Fractional photothermolysis - a new face without surgery

In the fight for beauty, various tools are used, for example, partial photothermolysis. This technology is very popular. It allows you to remove 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 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 spicy. 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 flattens the skin. Fractional facial rejuvenation has the following benefits:

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

Fractional ablative photothermolysis

Erbium and CO2 lasers are used for this procedure. When exposed to the skin, the fluid in the epidermal cells heats up to 300°C. As a result, such areas evaporate and in their place small open wounds are formed, surrounded by thermally congealed cells. The process of restoring these "zones" takes 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 skin tissue infection is high.

Non-ablative fractional photothermolysis

Compared to the ablative procedure, this manipulation is considered milder. 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 visible than that of an ablative procedure, partly due to the fact that the decay products are not removed from the outside, but remain in the thickness of the skin. Fractional laser photothermolysis is recommended to be performed 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 that's 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 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. Optical thermolysis of the skin has the following contraindications:

• oncological diseases;
• chronic diseases in the acute phase;
• skin diseases;
• inflammatory process in the body;
• mental illness;
• hormonal imbalance;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• infraction;
• blood disease;
• diabetes;
• diseases 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 cannot be performed even if the integrity of the skin in the treatment area is compromised.

Absolute contraindications for fractional photothermolysis are the following medications:

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

The Fraxel procedure

Partial skin rejuvenation should be performed by an experienced cosmetologist with a medical education. At the meeting, the specialist will objectively assess the condition of the skin and make sure that there are no contraindications for 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 show 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 cosmetics that damage the skin. These include scrubs and peelings. In addition, it is necessary to exclude from use salicylic and glycolic acids 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 sun room and the beach.
3. 2-3 days before manipulation, you should start taking antibiotics and antiviral drugs prescribed by a cosmetologist. Such medications will minimize the risk of inflammation or infection of the epidermis.
4. The day before fractional laser skin resurfacing is performed, you should stop playing sports and other intense physical activities. Consumption of alcoholic beverages at night is also prohibited.

Fractional laser resurfacing

The procedure takes 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 nose. At this point, the patient may feel a slight tingling sensation. During the procedure, the skin is cooled by the 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 affect it. The most widely used device with an erbium rod. Its maximum allowed 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 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 mild. If the patient has previously taken 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 the 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 (1-2 weeks left).

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

• streptoderma;
• erythema;
• blisters (as after a burn);
• hyperpigmentation;
• redness.

Fraxel - rehabilitation

After the procedure, the skin needs special care. The duration of the recovery period and the final effect depends on compliance with the cosmetologist's recommendations during this period. When using Fraxel, after the procedure, you should follow the following instructions for skin care:

1. Continue to take antibiotics and antiviral drugs in the dose 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 play sports or expose the body to a strong physical strain.
4. It is necessary to abandon the consumption of alcoholic beverages (this is a restriction for 2-3 days).
5. Visiting the sun room and the beach is not allowed during the month. On the treated skin area before going out, be sure to apply a cream with a high sun protection factor.
6. You can not remove the crust that has appeared on the skin! It should fall by itself.
7. During the first weeks after the procedure, to take care of the treated skin area, it is necessary to use local preparations prescribed for thermal burns. During this period, moisturizing sprays will also be suitable.
8. For a month, chemical peels and scrubs should be abandoned.

Fractional photothermolysis - effect

On the first day, the skin will look like it has been sunburned. Photos of fractional photothermolysis immediately after the procedure are not impressive. Recovery with a non-ablative type of manipulation occurs approximately 3-4 days. After the removal 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 go through the whole course: partial 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 spend 3-4 sessions;
• fractional photothermolysis of wounds is represented by 6-8 procedures;
• to deal with problematic areas of the skin, 5-6 sessions of thermolysis are prescribed.