Fractional photothermolysis - a new face without surgery

In the struggle for beauty, various tools are used, for example, fractional photothermolysis. This technology is very popular. It allows you to get rid of many cosmetic problems in a short 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. During heating of the skin, it causes focal destruction of cells. During exposure, the skin gets a thermal burn. The diameter of such lesions can vary between 0. 1 and 0. 4 mm, and their depth is 0. 5 mm. Burns are scored. Such damage to the epidermis stimulates tissue regeneration and collagen synthesis.

Fraxel laser surface treatment does not destroy melanocytes. For this reason, dark people do not develop hypopigmented spots after photothermolysis. On the contrary, the laser promotes the redistribution of melanin, which evens out the complexion. Fractional facial rejuvenation has the following benefits:

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

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 heats up to 300°C. As a result, such areas vaporize and are replaced by small, open-type wounds surrounded by thermally coagulated cells. The process of restoring these "zones" takes a lot of time. Such fractional laser surface treatment is carried out in courses, each of which consists of 2-6 sessions. It provides an amazing lifting effect. However, there is a high risk of infection of the skin tissues when performing this.

Non-ablative fractional photothermolysis

Compared to the ablative procedure, this manipulation can be considered gentler. Such laser skin resurfacing with a fractional CO2 laser does not damage 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 decomposition products do not leave outside, but remain in the thickness of the skin. Laser fractional photothermolysis is recommended to be performed in courses, the duration of which can vary from 4 to 10 procedures. When performing these, the risk of skin infection is reduced to zero.

Fractional photothermolysis - indications

This cosmetic procedure has many applications. Fractional photothermolysis treats scars, but it is not its only purpose. This procedure can help you 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. Dermal optical thermolysis has the following contraindications:

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

In addition, fractional photothermolysis is prohibited if mechanical dermabrasion has been performed recently (less than two weeks ago). Such procedures cannot be performed after solarium and sunbathing. High temperature and fever are contraindications for photothermolysis. It cannot be performed even if the integrity of the skin in the treated area is damaged.

Absolute contraindications to fractional photothermolysis are the following drugs:

• Vitamin A;
• cytostatics;
• glucocorticoids;
• immunosuppressants.

Fraxel procedure

Fractional skin rejuvenation must be performed by an experienced beautician with a medical degree. At the appointment, the specialist will objectively assess the condition of the skin and make sure that there are no contraindications to the procedure. In addition, before performing fraxel laser therapy of the facial skin, the beautician warns the patient about possible complications after photothermolysis. In addition, the specialist will definitely tell 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 skin-damaging cosmetics. These include scrubs and peelings. In addition, salicylic and glycolic acids, as well as retinol, should be excluded from use. Such restrictions come into effect half a month before fractional photothermolysis.
2. A week before the procedure, visits to the solarium and the beach are prohibited.
3. 2-3 days before the manipulation, you should start taking antibiotics and antiviral drugs prescribed by the cosmetologist. Such drugs 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 activities. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is also prohibited at night.

Fractional laser surface treatment

The procedure takes about an hour. It is implemented in several stages. Fractional photothermolysis of the face is performed as follows:

1. The beautician cleans the patient's skin with a light peeling.
2. The specialist applies anesthetic to the surface to be treated.
3. After 40 minutes, the beautician starts treating 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 device is an erbium rod. Its maximum permissible wavelength is 1420 nm. Before starting the fractional photothermolysis of the eyes, the cosmetologist puts special protective lenses on the patient. The procedure itself is done 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 the recommendations, then the risk of side effects is minimal. In addition, the skill of the beautician depends on whether fraxel rejuvenation is accompanied by complications. The more experienced, the more professionally the procedure is performed, so 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 pack helps to remove);
• peeling (removed with moisturizing cream);
• bronzing effect (remains for 1-2 weeks).

If a skin infection occurs during erbium laser fractional photothermolysis, the following side effects may occur:

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

Fraxel - rehabilitation

After the procedure, the skin requires special care. The duration of the healing period and the final effect depend on following the cosmetologist's recommendations during this period. When using Fraxel, you should follow the following skin care instructions after the procedure:

1. Continue to take antibiotics and antiviral drugs in the dose prescribed by the specialist for a certain period of time.
2. If the procedure was performed by a man, he 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 strong physical stress.
4. You must stop drinking alcoholic beverages (this is a 2-3 day restriction).
5. Visiting the solarium and the beach is prohibited during the month. Be sure to apply a cream with a high sun protection factor to the treated skin area before going outside.
6. The crust that appears on the skin cannot be torn off! It should fall off by itself.
7. In the first weeks after the procedure, topical preparations prescribed for thermal burns should be used to care for the treated skin surface. Moisturizing sprays are also suitable during this period.
8. Chemical exfoliation and scrubs should be avoided for a month.

Fractional photothermolysis - effect

On the first day, the skin looks like it was sunburned. Fractional photothermolysis photos immediately after the procedure are not impressive. Recovery from non-ablative type of manipulation is 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 this. You should go through the entire course: the photos before and after fractional photothermolysis will convince you of this.

The duration of such therapy is determined by the cosmetologist in each case. The interval between individual manipulations is 4-5 weeks. The duration of the therapy depends on the problems to be solved:

• 3-4 sessions are recommended for rejuvenation;
• fractional photothermolysis of scars is represented by 6-8 procedures;
• for the treatment of problem areas of the skin, 5-6 thermolysis sessions are prescribed.