Fraxel laser rejuvenation can solve many skin problems. The technology has already spread, almost replacing other laser equipment for anti-aging procedures from the market. The secret of this popularity is that the fractional laser is safer than the conventional one.
What is Fraxel laser rejuvenation
Fraxel technology was developed in the United States in 2004. At that time, the possibility of rejuvenation using laser light was already known. But the developers of the new method went further - they changed the structure of the laser beam. Instead of a strictly directed beam of light, several hundred microbeams of different lengths were applied to the skin simultaneously.A conventional laser heats the entire illuminated area, the fractional one acts in a punctual sense, burning canals of the stem in the skin no wider than 0. 1 mm and 0. 4 to 1. 9 mm deep.For 1 cm2of skin, there can be up to several thousand such fractions: damaged areas alternate with intact ones. In the language of cosmetologists, areas that have been exposed to radiation are called microthermal treatment zones.
Unlike other lasers with stump technology, Fraxel shines evenly on all micro areas of the skin at a distance of hundredths of a millimeter.
There are several fractional rejuvenation techniques, because manufacturers have taken into account that people age differently: each type of aging has its 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, where water molecules accumulate and are retained, they are the ones that absorb light energy. Under the influence of high temperature, water evaporates and the dead cells that make up the upper layer of the skin are burned by a laser. Such an aggressive effect immediately causes a protective reaction of the body - increased metabolism, so that the damaged areas of the skin are restored as quickly as possible. On average, it takes 1-2 weeks for microtraumas to heal and up to 3-4 months to fully recover. The procedure is called ablation or ablative resurfacing. The skin then becomes cleaner and clearer, pigmentation spots and keratomas disappear, fine wrinkles are erased. The first generation apparatus with a wavelength of 1550 nm (superficially penetrated, down to 20-50 microns or 0. 02-0. 05 mm) operated on an erbium laser. Then it became clear that even gentler technology was needed - for the treatment of thin and sensitive skin in the eye / lip area. The wavelength was reduced to 1420 nm.
The thulium laser with a wavelength of 1927 nm is designed to heat the upper layers of the dermis, where the collagen and elastin network is located. The protein fibers, of which they are composed, change their structure by thermal action: they fold and condense. If you visualize them: they look limp, but with age due to active facial expressions and under the influence of gravity, they lose their elasticity and straighten. With the weakening of the collagen structure, the dermis first loses its tone, then sags and collects in folds and the upper layer of the skin and wrinkles appear. Then, from the high temperature, again, as it were, they fold into springs and over time pull up the sagging tissue behind them. Some wrinkles, including deep ones, are thus smoothed out. The thulium laser is not used separately for fractional rejuvenation. But its energy is effectively combined with that of an erbium laser.
By combining two types of exposure, laser equipment manufacturers received the device - the gold standard of anti-aging cosmetology.
Fraxel laser irradiation acts on all layers of the skin, thus helping to solve a variety of age-related problems.
With the advent of high-powered CO2 lasers, rejuvenating treatments have become even more effective. The pulses of light contained in them are amplified by the fact that they pass through the molecules of carbon dioxide. This technology is used by a laser, on which, in addition to the erbium, ablative resurfacing is performed. But the energy of the CO2laser penetrates much deeper, down to 300 microns or 0. 3 mm. The technology allows to achieve a visible improvement in the quality and texture of the skin: improve complexion, reduce pores, remove scars and stretch marks, smooth wrinkles. A dermal optical thermolysis procedure is also performed using a carbon dioxide laser, when the radiation hits even deeper layers of the skin.
For fractional laser rejuvenation
Fractional laser rejuvenation is more in demand among women, although sometimes men also use it. The mean age of patients is 30-50 years, plus or minus five years at the lower and upper limits. Indeed, there are no strict age limits, whether it is worthwhile to do rejuvenation using a fractional laser, a dermatologist-cosmetologist determines in a preliminary examination. It's just that at a young age, the metabolism is already quite active, there are still no visible age-related changes, and you can work with problem skin with other more gentle methods. After 50 years, fractional rejuvenation, on the contrary, may no longer give a noticeable result, because the tissues are deformed quite strongly, superficial correction will give a short-term result and, perhaps, will not give at all.
When laser resurfacing is applied:
- with enlarged pores and post-acne traces;
- with unhealthy pallor, poor complexion;
- for superficial fine wrinkles;
- for hyperpigmentation and freckles;
- for scars and stretch marks.
Fractional thermolysis is indicated for wrinkles, folds and folds on the face, neck, décolleté, loss of tone and sagging skin.
Women say that after Fraxel the skin looks younger than its age for 3-5 years, although this is not the case for everyone.
Contraindications to the procedure
Any procedure using a fractional laser is contraindicated:
- patients under 18 years of age;
- pregnant and lactating women;
- cancer patients;
- people with heart and vascular diseases;
- diabetics;
- allergy sufferers (a doctor should be warned of allergies to the laser itself or to anesthetic drugs).
It is not recommended to expose yourself to the action of the laser if the skin in the area of the procedure is injured, inflamed or covered with a rash, with herpes, dermatitis, psoriasisThe procedure can only aggravate existing problems, so the skin must be healthy.Relative contraindications for laser resurfacing / thermolysis - chemical peel or face lift performed in the previous month. The possibility of fractional rejuvenation in these cases should be checked with a doctor.
Differences of the fractional laser procedure from other types
The possibility of rejuvenation on a fractional laser was discovered when similar procedures were performed on other lasers: thermolysis was performed on diode and neodymium lasers, the deep layers of the skin were heated, on erbium and anhydridelong wavelength carbon dioxide, total laser resurfacing was performed. The result was both of one and the other procedure, but he had to wait too long. After grinding, surface treatment, the skin recovered for a month and a half - not all patients were satisfied with this period. Furthermore, the risk of side effects remained high. When the possibility of a metered supply of light energy appeared, salons began to massively switch to new technologies - the fractional laser began to be used everywhere.
Even after a procedure, significant changes occur in the tissues, but to consolidate the result, it is necessary to go to the beautician 3-4 times.
There are also new procedures:
- carbon peeling. The upper layer of the skin is treated with a carbon (carbon) gel, then laser irradiation is applied to it to heat the deep layers of the dermis. The mechanism of action, in general, is standard: regeneration occurs more intensely from high temperatures. But thanks to the laser, the gel also penetrates quite deeply: so that even after a session the pores are freed, the work of the sebaceous glands is normalized, the face becomes cleaner and smoother. The procedure is recommended for patients with oily skin;
- laser biorevitalization is a procedure that has replaced the injection technique. Gel with hyaluronic acid is applied to the problem area, then the skin is treated with a laser, usually diode. With the discovery of the laser, it became clear that external agents can also penetrate deeper, which means they can work more efficiently if, after applying them, the desired area is treated with laser light. This also happens with hyaluronic acid molecules - if in a normal cream or gel they are absorbed only superficially and washed off after the first facial cleansing, then after the laser they fall into the deep layers of the epidermis, where all the moisture accumulates. necessary for the skin.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the laser procedure - table
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How to prepare for the procedure
Preparation for fractional rejuvenation begins with a consultation with a dermatologist. After the examination, he must give the green light to the procedure and personal recommendations. Restrictions usually involve:
- lifestyle. 3-4 weeks before the procedure, you should refuse to visit the solarium and, before going out, use a cream with an SPF filter;
- taking certain medications: antibiotics, blood thinning medications that nearly one in two women over 30 take. But drinking herpes medicine, on the contrary, is worth it;
- cosmetic procedures. 2 weeks before the procedure, it is recommended not to carry out other procedures for cleansing and rejuvenation of the face, it is better to abandon home peeling as well, so as not to injure the skin again and move on to gentle care.
You have to come to the salon without makeup.
It is recommended not to drink a lot the day before and on the day of the session, so that there is no tissue edema.
If there is a tendency to herpes, it is recommended to drink antiviral drugs while preparing for the procedure.
How the procedure is performed in the salon
Procedure for procedure:
- The first thing a doctor does is disinfect the skin and apply an anesthetic. Application anesthesia is generally sufficient.
- Next, a contact gel is applied, which is necessary to make it easier to slide the laser handle on the skin.
- The nozzles are of different diameters: 7x7 mm or 15x15 mm. During an activation, 1–2 cm2of the skin glows, so the session takes very little time. It takes about half an hour to treat the face and neck and about 10 minutes for the hands.
- Unpleasant sensations usually arise not during the procedure, but after it, when the anesthesia begins to subside. When the skin is illuminated with a laser, it feels hot, burning and tingling, but tolerable; because the burning of the micro-areas is easier to perceive than if a direct ray burns the upper layer of the skin inch by inch.
What effect will it have after the procedure and when it will appear
On the second or third day after the procedure, when the edema subsides, a light dull tan will appear on the skin, the tone will become smoother, the complexion will refresh. It takes time for the skin to recover, about a month. After this time, you will notice a lifting effect, an improvement in the quality of the skin, that is, an increase in its density, elasticity, decreased pores, lightening of age spots.To consolidate the result, it is necessary to perform 3-4 procedures at monthly intervals.After another 3-4 months, when the collagen-elastin structure is restored, the face will become even tighter, the wrinkles will disappear, the face will appear 5 years younger, or even more. If all the recommendations of the doctor are followed, this condition can be maintained for several years. In salons they avoid making accurate predictions, because no anti-aging procedure cancels the laws of aging.
Judging by the reviews, the result can last up to 3-5 years. Longer is unlikely: irreversible age-related changes can only be slowed down, but then they will appear again and the course of treatment will have to be repeated.
Patient before and after fractional rejuvenation - photos
What complications can there be and how to avoid them
Complications are possible even if the doctor fully observes the procedure. Whether or not they are depends on the patient's health condition and individual reaction to the procedure. The responsibility for performing fractional rejuvenation in the presence of contraindications rests with the patient - if he knew about them, but did not notify the doctor or withhold important information from him about the diseases suffered, the procedures performed and the drug allergy.
Almost 15 years of practice have shown that after fractional rejuvenation side effects such as:
- acne;
- herpes;
- age spots;
- persistent skin redness (erythema);
- persistent tissue edema.
No cases of keloid scars and tumors have been recorded.
Rehabilitation period
Immediately following the procedure, patients experience pain and severe tissue edema. It will be easier if you regularly apply an ice pack (ice cubes wrapped in a napkin or towel or ice water bottle) to the treated skin area every 3-4 hours. You can go out / work the next day, but it will be better to wait 2-3 days at home, doing compresses and lubricating the skin with a tissue regeneration stimulator. No physical activity, sunbathing or even a hot shower. Rest, hot shower, cream and compresses - for at least 2 days.
Then the skin will heal: first dry crusts form, then they will begin to peel off and fall off.You don't need to touch them, let alone tear them.Alcohol-based cosmetics (lotions, tonics) for the recovery period should be discarded. Decorative cosmetics are allowed 2-3 days after the procedure.
Reviews of facial skin rejuvenation with fractional laser
"Before the procedure itself, an anesthetic ointment is applied. The ointments are also different. I had the effect of relieving pain in 15 minutes. The procedure itself follows. The doctor showed me the effect. laser first on a sheet of paper. The holes are burned at a distance of 1 mm from each other. Then they burned me. . . The procedure took 15 minutes: face and neck. It is unpleasant, but quite tolerable. Problems begin when the effect of the anesthetic ointment ends. This is an elementary burn and the consequences are the same as a burn. The whole face has become red, swollen, burned. Therefore, it is recommended to perform theprocedure Friday evening. The doctor gave the following instructions: abundantly and often smear with a burn ointment. First, it is better to use an ointment that contains a cooling component. Also more often moisten the face with cool water. Severe redness has disappeared. somewhere by Saturday evening (in one dayMany brown scabs formed in the places of burning, but the procedure is good because on the second day you can use decorative cosmetics and cover it all. On the third day in the evening you need to take a bath or go to the bathhouse. Massage the steamed face with your fingertips so that the scabs fall off. Don't use a scrub! The effect gradually builds. After the first procedure, the oval of the face was tightened, the vessels around the nose were gone. For the full effect, the doctor prescribed me 4 procedures with a month break. Keep in mind that Fraxel is easier with brunettes as it is similar to sunburn. "
"I did the DOT laser rejuvenation. Day 1. The procedure is painful. I was anesthetized for an hour. But it still hurts. It smells like burnt flesh. Immediately after the procedure, the appearance is normal, only eyesSwollen face hurts for 2-3 hours in the evening starts, as if to put it mildly, swelling . . . The look of a three-station homeless man Day 2. Horror in the morning! No pain. gaze of a Tajik and a male. Skin darkens. Eyes shrink. Face is very swollen. In the evening, eyes open gradually. Herpes 2 has crawled out of the lower lip. The doctor warned me that ifherpes lives in the body, it will definitely come out. So it's gone. Beauty is impossible. . . Day 3. No pain. Swelling subsides. Scab on face. You look scary. Day 4. The scab gradually begins to disappear. There is no pain. The face is strange, but not terrible. Day 5. The scab is peeling. The faceit is pink, like after a strong sunburn. The skin is like that of a baby. Eat everything that can't be offered in hugeAll creams, all masks under the broom. Lips healed. The 9th day - feast for the eyes! try myself in the mirror, I don't see enough. Turgor is completely different. Under the eyes (my most painful point) everything is smooth. Not a single wrinkle. I don't know what will happen next. But for today, the tenth day, I'm VERY happy. "
"I was lucky to become the owner of the hardest to treat scars on my face. That is, chipped and canned scars. If anyone doesn't know, these scars feature sharp, jagged edges. 4 years agoI started this epic with their treatment. I knew the variety of different methods and succumbed to the doctor's persuasion to perform fractional laser resurfacing on the Dot device. By the way, the doctor promised to make me a perfectly smooth face in 3 procedures. IntellectuallyI realized this was impossible. After all, I have complex scars. But hope burned in me. The day of the first procedure came. Oh God! It was terribly painful! The smell of burnt skin was still going away. At home, I had to sit withoutgo out for about a week, endlessly smear my face with a tissue regeneration stimulator and be afraid of my reflection in the mirror, becausethat's where they showed Kruegger in female form. After 6-7 days, I've already risked going out with people. The redness decreased, but the scars were in place. To my surprise, my whole face became a little hole. These were laser marks. This is what I was not expecting! They promised perfect smoothness. And in the end, they added irregularities. Well, alright, I thought, and went to the second procedure. And then the third. Personally, my eyes shine with so much softness. In my opinion nothing has changed! Traces in the form of a laser grid, by the way, are still with me. They are not surprising, but if you look closely, you can see them. I sneak them out with ultrasound massage, mesoscooter and peeling. And on Dot, I'm not a foot anymore! It's absolutely stupid for my kind of scars! "
Fractional rejuvenation certainly has many advantages. But there are negative reviews from patients, there are cases when even one procedure caused health difficulties in people. This happened for various reasons, often due to contraindications to laser rejuvenation in principle. To protect yourself from possible negativity after the procedure, play it safe first: go to the doctors, get tested, listen to not one, but several cosmetologists. However, safety and health are two inseparable things.