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 accepting the procedure, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

Fractional photothermolysis: what is it?

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

Fraxel laser resurfacing does not destroy melanocytes. For this reason, dark-colored people do not develop hypopigmented spots after photothermolysis. The laser, on the other hand, favors the redistribution of melanin, which evens out the complexion. Fractional Facial Rejuvenation has the following benefits:

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

Ablative fractional photothermolysis

Erbium and CO2 lasers are used for this procedure. 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 wounds of the open type are formed, surrounded by thermally coagulated cells. The process of restoring these "zones" takes a long time. This fractional laser resurfacing is carried out in courses, each of which lasts from 2 to 6 sessions. Gives a surprising lifting effect. However, when it is performed, the risk of dermal tissue infection is high.

Non-ablative fractional photothermolysis

Compared to the ablative procedure, this manipulation is considered more delicate. 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 noticeable than that of an ablative procedure, partly due to the fact that caries products are not removed on the outside, but remain in the thickness of the skin. It is recommended to carry out laser fractional photothermolysis 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 solve the following problems:

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

Fractional photothermolysis - contraindications

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

• oncological diseases;
• chronic diseases in the acute stage;
• skin diseases;
• the inflammatory process in the body;
• mental disease;
• hormonal imbalance;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• cardiac arrest;
• blood diseases;
• diabetes;
• disorders of an infectious nature.

Also, fractional photothermolysis is prohibited if mechanical dermabrasion was performed recently (less than two weeks ago). After a solarium and sunbathing, such procedures also cannot be carried out. High temperatures and fever are contraindications to photothermolysis. It cannot be performed even if the integrity of the skin in the area to be treated is violated.

Absolute contraindications to fractional photothermolysis are the following drugs:

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

Fraxel procedure

Fractional skin rejuvenation should be performed 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. Also, before the fraxel laser therapy of the facial skin is performed, the cosmetologist will alert the patient of the possible complications that may occur after photothermolysis. In addition, the specialist will surely tell you how to take care of your face or body during the recovery period.

Fractional photothermolysis - preparation

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

1. Refusal to use cosmetics that are harmful to the skin. These include scrubs and peels. In addition, salicylic and glycolic acids and retinol should be excluded from use. These restrictions come into effect half a month before fractional photothermolysis.
2. It is forbidden to visit the solarium and the beach one week before the procedure.
3. 2-3 days before the manipulation, it is necessary to start taking antibiotics and antiviral drugs prescribed by a cosmetologist. Such drugs will minimize the risk of inflammation or infection of the epidermis.
4. One day before laser fractional skin resurfacing is performed, sports and other strenuous physical activities must be stopped. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is also prohibited at night.

Fractional laser resurfacing

The procedure takes about an hour. Its implementation takes place 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 experience a slight tingling sensation. During the procedure, the skin is cooled by the flow of air, 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 affect it. The most commonly used device with an erbium rod. Its maximum permissible wavelength is 1420 nm. Before starting to perform fractional photothermolysis of the eyes, the cosmetologist puts on special protective lenses on the patient. The procedure itself is carried out in exactly the same way as when treating the skin of the face or body.

Fractional photothermolysis - side effects

This procedure is considered delicate. If the patient has previously taken antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by a specialist and followed all the recommendations, the risk of side effects is minimal. In addition, the skill of the cosmetologist depends on the fact that the rejuvenation of the fraxel 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 most often accompanied by such complications:

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

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

• streptoderma;
• erythema;
• boils (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 has been used, after the procedure, the following skin care instructions should be followed:

1. Continue to take antibiotics and antiviral drugs at the dosage indicated by the specialist for some time.
2. If the procedure was carried out by a man, you can only shave 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. Visits to the solarium and the beach are not allowed during the month. On the treated area of skin before going out, be sure to apply a high sun protection factor cream.
6. You can not tear the scab that appeared on the skin! It has to fall by itself.
7. During the first weeks after the procedure, to take care of the treated skin area, it is necessary to use topical preparations prescribed for thermal burns. During this time, moisturizing sprays will also fit.
8. For a month, chemical peels and scrubs should be abandoned.

Fractional photothermolysis - effect

On the first day, the skin will look sunburned. Fractional photos of photothermolysis immediately after the procedure are not impressive. Recovery with a non-ablative type of manipulation occurs in about 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 have to take the whole 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 perform 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.