After thirty years, the first signs of aging begin to appear on the face. At first they are almost imperceptible, but soon the situation worsens, pronounced wrinkles appear, the skin becomes dull and loses its tone. Therefore, experts recommend not letting the situation get worse and starting to carry out anti-aging procedures.
One of the popular facial care methods is fractional laser rejuvenation. This method has not been used for a long time, 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 by radio frequency energy. The skin does not suffer much and recovery is quite short;
- This device allows you to create a beautiful oval face, smooth wrinkles, eliminate traces of acne, scars and scars. The skin becomes smoother, firmer and fresher.
- The effect occurs on the skin's melanin, elastin and collagen.
Fractional or spot resurfacing with a CO2 laser has become very popular.
Invented by an American company, point radiation allows very precise and targeted effects on the skin and even small problem areas.
Features of the procedure
There are several types of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser rejuvenation:
- 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, the skin takes a long time to recover, but as a result, the face becomes more toned, fresh, and wrinkles are smoothed out. With the help of CO2 resurfacing, scars and scars can be eliminated. ;
- 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 smoother.
If we talk about the fractional rejuvenation method, it is more gentle, since the effect is on certain areas of the skin and therefore not everything is so traumatic and painful. In this case, the laser does not operate with a beam, but with its microbeams. They form a network 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 to stimulate the production of substances such as collagen and elastin, which helps change the condition of the skin for the better. The tissue structure improves, it becomes denser and more elastic, and a healthy color appears.
Who 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 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 a course of CO2 laser resurfacing, a slight lifting effect is observed, a healthy, youthful complexion returns, tissues become denser and more elastic, and problems such as wrinkles, creases and scars gradually smooth out and disappear.
What can't CO2 laser resurfacing do? Of course, the rejuvenation procedure is highly effective, but still it is not able to cope with some problems:
- severe sagging of the skin, high percentage of sagging. This needs to be eliminated surgically, not with a laser;
- if the skin has not received the necessary and adequate care, that is, a person has not done anything in his 30-40 years to maintain beauty and youth, then a procedure will be of no use;
- very 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 rejuvenation:
- the fractional or punctual beam minimally injures the skin, so that traces of the procedure disappear after five days;
- Large areas can be treated in a single session, preserving and starting the tissue regeneration process. Thanks to this, the recovery period is quite quick;
- no need for anesthesia;
- the procedure is suitable for cleaning the décolleté and neck area;
- side effects are quite rare;
- The procedure is recommended for patients of different ages.
Numerous reviews from people who have undergone this facial rejuvenation confirm the effectiveness of the procedure.
The skin really smoothes, becomes more elastic and toned, and fine wrinkles 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 to 8 sessions to see a really good effect.
Disadvantages of CO2 grinding include the following:
- redness of the treated area;
- swelling;
- peeling;
- itch;
- painful sensations.
There may also be some complications after laser resurfacing, such as infection, which can cause scarring. Sometimes people develop pigmentation, which is associated with individual body reactions and skin characteristics.
The negative consequences of CO2 resurfacing also include the appearance of erythema (persistent), herpes, "marbling" of the skin, increased acne, keloid scars and the formation of lines when treated, untouched skin is clearly visible.
Such situations are extremely rare, occurring in approximately four out of every hundred customers. But you need to know about this possibility.
It is also necessary to remember that the cost of this 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 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 associated with the blood, immune system, connective tissue;
- oncological formations;
- diabetes;
- hypertension, coronary heart disease;
- varicose veins in the area where treatment is needed.
If there are health problems, you must first get rid of them and only then carry out a cosmetic procedure.
Procedure steps
Fractional laser rejuvenation is carried out with preliminary preparation. This means that two weeks earlier you will have to abandon 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 method of work and work begins on the problem area;
- in one session, a specialist with good experience can treat areas that require correction on the face, neck and décolleté;
- After the procedure is complete, the specialist applies a soothing cream to the treated areas to help reduce redness, irritation, and swelling.
Typically, the entire procedure takes one hour.
In order for the skin restoration process after facial resurfacing with CO2 to be faster and more correct, 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 that contain hyaluronic;
- It is better not to use decorative cosmetics for the first few days, so as not to further injure the skin, which is slightly damaged. Furthermore, makeup can contribute to infections, etc. ;
- Exfoliants and peels should be excluded from home and professional care for a few weeks;
- if there is a possibility and tendency to develop pigmentation, it is essential to apply sunscreen to the face;
- It is best 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, preferably 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 allows you to prolong and maintain youth using hardware methods that have proven themselves to be highly effective. An experienced cosmetologist with 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.