Fraxel laser rejuvenation can solve many skin problems. The technology has become ubiquitous, almost replacing other laser devices for anti-aging therapies on the market. The secret of such popularity is that fractional lasers are safer than conventional lasers.
What is Fraxel Laser Rejuvenation
Fraxel technology was developed in the United States in 2004. At that time, the ability to rejuvenate by laser light was known. But the developers of the new method went even further: they changed the structure of the laser beam. Instead of a narrowly directed light beam, several hundred microscopic beams of different lengths are directed at the skin at once.A conventional laser heats the entire illuminated area, the fractional laser acts in the metal direction, burns the canals in the skin no more than 0. 1 mm wide and 0, 4 to 1 deep, 9 mm.For 1 cm2of the skin, there can be up to several thousand such - damaged areas alternating with intact areas. In the language of cosmetologists, the areas exposed to radiation are called micro-thermotherapy zones.
Unlike other lasers with original technology, Fraxel shines evenly across all microscopic areas of skin at a distance of hundreds of millimeters.
There is some partial rejuvenation technique, because manufacturers take into account how everyone ages differently - each aging type has specific age-related changes. As a source, the technology developers took two types of lasers - erbium and thulium.
The Erbium laser acts on the upper layers of the epidermis, more precisely on its lipid layer, in which water molecules accumulate and are retained - they are molecules that absorb light energy. Under the action of high temperatures, the water evaporates and the dead cells that make up the top layer of the skin are burned by the laser. Such a positive effect immediately induces a protective response of the body - an increase in metabolism, so that the damaged skin areas are restored as quickly as possible. On average, it takes 1-2 weeks for minor wounds to heal and up to 3-4 months to fully recover. The procedure is called ablation or resurfacing. The skin after bathing becomes cleaner and brighter, the blemishes and thickens are gone, the tiny wrinkles are blurred. The first generation device with a wavelength of 1550 nm (deep penetration, up to 20-50 microns or 0, 02-0, 05 mm) operated on an erbium laser. Then, obviously even more gentle technology is needed - for the treatment of thin and sensitive skin in the eye / lip area. The wavelength has been reduced to 1420 nm.
TheThulium laser with a wavelength of 1927 nm is designed to heat the upper layers of the dermis, in which the collagen-elastin mesh is located. Protein fibers, which it is composed of, change their structure due to the thermal effect - they fold and condense. If you picture them: they look like springs - but with age from positive facial expressions and under the action of gravity, they lose elasticity and straighten. With the weakening of the collagen framework, the dermis first loses its firmness, then sags and gathers into folds and the upper layer of skin and wrinkles appear. So, from high temperatures, they fold back into the springs and over time pull the back sagging tissues. Therefore, some wrinkles, including deep ones, are smoothed out. Thulium lasers are not used separately for fractional rejuvenation. But its energy is effectively combined with that of the erbium laser.
By combining the two types of exposures, laser equipment manufacturers have gotten the device - the gold standard of anti-aging aesthetics.
The Fraxel laser illuminates all layers of the skin, thus helping to solve many age-related problems.
With the advent of the high-power CO2 laser, rejuvenating treatments are becoming more and more effective. The light pulses in them are amplified due to the fact that they are transmitted through the carbon dioxide molecules. This technology is used by lasers, on which, as well as on erbium, abrasive surface resurfacing is performed. But the energy of the CO2laser penetrates much deeper - up to 300 microns or 0. 3 mm. Technology allows you to achieve a marked improvement in the quality and structure of the skin: improving skin, shrinking pores, removing scars and stretch marks, reducing wrinkles. The transdermal optical pyrolysis is also performed using a carbon dioxide laser, where radiation affects the deeper layers of the skin.
For Fractional Laser Rejuvenation
Fractional laser rejuvenation is often in greater demand among women, although men use it sometimes. The mean patient age was 30-50 years, plus or minus five years for the lower and upper limits. In fact, there is no strict age limit, whether it is worthwhile to perform fractional laser rejuvenation, the dermatologist-esthetician determines on preliminary examination. Just at a younger age, the metabolism is quite active, there are still no visible changes related to age and you can fix problem skin with other gentle methods. than. Conversely, after 50 years, fractional rejuvenation may no longer produce noticeable results, since tissue deformation is quite strong, superficial correction will result in short-term, and probably not at all. give results.
When applying laser resurfacing:
- with enlarged pores and post-acne traces;
- with pale, poor skin;
- for micro wrinkles;
- for hyperpigmentation and freckles;
- is used to treat scars and stretch marks.
Fractional heat is indicated for fine lines, creases and folds on the face, neck, folds, pigmentation loss and sagging skin.
Women say that after Fraxel, the skin looks younger than it is aged 3-5 years, although this is not true for everyone.
Contraindicated to procedure
Contraindicated to any procedure that uses fractional lasers:
- patient under 18 years of age;
- pregnant and lactating women; cancer patient
- ;
- people with heart and blood vessel disease;
- diabetics; People with an allergy
- (their doctor should be warned about an allergy to the laser itself or to anesthetics).
Do not expose yourself to the effects of lasers if the skin in the procedure area is injured, inflamed or reddened, with herpes, dermatitis, psoriasis.This procedure can only aggravate existing problems, so skin must be healthy.Relative contraindication to laser resurfacing / pyrolysis - chemical peeling or facial stretching carried out last month. The possibility of fractional rejuvenation in such cases should be checked with a doctor.
Difference of fractional laser process from other types
The ability to rejuvenate on fractional lasers is discovered when similar processes are performed on other lasers - pyrolysis is performed on diodes and neodymium, deep layers of skin are heated, on erbium andcarbon dioxide with long wavelength, the entire surface by laser is carried out. The result is both one procedure and another, but too long wait. After grinding, surface treatment, skin recovers in a month and a half - not all patients are satisfied with this stage. Also, the risk of side effects remains high. As the possibility of dosing light energy appeared, beauty salons began massively turning to new technology - fractional lasers began to be used everywhere.
Even after one surgery, significant changes will occur in tissues, but to consolidate the results, you need to go to the esthetician 3-4 times.
There are also new procedures:
- peeling off the carbon. The upper layer of the skin is treated with a carbon gel (carbon), and then beams a laser upwards - to warm the deep layers of the dermis. The mechanism of action, in general, is the norm - regeneration occurs more strongly from higher temperatures. But thanks to the laser, the gel also penetrates deeply enough: after just one treatment, the pores are cleared, the sebaceous gland activity is normalized, the face becomes cleaner and smoother. The procedure is recommended for patients with oily skin;
- laser bio-regeneration is a process that has replaced the injection technique. The gel with hyaluronic acid is applied to the problem area, after which the skin is treated with a laser - usually a laser. With laser detection, it is clear that even external agents can penetrate deeper, meaning they can work more efficiently if, after applying them, the desired area is manipulated. treatment with laser light. The same goes for hyaluronic acid molecules - if in regular creams or gels they are just absorbed to the surface and washed off after the first wash, then after using the laser they fall into the layer. deep of the epidermis, where all the necessary moisture for the skin accumulates.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the laser process - table
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How to prepare for the procedure
Preparations for facial rejuvenation begin with a consultation with a dermatologist. After the check, he must give in advance for individual procedures and recommendations. The restrictions are usually of interest:
- lifestyle
- . 3-4 weeks before the procedure, you should refuse to go to the solarium, and before going out, use a cream with an SPF filter;
- takes some kind of medicine - an antibiotic, a blood thinner that almost every woman over 30 years old takes. But to take pills for herpes, on the contrary, is worth it;
- cosmetic procedures. 2 weeks before the procedure, do not go through any other facial cleansing and rejuvenation procedures, it is better to quit the self-peeling at home so as not to damage the skin again, switch togentle care.
You need to go to the salon without makeup.
On the day before and during sex, don't drink a lot - to avoid tissue edema.
If you tend to get herpes, you should take your antiviral medication while preparing for the procedure.
How is the procedure done in a salon
Procedure for the procedure:
- The first thing the doctor does is disinfect the skin and apply anesthetic. Applied anesthesia is usually sufficient.
- Next, a contact gel is applied, which is needed to make it easier for the laser handle to glide across the skin.
- Nozzles with different diameters: 7x7 mm or 15x15 mm. During one activation, the skin's 1–2 cm2is illuminated, so this session takes quite a bit of time. It takes about half an hour to treat the face and neck, and about 10 minutes for the hands.
- Discomfort usually arises not during surgery, but afterward, when the anesthetic begins to go away. When the skin is exposed to the laser, it feels warm, burning, and tingling, but can be tolerated; because micro-regions are more palpable than if a directional ray burns the top layer of the skin centimeter by inch.
What will the effect be after the process and when will it appear
On the second or third day after the procedure, when the edema subsides, the skin will have a slight tanned color, the tone becomes smoother, the complexion becomes brighter. Skin takes time to recover, about a month. After this time, there will be a pronounced skin lifting effect, improving the quality of the skin - ie increasing density, elasticity, reducing pores, lightening age spots. To consolidate results, you need to do 3-4 procedures a month apart.After 3-4 months, when the collagen-elastin framework is restored, the facial skin will be tighter, wrinkles will disappear, the face looks 5 years younger, even more. If all the doctor's recommendations are followed, this condition can be maintained for several years. In beauty salons, they avoid making accurate predictions, because there is no anti-aging procedure that can undo the law of aging.
Judging by reviews, the results can take up to 3-5 years. Longer is not possible: irreversible age-related changes can only be slowed down, but then they will reappear and the treatment will need to be repeated.
Patient before and after segment rejuvenation - photo
Potential complications and how to avoid them
Complications can occur even if the procedure is fully followed by the doctor. Whether or not depends on the patient's health and individual responses to the procedure. The patient is responsible for performing fractional rejuvenation when there are contraindications - if he knows about them, but does not warn the doctor or conceal important information about the acquired diseases to him. , procedures performed and drug allergies.
Almost 15 years of practice have shown that after segment rejuvenation there can be side effects like:
- acne;
- herpes;
- age spots;
- persistent erythema (erythema);
- persistent tissue edema.
No cases of keloids and tumors have been reported.
Recovery time
Immediately after the procedure, the patient experienced severe pain and tissue swelling. It is easier if you regularly, every 3-4 hours, apply ice (ice wrapped in a napkin or towel or a bottle of frozen water) to the treated skin area. You can go out / work the next day, but it's better if you wait at home for 2-3 days, apply and lubricate your skin with a tissue regeneration stimulator. No physical activity, sunbathing, or even hot baths. Rest, take a warm bath, apply cream and compress - for at least 2 days.
After that, the skin heals - dry scabs form first, then they will start to peel off and fall off.You don't need to touch, tear them apart. Alcohol-containing cosmetics (lotion, tonic) should be discarded during recovery. Decorative cosmetics are allowed 2-3 days after the procedure.
Fractional laser facial rejuvenation assessment
"Before the procedure itself, an ointment was applied. The ointments were also different. I had an anesthetic effect for 15 minutes. The doctor showed me the effect of the laser first on a piece of paper The holes were burned 1 mm apart. Then they burned me . . . This process lasted 15 minutes: face and neck. But it is quite pleasant. The problem begins when the effect of the anesthetic wears off. This is a primary burn, and the consequences are like a burn. The whole face is red, swollen, burning. It is recommended to do this on Friday night. The doctor gives the following instructions: apply ointment regularly and frequently for burns First, it is better to use an ointment that contains a cooling ingredient. , regularly moisten the face with cool water Lots of brown crust form in the burning places, but the process is good because by the second day you can use decorative cosmetics and cover it up. On the third day, session tYou need to take a shower or go to the bathroom. Use your fingertips to massage the steamed face to allow the crust to peel off. Don't use an exfoliant! Efficiency develops gradually. After the first treatment, the oval face was tightened, the blood vessels around the nose disappeared. For full effect, my doctor prescribed me 4 sessions with time off each month. Keep in mind that Fraxel is more prone to darkening because it is similar to a sunburn. "
"I have DOT laser skin rejuvenation. Day 1. The procedure is very painful. I have been anesthetized for an hour. But it still hurts. There is burning flesh smell. normal, only swelling of the eyes. Face pain for 2-3 hours. evening started, how gentle, swollen . . . The expression of a homeless woman from three stations Herpes 2 crawled out in. lower lip Doctors warn that if the herpes lives in the body, it will definitely emerge so it goes away Beauty is impossible . . Day 3. No pain The swelling gradually subsides. Day 4. Scales started to disappear, no longer hurt Strange face but not formidable On 5th day, scabs flake off Face as pink as after a strong sunburn. All the creams, all the masks under the broom, the lips healed. On the 9th day - the feast for the eyes! Try myself in the mirror, I can't see enough. The other. Under the eyes (where it hurts the most) everything is smooth. Not a wrinklehe knows what will happen next. But today, the 10th day, I am VERY happy. "
"I am fortunate to be the owner of the most difficult scars on my face. Specifically chipped marks and boxes. If anyone does not know, these scars are characterized by sharp lacerations. Four years ago, I started this epic with treating them, I learned about many different methods, and succumbed to my doctor's persuasion of fractional laser resurfacing on a device. Dot. By the way, the doctor promised to make me have a perfectly smooth face in 3 sessions Intellectually, I understand that this is not possible. Anyway, I have complicated scars. But hope still burned inside me. The day of the first procedure had arrived Oh my God! What a terrible pain! The scent of burning skin was still burning. At home, I had to sit idle for about a while. weeks, constantly applied tissue regeneration stimulants and was afraid of his reflection in the mirror, because they showed Krugger in female guise After 6-7 days, I risked going out, the redness lessenedg scar healed. To my surprise, my entire face turned into a single dot. These are the marks from laser beams. That's what I didn't expect! They promise perfect smoothness. And finally, they added the anomalies. "Well, okay", I thought and went to the second procedure. And then on Tuesday. Personally, my eyes are blinding because of such smoothness. In my opinion, nothing has changed! By the way, the laser beam traces are still with me. They don't stand out, but if you look closely, you can see them. I bring them out the bounds with ultrasonic massages, mediators and skin peels. And on Dot, I'm no longer a foot! What silly my scar type! "
Partition rejuvenation certainly has many advantages. But there are negative reviews from patients, in some cases even one procedure has made it difficult for the health of the people. This happens for a variety of reasons, usually due to the principle of contraindications to laser rejuvenation. To protect yourself from possible negative effects after the procedure, play safely before - see your doctor, get checked, listen to not just one but a few estheticians. However, safety and health are two inseparable things.