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 aesthetic 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. In the process of heating the skin, it causes focal cell destruction. When exposed, the skin undergoes a thermal burn. The diameter of these lesions can vary from 0. 1 to 0. 4 mm, and the depth is 0. 5 mm. The burns are occasional. Such damage to the epidermis stimulates tissue regeneration and collagen synthesis.

Fraxel laser resurfacing does not destroy melanocytes. For this reason, black people do not develop hypopigmented spots after photothermolysis. The laser, on the contrary, promotes the redistribution of melanin which unifies the complexion. Fractional facial rejuvenation has the following advantages:

• can be used both for young skin (after 16 years) and for aging skin;
• has a wide reach (eyelids, face, cleavage, etc. );
• lasting effect;
• can take place at any time of the year, including summer;
• can be applied to any skin type.

Fractional ablative photothermolysis

For this procedure, erbium and CO2 lasers are used. When exposed to the skin, the liquid contained in the cells of the epidermis is heated up to 300°C. As a result, these areas evaporate, and in their place small wounds of an open type are formed, surrounded by thermally coagulated cells. The process of restoring these "zones" requires a lot of time. This fractional laser resurfacing is carried out in class, each of them lasting from 2 to 6 sessions. It gives an amazing lifting effect. However, when it is practiced, the risk of infection of the dermal tissues is high.

Non-ablative fractional photothermolysis

Compared to the ablative procedure, this manipulation is considered more gentle. Such laser skin resurfacing using a fractional CO2 laser does not affect 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 because the products of disintegration are not evacuated to the outside, but remain in the thickness of the skin. It is recommended to perform fractional laser photothermolysis in progress, the duration of which can vary from 4 to 10 procedures. When performed, the risk of skin infection is reduced to zero.

Fractionated photothermolysis - indications

This cosmetic procedure has a wide range of applications. Fractional photothermolysis treats scars, but that is not its only purpose. This procedure resolves the following issues:

• increases skin tone and elasticity;
• fights hyperpigmentation;
• eliminates solar keratosis;
• eliminates wrinkles;
• reduces pores;
• helps to get rid of stretch marks on the body;
• eliminates post-acne.

Fractionated 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;
• the inflammatory process 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). After a solarium and sunbathing, such procedures can also not be performed. High temperatures and fever are contraindications to photothermolysis. It cannot be performed even if the integrity of the skin in the treatment area is violated.

Absolute contraindications to fractional photothermolysis are the following drugs:

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

Fraxel procedure

Fractional skin rejuvenation should be performed by an experienced cosmetologist with a medical background. During the appointment, the specialist will objectively assess the condition of the skin and make sure that there are no contraindications to the procedure. Also, before fraxel laser therapy of the skin of the face is performed, the cosmetologist will warn the patient about possible complications that may occur after photothermolysis. Also, the specialist will definitely tell you how to take care of your face or body during the recovery period.

Fractionated photothermolysis - preparation

It starts 2 weeks before the proposed manipulation. It can be divided into the following steps:

1. Refusal to use cosmetics harmful to the skin. These include scrubs and peels. In addition, it is necessary to exclude salicylic and glycolic acids and retinol from use. These restrictions come into effect half a month before the fractional photothermolysis.
2. It is forbidden to visit the solarium and the beach a week before the procedure.
3. 2-3 days before the manipulation, you need to 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 strenuous physical activity. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is also prohibited at night.

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 area to be treated.
3. After 40 minutes, the beautician begins to process 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 a flow of air, 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 of the lowest power is used to influence it. The most commonly used device with an erbium rod. Its maximum allowable 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.

Fractionated photothermolysis - side effects

This procedure is considered gentle. If the patient has already taken antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by a specialist and followed all the recommendations, 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 eliminate);
• peeling (removed with moisturizer);
• tanning effect (stays for 1-2 weeks).

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

• streptoderma;
• erythema;
• bubbles (as after a burn);
• hyperpigmentation;
• eruption.

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 the cosmetologist during this period. When Fraxel has been used, after the procedure you should follow the following skin care instructions:

1. Continue to take antibiotics and antivirals in the dosage indicated by the specialist for some time.
2. If the procedure was performed by a man, then you can shave only on the third day, and this should be done very carefully.
3. For 48-72 hours after the manipulation, you can not play sports or expose the body to heavy physical exertion.
4. It is necessary to abandon the consumption of alcoholic beverages (this is a restriction for 2-3 days).
5. During the month, visiting the solarium and the beach is not allowed. On the treated area of the skin before going out, be sure to apply a cream with a high sun protection factor.
6. You cannot tear off the scab that has appeared on the skin! She must fall on her own.
7. During the first weeks after the procedure, to care for the treated area of the skin, it is necessary to use topical preparations prescribed for thermal burns. Moisturizing sprays will also be suitable during this period.
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 about 3-4 days. After the removal procedure, this period lasts about a week. Although a single session improves the condition of the skin, it should not be limited to it. You have to go through the whole course: fractional photothermolysis before and after photos will convince you.

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 treatment 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 cope with problem areas of the skin, 5-6 sessions of thermolysis are prescribed.