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, becomes looser, the pores enlarge and wrinkles appear.Sooner or later, there comes a time when changes become visible, and then it becomes difficult to cope with them with usual cosmetic products.And pigment disorders and thinning of the skin cannot be corrected at all with 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 remove existing defects and signs of aging;it must be stimulated and cell renewal processes initiated in it.This is the only way to achieve not only a visual effect, but also real facial rejuvenation.Fractional laser rejuvenation of facial skin, 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 operation.I dag betragtes fraktioneret foryngelse som et reelt alternativ til kirurgisk ansigtsløftning.
The 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 the aging of the skin: cells are no longer recycled as quickly, new ones do not grow as actively, as a result, skin renewal occurs more and more ineffectively and practically stops.Studies have shown that laser irradiation of its cells helps restore the skin's potential for natural rejuvenation.
Under the influence of a light beam and the heat shock it produces in the skin, there is an intensive tissue cleansing of already dead cells and those whose ability to grow and develop further has been lost.At the same time, young and healthy cells only benefit from such an effect: they multiply actively, replace used cells and restore the "spoiled" 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 the most to replacing old tissue with young 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 micro-beams, into which the light stream is divided, creating a lattice effect.The irradiation thus takes place neither point-wise nor as a continuous pulse.It is placed according to a certain matrix.
The skin is divided into small areas, in the center of each of them there are tissues that have undergone 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: exfoliation of damaged cells and growth of young skin in their place.
Types of Fractional Rejuvenation
Fractional photothermolysis comes 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, treatment intensity, mechanism of skin stimulation and final effect.
Ablative technology involves a superficial 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 cells that were irradiated do not evaporate, but form columns of coagulated tissue.
In both cases, laser treatment takes place in limited areas, around which locations with so-called cellular programming zones are preserved - healthy cells that have a high potential for regeneration, which is triggered by heat shock.A short-term increase in the temperature of 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 quick effect and is more suitable for removing the first signs of aging: superficial 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 areas.This results in lifting (tightening) of the facial skin as a whole, 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.Aging skin must be "treated" from within, in the deep layers where the cells responsible for renewing the dermal framework are located.This result is ensured by 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 from the outside, so a visible improvement in the condition of the face will be noticeable after one procedure, and activated tissue regeneration will keep the face "in shape" for a long time.
Fractional laser rejuvenation 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, in order to work with which one must have a medical degree, undergo training and gain relevant experience.
In the wrong hands, a laser can be dangerous due to complications and unpredictable consequences;in addition, this procedure has a fairly large number of contraindications.It is by identifying obstacles to the use of laser procedures that the process of preparing for fractional rejuvenation should begin.
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 in the present and past;
- skin diseases in the treatment area: dermatitis, dermatoses, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo;
- damaged skin (scratches, 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;
- takes medication based on retinoids (after the end of treatment, at least six months must pass before the procedure if tablets were taken, and at least 2 weeks if external means were used);
- pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- epilepsy and other mental and neurological problems;
- recently tan
After studying the medical history and the current state of health, the cosmetologist decides on the possibility of performing the procedure.In some cases, it must be temporarily postponed, for example during a cold or menstruation.In general, fractional laser rejuvenation is a fairly safe procedure and, if performed correctly, presents no complications.
The progress of the procedure
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 what is usually used to start a laser therapy session.An anesthetic is applied to the face to reduce general skin sensitivity.During exposure to pulses, burning and tingling are acceptable.
Facial treatment takes 20-40 minutes (the 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 rejuvenation does not require a recovery period and does not disturb the usual rhythm of life.That's actually not quite right.To avoid getting into an awkward situation, it is better not to take risks and not try to combine a laser procedure with work or upcoming holidays.It is advisable to take at least a week off, because on these days you will have to follow a rest regime, and your appearance will hardly 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 can we talk about a normal appearance.
Healing 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 identified;
- introduction of infection in microwounds.
Such side effects are unlikely and account for less than 3% of all fractional rejuvenation cases.If the procedure itself is performed correctly without disturbing the process of preparation and rehabilitation, 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.
Results of fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation
Unlike fractional skin resurfacing, fractional laser rejuvenation is a minimally invasive procedure.It does not "burn" the layers of the skin, so the effect after a session is unlikely to be amazing.As a rule, fractional rejuvenation is carried out in courses - from 3 to 6 sessions, and then you can evaluate the result:
- tightening and firming of the skin;
- strengthening of the oval of the face;
- smoothing out wrinkles;
- elimination of pigment spots;
- smoothing after acne;
- even out complexion.
The rejuvenating effect lasts from one to 10 years, after which you can repeat the course.
Fractional laser rejuvenation also goes well 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 carry out a full course of Fraxel and then start correcting the remaining defects.
Hvad angår patientanmeldelser, er de blandede.Along with positive recommendations for this procedure, there are also often negative statements.So many women express the following complaints:
- The recovery period takes much longer than beauticians promise.As a rule, we are not talking about 4-7 days, as beauty salon workers say, but about 10-14 days.
- More than half of the patients indicate insufficient effectiveness.Many people find that fractional rejuvenation has made their face puffier, making them look older than before the procedure.It is also noted that the ability of the procedure to smooth out wrinkles is greatly exaggerated, and its main purpose is to eliminate hyperpigmentation and acne marks.
- The undoubted disadvantage of fractional laser rejuvenation is the cost.
Reviews about the procedure
Here are a few reviews about fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation:
Review #1
My husband and I gave my mother-in-law a certificate of fractional rejuvenation for our anniversary.She is a young, active woman and she went with pleasure.It is clear that there is a result: the face is refreshed, tightened, all possible blemishes are gone, the wrinkles around the eyes are noticeably smoothed out.She did it only once, but she will go again to consolidate the result, and asked for the same gift for the next holiday.
Review #2
I didn'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 had enlarged several times, it was completely red and even wet, as if ichor was oozing.The result is zero.My biggest problem is acne on my cheeks.So everything remained as it was, it was worth so much suffering, and also for my own money.
Review #3
I only had enough for one Fraxel procedure.Still a bit expensive and uncomfortable.But after 6 days I saw the result and it is excellent!The nasolabial folds disappeared and all the age spots disappeared, which is exactly what made me look much older than I actually am.Now I am satisfied with everything, I think that if necessary, I will decide to take the course again.
Price
As for the cost of a fractional laser rejuvenation procedure, it varies considerably depending on the amount of work and the degree of intervention.Payment is usually made for individual areas, for the whole 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 perform it without waiting for significant changes in the skin, when it is already difficult and expensive to remove them.If you start doing fractional rejuvenation from the age of 35-40 years, this will allow you to postpone for a long time the need to use more radical methods.