effect.Thus, irradiation does not occur pointwise or as a continuous pulse.It is located according to a certain matrix.
The skin is divided into several small areas, in the center of each of which there is tissue that has undergone a strong heat shock, and around it 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.
Fractional type of rejuvenation
Fractional photothermolysis exists in two fundamentally different forms: ablative and non-ablative.These methods of laser treatment differ from each other in many characteristics: depth of laser penetration, intensity of treatment, mechanism of skin stimulation and final effect.
Ablative technology involves a superficial effect on epidermal cells through their evaporation.In contrast, non-ablative rejuvenation does not affect the top layer of the skin, but penetrates deep into it, where the lower layers of the epidermis are located and the dermis begins.In this case, the irradiated cells do not evaporate, but form columns of coagulated tissue.
In both cases, laser treatment occurs in a limited area, where the location of so-called cellular programming zones is preserved - healthy cells that have a large regeneration potential, which is triggered by heat shock.A short-term increase in temperature in 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 provides a quick effect and is more suitable for eliminating the first signs of aging: shallow wrinkles, slight loss of turgor.As a result of ablation, 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 area.Thus, the overall lifting (tightening) of the facial skin occurs, as well as the disappearance of wrinkles and defects.
To solve the problem of a person with obvious signs of fading, such superficial effects will not be enough.Aging skin needs to be “treated” from the inside, in the deepest layers where the cells responsible for renewing the dermal framework are located.These results are confirmed with non-ablative fractional rejuvenation.
Of course, no one forbids combining these two methods.Then the effect will be even more amazing: the skin will receive a double impulse to rejuvenate, both from the inside and outside, so that a visible improvement in the condition of the face will be visible after one procedure, and the activated tissue renewal will keep the face “in shape” for a long time.
Fractional laser rejuvenation procedure
Like other laser procedures, Fraxel is only performed by qualified specialists.The fact is that the equipment used refers to medical laser equipment, to work with it you must have a medical education, undergo training and gain relevant experience.
In the wrong hands, lasers can be dangerous due to complications and unpredictable consequences;Moreover, this procedure has a fairly large number of contraindications.By identifying the obstacles to the use of laser procedures, the preparation process for fractional rejuvenation must begin.
Contraindications
We list the conditions and diseases that do not allow the use of laser-based procedures:
- the presence of tumor formations in the body in the present and in the past;
- skin diseases in the treatment area: dermatitis, skin diseases, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo;
- damaged skin (abrasions, scratches);
- history of photoallergies;
- tendency to form keloids;
- chronic diseases of the endocrine, cardiovascular, hematological systems;
- acute viral and bacterial infections;
- weak immunity;
- acute or chronic herpes in the acute stage;
- taking medications based on retinoids (after the end of treatment, at least six months must pass before the procedure if the tablets are taken orally, and at least 2 weeks if external agents are used);
- pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- epilepsy and other mental and neurological problems;
- chocolate recently
After studying the medical history and current state of health, the cosmetologist decides on the possibility of carrying out this procedure.In some cases, it needs to be postponed temporarily, for example during a cold or menstruation.In general, fractional laser rejuvenation is a fairly safe procedure and, if performed correctly, does not cause any complications.
Procedure progress
Fractional photothermolysis is considered a painless procedure.However, this cannot be stated 100%.Most patients still experience discomfort during, and especially after, laser rejuvenation.
Therefore, local anesthesia is usually used to begin a laser therapy session.Numbing agents are applied to the face to reduce overall skin sensitivity.During exposure to the pulse, burning and tingling sensations are acceptable.
The facial treatment takes 20-40 minutes (session time depends on the size of the treatment area), and once completed, a special protective cream is applied to the skin, and the patient receives facial skin care recommendations during the recovery period.
Skin regeneration after the procedure
It is believed that fractional rejuvenation does not require a recovery period and does not disrupt the usual rhythm of life.In fact, this is not entirely true.To avoid awkward situations, it is better not to take risks and not try to combine laser procedures with work or upcoming vacation.It is advisable to take at least a week off, because on these days you need to follow a rest regimen, and your appearance does not allow you to lead an active life.The face will be red and swollen for a few days, after a few days it will start to peel, and only after 7-10 days can we see a normal appearance.
Healing with the ablative fraxel can be very unpleasant: with it, the condition of the face can resemble a burn.Other consequences after this procedure include:
- hyper or hypopigmentation;
- the appearance of scars and scars, if the tendency has not been previously identified;
- introduction of infection into microwounds.
Such side effects are unlikely and occur in less than 3% of all cases of fractional rejuvenation.If the procedure itself is carried out correctly, without interrupting the preparatory and rehabilitation processes, the likelihood of complications is reduced to zero.
After fractional laser, you should not sunbathe, expose the skin to friction, use aggressive cosmetics, be too hot or too cold.
Results of facial skin rejuvenation with fractional laser
Fractional laser rejuvenation, unlike fractional skin resurfacing, is a minimally invasive procedure.It does not “burn” layers of skin, so the effect after one session will not be amazing.Usually, fractional rejuvenation is carried out in courses - from 3 to 6 sessions, and then you can evaluate the result:
- tightens and tightens the skin;
- strengthening the oval of the face;
- smoothes wrinkles;
- removal of age spots;
- smoothes post-acne;
- evens out skin tone.
The rejuvenating effect lasts from one year to 10 years, then you can repeat it.
Fractional laser rejuvenation is also well combined with other procedures: resurfacing, injection techniques, during the recovery period after plastic surgery.Laser irradiation does not have a detrimental effect on previously introduced fillers, but experts believe that it is better to do Fraxel in full first, and then start correcting the remaining deficiencies.
As for patient reviews, they are mixed.In addition to positive recommendations for this procedure, negative statements are also often found.So, many women voice the following complaints:
- The recovery period took longer than the cosmetologist promised.Usually, we are not talking about 4-7 days, as beauty salon workers say, but about 10-14 days.
- More than half of patients show insufficient effectiveness.Many people find that fractional rejuvenation makes their face puffy, causing them to look older than before the procedure.Please also note that the ability of this procedure to smooth wrinkles is greatly exaggerated, and its main goal is to remove hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
- The undoubted disadvantage of fractional laser rejuvenation is the cost.
Reviews about the procedure
Here is a brief review of facial skin rejuvenation with fractional laser:
Review #1
My husband and I gave my mother-in-law a fractional rejuvenation certificate for our anniversary.She was an active young woman, and she went happily.The results are obvious: the face becomes fresh, firm, all kinds of blemishes disappear, wrinkles around the eyes feel smoothed.He only did it once, but he wants to do it again to consolidate the result, and ask for the same gift for the next holiday.
Review #2
I don't like fractional rejuvenation.First of all, I was in pain.Second, after the procedure I was forced not to leave the house for almost 2 weeks.My face grew several times bigger, all red and even wet, like ichor was flowing.The result is zero.My main problem is the acne on my cheeks.So everything remains as it was, well worth the suffering, and for my own money too.
Review #3
I only had enough for one Fraxel procedure.Still a bit expensive and not fun.But after 6 days I saw the results, and they were amazing!The nasolabial folds disappeared and all the age spots disappeared, and this is what makes me look much older than my actual age.Now I am satisfied with everything, I think if necessary, I will decide to take the course again.
Price
The cost of one fractional laser rejuvenation procedure varies greatly depending on the amount of work and the level of intervention.Payments are usually set for individual areas, for the entire face as a whole, for the face including the neck and décolleté.Prices may vary depending on the city.
Most cosmetologists consider this procedure a worthy alternative to plastic surgery, but it makes sense to carry it out without waiting for significant changes in the skin, even though getting rid of them is already difficult and expensive.If you start carrying out fractional rejuvenation at the age of 35-40 years, this will allow you to postpone for a long time the need to use more radical methods.