Fractional photothermolysis – a new face without surgery

In the fight 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 should familiarize yourself with the contraindications.

Fractional photothermolysis - what is it?

This procedure uses a laser. In the process of heating the skin, it causes focal cell destruction. 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 point-like. 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 advantages:

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

Ablative fractional photothermolysis

Erbium and CO2 lasers are used for this procedure. In contact with the skin, the liquid in the cells of the epidermis is heated to 300°C. As a result, such areas evaporate and in their place small open wounds are formed, surrounded by thermally coagulated cells. The process of restoring these "zones" requires a lot of time. Such fractional laser restoration is carried out in courses, each of which lasts from 2 to 6 sessions. Gives an incredible lifting effect. However, when it is performed, the risk of infection of the dermal tissues is high.

Nonablative fractional photothermolysis

Compared to the ablative procedure, this manipulation is considered more gentle. Such laser skin restoration 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 products of decay are not removed 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 performing them, the risk of skin infection is reduced to zero.

Fractional photothermolysis - indications

This cosmetic procedure has a wide range of applications. Fractional photothermolysis heals scars, but that's not its only purpose. This procedure helps to solve the following problems:

• increases skin tone and elasticity;
• fights hyperpigmentation;
• removes solar keratosis;
• removes wrinkles;
• reduces pores;
• helps to 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 optical thermolysis has the following contraindications:

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

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

Absolute contraindications for fractional photothermolysis are the following drugs:

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

Fraxel procedure

Fractional skin rejuvenation should be performed by an experienced cosmetologist with medical education. During the appointment, the specialist will objectively assess the condition of the skin and make sure that there are no contraindications for the procedure. In addition, before performing Fraxel laser therapy on the skin of the face, the cosmetologist will warn the patient about possible complications that may occur after photothermolysis. Also, the specialist will definitely tell you how to properly take care of 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. Refusing to use cosmetics harmful to the skin. These include scrubs and peels. In addition, it is necessary to exclude from use salicylic and glycolic acid and retinol. Such restrictions come into effect half a month before fractional photothermolysis.
2. A week before the procedure, it is forbidden to visit the solarium and the beach.
3. 2-3 days before the manipulation, you should 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 fractional laser skin resurfacing, you should stop playing sports and other intense physical activity. The consumption of alcoholic beverages at night is also prohibited.

Fractional laser resurfacing

The procedure lasts 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 treated surface.
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, the lowest power laser is used to affect it. The most commonly used erbium rod device. Its maximum permissible wavelength is 1420 nm. Before starting to perform fractional photothermolysis of the eyes, the cosmetologist puts special protective lenses on the patient. 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 previously took antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by a specialist and followed all 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 moisturizer);
• bronzing effect (lasts 1-2 weeks).

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

• streptoderma;
• erythema;
• blisters (like 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 compliance with the recommendations of cosmetics during this period. When Fraxel is used, the following skin care instructions should be followed after the procedure:

1. Continue to take antibiotics and antiviral drugs in 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 cannot do sports or expose the body to strong physical loads.
4. It is necessary to give up the consumption of alcoholic beverages (this is a limitation for 2-3 days).
5. Visiting the solarium and the beach is not allowed during the month. On the treated area of the skin before going out, you must apply a cream with a high sun protection factor.
6. You can not tear off the crust that has appeared on the skin! She must fall on her own.
7. In the first weeks after the procedure, to take care of the treated area of the skin, it is necessary to use local preparations prescribed for thermal burns. During this period, moisturizing sprays will also fit.
8. For one month, chemical peels and exfoliants should be abandoned.

Fractional photothermolysis - effect

The first day, the skin will look like it is sunburned. Photos of fractional photothermolysis immediately after the procedure are not impressive. Recovery with a non-ablative type of manipulation occurs in 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 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 separate 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 deal with problem areas of the skin, 5-6 sessions of thermolysis are prescribed.