About ten years ago, American scientists presented doctors and beauticians with a new development - the Fraxel laser for facial cleansing and skin rejuvenation.The technology turned out to be useful and became widespread, but there was no special name for it - in the price lists of beauty salons and in everyday life the procedure of fractional rejuvenation is now called Fraxel.
What is Fraxel laser rejuvenation?
Fraxel technology is used for laser peeling (photothermolysis) of the face and body.In itself, skin rejuvenation with laser light is a long-established hardware technique that is used everywhere.Fraxel's discovery is that the radiation itself in the devices is not delivered in a continuous stream, such as with CO2 lasers.Scientists came up with the idea of dividing the luminous flux and converting it into a beam of ultrafine rays of different lengths.The doctor working with the installation can adjust the penetration depth - it can be 0.3 mm or 1.9 mm - depending on what problem the patient had.Point laser irradiation is useful because it promotes the growth of new cells.When a problem area is treated with ultra-fine rays, so-called microthermal treatment zones are created (areas of skin at a maximum distance of 1 mm) and there are practically no gaps.As the metabolism begins to progress more intensely in each of these microfractions, it is natural that the entire treated area will recover more quickly.
The latest development, Fraxel 4th Generation, also works on the top layer of skin - this technology is called ablative resurfacing (as opposed to the non-ablative treatment performed with other types of lasers).In problem areas - where wrinkles, scars, post-acne, age spots - it is the cells of the upper layer that are aged or damaged.When burned by short rays, the damaged area is restored, but with new and healthy cells.Therefore, after laser treatment, the skin becomes clearer and brighter, pigment spots disappear, scars and stretch marks disappear.
Fraxel technology does not help to completely eliminate wrinkles, especially deep ones - it only smoothes the fine mesh around the eyes or lips.
When is Fraxel rejuvenation necessary?
Laser peeling with Fraxel technology is recommended for women and men aged 30-50 who have already noticed age-related changes:
- the skin lost its tone and became flabby;
- the pores are enlarged, the complexion has deteriorated - the skin has acquired a gray, earthy color;
- uneven skin, noticeable scars, signs of post-acne;
- Pigment spots appeared;
- Wrinkles appeared.
It is permissible to treat almost all areas with the laser: face, neck, décolleté, hands, arms, legs, back.
Contraindications to use
Laser peeling is contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as people with cancer.Anyone suffering from an exacerbation of viral and infectious diseases must postpone the procedure.In the case of skin diseases (psoriasis, dermatitis, herpes) and mechanical damage in the area that needs to be treated with the laser, the peeling is also only carried out when the patient has completely recovered.
Relative contraindications are skin cleansing procedures performed more than 3 months before Fraxel.In this case, you need to ask your beautician about the possibility of laser peeling.You should also tell your doctor about any allergies to painkillers.
Types of Fraxel lasers - table
| Laser type | Erbium | Erbium and Thulium | Erbium | Fractional CO2 laser |
| Which intervention can be carried out? | Fractional photothermolysis (skin remodeling) |
Photothermolysis without ablation | Surface fractional photothermolysis (skin remodeling) |
Fractional ablative resurfacing |
| Working principle | With a minimal area of the microthermal treatment zone, all layers of skin are treated.The penetration depth of the rays is automatically adjusted by the device's scanning system. | The skin is treated with beams of different lengths: a thulium laser acts on the epidermis and destroys old cells, and an erbium laser acts on the deep layers of the dermis. | Light with short wavelengths affects the reticulated layer of the dermis, in which the collagen framework is located.This structure is restored through radiation. | Intense light burns micro-areas of the upper layer of skin, in their place new and healthy cells are formed. |
| Wavelength (nm) | 1550 | 1550 (for erbium), 1927 (for thulium) | 1420 | 10,600 |
| Penetration depth (mm) | Until 1.4 | Up to 1.92 | Up to 0.65 | Up to 1.6 |
| Purpose | Skin restoration after burns, scars, acne, photorejuvenation, treatment of age wrinkles | Treatment of post-acne, removal of scars, scars and age spots, reduction of wrinkles | Elimination of defects in thin and sensitive skin – wrinkles on the eyelids or stretch marks on the mammary glands | Treatment of wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, removal of age spots and signs of dyschromia (discoloration) of the skin, reduction of pores |
What are the pros and cons of Fraxel laser rejuvenation?
Fractional rejuvenation has, by and large, only one drawback: high cost.Many patients who have tried it consider the price of the procedure unjustified and say that laser rejuvenation can be done for less money.
Among the advantages of Fraxel:
- The procedure is universal and suitable for every skin type.
- has a minimum of contraindications;
- the likelihood of complications is low;
- the skin recovers quickly;
- the result lasts up to several years.
Preparing for the Fraxel procedure
Preparation for the procedure begins about six months in advance - with refusal to take certain medications.You must temporarily stop taking blood-thinning medication, which almost every second woman over thirty takes.Limit your sun exposure, avoid tanning for a while - small sacrifices will help you avoid big problems later.Whenever you go outside, even on a cloudy day, apply sunscreen.You will have to endure such hardships for about 3-4 weeks until the appointed day.
In two weeks, it is recommended to switch to gentle skin care, abandon home and chemical peeling, lifting and injections (these are general recommendations, and certain types of procedures are acceptable; you should consult a cosmetologist-dermatologist on this issue).
On dayYou can have lunch 1-2 hours before visiting the salon.
What will they do in the salon?
The doctor treats the skin with an antiseptic and applies an anesthetic - usually an ointment or gel containing lidocaine.A layer of contact gel is applied on top - it is needed so that the sensor glides more easily over the skin (the gel is no longer needed for the latest generation Fraxel Dual Laser).The treatment regimen for the selected area is something like a grid - that is, the doctor moves the nozzle along straight lines in one direction and then in the other.The nozzles can be 7x7 mm and 15x15 mm, so the area illuminated in one approach is 0.5-2 cm2.
The treatment takes about 30 minutes for the face and neck, 10 minutes for the hands and up to 40 minutes for the stomach, chest and thighs.Under anesthesia, the patient feels no pain, just a slight burning and tingling sensation.Unpleasant sensations may occur after the procedure.An ointment with depanthenol relieves pain and accelerates skin healing.However, the doctor usually gives all recommendations for care in the first few days after the procedure.
How many procedures are needed?
After just one procedure, the skin becomes slightly brighter and more even.The course of treatment usually lasts up to six months: for a visible result, 3-4 laser rejuvenation sessions are required with a break of 1-1.5 months.
What effect can you expect?
2-3 days after the procedure, the swelling subsides, damaged cells are restored - no traces of burns or redness are visible.A light, matt tan appears on the skin and the complexion is evened out.But cell recovery takes time.About a month after the first procedure, you will notice how the facial oval tightens, the vascular network becomes smaller and pigment spots are lightened.After another 3-4 months, the collagen structure is restored - wrinkles are smoothed, the skin tone improves and the woman already looks 5 or even 10 years younger.
How long does the result last?
It is impossible to calculate exactly how long the effects of Fraxel laser treatment will last, but they will definitely last longer than a month or a year.Fraxel restores youth to the skin, but does not abolish the laws of aging, genetics and the risk of hormonal imbalances.Only through proper skin care and compliance with all doctor's recommendations can you prolong the result.
Possible complications, how to avoid them
According to clinical studies, the following complications are possible after Fraxel laser rejuvenation:
- manifestation of acne (acne);
- manifestation of facial herpes;
- post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation;
- persistent (more than 4 days) erythema;
- persistent (more than 2 days) swelling.
There is no need to worry about the appearance of scars, the growth of keloids or the formation of a tumor in the area of laser irradiation.In the 10 years of the technology's existence, not a single such case has been identified.
Complications are possible even if the doctor fully adheres to the technology.Whether they occur or not depends on the patient's health and the individual reaction to the procedure.Of course, before visiting the salon, you should find out if there are any contraindications, and then carefully choose a specialist and the place where you want to have laser treatment.Lotions containing alcohol should be excluded from caring cosmetics during recovery.It is not recommended to perform chemical peel or dermabrasion two weeks after laser treatment.
The process of fractional photothermolysis is becoming increasingly popular.Unfortunately, this leads to many salons misleading their customers and performing photothermolysis using fake equipment.Most of the negative reviews about this rejuvenation method are due to the use of fake devices of dubious quality.Request documentation and certificates for the device you use and remember that original devices are not cheap and small salons often cannot afford to purchase real devices.
The rehabilitation period lasts 1-3 days, swelling and redness during this time are normal.
Rehabilitation phase
In the first few hours after the procedure, the anesthesia will wear off and you will feel swelling in your face.Cold compresses with ice will relieve swelling and relieve pain (just wrap the ice cubes in a towel or cotton napkin).Avoid any mechanical impact (men should not shave on the same day, but after 2-3 days).
The face acquires a more or less healthy appearance 2-3 days after the procedure, so experienced women advise visiting the salon on Friday evening - this way you can recover over the weekend, and on Monday you can apply your makeup and go to work.
As the skin heals, it may peel off.Therefore, be sure to use a moisturizer - just discuss which one with your doctor beforehand.You can take a shower, but not hot - warm.You should avoid baths, saunas and even baths for several days.
Even physical activity will not bring any benefit in the first three days after visiting the salon, so you need to act calmly and moderately for some time.
In the stream of praise for Fraxel, contributions from women who have suffered from the procedure somehow get lost.Think about this before you lie down on the couch in the salon.Remember: no cosmetic laser procedure will be performed without prior medical examination and consent of a dermatologist.