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, it becomes loose, pores expand and wrinkles appear.Sooner or later, there comes a time when changes become visible, and then it becomes difficult to cope with them with ordinary cosmetic products.Pigmentation disorders and thinning of the skin cannot be corrected by conservative methods.
Fortunately, modern technologies do not leave us alone with fading problems.To restore skin youthfulness, it is not enough to eliminate existing imperfections and signs of aging;It is necessary to stimulate and initiate cell renewal processes in it.This is the only way to achieve not only a visual effect, but also real facial rejuvenation.Facial skin rejuvenation with fractional laser, which has been 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 light streams (fractions) for more efficient work.Today, fractional rejuvenation is considered a real alternative to surgical facelift.
Mechanism of action of laser fractional 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 so quickly, new ones do not grow so actively, as a result, skin regeneration occurs more and more ineffectively and practically stops.Studies have shown that laser beam applied to the cells helps restore the skin's natural rejuvenation potential.
Under the influence of a light beam and the heat shock it creates on the skin, intensive tissue cleansing occurs in cells that are already dead and have lost their ability to grow and develop further.At the same time, young and healthy cells only benefit from such an effect: they actively proliferate, replacing used cells and restoring the "broken" skin renewal mechanism.
Almost all cosmetic lasers have this effect on facial skin.The difference of Fraxel is that it uses the most effective laser beam size, which is less than 200 microns in diameter: it is this thin laser that contributes most to the replacement of old tissues with young and healthy ones.
The second feature of fractional rejuvenation is that the effect occurs not with a single beam, but with a whole mass of microbeams in which the luminous flux is divided, creating a grid effect.Therefore, irradiation occurs neither pointwise nor as a continuous pulse.It is positioned according to a certain matrix.
The skin is divided into small areas, in the center of each of which there are tissues exposed to a strong heat shock, and around them are healthy cells that are not affected by the laser beam.The result of this treatment is active skin regeneration: the shedding of damaged cells and the growth of young skin in their place.
Fractional types of rejuvenation
Fractional photothermolysis basically exists in two different forms: ablative and non-ablative.These laser treatment methods differ from each other in many features: depth of penetration of the laser, intensity of treatment, skin stimulation mechanism and final effect.
Ablative technology provides a superficial effect on epidermal cells through evaporation.Non-ablative rejuvenation, on the contrary, does not affect the uppermost layer of the skin, but penetrates deep into the skin, 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, laser treatment takes place in confined areas around which so-called cellular programming zones (healthy cells with a large regenerative potential triggered by heat shock) are preserved.A short-term increase in temperature in the tissues causes the 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 rapid effect and is better suited to eliminate the first signs of aging: shallow wrinkles, slight loss of turgor.As a result of ablation, micro-areas evaporate from the skin surface, and these areas are covered with new skin with the participation of surrounding cells during regeneration.Thus, the facial skin as a whole is lifted (tightened) and wrinkles and imperfections are eliminated.
Such a superficial effect will not be enough to solve the problems of a person with pronounced signs of wilting.Aging skin needs to be "treated" from the inside, in the deep layers where the cells responsible for the renewal of the dermal framework are located.This result is achieved by non-ablative fractional rejuvenation.
Of course, no one forbids combining these two methods.Then the effect will be even more striking: the skin will receive a double rejuvenation impulse both from the inside and outside, so a noticeable improvement in the condition of the face will be noticeable after one procedure, and active tissue regeneration will keep the face "in shape" for a long time.
Fractional laser rejuvenation process
Like other laser procedures, Fraxel is performed only by a qualified professional.The fact is that the equipment used refers to medical laser equipment, for the use of which you need to have a medical education, receive training and gain relevant experience.
In the wrong hands, laser can be dangerous due to complications and unpredictable results;Moreover, this procedure has a fairly large number of contraindications.The process of preparing for fractional rejuvenation should begin by identifying obstacles to the use of laser procedures.
Contraindications
We list the conditions and diseases that do not allow the use of laser-based procedures:
- the presence of any tumor formation in the body today or in the past;
- skin diseases in the treated area: dermatitis, dermatoses, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo;
- damaged skin (abrasions, scratches);
- history of photoallergy;
- 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 retinoid-based drugs (after the end of treatment, at least six months should pass after the procedure, if tablets were taken, and at least 2 weeks, if external agents were used);
- pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- epilepsy and other mental and neurological problems;
- final tan
The beautician decides on the possibility of performing the procedure after examining the medical history and current health condition.In some cases, it needs to be temporarily postponed, for example, during a cold or menstrual bleeding.In general, fractional laser rejuvenation is a very safe procedure and does not cause any complications when applied correctly.
Progress of the procedure
Fractional photothermolysis is considered a painless procedure.However, this cannot be stated 100%.Many patients still experience discomfort during and especially after laser rejuvenation.
For this reason, local anesthesia is often used to start the laser treatment session.A numbing agent is applied to the face to reduce overall skin sensitivity.Burning and tingling are acceptable during impact exposure.
Facial treatment lasts 20-40 minutes (session time depends on the size of the treatment area). After completion, a special protective cream is applied to the skin and the patient receives recommendations on facial skin care 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.Actually this is not entirely true.To avoid getting into an awkward situation, it is better not to take risks and not try to combine the laser procedure with work or upcoming holidays.It is advisable 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 a few days, after a few days it will begin to peel off, and only after 7-10 days can we talk about a normal appearance.
Healing with ablative fraxel can be especially uncomfortable: with it, the condition of the face can resemble a burn.Other results after the procedure include:
- hyper or hypopigmentation;
- the appearance of scars and scars, if the tendency to them has not been previously identified;
- penetration of infection into microwounds.
Such side effects are unlikely and account for less than 3% of all fractional rejuvenation cases.If the procedure itself is carried out correctly, without disrupting the preparation and rehabilitation process, the likelihood of complications is reduced to zero.
After fractional laser, you should not sunbathe, expose the skin to friction, use aggressive cosmetics, overheat or overcool.
Fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation results
Fractional laser rejuvenation, unlike fractional skin resurfacing, is a minimally invasive procedure.It does not "burn" the layers of the skin, so the effect after one session is unlikely to be dramatic.As a rule, fractional rejuvenation is carried out in courses - from 3 to 6 sessions, and then you can evaluate the result:
- tightening and tightening of the skin;
- strengthening the oval of the face;
- smoothing wrinkles;
- elimination of pigment spots;
- smoothing after acne;
- Evens out skin tone.
The rejuvenating effect lasts from one to 10 years, then you can repeat the course.
Fractional laser rejuvenation is also compatible with other procedures: resurfacing, injection techniques, during the recovery period after plastic surgery.Laser irradiation does not have a destructive effect on previously introduced fillers, but experts believe that it is better to first apply a full course of Fraxel and then begin to eliminate the remaining deficiencies.
As for patient reviews, they are mixed.In addition to positive recommendations for this procedure, negative statements are also often encountered.Many women express the following complaints:
- The recovery period takes much longer than beauticians promise.As a rule, we are talking about 10-14 days, not 4-7 days, as beauty salon employees say.
- More than half of patients indicate insufficient effectiveness.Many people find that fractional rejuvenation puffs up their face and makes them look older than before the procedure.It is also stated that the wrinkle removal feature of the procedure is greatly exaggerated and that its main purpose is to eliminate hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
- The undoubted disadvantage of fractional laser rejuvenation is its cost.
Reviews about the procedure
A few reviews about fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation:
#1 review
My husband and I gave my mother-in-law a partial rejuvenation certificate for our anniversary.She is a young, active woman and went with pleasure.It is clear that there is a result: the face is renewed, tightened, all kinds of blemishes disappear, wrinkles around the eyes are visibly smoothed.He did this only once, but he wants to go again to consolidate the result and asked for the same gift for the next holiday.
Check out #2
I didn't like fractional rejuvenation.First of all, I was in pain.Secondly, I had to stay home for almost 2 weeks after the procedure.My face had enlarged several times, it was completely red and even wet, as if it was oozing ihor.The result is zero.My main problem is the acne on my cheeks.So everything remained as it was, it was worth all the pain, and for my money.
Check out #3
I only had enough money for one Fraxel surgery.Still a bit expensive and tasteless.But after 6 days I saw the result and it is perfect!Nasolabial folds and all age spots disappeared, making me look much older than I actually am.Now I am satisfied with everything, I think I will decide to take the course again if necessary.
Price
As for the cost of a fractional laser rejuvenation procedure, it varies significantly depending on the amount of work and degree of intervention.Payment is usually determined for individual areas, for the face as a whole, including the neck and décolleté.Prices may vary by city.
Most cosmetologists consider this procedure a worthy alternative to plastic surgery, but when it is already difficult and expensive to eliminate them, it makes sense to carry it out without expecting significant changes in the skin.If you start fractional rejuvenation from the age of 35-40, this will allow you to postpone the need for more radical methods for a long time.