Everything for laser rejuvenation: who, when and why should the procedure be performed?

Scientists have proven that our skin begins to age as early as 25 years old, but most women (and in recent years many men too) strive to maintain their blooming appearance for as long as possible. Therefore, people saw plastic surgery as a chance to preserve their youth and were happy to trust in the professionalism of doctors. But science does not stand still, and today technologies that use a laser to restore the skin are taking the lead. After exposure to rays of a certain length, divided into several light beams, the skin begins to get rid of non-regenerative particles, and young, healthy cells quickly divide and replace the dead layer. This ability to restore natural skin processes makes laser rejuvenation an alternative to surgery.

operating principle

It has long been known that aging is directly related to a slowdown in metabolic processes. Those cells that have already exhausted their resources die much more slowly, and new ones are in no hurry to replace them. In addition, the synthesis of collagen and elastin is disturbed. As a result, the skin loses its elasticity and shape, and wrinkles form. With the help of modern technology, doctors have learned to slow down and even reverse such phenomena. The fact is that with local exposure to a laser beam, skin tissues experience a kind of thermal shock. Those of them that he hit directly die off, in their place there are strange craters of coagulated protein. The surrounding tissue, trying to heal the damage as quickly as possible, begins to grow rapidly and forms a new layer. As a result, the patient gets smooth and toned skin for a long time. This procedure is called fractional (zonal) laser rejuvenation.

Varieties of fractional laser rejuvenation

Fractional laser rejuvenation includes many techniques, in which, in addition to irradiating the skin with a laser of different wavelengths, additional devices and cosmetics are used.

ablative

Ablative exposure works with the surface layers of the skin without causing deep damage. More often it is used to remove fine wrinkles, eliminate surface defects and the first signs of aging. This technique is most effective for those who are under 40 years old.During the procedure, the laser beam burns micro-cuts onto the stratum corneum.During healing, the skin is leveled, tightened, the effect can be felt already 1-2 days after the procedure, but to maintain the result, it must be repeated regularly.

Laser peeling

A more serious procedure is laser peeling. In this procedure, the upper layers of the skin are actually burned out. This formulation sounds scary, but it is quite safe and, thanks to local anesthesia, it is an almost painless procedure, for which cosmetology uses two types of devices - erbium and CO₂Laser. Depending on the required intervention, the device is set to a certain irradiation length, which makes it possible not to damage the deeper layers of tissue.Thanks to this, after recovery, the skin becomes firmer and more youthful, and the ability to adjust the mode of operation of laser devices allows you to correct the skin in the cleavage area and in the area around the eyes and lips.A disadvantage of laser peeling is a long recovery time (7-10 days).

CO is most commonly used in salons and clinics₂- a laser that uses a short beam charge or continuous beams to burn out the top layer of skin. The danger of this device is that if you do not calculate the depth of penetration, serious damage to the skin will occur, after which scars will remain. An erbium laser is safer in this respect because the radiation does not penetrate deeper than the upper layers of the skin.

Carbon peeling

Carbon peeling is a type of laser peeling. At the same time, in addition to laser exposure, they also use a special mask containing carbon dioxide nanoparticles. Under its influence, residues of sebum, other impurities and horny particles are bound and removed. The laser stimulates collagen synthesis, improves metabolic processes and removes dead skin cells. The combination of these effects helps to cope with acne and other inflammations on the skin, even out the color and relief, and improve the appearance.

During the procedure, a mask is first applied to the skin to cleanse the surface layers, and after drying, a laser is used to start the recovery process. As a rule, the effect after such a procedure is not long in coming and is already noticeable after a few days. Another plus is the lack of complaints. In contrast to other laser procedures, where pain often cannot be numbed with special anesthetics, the carbon peeling procedure is painless and the patient only feels a slight amount of heat.

laser treatment

Laser resurfacing is a deeper procedure than laser peeling, although the principle of operation remains the same - the laser beam removes the upper layers of cells. Sanding is used to remove scars, age spots, post-acne and other gross defects. The procedure is painful and is performed under local anesthesia. The number of sessions depends on the severity of the defect. In addition, be prepared that the recovery period lasts up to a month and requires certain restrictions.

DOT rejuvenation (fractional photothermolysis)

In non-ablative procedures, laser beams penetrate the deeper layers of the epidermis, bypassing the surface. Non-ablative laser rejuvenation is recommended for gross skin defects, including wrinkles and obvious signs of aging.Since the effect is aimed directly at the deep layers of the skin, the effect is not felt immediately, but lasts for a long time.

These methods also include DOT rejuvenation (dermal optical thermolysis). This method appeared in 2010 thanks to an Italian company. Under the influence of a carbon dioxide laser, many microthermal zones are formed in the layers of the skin, surrounded by intact areas. To achieve the desired effect, the master changes both the wavelength and the distance between the laser impact areas.

biorevitalization

Another method, in which laser exposure is combined with the introduction of special cosmetic substances into the layers of the skin, is biorevitalization. The procedure consists in introducing into the deep layers of the skin, with the help of laser beams, preparations that restore or improve the composition and normal function of cells. The active ingredient in this case is hyaluronic acid, which acts as a kind of "cement" and fills the space between collagen and elastin fibers.An increased concentration of this substance evens out the skin relief, improves the color and triggers self-renewal mechanisms.

In this case, the laser acts as a stimulating and purifying agent to transport the active ingredient deep into the epidermis. A cold laser is used during biorevitalization. The length of the jets creates micro-tunnels through which hyaluronic acid penetrates into the deeper layers without burning the skin. Therefore, during the procedure, the prepared skin is first treated with a laser, then the drug is applied and lasered again. Specially modified hyaluronic acid molecules penetrate the upper layers of the skin and are fixed in the cells and in the intercellular space of the dermis. At the end of the procedure, the doctor fixes the result by changing the spectrum of the laser radiation. Biorevitalization with a laser is absolutely painless, and the effect after it is noticeable after a few hours, but, unlike the injection technique, it does not last so long.

Pros and cons of laser rejuvenation

Like everything in the world, laser rejuvenation has its pros and cons, and once you have decided to improve your appearance, you should carefully weigh them. The positive aspects of laser rejuvenation include the following arguments:

• Laser rejuvenation visibly restores skin firmness and elasticity, often after 1-2 sessions;
• after the procedure, a relatively short rehabilitation period passes (even with fractional photothermolysis and resurfacing, when tissue integrity is violated, it usually does not exceed two weeks);
• Laser techniques restore the cleavage, neck and eyelids, which are known to be very delicate;
• Due to the specifics of the equipment during the session, the doctor works with large areas of skin, which allows the laser to be used both on the face and on other parts of the body.
• such an effect triggers self-healing and renewal of skin cells;
• After laser rejuvenation, the skin is tightened, wrinkles are eliminated or become less visible, the tone is evened, scars are smoothed, pigment spots disappear, dark circles (bruising) under the eyes are removed. In addition, the fractional laser is considered an effective method in the fight against stretch marks.

It seems - great! But laser rejuvenation also has a downside. So the cons:

• Often, to achieve the desired result, you need to perform 4-6 procedures with an interval of several days or even weeks.
• Most laser rejuvenation techniques are painful despite the use of anesthesia;
• After the procedure, the skin needs careful care and protection with the help of special products for several weeks, and often months.
• Laser rejuvenation techniques often cannot deal with deep, pronounced wrinkles or old scars;
• there is an extensive list of contraindications to such manipulations;
• and finally, laser rejuvenation techniques are quite expensive.

Advice on implementation

To solve the emerging problems of aging skin worldwide, people aged 16 to 65 can use the laser rejuvenation procedure. Of course, you have to decide individually which effect is most suitable. You can use the laser rejuvenation procedure if you need to do the following:

• Correction of age-related defects of the epidermis in cases where surgical correction is not possible;
• smoothing the skin around the eyes (elimination of "crow's feet");
• Rejuvenation and tightening of the facial skin (forehead, cheeks, chin, mouth area) as well as on the décolleté, neck, hands;
• Elimination of post-acne scars;
• treating pigmented areas, including melasma;
• elimination of enlarged pores, spider veins;
• Correction of the inner surface of the arms and thighs;
• elimination of stretch marks on the abdomen, buttocks and other parts of the body;
• Treatment of scars after surgery and injuries.

To choose a technique and appropriate treatment, you need to consult a doctor.

contraindications

Fractional laser exposure is a serious procedure and before you decide to do it, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons. Already at the initial stage, the doctor conducting the rejuvenation procedure must carefully examine and question the future patient in order to determine the presence or absence of contraindications. These include:

• the presence of inflammatory processes in the affected area (including acne in the acute stage);
• herpes;
• oncological diseases;
• diabetes mellitus;
• blood disorders (clotting disorders);
• Infectious diseases in the acute phase;
• skin infections;
• allergic reaction;
• Epilepsy;
• Immunodeficiency;
• high blood pressure or hypotension;
• Age up to 16 years (not yet formed epidermis is easily damaged);
• age after 65 years - in this case, the rehabilitation period will be long due to a decrease in the intensity of the regenerative processes;
• Pregnancy and breast feeding period.

The course of the procedure

As a rule, the laser rejuvenation procedure does not require any preliminary preparation, therefore, after an initial consultation with a specialist and in the absence of contraindications, you can start immediately. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and upon completion, the patient is sent home.

1. During the examination, the doctor determines the zone and depth of the necessary exposure, the length of the laser beam and the size of the laser grid.
2. Make-up is removed from the skin.
3. About an hour before the start of the procedure, the doctor numbs the treated area with an anesthetic cream.
4. After the anesthesia begins to take effect, the doctor proceeds directly to work with the laser. Depending on the intervention and the type of device, the measures taken by a specialist may vary. For example, when buffing the skin, the doctor draws continuous lines across the skin with a nozzle without stopping, so as not to burn out too much of the layer while correcting the necessary area. During DOT taper, the nozzle is sequentially rearranged and laser grated over selected areas. In both cases, tingling or even a slight burning sensation is possible.

Modern beauty salons offer a wide range of restorative and rejuvenating procedures based on laser exposure. However, most of the methods are quite serious intervention and require certain knowledge and skills. However, devices have appeared that allow laser ablative procedures to be performed at home without special training.

rehabilitation time

Restoring skin integrity takes at least 1-2 weeks during which time the treated areas require special care. Pain, burning and swelling of the skin may occur immediately after laser exposure. These symptoms intensify the next day, wound secretions can appear on the treated skin and crusts can form, which should under no circumstances be touched or removed. They serve as a kind of protective barrier between the infection in the environment and the regenerating skin. At this stage, a cream with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects is used to reduce pain symptoms. To reduce the intensity of edema, it is worth reducing your intake of fluid and salt. By the end of the first week, the crusts soften and gradually disappear, hiding a thin, pink layer of renewed epidermis underneath.

Care after fractional rejuvenation

Special skin care is required for a speedy recovery.

1. Do not use tap water for washing. It is better to use bottled or boiled water.
2. Avoid skin contact with sunlight for the first week. After that, use products with a UV protection of at least 30 for a month (until the natural color returns to the skin).
3. Within a month (until the epidermis is completely restored), scrubs, scrubs and other products that can damage the skin should not be used.
4. If there is no allergy, take special vitamin complexes to improve the skin, which will speed up the recovery process.

Possible complications

In addition to the processes described, which are typical for the rehabilitation period, skin recovery after laser irradiation can be complicated by the following processes:

• the patient may experience itching in the treated areas;
• after the crusts have come off, red spots can remain on the skin for a long time;
• possible activation of the herpes virus.

About 4% of those who have undergone this procedure have scars, rosacea (spider veins) or areas of hyperpigmentation.

frequency of procedures

When talking about how many procedures are required and how many times the course needs to be repeated, you need to focus on a specific patient. The indicators are determined by the doctor based on the patient's skin condition. As a rule, ablative techniques, as well as laser peeling or biorevitalization, include a course of 3-6 procedures.In order to achieve a lasting effect that lasts for several years, it may be necessary to repeat the treatment every six months.

user ratings

1. "The procedure itself was really painful. But there is also my fault - I refused the anesthetic cream to save money. However, this pain was quite bearable. After the procedure, the whole face turned red, like after a burn. The redness was gone the next day. I was told you can use foundation but have decided not to stress the skin again. On the second day after the procedure, the skin began to peel off, crusts formed. On the third day I noticed a positive result - the old skin began to peel off, the crusts fell off, and the new skin really became like "new" - there were no scars (already after the first procedure, although I was told about 3), fine lines were smoothed, the pores tightened, the complexion improved, the oval tightened. Despite the pain, expense and some inconvenience of the procedure, I was very happy with it and now recommend it to everyone.
2. "Very exaggerated! There is one result, but what they write in advertising must be divided by five. My result: the skin is more elastic, the complexion is fresher, the pores have become smaller, the fine mesh has been removed, the shallow wrinkles on the forehead have become a little less, the age spots (banal freckles) are a little lighter and a little smaller in diameterwill. Anyone who knows what to expect will be satisfied, advertising cannot be trusted blindly.

3. "I gave the doctor the task of getting rid of age-related wrinkles above my upper lip, the so-called creases - nasolabial folds, and generally improving the skin's structure. A special numbing cream was applied to my face, followed by a colorless lubricant. Fraxel treated the area of the cheeks, chin, nasolabial folds and forehead. During the procedure, an icy breeze blew over the area where Fraxel was working. And so it didn't hurt. Overall impression of the procedure: more effective than various masks and compresses, coupled with a healthy lifestyle. "

Cosmetology today offers a wide range of procedures that can restore health and youth to the skin. Methods developed on the basis of laser exposure occupy one of the first places in this list in terms of efficiency. Devices used at home also bring popularity, although for a radical solution to the problem that has arisen, it is better to turn to professionals. However, in order not to be disappointed later, you must responsibly choose both the clinic where the procedure will be performed and the doctor who will perform it. In addition, it is necessary to carefully follow the doctor's recommendations after laser rejuvenation. And then the renewed, smooth and radiant skin is a natural result.