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 operations. Laser facial rejuvenation is not only about smoothing out wrinkles and folds, eliminating excessive pigmentation, increasing skin firmness and elasticity: the rays can even out the relief of the skin as much as possible and remove scars. It has been proven that this process also has a therapeutic effect, facilitating the treatment of certain dermatological diseases.
What is laser facelift?
The procedure is performed using special devices, the beam moves on the surface of the skin of the face in a "handle" and penetrates into the depths of the dermis. High frequencies and heating ensure the destruction of old skin cells, while the surrounding healthy tissue remains unchanged. In them, the processes of active production of collagen and elastin begin - these substances are necessary for the repair of damage. The renewed skin is completely healthy and fully functional.
Depending on the area of the face that requires laser rejuvenation, the doctor will choose 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 recovery period with the patient remaining in the clinic.
Indications and contraindications for laser lifting
Laser facial rejuvenation is a unique aesthetic procedure that has a complex effect and solves many problems at the same time. Therefore, it has many indications - in a modern clinic, doctors recommend following a series of sessions if you have:
- wrinkles in any area of the face– facial folds, deep age-related folds.
- reduced skin elasticity– ptosis (falling of the eyelids), formation of lobes, "floating" oval of the face.
- external skin defects– scars, acne scars and mechanical removal of large acne, stretch marks.
- skin changes- appearance of yellow spots on the skin, gray tint, complete absence of natural blush.
- excessive oiliness of the skin– accompanied by enlarged pores, frequent occurrence of acne and oily sheen.
- puffiness and bags, dark circles under the eyes;
- rosacea– vascular manifestations on the skin such as "nets", "stars".
Although laser facial rejuvenation is considered a safe procedure, somecontraindicationsfor its realization there are:
- periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- oncological pathologies, regardless of the location of the malignant neoplasm.
- diabetes mellitus of any type;
- incorrect functioning of the thyroid gland with excessive or insufficient synthesis of hormones.
- mental disorders?
- neurological diseases such as epilepsy (accompanied by convulsive syndrome);
- predisposition to the formation of keloid scars.
- psoriasis, eczema, herpes with scars on the face.
There are also some conditional restrictions - exacerbation of chronic internal pathologies, increased body temperature, menstruation, skin damage 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 resurfacing
This procedure is one of the most popular and this is not surprising - it has a lot of advantages, which the doctor expresses even in the initial consultation:
- under the influence of laser rays, natural biological processes are activated in the dermis cells - regeneration, metabolism, production of collagen and elastin.
- the procedure can be performed for any type of skin, regardless of the severity of age-related changes and existing dermatological problems (there are individual exceptions to the list of contraindications).
- the possibility of scar formation is reduced to zero and only increases if you ignore the recommendations of experts on skin care during the recovery period.
- Allergic reactions and infectious complications are excluded, although they are inherent in surgical procedures and injection techniques.
- lack of a full recovery period - in just a few days the skin is restored, the use of drugs is not required.
- Side effects are insignificant, disappear quickly and belong to the category of the body's normal reaction to an aggressive effect.
There are also some "disadvantages" of laser skin resurfacing:
- to get a strong result, you will need to follow a series of sessions.
- The results last for a shorter period of time compared to beauty injections and surgical procedures.
- 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 resurfacing
The procedure under consideration can be performed 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 skin condition, presence of internal pathologies and dermatological diseases, severity of age-related changes.
Deductive methods
It is performed with full or fractional laser beams. During the work, the doctor completely cleans the surface layer of the epidermis from the "old" cells or destroys them at a shallow depth. The restoration of the skin occurs due to the active production of collagen, elastin and cell division of the healthy tissues surrounding the points of exposure to the beam. The new skin is firm, elastic and even.
Removal methods permanently damage the epidermis, so their recovery period will be slightly longer than others.
Tribal
The laser beam is dispersed through a special mesh into microbeams - the damage to the epidermis affects only 20-25% of the area, the remaining cells remain unchanged and fully functional. Such a targeted effect promotes the evaporation of liquid from the cells and the rapid renewal of regeneration processes. 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 takes only a few days.
Biorejuvenation with laser
This involves a combination of two techniques - cellular damage to stimulate biological processes and the introduction of hyaluronic acid into the layers of the dermis. The device provides short pulses and repeats them several times - this makes it possible to "break" dead cells. At the same time, the laser delivers the selected drug to the desired depth - this parameter is set by the doctor.
Laser biorejuvenation is particularly indicated for severe signs of aging on the face - deep wrinkles, creases and creases. It has a cumulative effect and a prolonged effect - an improvement in appearance will be noted for another 2-3 months after the end of the course of procedures.
Full bundle
The skin is exposed to a full beam, which leads to damage to the entire epidermis. This method is ideal for those who have a number of aesthetic and dermatological problems. In fact, after this type of laser rejuvenation, the surface layer of the face is renewed by 100%. It is what cosmetologists prescribe to those patients who want to get rid of scars, scars and marks after acne.
It has a long recovery - hospitalization is not required, but it is worth taking 7-10 days off to rest, do care procedures and not worry about your appearance during the recovery period.
Non-subtractive method
Works great on loose skin, deep folds/wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. It allows you to treat a large area of skin at the same time 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, 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 are narrowed and acne scars are barely noticeable.
Surface
This is the most painless and safest method of the procedure in question - during the procedure, 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 the tone of the face and eliminates uneven relief.
A distinctive feature is that recovery takes only 3 days and the results obtained last 6-12 months.
Median
It is recommended for those patients who already have wrinkles, including age spots, age spots and slight sagging of the skin. Belongs to the category of laser peeling, the rays have an effect 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. Recovery takes at least 5 days.
Deep
The laser beam destroys all layers of the epidermis, including the papillary layer. The procedure for deep laser rejuvenation is painful, but only it can solve the problem of pronounced age-related changes. Cosmetologists recommend this technique to patients aged 50 and over.
Recovery takes up to 2 weeks, but if you follow all the doctor's prescriptions during this period, the resulting results will last for 4 years (on average).
How to prepare for laser skin resurfacing?
As part of the preparatory stage, an initial consultation with a specialist takes place. During its duration, 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. Then recommendations are given to the patient about preparation for the procedure - it starts 14 days before the scheduled date. What is important to do:
- do not expose your face to ultraviolet rays (sun), do not visit the solarium.
- refuse to perform cosmetic procedures related to skin disorders/damages - peeling, facial cleansing.
- Stop using certain drugs (fluoroquinolones, diuretics, sulfonamides, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) only after consulting your doctor.
3 days before the scheduled date of laser facial rejuvenation, you must stop drinking alcoholic beverages, it is recommended to stop smoking (or radically reduce the number of cigarettes) and not introduce foods from the category of allergens into your diet (strawberries, chocolate, raspberries, citrus fruits, seafood).
Laser resurfacing procedure
The procedure itself begins with a facial control examination - 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:
- Cleansing the face from the remains of decorative cosmetics, dust and dirt– is done using 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 skin.
- Anesthesia– not performed for every type of operation, but at the request of the patient, anesthetic gel must be applied. After that, the doctor waits 15-20 minutes - this time is enough for the analgesic properties of the applied product to appear.
- The laser skin treatment itself. The patient may experience heat, slight tingling or burning. Be sure to direct a stream of cool air to your face - this relieves the situation and reduces the intensity of unpleasant sensations.
- Applying a soothing 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 about 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. The minimum period is 2-3 days, but more often recovery requires 5-10 days. Regardless of which technique was used, for the first 24 hours after the session it is strictly forbidden to touch your face with your hands or even wash your face. During the next 3 days of recovery:
- It is strictly forbidden to do thermal procedures - visiting a bath, sauna or hot bath should be postponed.
- You cannot use tap water for washing - it has a high chlorine content, which leads to burns and irritation.
- you don't need to be outside for a long time - UV rays (they penetrate even through thick clouds) will cause intense pigmentation.
- Do not use cosmetics containing ethanol for cleaning, and when washing, use a cloth or scrub (even soft, gentle ones).
- Treat your face with moisturizer 2-3 times a day.
- Apply products containing panthenol to the skin once a day.
Within 2 months after this procedure, chemical peelings are strictly prohibited! And even on cloudy days, you'll need to apply sunscreen with a high SPF on your face.
You can not forcibly remove scabs or scratch your face - this can cause the formation of scars that can only be removed surgically.
Possible complications and consequences
Immediately after the session, the facial skin 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, then you should take antihistamine tablets, the choice of which will be recommended by a cosmetologist. On the 2nd day after the laser facial renewal, the active peeling begins. The reported results are the norm, there is no need to take any action as long as you strictly follow the recovery recommendations given by the specialist.
If on the skin of the face:
- 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 did not follow the rules of the recovery period.
Opinions on laser resurfacing
Our patients leave only positive reviews for any type of laser facial rejuvenation. This is due not only to the qualities and capabilities of the procedure, but also to the high professionalism of the working doctors. They have sufficient knowledge and experience, work on modern certified equipment and strictly adhere to international protocols for conducting sessions.
FAQ
Any question 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 resurfacing?
Men and women aged 18 and over. It is important that they do not have diseases that are included in the list of contraindications. Laser facial skin resurfacing is an excellent alternative to surgery.
What effect does the procedure give, apart from rejuvenation?
A laser beam can remove scars, tattoos, acne scars and acne. There is a general improvement of the skin - the inflammatory processes will stop, the production of sebaceous secretions will decrease and the pores will narrow.
How long does a laser facial resurfacing session last?
A procedure takes 30-60 minutes. If the doctor uses local anesthetics, the duration of the session increases by 15-20 minutes (the duration of the gel).
When will the first results appear?
Immediately after the restoration, the skin of the face is transformed. It becomes smooth, without pigment 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 botulism treatment are allowed.
How many procedures are needed?
It is usually recommended to do a course of 2-5 sessions with a break of 2-4 weeks.
In a professional clinic, specialists are ready to provide a comprehensive service for laser facial rejuvenation - from an initial consultation to monitoring the condition of the skin during the recovery period. Specialists work only with professional equipment; the procedure is carried out according to existing protocols, which reduces the risk of side effects and complications to zero.