Laser rejuvenation is no longer something rare and mythical. Nowadays, everyone can look back on the years they lived through. However, not everyone has reliable information about laser rejuvenation methods, as a result of which they make a mistake when choosing a procedure.
First of all, you need to understand the types of procedures. There are two of them:
ablative;
non-ablative.
In turn, these types of impacts are divided into:
solid (full);
fractional (incomplete).
At first glance, these laser rejuvenation methods may seem similar, but this is far from the case. Only the result is the same: after well-selected treatments, the skin becomes several years younger and looks really much better.
Non-ablative laser treatment works on the deeper layers of the skin and warms them. The impact of the laser beam energy on the fibroblasts causes them to produce collagen and elastin at an accelerated rate. Microcirculation in the layers of the skin also improves.
This method is most effective when:
severe scars and skin lesions;
extensive rashes;
hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone;
post-acne;
stretch marks.
Non-ablative treatment is based on the operation of an erbium laser. Thanks to the special wavelength (1550 nm), the upper layers of the skin are not affected, while the lower layers receive the stimulation necessary for restoration. As a result, most defects are eliminated.
Ablative laser treatment works a little differently. This method uses a carbon dioxide laser with a wavelength of 10, 600 nm. The impact takes place not only on the lower, but also on the upper layers of the skin. Thanks to the ablative method, the skin texture is unified and a lifting effect is obtained. Applicable for:
wrinkles around the eyes, small facial wrinkles;
decrease in complexion;
pigmentation disorders.
It should be noted that the rehabilitation period after this procedure will be slightly longer, since larger volumes of skin are exposed than with the non-ablative method.
Despite the differences, the essence of both methods is the same. Thanks to the energy of the laser beam, the water present in the dermis is heated and literally evaporated. At the same time, the synthesis of collagen and elastin necessary for rejuvenation is launched.
Fractional and continuous laser exposure
Although giving approximately the same results, these two methods have significant differences.
With continuous laser treatment, the laser affects the skin in one large point. However, due to the too high risk of scarring and long recovery times, this type of laser treatment is now practically not used anywhere.
In another case, the laser is divided into several small beams which form a grid. Thus, the laser, interacting with only 20% of the skin surface, achieves a 100% rejuvenating effect. This method is more modern and safer, and thanks to its use, the rehabilitation time is noticeably reduced.
Laser photorejuvenation
This rejuvenation technique, like the non-ablative technique, acts on the deeper layers of the skin. But they are in no way identical or interchangeable.
The finest laser beams almost completely "ignore" the dermis, but have an excellent effect on the nerve endings of the skin, which give the body a signal to renew cells. Fine wrinkles disappear, the complexion is restored.
In laser photorejuvenation, devices such as KTP (wavelength 532 nm) and ND: Yag (wavelength 1064 nm) are used. Thanks to these parameters, laser radiation is perfectly absorbed by hemoglobin and melanin molecules, responsible for skin pigmentation. At the same time, water molecules practically do not heat up. For these reasons, laser photorejuvenation is an extremely effective tool for correcting skin color and combating vascular networks.
This technique does not require a long period of rehabilitation or anesthesia.
Finally
Each method of laser skin rejuvenation has its own unique characteristics that greatly influence the final result. It is necessary to carefully select a technique so that rejuvenation is not only easy and effective, but also a safe process.
It is worth knowing that some cosmetologists do not disclose to the client all the features of this procedure and choose a device for laser treatment on the principle of "what is available". To avoid this, you should contact experienced specialists who have proven themselves throughout their work.