Fractional photothermolysis: age at gunpoint

From the time of Cleopatra to the present day, there is no single representative of the fair sex who would not want to prolong the youth and beauty of her skin. Modern medical science never stops marveling at innovations in the field of cosmetology, offering various surgeries and anti-aging procedures.

Techniques that allow you to get rid of external signs of aging without resorting to scalpel or Botox injections are very popular. Fractional laser rejuvenation is currently the fastest and safest way to combat skin aging.

fractional laser renewal procedure

What is a fractional laser and how does it "renew"

When the laser hits the skin, a burn that spreads deep occurs. Begins active healing processes (regeneration), which provide the desired cosmetic effect. This procedure is also called laser skin resurfacing in cosmetology.

If the same laser is divided into many micro-beams, the so-called fractional laser beam is obtained. Such a beam on the skin will no longer act as a complete spot, but as a trout microphone. Burns have fractional laser thermocouples located in the form of large numbers of microscopes among intact skin. This greatly reduces the trauma of the procedure (and also bitterness) and allows the skin to recover more quickly.

After being exposed to the laser, intact healthy cells begin to actively divide, with the formation of collagen and elastin, which provide elasticity and a youthful appearance to the skin.

Types of fractional photothermolysis

Genitive

Under the action of laser radiation, water evaporates from the tissues and creates an "open" microscopic wound, surrounded by damaged (burned) cells.

During treatment, a pronounced lifting effect occurs, but there is a risk that the infection will penetrate into the deep layers of the skin.

Non-ablative

Radiation is used, leaving the epidermis intact, so evaporation from the tissues and "open" wound formation does not occur. The burn forms and heals under the epidermis, so there is no risk of infection, but the rejuvenating effect of this procedure is less obvious.

The cosmetologist selects the fractional rejuvenation method individually, depending on the condition and type of skin.

Effects and Benefits of Fractional Laser Thermotherapy

The main difference between the technique and all other procedures is the optimal balance between safety and efficiency.

Key benefits:

  • the ability to affect any part of the body (including the décolleté, neck, eyelids);
  • wide range of indications;
  • physiology (the damaged area is only 20% of the total laser treated area);
  • short healing period (2-7 days);
  • method of anesthesia - application;
  • the possibility of using it on people with dark skin (since it does not cause hyperlinks);
  • length of yield (from one to several years).

The disadvantage is that not all aspects of the fractional laser effect are well known, since the technology itself has recently emerged.

Indications for fractional renewal:

  • wrinkles (at any depth and location);
  • reduction of the elastic properties of the skin;
  • enlarged pores;
  • pigmentation;
  • aicne;
  • spider veins;
  • scars (postoperative, residual after acne);
  • stretch marks (striae), including on the skin of the mammalian glands.

Conducting features of fractional laser thermalization

A few days before the photothermolysis procedure, the cosmetologist may prescribe antibacterial or antiviral drugs in prophylactic doses.

On the day of fractional renewal, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption need to be completely excluded.

Before the procedure, the skin is thoroughly cleansed and treated with a special anesthetic cream. In some cases, anesthesia is not required at all.

The effect of the laser is felt to be "tingling" or "tingling". The duration of the procedure (from several minutes to an hour) and its number are chosen individually. After laser treatment, a soothing nourishing cream is applied to the skin.

Follow-up skin care:

  • Moisturize the skin with a special cream 2-3 times a day (within 2 weeks);
  • protect the skin from UV radiation for 2 months (do not visit the solarium, use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30);
  • do not use peels and scrubs (within 2 weeks);
  • do not use cosmetics containing salicylic acid and retinol (within 2 weeks);
  • do not wear compressed underwear for several days (if the body has undergone fractional photothermolysis);
  • limit (exclude) smoking and alcohol during the entire course of treatment (decreased regenerative functions of the skin).
photo before and after fractional laser rejuvenation

On average, the recovery period lasts up to 3 days after non-ablative fractional laser thermalization and up to 7 days after mature ablation.

The skin changes after the procedure

For 1-3 days after intense laser exposure, redness, discomfort and slight swelling of the skin may follow. If this condition is treated badly subjectively, then it is permissible to use pain relief and skin cooling.

skin change under a microscope after fractional renewal

After a few days, a bronze skin tone (tanning effect) may appear, lasting up to 2 weeks and disappearing on its own. Within 5-7 days after fractional renewal, dryness and peeling of the skin is noticed.

Undesirable consequences and contraindications for photothermolysis

With improper skin care after the procedure, non-compliance with recommendations, or technical errors during laser treatment, the following complications can occur:

  • redness of the skin lasting more than 3 days;
  • edema at the site of exposure, lasting more than 2 days;
  • exacerbate herpes infection (if previously in the treatment area);
  • infection (appearance of streptoderma);
  • corrosion, burning in the affected area;
  • pinpoint hemorrhages;
  • hyperpigmentation.

In order to avoid undesirable consequences, the procedure for fractional laser resection after possible contraindications is examined and excluded.

Absolute contraindications:

  • pregnancy and breastfeeding;
  • tendency to form celiac scars;
  • acute infectious process (including herpes);
  • oncological pathology;
  • condition after radiation, chemotherapy;
  • epilepsy;
  • significant disorders of the immune system;
  • taking medications containing retinoids;
  • psoriasis (atopic dermatitis) during exacerbation.

Relationship:

  • kidney pathology;
  • diabetes;
  • inflammation at the site of exposure;
  • the patient's willingness to follow the cosmetologist's recommendations;
  • mental illness;
  • allergy to anesthetic;
  • autoimmune diseases;
  • fresh tan (last visit to the solarium);
  • recent rejuvenation procedures (affecting the deep layers of the skin - within the last three months, superficial - within 10 days).

Laser fractional resuscitation reviews and patient photographs from the "before" and "after" series typically damage the low efficacy and trauma of this method of preserving youth.

face before and after laser fractional renewal

Remember!The procedure can only be performed by trained specialists (surgeon or dermatovenerologist) who are allowed to work with laser devices. Doctor Who is the key to beauty!