At the time, the laser beam became a complete revolution in cosmetology - in 75% of cases it could replace injections and surgery. Laser facial rejuvenation is not only about smoothing wrinkles and folds, eliminating excess pigmentation, increasing the firmness and elasticity of the skin: the rays can even out the epidermis as much as possible and remove scars. It has been proven that this method also has a therapeutic effect and facilitates the treatment of certain skin diseases.
What is laser facial rejuvenation?
The operation is performed with special equipment; the beam moves over the surface of the facial skin in a "handle" and penetrates deep into the dermis. High frequency and heating ensure the destruction of old skin cells while the surrounding healthy tissue is unaffected. It is in them that the processes of active production of collagen and elastin begin - these substances are essentialto restore damage Regenerated skin is completely healthy and fully functional.
Depending on which area of the face requires laser rejuvenation, the doctor will select the optimal treatment temperature, which will eliminate the formation of burns.
Laser facial rejuvenation is a non-traumatic procedure, does not require anesthesia and does not involve a long rehabilitation period where the patient stays in a clinic.
Indications and contraindications for laser lifting
Laser facial rejuvenation is a unique cosmetic treatment that has complex effects and solves several problems at once. Therefore, it has many indications - in a modern clinic, doctors recommend taking a course in several sessions if you have:
- wrinkles on any area of the face- facial, age-related, deep folds;
- decreased elasticity of the skin- ptosis (hit on the eyelids), jaw formation, "floating" oval in the face;
- external defects on the skin- scars, spots after acne and mechanical removal of large acne, stretch marks;
- changes in complexion- appearance of yellow spots on the skin, gray tint, complete lack of natural blushes;
- excessive oiliness of the epidermis- accompanied by enlarged pores, frequent breakouts and oily sheen;
- puffiness and bags, dark circles under the eyes;
- rosacea- vascular manifestations on the epidermis such as "nets", "stars".
Although facial rejuvenation is considered a safe procedure, there are somecontraindicationsto perform it are:
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- oncological diseases, regardless of the location of the malignant tumor;
- diabetes of any type;
- incorrect functioning of the thyroid gland with excessive or insufficient production of hormones;
- mental disorders;
- neurological disorders such as epilepsy (including convulsive syndrome);
- tendency to the formation of keloid scars;
- psoriasis, eczema, herpes with marks on the face.
There are also some conditional restrictions - aggravation of chronic internal pathology, elevated body temperature, menstruation, damage to the skin in areas where it is intended to be exposed to laser rays: it is necessary to wait until the general state of health is restored.
Advantages and disadvantages of laser skin resurfacing
The procedure in question is one of the most popular, and this is not surprising - it has too many advantages, which the doctor says even at the first consultation:
- under the influence of laser rays, natural biological processes in the cells of the skin are activated - regeneration, metabolism, production of collagen and elastin;
- the procedure can be performed for any skin type, regardless of the severity of age-related changes and existing skin diseases (there are isolated exceptions to the list of contraindications);
- the probability of scarring is reduced to zero and only increases if you ignore the recommendations of experts regarding skin care during the rehabilitation period;
- allergic reactions and infectious complications are excluded, although they are inherent in surgical procedures and injection techniques;
- lack of full rehabilitation time - in just a few days the skin is restored, the use of drugs is not required;
- side effects are minor, disappear quickly and belong to the category of normal reactions of the body to aggressive effects.
There are also some "disadvantages" of laser skin resurfacing:
- to get a noticeable effect, you need to take courses in several sessions;
- results last for a shorter time compared to beauty injections and surgery;
- preseason requirements must be met.
Only three disadvantages are completely offset by the benefits of laser facial rejuvenation!
Types of laser regeneration
The procedure under consideration can be performed by different methods - each of them is safe and very effective. During the consultation, the doctor will tell the patient about each type of facial rejuvenation; the choice will be made taking into account individual parameters - age, the initial state of the skin, the presence of internal pathology and skin diseases, the severity of age-related changes.
Ablative methods
Performed with full or fractional laser beams. During the work, the doctor completely cleans the surface layer of the epidermis of "old" cells or damages them at a shallow depth. Skin restoration occurs due to the active production of collagen, elastin and cell division of healthy tissues that surround the exposure to the radiation. The new skin is firm, elastic and evenin tone
Ablative methods permanently damage the epidermis, so their recovery time will be slightly longer than others.
Categorical
The laser beam is distributed through a special mesh into a microbeam - damage to the epidermis affects only 20-25% of the area, the remaining cells are unaffected and fully functional. Such a targeted effect promotes the evaporation of fluid from cells and the rapid renewal of regenerative processes. Intact cells begin to produce collagen and elastin in large quantities - this is necessary to heal the damage caused.
Since fractional laser facial resurfacing involves only partial damage to the epidermis, recovery only lasts a few days.
Laser bioresuscitation
This involves a combination of two methods - cell damage to stimulate biological processes and the introduction of hyaluronic acid into the skin layers. The device gives short pulses and repeats them often - this makes it possible to "break" dead cells. At the same time, the laser delivers the selected drug at the desired depth - this parameter is set by the doctor.
Laser resurfacing is especially recommended for visible signs of aging on the face - deep lines, wrinkles and folds. It has a cumulative effect and a long-lasting effect - improvement in appearance will appear for another 2-3 months after the end of the procedure.
Full beam
The skin is exposed to full radiation, which leads to damage to the entire epidermis. This procedure is perfect for those with a number of cosmetic and skin concerns. In fact, after this type of laser resurfacing, the surface layer of the face is regenerated by 100%. It's what estheticians prescribe to those patients who want to get rid of acne scars, scars and marks.
It has a long recovery - hospitalization is not necessary, but it is worth taking 7-10 days off to rest, perform skin care and not worry about your own appearance during the rehabilitation period.
An irreversible procedure
Works great on sagging skin, deep folds/wrinkles and excessive pigmentation. It allows you to treat a large area of skin at once in one operation - for example, all areas of the face. The advantage of the non-ablative method is that the deep layers of the dermis are damaged, the epidermis remains intact.
This type of laser facial rejuvenation also has a pleasant "side effect" - in addition to rejuvenation, the elimination of age spots, narrow pores and acne will be less noticeable.
Surface
This is the most painless and safest method of the operation in question - during the procedure only superficial cells are exposed to laser rays, even the basement membrane remains intact. This technology perfectly solves the problem in the early stages of aging, corrects the facial tone and eliminates uneven relief.
A distinctive feature is that recovery lasts only 3 days and the results obtained last for 6-12 months.
Median
It is recommended for those patients who already have wrinkles, including age spots, age spots and slight sagging skin. Belonging to the category of laser peeling, the rays affect a depth of no more than 1. 3 mm.
The procedure is performed using an anesthetic gel, after which the patient may feel discomfort and even mild pain for another 24 hours. Rehabilitation takes at least 5 days.
Deep
The laser beam damages all layers of the epidermis, including the papillary layer. The procedure of deep laser rejuvenation is painful, but only it can solve the problem of noticeable age-related changes. Estheticians recommend this technique for patients 50 and older.
Rehabilitation lasts up to 2 weeks, but if you follow all the doctor's prescriptions during this period, the results will last for 4 years (on average).
How to prepare for laser skin resurfacing?
As part of the preparation stage, an initial consultation with an expert is carried out. During it, the doctor examines the skin of the face, assesses its condition, diagnoses problems, excludes or confirms the presence of contraindications. The beautician immediately decides on the choice of laser rejuvenation method and the number of sessions per course. Next, advice is given to the patient about preparation for the operation - it begins 14 days before the scheduled date. What is important to do:
- do not expose your face to ultraviolet (sun) rays, do not go to the tanning bed;
- refuse to perform cosmetic procedures related to skin diseases/damages - peeling, facial cleansing;
- Stop using certain medications (fluoroquinolones, diuretics, sulfonamides, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) after consulting your doctor.
3 days before the scheduled date of laser facial rejuvenation, you need to stop drinking alcoholic beverages, it is advisable to stop smoking (or significantly reduce the number of cigarettes) and not include foods from the category of allergens in your diet (strawberries, chocolate, raspberries, citrus fruits, seafood).
Laser rejuvenation method
The procedure itself begins with a control examination of the face - the doctor must make sure that there are no swellings, scratches or fresh brown on the surface of the skin. After this, laser regeneration is carried out in stages:
- Cleanses the face from traces of make-up, dust and dirt– performed using professional tonics and lotions that do not contain alcohol.
- Skin disinfection- the face is treated with an antiseptic solution that prevents infectious agents from entering the epidermis.
- Anesthesia– is not performed for all types of operations, but at the request of the patient, an anesthetic gel must be applied. After this, the doctor waits for 15-20 minutes - this time is enough for the pain-relieving properties of the product used to appear.
- Laser skin treatment itself. The patient may feel warm, a little tingling or burning. Be sure to direct a stream of cold air on the face - this relieves the condition and reduces the intensity of unpleasant sensations.
- Applying a soothing mask- reduces inflammation, helps quickly eliminate inflammation, redness and reduces the severity of itching.
Immediately after the end of the session, the patient can leave the clinic, having previously received advice from the doctor about the recovery period.
Laser facial rejuvenation: before and after photos
Recovery after the operation
The length of the recovery period depends on the type of laser facial rejuvenation that was used. The minimum time is 2-3 days, but more often rehabilitation takes 5-10 days. Regardless of the technique used, it is strictly forbidden to touch the face with hands or even wash the face in the first 24 hours after the session. During the next 3 days of recovery:
- It is strictly forbidden to take thermal baths - visiting a bathhouse, sauna or taking a hot bath should be postponed;
- You cannot use tap water for washing - it has a high chlorine content, which leads to burns and irritation;
- you don't have to be outside for a long time - ultraviolet rays (they penetrate even dense clouds) will trigger strong pigments;
- Do not use cosmetics containing ethanol for cleaning and when washing, use a washcloth or scrub (even a soft, mild one);
- Treat your face with moisturizer 2-3 times a day;
- Apply products containing panthenol to the skin once a day.
Within 2 months after the procedure in question, chemical peels are strictly prohibited! And even in cloudy weather, you need to apply sunscreen with a high SPF index on your face.
You can't forcefully remove scabs or scratch your face - this can cause scarring that can only be removed surgically.
Possible complications and consequences
Immediately after the session, the skin on the face becomes red, very itchy and there is a burning sensation - this is a normal reaction to damage to the epidermis and deeper layers of the skin. If the discomfort is severe, you should take antihistamine tablets, which the beautician recommends choosing. On the 2nd day after laser facial rejuvenation, active peeling begins. The effects listed are the norm, there is no need to take action, it is enough to strictly follow the rehabilitation recommendations given by the specialist.
If you have facial skin:
- rashes appeared in the form of small pimples;
- there are signs of inflammation;
- scars began to form,
then you should contact the clinic for a consultation. Most often this happens if the patient himself did not follow the rules of the recovery period.
Opinions about laser rejuvenation
Our patients leave nothing but positive reviews about any type of laser facial rejuvenation. This is not only due to the features and capabilities of the operation, but also to the high level of professionalism of the working doctors. They have sufficient knowledge and experience, work on modern certified equipment and strictly follow international protocols for holding meetings.
Frequently asked questions
All questions about the operation can be directed to the beautician during the first consultation. But since most of them are standard, below are the answers to the most popular ones.
Who can undergo laser skin resurfacing?
Men and women 18 years and older. It is important that they do not have conditions that are included in the list of contraindications. Laser facial skin resurfacing is a great alternative to surgery.
What effect does the action have, besides regeneration?
A laser beam can remove scars, tattoos, acne and acne scars. There is a general improvement of the skin - the inflammatory process stops, the production of sebaceous secretion decreases and the pores are narrowed.
How long does one laser facial rejuvenation session last?
One operation takes 30-60 minutes. If the doctor uses a local anesthetic, the duration of the session increases by 15-20 minutes (the duration of the gel).
When will the first results appear?
Immediately after rehabilitation, the skin on the face transforms. It becomes smooth, without color spots, toned, elastic, small wrinkles are smoothed out.
Can laser facial rejuvenation be combined with other procedures?
Yes, but to a limited extent and only after consultation with a beautician! After completing the course, injectable fillers and botulinum treatment are allowed.
How many operations are required?
It is usually recommended to take a course of 2-5 sessions with a break of 2-4 weeks.
At a professional clinic, specialists are ready to provide comprehensive services for laser facial rejuvenation - from the initial consultation to monitoring the condition of the skin during the rehabilitation period. Professionals work only with professional equipment; the operation is carried out in strict accordance with current protocols, which reduces the risk of side effects and complications to zero.