After thirty years, the first signs of aging begin to appear on the face. At first, they are hardly noticeable, but soon the situation worsens, pronounced wrinkles appear, the skin becomes dull and loses its tone. Therefore, experts recommend that you do not allow the situation to worsen and start implementing anti-aging procedures.
One of the popular methods of facial care is fractional laser rejuvenation. This method was used not so long ago, but it has already proven itself well.
What does hardware cosmetology offer?
Rejuvenation is carried out by the following methods:
- The problem area is evenly heated with 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 out wrinkles, remove traces of acne, scars and stretch marks. The skin becomes smoother, tighter and fresher.
- The effect is on melanin, elastin and collagen of the skin.
Fractional or spot resurfacing with the CO2 laser has become very popular.
Invented by an American company, precision radiation enables very precise and targeted effects on the skin, even on tiny problem areas.
Characteristics of the procedure
There are several types of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing:
- The ablative method is quite aggressive. The special laser handpiece heats the skin up to 150 degrees. At the same time, liquid and cells evaporate quickly. The regeneration process begins in these areas. Of course, the skin needs a lot of time to recover, but as a result, the face becomes tighter, fresher, and wrinkles are smoothed out. Scars and scars can be removed with the help of CO2 resurfacing. ;
- non-ablative. Laser rays penetrate deep, but the upper layer of the epidermis is not damaged. It takes longer to achieve results, but it feels softer.
If we talk about the fractional method of rejuvenation, it is gentler, because the effect is on certain areas of the skin and, accordingly, everything is not so traumatic and painful. In this case, the laser does not work with the beam, but with its own microbeams. They form a grid on the skin that acts on the tissue in a checkerboard pattern. Healthy cells located around the microzone begin to divide rapidly, promoting rejuvenation. The action directly depends on the depth of the beam.
CO2 laser resurfacing helps stimulate the production of substances such as collagen and elastin, which helps to change the condition of the skin for the better. The tissue structure improves, it becomes denser and more elastic, and a healthy color appears.
To whom it is recommended and what to expect
The CO2 laser is indicated for the following problems:
- stretch marks on the skin;
- wrinkles, crow's feet on the lips and eyelids;
- pronounced pores;
- scars;
- faded and dull skin color;
- loss of elasticity and firmness, pastiness;
- increased pigmentation;
- pronounced signs and manifestations of post-acne;
- vascular network (asterisks).
After completing the course of CO2 laser resurfacing, a slight lifting effect is observed, a youthful and healthy complexion is restored, the tissues become denser and more elastic, and problems such as wrinkles, folds and scars are gradually smoothed and disappear.
What CO2 Laser Resurfacing Can't Do? Of course, the rejuvenation procedure is very effective, but even it is not able to cope with some problems:
- strong relaxation of the skin, high percentage of relaxation. This should be eliminated surgically, not with a laser;
- if the skin has not received the necessary and appropriate care, i. e. , a person in his 30-40 years has not done anything to maintain beauty and youth, then one procedure will not be useful;
- too pronounced scars, which are also best removed surgically - by excision.
Advantages and disadvantages
There are numerous benefits that can be achieved as a result of CO2 laser rejuvenation:
- fractional or point beam minimally injures the skin, so the traces of the intervention disappear after five days;
- Large areas can be treated in one session, preserving and starting the tissue regeneration process. Thanks to this, the recovery period is quite fast;
- no need to use anesthesia;
- the procedure is suitable for cleaning the neckline 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 is really smoothed, becomes more elastic and tighter, and fine lines disappear. Those who have scars achieve excellent results. At the same time, you can see a positive result already after the first session, but experts 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 really good results.
Disadvantages of CO2 milling include the following:
- redness of the treated area;
- swelling;
- peeling;
- itching;
- painful sensations.
There can also be some complications after laser resurfacing, such as infection, which will lead to scarring. Sometimes people develop pigmentation, which is related to individual body reactions and skin characteristics.
The negative consequences of CO2 resurfacing include the appearance of erythema (persistent), herpes, "marbling" of the skin, increased acne, keloid scars and the formation of wrinkles when the treated and intact skin is clearly visible.
Such situations are extremely rare, occurring in approximately four out of a hundred clients. But you must know about this possibility.
It is also necessary to remember that the price of such a procedure is quite high.
Laser rejuvenation: contraindications
There are no specific age restrictions for CO2 laser resurfacing. Therefore, you can start with it from the age of thirty or from the moment when the first signs of skin aging, scars, etc. appear.
There are some nuances in which you should refuse the procedure:
- period of pregnancy or lactation;
- dermatosis;
- herpes;
- acute inflammatory processes in the area where laser work is planned;
- recent chemical peeling;
- diseases related to blood, immune system, connective tissue;
- oncological formations;
- diabetes;
- hypertension, coronary heart disease;
- varicose veins in the area where there is a need for treatment.
If there are health problems, you must first get rid of them, and only then carry out the cosmetic procedure.
Stages of the procedure
Fractional laser rejuvenation is performed with preliminary preparation. This means that two weeks before it, you will have to give up sunbathing (tanning or solarium).
With skin phototype 3 or 5, you should start using a depigmentation cream.
The CO2 laser restoration process itself is as follows:
- the specialist thoroughly cleans the skin using exfoliating and exfoliating agents;
- if the patient has a low pain threshold, then a special painkiller is administered to reduce discomfort;
- the device is set to the mode of operation suitable for the selected mode of operation and the operation begins with the problem area;
- in one session, an expert with good experience can treat areas that require correction on the face, neck and décolleté;
- After the procedure, the specialist applies a softening cream to the treated areas to reduce redness, irritation and swelling.
Usually the whole procedure takes one hour.
In order for the process of skin renewal after CO2 resurfacing of the face to proceed more quickly and correctly, it is necessary to carry out appropriate care:
- For the next two weeks, make masks and use a moisturizing cream. It is better to use products containing hyaluronic;
- It is better not to use decorative cosmetics for the first few days, so as not to further injure the skin, which is more easily injured. In addition, makeup can contribute to infection, etc. ;
- Scrubs and scrubs should be excluded from home and professional care for several weeks;
- if there is a possibility and tendency to develop pigmentation, then it is necessary to apply sunscreen on 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 vitamin-rich foods in your diet or start taking a vitamin complex;
- spend more time outdoors, ideally in places with high humidity.
With quality and proper care, skin regeneration after CO2 laser resurfacing takes place quickly and without complications.
Modern cosmetology allows you to prolong and maintain youth with the help of hardware methods that have proven to be very effective. An experienced cosmetologist who has received appropriate training will be able to choose 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 recommendations of experts.