At one time, the laser beam became a real breakthrough in cosmetology - in 75% of cases it could replace injection procedures and surgical interventions. Laser facial rejuvenation is not only about smoothing wrinkles and folds, removing excessive pigmentation, increasing the firmness and elasticity of the skin: the rays can maximally smooth the relief of the epidermis and remove scars. It has been proven that this procedure has a therapeutic effect, facilitating the treatment of certain dermatological diseases.
What is laser facial rejuvenation?
The procedure is performed using special devices; the beam moves along the surface of the facial skin in a "handle" and penetrates deep into the dermis. High frequencies and heating ensure the destruction of old skin cells, while the surrounding healthy tissue remains unchanged. It is in them that the processes of active production of collagen and elastin begin - these substances are necessary for the restoration of damage. The renewed skin is absolutely healthy and fully functional.
Depending on which area of the face requires laser rejuvenation, the doctor will choose the optimal treatment temperature, which will eliminate the formation of burns.
Laser facial rejuvenation is not a traumatic procedure, does not require general anesthesia and does not imply a long period of rehabilitation with the patient staying in the clinic.
Indications and contraindications for laser lifting
Laser facial rejuvenation is a unique cosmetic procedure that has a complex effect and solves several problems at once. Therefore, there are many indications - in a modern clinic, doctors recommend taking a course of several sessions if you have:
- wrinkles in any area of the face– deep wrinkles on the face, age-related;
- reduced skin elasticity– ptosis (lowering of the eyelids), jaw formation, "floating" face oval;
- external skin defects– scars, acne marks and mechanical removal of large acne, stretch marks;
- changes in complexion- appearance of yellow spots on the skin, gray shades, complete absence of natural blush;
- excessive fat of the epidermis- accompanied by enlarged pores, frequent occurrence of acne and greasy shine;
- puffiness and bags, dark circles under the eyes;
- rosacea- vascular manifestations on the epidermis such as "nets", "stars".
Although laser facial rejuvenation is considered a safe procedure, somecontraindicationsfor its execution there are:
- periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- oncological pathologies, regardless of the location of the malignant neoplasm;
- diabetes mellitus of any kind;
- improper function of the thyroid gland with excessive or insufficient synthesis of hormones;
- mental disorders;
- neurological diseases such as epilepsy (accompanied by convulsive syndrome);
- predisposition to the formation of keloid scars;
- psoriasis, eczema, herpes with signs on the face.
There are also a number of conditional restrictions - aggravation of chronic internal pathologies, elevated body temperature, menstruation, skin damage in the areas of alleged exposure to laser rays: it is necessary to wait until the general state of health is restored.
Advantages and disadvantages of laser skin rejuvenation
The procedure in question is one of the most popular and this is not surprising - it has too many advantages, which the doctor declares already at the first consultation:
- under the influence of laser rays, natural biological processes in the cells of the dermis 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 dermatological problems (there are isolated exceptions from the list of contraindications);
- the probability of scarring is reduced to zero and increases only if you ignore the recommendations of experts on skin care during the rehabilitation period;
- allergic reactions and infectious complications are excluded, although they are inherent in surgical interventions and injection techniques;
- lack of a full rehabilitation period - in just a few days the skin is restored, the use of drugs is not required;
- the side effects are insignificant, disappear quickly and belong to the category of the body's normal reaction to an aggressive influence.
There are also some "disadvantages" of laser skin rejuvenation:
- in order to achieve a pronounced effect, you will have to go through a course of several sessions;
- results last less than beauty injections and surgical interventions;
- the conditions for the preparatory period must be met.
Only three disadvantages are perfectly compensated by the advantages of laser facial rejuvenation!
Types of laser rejuvenation
The procedure under consideration can be carried out by various methods - each of them is safe and very effective. During the consultation, the doctor will tell the patient about each type of laser facial rejuvenation; the choice will be made taking into account individual parameters - age, initial condition of the skin, presence of internal pathologies and dermatological diseases, severity of old age. -changes in the relationship.
Ablative methods
It is performed with full or fractional laser beams. During the operation, the doctor completely cleans the surface layer of the epidermis from "old" cells or damages them at a small depth. Skin renewal occurs due to the active production of collagen, elastin and cell division of healthy tissues surrounding the places of exposure to the beam. The new skin is firm, elastic and uniform. tons.
Ablative methods permanently damage the epidermis, so their recovery period will be slightly longer than the others.
Fractional
The laser beam is dispersed into microbeams through a special mesh - damage to the epidermis affects only 20-25% of the surface, the remaining cells remain unchanged and fully functional. Such a targeted effect promotes the evaporation of liquid from the cells and the rapid recovery of the regeneration process. Intact cells begin to produce collagen and elastin in large quantities - this is necessary to heal the damage caused.
Since the fractional type of laser facial rejuvenation involves only partial damage to the epidermis, recovery takes only a few days.
Laser biorevitalization
It involves a combination of two techniques - cell damage to stimulate biological processes and the introduction of hyaluronic acid into the layers of the dermis. The device emits short pulses and repeats them many times - this makes it possible to "break" dead cells. At the same time, the laser delivers the selected drug to the desired depth - this parameter is set by the doctor.
Laser biorevitalization is especially recommended for pronounced signs of aging on the face - deep wrinkles, folds and creases. It has a cumulative effect and a prolonged effect - the improvement of the appearance will be noticed for 2-3 months after the end of the procedure.
Full of air
The skin is exposed to the full beam, which leads to damage to the entire epidermis. This method is perfect for those who have a number of cosmetic and dermatological problems. Namely, after this type of laser rejuvenation, the surface layer of the face is restored by 100%. This is what cosmetologists prescribe to those patients who want to get rid of scars, scars and marks after acne.
It has a long recovery - hospitalization is not required, but it is worth taking 7-10 days off to rest, perform skin care procedures and not worry about your appearance during the rehabilitation period.
Non-ablative method
Works great on loose skin, deep folds/wrinkles and excessive pigmentation. It allows you to treat a large area of skin at once in one procedure - 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 unchanged.
This type of laser facial rejuvenation also has a pleasant "side effect" – in addition to rejuvenation, age spots are removed, pores are narrowed, and acne marks become minimally noticeable.
Area
This is the most painless and safest method of intervention in question - during the process, only surface cells are exposed to laser rays, even the basement membrane remains intact. This technique perfectly solves the problem of the initial stages of aging, corrects the tone of the face and eliminates uneven relief.
The peculiarity is that the recovery lasts only 3 days, and the obtained results last 6-12 months.
Median
It is recommended for those patients who already have wrinkles, including age spots, age spots and slightly sagging skin. It belongs to the category of laser peels, the rays work at a depth of no more than 1. 3 mm.
The procedure is performed using anesthetic gels, after which the patient may feel discomfort and even mild pain for another 24 hours. Rehabilitation lasts 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 pronounced age changes. Cosmetologists recommend this technique to patients over 50 years old.
Rehabilitation lasts up to 2 weeks, but if you follow all the doctor's prescriptions during that period, the achieved results will last 4 years (on average).
How to prepare for laser skin rejuvenation?
As part of the preparatory phase, an initial consultation with a specialist takes place. During it, the doctor examines the facial skin, assesses its condition, identifies problems, excludes or confirms the presence of contraindications. The cosmetologist immediately decides on the choice of laser rejuvenation method and the number of sessions per course. Then the patient is given recommendations for preparation for the procedure - it starts 14 days before the appointment. What is important to do:
- do not expose your face to ultraviolet (sun) rays, do not visit the solarium;
- refuse to perform any cosmetic procedures related to skin disorders/damage - peelings, facial cleansing;
- Stop using certain drugs (fluoroquinolones, diuretics, sulfonamides, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) only after consulting a doctor.
3 days before the scheduled date of laser facial rejuvenation, it is necessary to stop drinking alcoholic beverages, it is recommended to stop smoking (or radically reduce the number of cigarettes), and not to eat foods from the category of allergens (strawberries, chocolate, raspberries, citrus fruits, seafood).
Laser rejuvenation procedure
The procedure itself begins with a control examination of the face - the doctor must make sure that there is no inflammation, scratches, fresh tanned face on the surface of the skin. After that, laser rejuvenation is performed in stages:
- Cleansing the face from the remains of decorative cosmetics, dust and dirt- is carried out using professional tonics and lotions that do not contain alcohol.
- Skin disinfection- the face is treated with an antiseptic solution that prevents the penetration of infectious agents into the epidermis.
- Anesthesia- it is not performed for every type of procedure, but an anesthetic gel must be applied at the patient's request. After that, the doctor waits for 15-20 minutes - this time is enough for the analgesic properties of the applied product to appear.
- Laser skin treatment itself. The patient may feel warmth, a slight tingling or burning sensation. Be sure to direct a stream of cold air to your face - it eases the condition and reduces the intensity of unpleasant sensations.
- Applying a soothing mask- relieves inflammation, helps to quickly remove swelling, redness and reduces the intensity of itching.
Immediately after the end of the session, the patient can leave the clinic, having previously received recommendations from the doctor regarding the recovery period.
Laser facial rejuvenation: before and after photos
Recovery after the procedure
The duration of the recovery period depends on the type of laser facial rejuvenation. The minimum period is 2-3 days, but more often rehabilitation requires 5-10 days. Regardless of which technique was used, in the first 24 hours after the session, it is strictly forbidden to touch the face with hands, or even to wash the face. During the next 3 days of recovery:
- It is strictly forbidden to take thermal procedures - a visit to the bathroom, sauna or 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 (penetrate even through thick clouds) will cause strong pigmentation;
- For cleaning, do not use cosmetics that contain ethanol, and when washing, use a cloth or scrub (even soft, gentle ones);
- Treat your face with a moisturizing cream 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! Even in cloudy weather, you'll need to apply sunscreen with a high SPF on your face.
You can not forcefully remove the scabs or scratch the face - this can cause the formation of scars that can only be removed surgically.
Possible complications and consequences
Immediately after the treatment, the skin of the face becomes red, very itchy and burning - this is a normal reaction to damage to the epidermis and deeper layers of the dermis. If the discomfort is strong, then you should take antihistamine tablets, the choice of which will be recommended by a cosmetologist. On the second day after laser facial rejuvenation, active peeling begins. The above-mentioned effects are the norm, there is no need to take any action, it is enough to strictly follow the rehabilitation recommendations given by the specialist.
If it is on the skin of the face:
- 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 on laser rejuvenation
Our patients leave only positive reviews about any type of laser facial rejuvenation. This is due not only to the properties and possibilities of the procedure, but also to the high professionalism of the working doctors. They have sufficient knowledge and experience, work on modern certified equipment and strictly adhere to international protocols for conducting sessions.
FAQ
You can ask any question about the procedure to the cosmetologist during the initial consultation. But since most of them are standard, below are the answers to the most popular ones.
Who can undergo laser skin rejuvenation?
Men and women 18 years and older. It is important that they do not have conditions included in the list of contraindications. Laser facial skin rejuvenation is an excellent alternative to surgery.
What effect, apart from rejuvenation, does the procedure have?
Laser beam can remove scars, tattoos, acne marks and acne. There is a general improvement in the condition of the skin - the inflammatory processes will stop, the production of sebaceous secretion will decrease, and the pores will narrow.
How long does one laser facial rejuvenation session last?
One procedure lasts 30-60 minutes. If the doctor uses local anesthetics, the duration of the session increases by 15-20 minutes (duration of the gel).
When will the first results appear?
Immediately after rehabilitation, the skin of the face is transformed. It becomes smooth, without pigment spots, toned, elastic, small wrinkles are smoothed out.
Is it possible to combine laser facial rejuvenation with other procedures?
Yes, but to a limited extent and only after consultation with a cosmetologist! After completing the course, filler injections and botulinum therapy are allowed.
How many procedures are needed?
A course of 2-5 sessions with a break of 2-4 weeks is usually recommended.
In a professional clinic, specialists are ready to provide a comprehensive service of laser facial rejuvenation - from the initial consultation to monitoring the condition of the skin during the rehabilitation period. Specialists work only with professional equipment, the procedure is carried out strictly in accordance with existing protocols, which reduces the risk of side effects and complications to zero.