From the age of thirty, the first signs of aging begin to appear on the face. At first they are barely noticeable, but soon the situation worsens, pronounced wrinkles appear, the skin dulls and loses tone. Therefore, experts recommend not letting the situation get worse and starting to perform anti-aging procedures.
One of the popular methods of facial care is fractional laser rejuvenation. This method has been used not so long ago, but has already proven itself.
What does hardware cosmetology offer?
Rejuvenation is carried out by the following methods:
- The problem area is heated evenly using radio frequency energy. The skin does not suffer much and the recovery is quite short;
- This device allows you to create a beautiful oval face, smooth wrinkles, remove traces of acne, scars and scars. The skin becomes softer, smoother and fresher.
- The effect occurs on melanin, elastin and collagen in the skin.
Fractional or spot resurfacing with CO2 laser has become very popular.
Invented by an American company, spot radiation allows very precise and specific effects on the skin and even small problem areas.
Features of the procedure.
There are several types of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing:
- The ablative method is quite aggressive. A special laser handpiece heats the skin up to 150 degrees. At the same time, the liquid and cells evaporate quickly. The regeneration process begins in these areas. Of course, it takes a long time for the skin to recover, but as a result, the face becomes more toned, fresh, and wrinkles are smoothed. With the help of CO2 rejuvenation, scars and scars can be removed. ;
- non-ablative. The laser rays penetrate deeply, but the upper layer of the epidermis is not damaged. The result takes longer to achieve, but the sensation is softer.
If we talk about the method of fractional rejuvenation, then it is gentler, since the effect occurs in certain areas of the skin and, accordingly, not everything is so traumatic and painful. In this case, the laser does not work with a beam, but with its microbeams. They form a network in the skin that acts on the tissue in the shape of a chess board. Healthy cells located around the microzone begin to divide rapidly, contributing to rejuvenation. The action depends directly on the depth of the beam.
CO2 laser resurfacing helps stimulate the production of substances such as collagen and elastin, which helps improve the condition of the skin. The tissue structure improves, becomes denser and more elastic, and a healthy color appears.
Who is it recommended to and what to expect?
The CO2 laser is indicated for the following problems:
- stretch marks on the skin;
- wrinkles, crow's feet on lips and eyelids;
- pronounced pores;
- scars;
- discolored and dull skin color;
- loss of elasticity and firmness, pastiness;
- increased pigmentation;
- pronounced signs and manifestations of post-acne;
- vascular network (asterisks).
After completing a cycle of CO2 laser rejuvenation, a slight lifting effect is observed, a young and healthy complexion is recovered, tissues become denser and more elastic, and problems such as wrinkles, folds and scars are smoothed and gradually disappear.
What CO2 laser resurfacing can't do? Of course, the rejuvenation procedure is very effective, but even then it cannot solve some problems:
- Severe sagging skin, high percentage of sagging. This should be removed surgically, not with a laser;
- if the skin has not received the necessary and proper care, that is, a person during his 30-40 years has not done anything at all to maintain beauty and youth, then a procedure will be of no use;
- too pronounced scars, which are also best removed surgically, by excision.
Advantages and disadvantages
There are a number of advantages that can be obtained as a result of CO2 laser resurfacing:
- the fractional or spot beam minimally damages the skin, so traces of the procedure disappear after five days;
- Large areas can be treated in a single session, preserving and initiating the tissue regeneration process. Thanks to this, the recovery period is quite fast;
- it is not necessary to use anesthesia;
- the procedure is suitable for cleaning the décolleté and neck area;
- side effects are quite rare;
- The procedure is indicated for patients of different ages.
Numerous reviews of people who have undergone such facial rejuvenation confirm the effectiveness of the procedure.
The skin really smoothes, becomes more elastic and toned and fine wrinkles disappear. Those with scars obtain excellent results. At the same time, a positive result can be seen after the first session, but specialists prescribe a course depending on the complexity of the problem and the client's request. On average, experts recommend at least 5-8 sessions to see a really good effect.
Disadvantages of CO2 grinding include the following:
- redness of the treated area;
- swelling;
- peeling;
- itching;
- painful sensations.
There may also be some complications after laser resurfacing, such as infection, which will cause scarring. Sometimes people develop pigmentation, which is associated with individual body reactions and skin characteristics.
Negative consequences of CO2 rejuvenation also include the appearance of (persistent) erythema, herpes, "marbling" of the skin, increased acne, keloid scars and the formation of lines when treated and intact skin is clearly visible.
These types of situations are extremely rare and occur in approximately four out of every hundred clients. But it is necessary to know this possibility.
It is also necessary to remember that the cost of such a procedure is quite high.
Laser rejuvenation: contraindications.
There are no special age restrictions for CO2 laser resurfacing. Therefore, you can start doing it from the age of thirty or from the moment the first signs of skin aging, scars, etc. appear.
There are some nuances in which it is advisable to refuse the procedure:
- pregnancy or lactation period;
- skin disease;
- herpes;
- acute inflammatory processes in the area where laser work is planned;
- recent chemical peel;
- diseases associated with blood, immune system, connective tissue;
- oncological formations;
- diabetes;
- hypertension, coronary heart disease;
- Varicose veins in the area where treatment is necessary.
If there are health problems, you should first get rid of them and only then carry out a cosmetic procedure.
Stages of the procedure
Fractional laser resurfacing is carried out with preliminary preparation. This means that two weeks before you will have to stop tanning (sun or solarium).
With skin phototype 3 or 5 you should start using depigmenting cream.
The CO2 laser resurfacing process itself is as follows:
- the specialist thoroughly cleanses the skin with exfoliating and exfoliating agents;
- if the patient has a low pain threshold, a special analgesic is applied to reduce discomfort;
- the device is set to a mode suitable for the selected work method and work begins with the problem area;
- In a single session, a specialist with good experience can treat the areas that require correction on the face, neck and décolleté;
- After completing the procedure, the specialist applies a softening cream to the treated areas to help reduce redness, irritation and swelling.
Normally the entire procedure lasts one hour.
In order for the skin restoration process after CO2 facial rejuvenation to develop more quickly and correctly, it is necessary to carry out appropriate care:
- Make masks for the next two weeks and also use a moisturizer. It is best to use products containing hyaluron;
- It is better not to use decorative cosmetics in the first days, so as not to further damage the skin, which is slightly injured. Additionally, makeup can contribute to infections, etc. ;
- Scrubs and peelings should be excluded from home and professional care for a couple of weeks;
- if there is a possibility and tendency to develop pigmentation, then it is imperative to apply sunscreen to the face;
- It is better to wash your face with boiled water cooled to room temperature;
- To speed up the recovery process, you can include foods rich in vitamins in your diet or start taking a vitamin complex;
- Spend more time outdoors, ideally in places with high humidity.
Subject to proper and high-quality care, skin regeneration after CO2 laser resurfacing occurs quickly and without complications.
Modern cosmetology makes it possible to prolong and maintain youth using hardware methods that have proven to be very effective. An experienced cosmetologist who has received appropriate training will be able to select a set of measures that will allow you to properly care for your skin and improve its appearance. The main thing is to follow all the specialist's recommendations.