Skin aging begins at the age of 25 and initially this process goes unnoticed. During this time, the skin gradually loses its elasticity, its structure changes, slackens, the pores enlarge, and wrinkles appear. Sooner or later a moment arises when the changes become visible, then it becomes difficult to manage them with the usual cosmetics. And the disorders of pigmentation and thinning of the skin cannot be corrected by conservative methods at all.
Fortunately, modern technology does not leave us alone with the problems of withering. To restore the youthfulness of the skin, it is not enough to eliminate the existing defects and the signs of aging, it is necessary to stimulate it, to start the processes of cell renewal in it. This is the only way to achieve not only visual effect, but also real facial rejuvenation. Fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation, used in cosmetology for over 10 years, can solve these problems.
This technology is based on the method of fractional photothermolysis - exposure to a laser beam of a certain length, divided into several luminous fluxes (fractions) for more efficient operation. Today, fractional rejuvenation is considered a viable alternative to a 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 used so quickly, new ones do not grow as actively, so skin renewal is increasingly inefficient and practically stops. Studies have shown that laser irradiation of skin cells helps restore the skin's natural rejuvenating potential.
Under the influence of the light beam and the heat stroke it generates in the skin, the tissues are intensively cleansed of already dead cells and those whose capacity for growth and development has been lost. At the same time, young and healthy cells only benefit from this effect: they multiply actively, replacing the cells used and restoring the "damaged" mechanism of skin renewal.
Almost all cosmetic lasers have such an effect on the skin. The difference between fraxel is that it uses the most efficient size of the laser beam, less than 200 microns in diameter: it is such a thin laser that is most conducive to replacing old tissue with young, healthy tissue.
The second characteristic of fractional rejuvenation is that the effect does not occur with a single beam, but with a whole mass of micro-beams, in which the light flux is broken, creating a grid effect. Thus, the irradiation does not occur as a point or as a continuous pulse. It is located on a certain matrix.
The skin is divided into small areas, in the center of each of which are tissues that have undergone a strong thermal shock, and around them are healthy cells 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 exposure differ from each other in many ways: the depth of penetration of the laser, the intensity of the treatment, the mechanism of skin stimulation, the final effect.
Ablative technology supposes a superficial effect on the cells of the epidermis by their evaporation. Non-ablative rejuvenation, on the other hand, does not affect the upper layer of the skin, but penetrates deep into it, where the lower layer of the epidermis is and where 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 limited areas, around which are preserved the locations with the so-called areas of cell programming - healthy cells that have a high potential for regeneration, which is triggered bythermal shock. 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 youthfulness of the skin.
Ablative Fraxel gives a rapid effect and is more suitable for eliminating the first signs of aging: superficial wrinkles, slight loss of turgor. As a result of the ablation, micro-zones evaporate from the surface of the skin, which during regeneration are tightened by new skin with the participation of cells from the surrounding areas. Thus, there is a lifting (tightening) of the skin of the face as a whole, as well as the destruction of wrinkles and blemishes.
Such a superficial impact will not be enough to solve the problems of a face showing obvious signs of withering. Aging skin must be "treated" from the inside, in the deep layers where the cells responsible for renewing the skin structure are found. This result provides 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 boost of rejuvenation, both from the inside and the outside, so that a visible improvement in the condition of the face will be noticeable after a procedure, and activated tissue renewal will keep the face "in shape" for a long time.
Fractional Laser Rejuvenation Procedure
Like any other laser procedure, the fracsel is performed only by a qualified specialist. The point is that the equipment used refers to medical laser equipment, with which it is necessary to have medical education, undergo training and gain the appropriate experience.
In incompetent hands, a laser can be dangerous with unforeseeable complications and consequences, in addition, this procedure has a fairly large number of contraindications. It is with the identification of obstacles to the use of laser procedures that the preparation process for fractional rejuvenation must begin.
Contraindications
Let's list those conditions and diseases that do not allow the use of procedures based on laser exposure:
- the presence of any tumor formation in the body in the present and the past;
- skin diseases in the treatment area: dermatitis, dermatoses, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo;
- damaged skin (abrasions, scratches);
- story of photoallergy;
- tendency to form keloids;
- chronic diseases of the endocrine, cardiovascular and hematological systems;
- acute viral and bacterial infections;
- low immunity;
- acute or chronic herpes in the acute stage;
- taking retinoid medicines (after stopping the dose, at least six months should pass before the procedure if pills were taken, and at least 2 weeks if external agents were used);
- pregnancy, lactation;
- epilepsy and other mental and neurological problems;
- recent tan.
After reviewing the history and current state of health, the cosmetologist decides whether the procedure is possible. In some cases, it may be necessary to postpone it temporarily, for example with a cold or menstruation. In general, fractional laser rejuvenation is a fairly safe procedure and, if done correctly, does not threaten any complications.
Progress of procedure
Fractional photothermolysis is considered a painless procedure. However, this cannot be 100% confirmed. Most patients still experience discomfort during and especially after laser rejuvenation.
Therefore, local anesthesia is the usual place to start a laser therapy session. An anesthetic is applied to the face to reduce the overall sensitivity of the skin. Burning and stinging sensations are acceptable during exposure.
Facial treatment takes 20-40 minutes (the duration of the session depends on the size of the exposure area), and when completed, a special protective cream is applied to the skin and the patient is given recommendationsof skin care for the recovery period.
Skin regeneration after treatment
It is believed that fractional rejuvenation does not require a recovery period and does not disrupt the usual pace of life. In fact, this is not entirely true. In order not to get into a difficult situation, it is better not to take risks and try to combine the laser procedure with the upcoming work or vacation. It is advisable to take a vacation for at least a week, since in these days you need to observe the rest regimen, and appearance is unlikely to allow you to lead an active lifestyle. For several days the face will be red and swollen, after a few days it will start to peel off, and only after 7-10 days can we talk about a normal look.
Healing with ablative fraxel is especially unpleasant: with it, the condition of the face may look like a burn. Other consequences after the procedure include:
- hyper- or hypopigmentation;
- the appearance of scars and scars, if their tendency has not been previously identified;
- introduction of infection into micro-wounds.
These side effects are unlikely and represent less than 3% of all cases of fractional rejuvenation. If the procedure itself is carried out correctly, without disrupting the process of preparation and rehabilitation, the risk of complications is reduced to zero.
After the fractional laser, do not sunbathe, expose the skin to friction, use aggressive cosmetics, overheating and hypothermia.
Results of fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation
Fractional laser rejuvenation, unlike fractional skin resurfacing, is a minimally invasive procedure. It doesn't "burn" the layers of the skin, so the after-workout effect is unlikely to be overwhelming. As a rule, fractional rejuvenation is done in progress - from 3 to 6 sessions, then you can already assess the result:
- tightening and firming of the skin;
- strengthening the oval of the face;
- wrinkle smoothing;
- age spot removal;
- acne smoothing;
- skin tone alignment.
The rejuvenating effect lasts from one to 10 years, so you can do a second course.
Fractional laser rejuvenation is well combined 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 carry out a full treatment of Fraxel first, and then to process the correction of the remaining deficiencies.
Patient opinions are mixed. Along with the positive recommendations of this procedure, negative statements are often encountered. For example, many women express such complaints:
- The recovery period lasts much longer than cosmetologists promise. Usually, we are not talking about 4-7 days as the employees in beauty salons say, but about 10-14 days.
- More than half of patients report insufficient efficacy. Many people believe that the fractional rejuvenation made their face swollen, making them look older than before the procedure. It is also worth noting that the possibilities of the procedure for smoothing wrinkles are greatly exaggerated and its main purpose is to remove hyperpigmentation and traces of acne.
- The undoubted downside to fractional laser rejuvenation is its cost.
Comments on processing
Here are some opinions on fractional laser facial skin rejuvenation:
Revision # 1
My mother-in-law's husband and I presented a Certificate of Split Rejuvenation for the anniversary. She is an active young woman, she went there with pleasure. We see that there is a result: the face is fresher, tighter, all kinds of spots have disappeared, the wrinkles around the eyes are visibly smoothed. I only did this once, but still want to go, correct the result, I asked for the next vacation to give her the same gift.
Revision # 2
I didn't like fractional rejuvenation. First, it hurts. Second, after the procedure, I had to stay home for almost 2 weeks. My face enlarged several times, everything was red and even wet, as if ichor was oozing out. The result is zero. My main problem is post-acne on my cheeks. So everything stayed, so to speak, it was worth so much suffering, also for your own money.
Revision # 3
I had enough for a single Fraxel procedure. Still, it's expensive and unpleasant. But after 6 days I saw the result, and it's excellent! No more nasolabial folds and all the age spots are gone, and that's exactly what made me look so much older than I really am. Now everything is fine with me, I think if necessary I will decide to take the course again.
Price
As for the cost of a fractional laser rejuvenation procedure, it varies greatly depending on the amount of work and the degree of intervention. Payment is usually set for individual areas, for the entire face, for a face with a grip of the neck and décolleté. Prices may vary depending on city.
Most cosmetologists consider this procedure to be a valid alternative to plastic surgery, but it makes sense to perform it without waiting for significant skin changes, when it is already difficult and expensive to eliminate them. If you start doing fractional rejuvenation at the age of 35-40, it will allow you to postpone the need to use more drastic methods for a long time.