Fractional photothermolysis – a new face without surgery

In the struggle for beauty, various means are used, for example, fractional photothermolysis. This technology is very popular. It allows you to get rid of many cosmetic problems in a short period of time and almost painlessly. Before agreeing to the procedure, you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

Fractional photothermolysis - what is it?

This procedure uses a laser. It in the process of heating the skin causes focal destruction of cells. During its exposure, the skin receives a thermal burn. The diameter of such lesions can vary from 0. 1 to 0. 4 mm, and the depth is 0. 5 mm. Burns are punctate. Such damage to the epidermis stimulates tissue regeneration and collagen synthesis.

Fraxel laser resurfacing does not destroy melanocytes. For this reason, dark people do not develop hypopigmented spots after photothermolysis. The laser, on the contrary, promotes the redistribution of melanin, which evens out the complexion. Fractional facial rejuvenation has the following benefits:

• can be used for both young (after 16 years) and aging skin;
• has a wide scope (eyelids, face, décolleté, and so on);
• lasting effect;
• can be held at any time of the year, including summer;
• can be applied to any type of skin.

Ablative Fractional Photothermolysis

For this procedure, erbium and CO2 lasers are used. When exposed to the skin, the fluid in the cells of the epidermis is heated up to 300°C. As a result, such areas evaporate, and in their place small open-type wounds are formed, surrounded by thermally coagulated cells. The process of restoring these "zones" requires a lot of time. Such fractional laser resurfacing is carried out in courses, each of which lasts from 2 to 6 sessions. It gives an amazing lifting effect. However, when it is performed, the risk of infection of dermal tissues is high.

Non-ablative fractional photothermolysis

Compared to the ablative procedure, this manipulation is considered more gentle. Such laser skin resurfacing using a fractional CO2 laser does not violate the integrity of the epidermis: there are no open wounds. The effect of such a procedure is less obvious than that of an ablative procedure, partly due to the fact that the decay products are not removed to the outside, but remain in the thickness of the skin. Laser fractional photothermolysis is recommended to be carried out in courses, the duration of which can vary from 4 to 10 procedures. When they are performed, the risk of skin infection is reduced to zero.

Fractional photothermolysis - indications

This cosmetic procedure has a wide range of applications. Fractional photothermolysis treats scars, but this is not its only purpose. This procedure helps to solve the following problems:

• increases skin tone and elasticity;
• fights hyperpigmentation;
• eliminates solar keratosis;
• removes wrinkles;
• reduces pores;
• helps get rid of stretch markson the body;
• removes post-acne.

Fractional photothermolysis - contraindications

Not everyone can enjoy the results of such a procedure. Dermal optical thermolysis has the following contraindications:

• oncological diseases;
• chronic diseases in the acute stage;
• skin diseases;
• the inflammatory process in the body;
• mental illness;
• hormonal imbalance;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• heart failure;
• blood diseases;
• diabetes;
• ailments of an infectious nature.

In addition, fractional photothermolysis is prohibited if mechanical dermabrasion has been performed recently (less than two weeks ago). After a solarium and sunbathing, such procedures can not be done either. High temperatures and fever are contraindications for photothermolysis. It can not be carried out even if the integrity of the skin in the treatment area is violated.

Absolute contraindications to fractional photothermolysis are the following medications:

• vitamin A;
• cytostatics;
• glucocorticoids;
• immunosuppressants.

Fraxel procedure

Fractional skin rejuvenation should be carried out by an experienced cosmetologist with a medical education. At the appointment, the specialist will objectively assess the condition of the skin and make sure that there are no contraindications to the procedure. In addition, before fraxel laser therapy of the facial skin is performed, the cosmetologist will warn the patient about possible complications that may occur after photothermolysis. Also, the specialist will definitely tell you how to properly care for your face or body during the recovery period.

Fractional photothermolysis - preparation

It starts 2 weeks before the proposed manipulation. It can be divided into the following steps:

1. Refusal to use skin-damaging cosmetics. These include scrubs and peels. In addition, it is necessary to exclude salicylic and glycolic acids and retinol from the use. Such restrictions come into force half a month before fractional photothermolysis.
2. It is forbidden to visit the solarium and the beach a week before the procedure.
3. 2-3 days before the manipulation, you need to start taking antibiotics and antiviral drugs prescribed by a cosmetologist. Such medications will minimize the risk of inflammation or infection of the epidermis.
4. A day before fractional laser skin resurfacing is performed, you need to stop playing sports and other intense physical activity. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is also prohibited overnight.

Fractional laser resurfacing

The procedure lasts about an hour. Its implementation is carried out in several stages. Fractional photothermolysis of the face is performed as follows:

1. The cosmetologist cleans the patient's skin with a light peeling.
2. The specialist applies an anesthetic to the surface to be treated.
3. After 40 minutes, the beautician begins to treat the face with a special nozzle. At this point, the patient may feel a slight tingling sensation. During the procedure, the skin is cooled by air flow, which reduces discomfort. The most problematic areas of the face are treated several times.
4. A soothing cream is applied to the skin.

Fractional photothermolysis of the eyelids

Since the skin around the eyes is very delicate and sensitive, a laser with the lowest power is used to influence it. The most commonly used device with an erbium rod. Its maximum allowable wavelength is 1420 nm. Before starting to perform fractional photothermolysis of the eyes, the cosmetologist puts on the patient special protective lenses. The procedure itself is performed in exactly the same way as when treating the skin of the face or body.

Fractional photothermolysis - side effects

This procedure is considered gentle. If the patient has previously taken antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by a specialist and followed all the recommendations, then the risk of side effects is minimal. In addition, the skill of the cosmetologist depends on whether fraxel rejuvenation will be accompanied by complications. The more experienced he is, the more professionally the procedure will be performed, and therefore the risk of negative consequences is low.

Fractional laser photothermolysis is more often accompanied by such complications:

• swelling and redness in the treated area (ice compresses will help to remove);
• peeling (eliminated with a moisturizer);
• bronzing effect (remains for 1-2 weeks).

If skin infection occurs when fractional photothermolysis with an erbium laser is performed, the following side effects may occur:

• streptoderma;
• erythema;
• bubbles (as after a burn);
• hyperpigmentation;
• rash.

Fraxel - rehabilitation

After the procedure, the skin needs special care. The duration of the recovery period and the final effect depend on the observance of the recommendations of the cosmetologist during this period. When Fraxel was used, after the procedure, you must follow the following instructions for skin care:

1. Continue to take antibiotics and antiviral drugs at the dosage indicated by the specialist for a certain time.
2. If the procedure was performed by a man, you can shave only on the third day, and this should be done very carefully.
3. Within 48-72 hours after the manipulation, you can not play sports or expose the body to strong physical exertion.
4. It is necessary to abandon the consumption of alcoholic beverages (this is a restriction for 2-3 days).
5. During the month, visiting the solarium and the beach is not allowed. On the treated area of the skin before going out, be sure to apply a cream with a high sun protection factor.
6. You can not rip off the crust that has appeared on the skin! She must fall off on her own.
7. During the first weeks after the procedure, to care for the treated area of the skin, it is necessary to use topical preparations prescribed for thermal burns. Moisturizing sprays will also fit during this period.
8. For a month, chemical peels and scrubs should be abandoned.

Fractional photothermolysis - effect

The first day, the skin will look as if it was burned in the sun. Fractional photothermolysis photos immediately after the procedure are not impressive. Recovery with a non-ablative type of manipulation occurs approximately 3-4 days. After the ablation procedure, this period lasts about a week. Although even one session improves the condition of the skin, it should not be limited to it. You need to go through the entire course: fractional photothermolysis before and after photos convince you of this.

The duration of such therapy in each case is determined by the cosmetologist. The interval between individual manipulations is 4-5 weeks. The duration of therapy depends on the problems to be solved:

• for rejuvenation, it is recommended to go through 3-4 sessions;
• fractional photothermolysis of scars is represented by 6-8 procedures;
• to cope with problem areas of the skin, 5-6 sessions of thermolysis are prescribed.