The laser beam became at one time a real breakthrough in cosmetology - in 75% of cases it was able to replace injection procedures and surgical interventions. Laser facial rejuvenation is not just about smoothing wrinkles and folds, eliminating excess pigmentation, increasing skin firmness and elasticity: the rays can smooth out the relief of the epidermis as much as possible and remove scars. It has been proven that this procedure also has a therapeutic effect, facilitating the treatment of some dermatological diseases.
What is laser facial rejuvenation?
The procedure is carried out using special devices: the beam moves along the surface of the facial skin in a "handle" and penetrates deep into the dermis. The high frequencies and heating ensure the destruction of old skin cells while the surrounding healthy tissue remains unaffected. It is in them that the processes of active production of collagen and elastin begin - substances necessary to restore damage. Renewed skin is absolutely healthy and fully functional.
Depending on which area of the face requires laser rejuvenation, the doctor will select 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 involve a long period of rehabilitation with the patient admitted to a 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, it has many indications - in a modern clinic, doctors recommend taking a multi-session course if you have:
- wrinkles in any area of the face– facial folds, age-related, deep;
- decreased skin elasticity– ptosis (drooping of the eyelids), formation of double chin, "floating" oval of the face;
- external skin defects– scars, acne marks and mechanical removal of large acnes, stretch marks;
- changes in appearance– appearance of yellow spots on the skin, grayish tone, total absence of natural blush;
- excessive oiliness of the epidermis– accompanied by enlarged pores, frequent appearance of acne and oily shine;
- swelling and bags, dark circles;
- rosacea– vascular manifestations in the epidermis such as "nets", "stars".
Although laser facial rejuvenation is considered a safe procedure, somecontraindicationsTo carry it out there are:
- periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- oncological pathologies, regardless of the location of the malignant neoplasm;
- diabetes mellitus of any type;
- incorrect functionality of the thyroid gland with excessive or insufficient synthesis of hormones;
- Mental Disorders, Mental Disorder;
- 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 - exacerbation of chronic internal pathologies, increased body temperature, menstruation, damage to the skin in 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 many advantages, which the doctor expresses even during the initial 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 carried out for any skin type, regardless of the severity of age-related changes and existing dermatological problems (there are isolated exceptions in the list of contraindications);
- the likelihood of scar formation is reduced to zero and only increases if you ignore specialist recommendations regarding skin care during the rehabilitation period;
- allergic reactions and infectious complications are excluded, although they are inherent to surgical interventions and injection techniques;
- lack of a full period of rehabilitation - in a few days the skin is restored, it is not necessary to use medications;
- side effects are minor, disappear quickly and belong to the category of the body's normal reaction to aggressive influence.
There are also some "disadvantages" of laser skin rejuvenation:
- to obtain a pronounced effect, you will need to take a course of several sessions;
- results last less time compared to beauty injections and surgical interventions;
- the requirements for the preparatory period must be met.
Only three disadvantages are perfectly compensated by the benefits of laser facial rejuvenation!
Types of laser rejuvenation
The procedure in question can be carried out using different methods - each of them is safe and highly effective. During the consultation, the doctor will inform 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, the presence of internal pathologies and dermatological diseases, the severity of age-related changes.
Ablative methods
Performed with complete or fractionated laser beams. During work, the doctor completely cleans the surface layer of the epidermis from "old" cells or damages them at a shallow depth. Skin restoration occurs due to the active production of collagen, elastin and cell division of healthy tissues surrounding the beam exposure sites. The new skin is firm, elastic and even in tone.
Ablative methods permanently damage the epidermis, so your recovery period will be slightly longer than others.
Factional
The laser beam is scattered through a special mesh in microbeams - damage to the epidermis affects only 20-25% of the area, the remaining cells remain unchanged and fully functional. This targeted effect promotes the evaporation of fluid from cells and the rapid renewal of regeneration processes. The untouched 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 lasts only a few days.
Laser biorevitalization
This involves a combination of two techniques - cellular damage to stimulate biological processes and introduction of hyaluronic acid into the layers of the dermis. The device delivers short pulses and repeats them many times - which allows it to "break" dead cells. At the same time, the laser applies the selected medicine to the desired depth - this parameter is set by the doctor.
Laser biorevitalization is especially advisable for pronounced signs of aging on the face - deep wrinkles, creases and folds. It has a cumulative effect and a prolonged effect - an improvement in appearance will be noticed for another 2-3 months after the end of the procedure.
Full beam
The skin is exposed to a full beam, which causes damage to the entire epidermis. This method is perfect for those who have various cosmetic and dermatological problems. In fact, after this type of laser rejuvenation, the surface layer of the face is renewed by 100%. This is what cosmetologists prescribe to those patients who want to get rid of scars, scars and acne marks.
It has a long recovery - no hospitalization is necessary, but it is worth taking 7 to 10 days off to rest, take care of your skin and not worry about your appearance during the rehabilitation period.
Non-ablative method
Works great on sagging 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 and the epidermis remains unchanged.
This type of laser facial rejuvenation also has a pleasant "side effect" - in addition to rejuvenation, age spots are eliminated, pores narrow and acne marks become minimally noticeable.
Surface
This is the most painless and safe method of the procedure in question - during the process, only superficial 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 facial tone and eliminates uneven relief.
A difference is that recovery lasts only 3 days and the results obtained last from 6 to 12 months.
Median
Recommended for patients who already have wrinkles, including age spots, age spots and slight sagging skin. It belongs to the category of laser peelings, the rays act at a depth of no more than 1. 3 mm.
The procedure is carried out using anesthetic gels, after which the patient may feel discomfort and even mild pain for another 24 hours. Rehabilitation takes at least 5 days.
Deep
The laser beam damages all layers of the epidermis, including the papillary layer. The deep laser rejuvenation procedure is painful, but only it can solve the problem of pronounced age-related changes. Cosmetologists recommend this technique for patients aged 50 and over.
Rehabilitation lasts up to 2 weeks, but if you follow all the doctor's prescriptions during this period, the results obtained will last 4 years (on average).
How to prepare for laser skin rejuvenation?
As part of the preparatory stage, an initial consultation with a specialist is carried out. During it, the doctor examines the skin of the face, 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. Afterwards, the patient is given recommendations on preparing for the procedure - it begins 14 days before the scheduled date. What is important to do:
- do not expose your face to ultraviolet rays (sun), do not go to the solarium;
- refuse to carry out any cosmetic procedures that are associated with skin diseases/damage - peelings, facial cleansing;
- Stop using certain medications (fluoroquinolones, diuretics, sulfonamides, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) only after consulting your doctor.
3 days before the scheduled date for laser facial rejuvenation, it is necessary to stop drinking alcoholic beverages, it is advisable to stop smoking (or radically reduce the number of cigarettes) and not introduce foods from the allergen category into your diet (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 are no inflammations, scratches or fresh tan on the surface of the skin. After that, laser rejuvenation is carried out in stages:
- Cleaning the face from the remains of decorative cosmetics, dust and dirt– carried out with professional tonics and lotions that do not contain alcohol.
- Skin disinfection– the face is treated with an antiseptic solution, which prevents the penetration of infectious agents into the epidermis.
- Anesthesia– is not performed for every type of procedure, but at the patient's request, an anesthetic gel must be applied. After that, the doctor waits 15 to 20 minutes - enough time for the analgesic properties of the applied product to appear.
- Laser skin treatment itself. The patient may feel heat, slight tingling or burning. Be sure to direct a stream of cool air to your face - this alleviates the condition and reduces the intensity of unpleasant sensations.
- Applying a calming mask– relieves inflammation, helps to quickly eliminate swelling, redness and reduces the severity 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 length of the recovery period depends on the type of laser facial rejuvenation used. The minimum period is 2-3 days, but more often rehabilitation requires 5-10 days. Regardless of the technique used, in the first 24 hours after the session it is strictly forbidden to touch your face with your hands or even wash your face. In the next 3 days of recovery:
- It is strictly forbidden to carry out thermal procedures - visiting the bathhouse, sauna or hot bath should be postponed;
- You cannot use tap water for washing - it has a high chlorine content, which causes burns and irritation;
- you do not need to stay outdoors for a long time - ultraviolet rays (they penetrate even through dense clouds) provoke strong pigmentation;
- Do not use cosmetics that contain ethanol for cleaning and, when washing, use a cloth or exfoliant (even a soft and delicate one);
- Treat your face with moisturizer 2 to 3 times a day;
- Apply products containing panthenol to your skin once a day.
Within 2 months after the procedure in question, chemical peels are strictly prohibited! And even in cloudy weather, you will need to apply sunscreen with a high SPF rating to your face.
You cannot remove scabs or forcibly scratch your face - this can cause scars to form that can only be removed surgically.
Possible complications and consequences
Immediately after the session, the skin on the face becomes red, very itchy and there is a burning sensation - this is a normal reaction to damage to the epidermis and deeper layers of the dermis. If the discomfort is severe, you should take antihistamine tablets, the choice of which will be recommended by a cosmetologist. On the 2nd day after laser facial rejuvenation, active peeling begins. The listed effects are the norm, there is no need for any action, you just need to strictly follow the specialist's rehabilitation recommendations.
If it is on your facial skin:
- 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 does not follow the rules of the recovery period.
Opinions about laser rejuvenation
Our patients leave only positive comments about any type of laser facial rejuvenation. This is due not only to the properties and capabilities of the procedure, but also to the high professionalism of the practicing doctors. They have sufficient knowledge and experience, work with modern and certified equipment and strictly follow international protocols for conducting sessions.
Common questions
Any questions about the procedure can be asked 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 aged 18 and over. It is important that they do not present conditions included in the list of contraindications. Laser facial skin rejuvenation is an excellent alternative to surgery.
What effect does the procedure provide besides rejuvenation?
A laser beam can remove scars, tattoos, acne marks and acne. There is a general improvement in the skin - inflammatory processes will stop, the production of sebaceous secretions will decrease and the pores will narrow.
How long does a 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 (gel duration).
When will the first results appear?
Immediately after rehabilitation, the skin on the face is transformed. It becomes smooth, without pigmentation 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, injectable fillers and botulinum therapy are permitted.
How many procedures are needed?
It is generally recommended to take a course of 2 to 5 sessions with an interval of 2 to 4 weeks.
In a professional clinic, specialists are ready to provide a comprehensive laser facial rejuvenation service - from an 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.