After thirty years, the first signs of aging begin to appear on the face. At first they are barely noticeable, but soon the situation worsens, pronounced wrinkles appear, the skin becomes dull and loses tone. Therefore, experts recommend not to let the situation get worse and start carrying out anti-aging procedures.
One of the popular methods of facial care is fractional laser rejuvenation. This method has been used not so long ago, but has already proven itself well.
What does hardware cosmetology offer?
Rejuvenation is carried out using the following methods:
- The problem area is uniformly heated by radio frequency energy. The skin does not suffer much, and the recovery is quite short;
- This device allows you to create a beautiful oval face, smooth out wrinkles, eliminate traces of acne, scars and cicatrices. The skin becomes smoother, tighter and fresher.
- The effect is on melanin, elastin and collagen of the skin.
Fractional or spot resurfacing with a CO2 laser has become very popular.
Invented by an American company, pinpoint radiation allows for very precise and targeted effects on the skin and even tiny problem areas.
Features of the procedure
There are several types of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser rejuvenation:
- The ablative method is quite aggressive. A special laser handpiece warms the skin up to 150 degrees. At the same time, liquid and cells quickly evaporate. The regeneration process begins in these areas. Of course, the skin takes quite a long time to recover, but as a result, the face becomes more toned, fresh, and wrinkles are smoothed out. With the help of CO2 resurfacing, scars and scars can be eliminated. ;
- non-ablative. Laser beams penetrate deeply, but the upper layer of the epidermis is not damaged. The result takes longer to achieve, but the sensation is softer.
If we talk about the fractional rejuvenation method, it is more gentle, since the effect is on certain areas of the skin and, accordingly, everything is not so traumatic and painful. In this case, the laser operates not with a beam, but with its microbeams. They form a lattice on the skin that acts on the tissue in a checkerboard pattern. Healthy cells located around the microzone begin to quickly divide, promoting rejuvenation. The action directly depends on the depth of the beam.
CO2 laser resurfacing helps stimulate the production of substances such as collagen and elastin, which helps change the condition of the skin for the better. The tissue structure improves, becomes denser and more elastic, and a healthy color appears.
Who is recommended and what to expect
CO2 laser is indicated for the following problems:
- stretch marks on the skin;
- wrinkles, crow's feet in the lips and eyelids;
- pronounced pores;
- scars;
- faded and dull skin color;
- loss of elasticity and firmness, pastiness;
- increased pigmentation;
- pronounced signs and manifestations of post-acne;
- vascular network (asterisks).
After completing a course of CO2 laser resurfacing, a slight lifting effect is observed, a youthful and healthy complexion returns, tissues become denser and more elastic, and problems such as wrinkles, creases and scars gradually smooth out and disappear.
What can't CO2 laser resurfacing do? Of course, the rejuvenation procedure is highly effective, but even it is not able to cope with some problems:
- severe sagging of the skin, a high percentage of sagging. This needs to be eliminated surgically, not with a laser;
- if the skin has not received the necessary and appropriate care, that is, a person has not done anything at all in his 30–40 years to maintain beauty and youth, then one procedure will not be of any use;
- too pronounced scars, which are also best removed surgically - by excision.
Advantages and disadvantages
There are a number of advantages that can be obtained as a result of CO2 laser rejuvenation:
- fractional or spot beam minimally injures the skin, so traces of the procedure disappear after five days;
- Large areas can be treated in one session, preserving and starting the process of tissue regeneration. Thanks to this, the recovery period is quite fast;
- there is no need to use anesthesia;
- the procedure is suitable for cleaning the décolleté and neck area;
- side effects are quite rare;
- The procedure is indicated for patients of different ages.
Numerous reviews from people who have undergone such facial rejuvenation confirm the effectiveness of the procedure.
The skin really smoothes out, becomes more elastic and toned, and fine wrinkles disappear. Those who have scars get excellent results. At the same time, you can see a positive result after the first session, but specialists prescribe a course depending on the complexity of the problem and the client’s request. On average, experts recommend at least 5-8 sessions to see a really good effect.
The disadvantages of CO2 grinding include the following:
- redness of the treated area;
- swelling;
- peeling;
- itching;
- painful sensations.
There may also be some complications after laser resurfacing, such as infection, which will lead to scarring. Sometimes people develop pigmentation, which is associated with individual body reactions and skin characteristics.
The negative consequences of CO2 resurfacing also include the appearance of erythema (persistent), herpes, "marbling" of the skin, increased acne, keloid scars and the formation of lines when the treated and untouched skin is clearly visible.
Such situations are extremely rare, occurring in approximately four out of a hundred clients. But you need to know about this possibility.
It is also necessary to remember that the cost of such a procedure is quite high.
Laser rejuvenation: contraindications
There are no special age restrictions for CO2 laser resurfacing. Therefore, you can start doing it from the age of thirty or from the moment when the first signs of skin aging, scars, etc. appear.
There are some nuances in which you should refuse the procedure:
- pregnancy or lactation period;
- dermatosis;
- herpes;
- acute inflammatory processes in the area where laser work is planned;
- recent chemical peeling;
- diseases associated with blood, immune system, connective tissue;
- oncological formations;
- diabetes;
- hypertension, coronary heart disease;
- varicose veins in the area where there is a need for treatment.
If there are health problems, then you must first get rid of them, and only then carry out a cosmetic procedure.
Stages of the procedure
Fractional laser rejuvenation is carried out with preliminary preparation. It means that two weeks before it you will have to give up tanning (sun or solarium).
With skin phototype 3 or 5, you should start using depigmentation cream.
The CO2 laser resurfacing process itself is as follows:
- the specialist thoroughly cleanses the skin using scrubbing and exfoliating agents;
- if the patient has a low pain threshold, then a special painkiller is applied to reduce discomfort;
- the device is set to a mode suitable for the selected method of work and work begins with the problem area;
- in one session, a specialist with good experience can treat areas that require correction on the face, neck and décolleté;
- After completing the procedure, the specialist applies a softening cream to the treated areas to help reduce redness, irritation and swelling.
Typically the entire procedure takes one hour.
In order for the skin restoration process after CO2 facial resurfacing to proceed faster and correctly, it is necessary to carry out appropriate care:
- Make masks for the next two weeks, and also use a moisturizing cream. It is better to use products that contain hyaluron;
- It is better not to use decorative cosmetics in the first days, so as not to further injure the skin, which is slightly injured. In addition, makeup can contribute to infection, etc. ;
- Scrubs and peelings should be excluded from home and professional care for a couple of weeks;
- if there is a possibility and tendency to develop pigmentation, then it is imperative to apply sunscreen to your face;
- It is better to wash your face with boiled water cooled to room temperature;
- To make the recovery process faster, you can include foods rich in vitamins in your diet or start taking a vitamin complex;
- spend more time outdoors, ideally in places with high humidity.
Subject to high-quality and proper care, regeneration of the skin after CO2 laser resurfacing occurs quickly and without complications.
Modern cosmetology allows you to prolong and maintain youth using hardware methods that have shown to be highly effective. An experienced cosmetologist who has undergone appropriate training will be able to select a set of measures that will allow you to properly care for your skin and improve its appearance. The main thing is to follow all the specialist’s recommendations.