About ten years ago, American scientists presented doctors and cosmetologists with a new development - the Fraxel laser for facial cleansing and skin rejuvenation.The technology turned out to be useful and caught on, but a special name was not invented: in the price lists of beauty salons and in everyday life, the fractional rejuvenation procedure is now called Fraxel.
What is Fraxel laser rejuvenation
Fraxel technology is used for laser peeling (photothermolysis) of the face and body.By itself, skin rejuvenation with laser light is a well-established hardware technique that is used everywhere.Fraxel's discovery is that the radiation itself in the devices is not delivered in a continuous stream, as in CO2 lasers for example.Scientists came up with the idea of splitting the stream of light and turning it into a beam of ultra-thin rays of different lengths.The doctor working with the installation can adjust the depth of their penetration - it can be 0.3 mm or 1.9 mm - depending on the problem encountered by the patient.Point laser irradiation is useful because it helps the growth of new cells.When treating a problem area with ultrafine rays, the so-called microthermal treatment zones are formed (areas of skin at a distance of no more than 1 mm), there are practically no gaps.When the metabolism begins to proceed more intensely in each of these microfractions, it is natural that the entire treated area recovers faster.
The latest development, Fraxel 4th generation, also acts on the upper layer of the skin: this technology is called ablative resurfacing (as opposed to non-ablative, which is performed with other types of laser).In problem areas - where there are wrinkles, scars, post-acne, age spots - it is the cells of the upper layer that have aged or been damaged.When burned by the short-lived rays, the damaged area is restored, but with new, healthy cells.Therefore, after laser treatment, the skin becomes cleaner and clearer, pigment spots disappear, scars and stretch marks resolve.
Fraxel technology will not help completely eliminate wrinkles, especially deep ones - it will only smooth out the thin mesh around the eyes or lips.
When is Fraxel rejuvenation necessary?
Laser peeling with Fraxel technology is recommended for women and men aged between 30 and 50 who have already noticed age-related changes:
- the skin loses tone and becomes flabby;
- pores are enlarged, the complexion has deteriorated - the skin has become gray, earthy in color;
- uneven skin, noticeable scars, post-acne marks;
- pigment spots appeared;
- wrinkles appeared.
It is allowed to treat almost all areas with the laser: face, neck, décolleté, hands, arms, legs, back.
Contraindications for use
Laser peeling is contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women and for people with cancer.Those who are experiencing an exacerbation of viral and infectious diseases will have to postpone the procedure.For any skin diseases (psoriasis, dermatitis, herpes) and mechanical damage in the area to be treated with laser, peeling is also not performed until the patient has fully recovered.
Relative contraindications are skin cleansing procedures performed later than 3 months before Fraxel.In this case, you need to check with your cosmetologist about the possibility of laser peeling.You should also tell your doctor about allergies to painkillers.
Types of Fraxel lasers - table
| Laser type | Erbium | Erbium and thulium | Erbium | Fractional CO2 laser |
| What procedure can be performed | Fractional photothermolysis (skin remodeling) |
Photothermolysis without ablation | Surface fractional photothermolysis (skin remodeling) |
Fractional ablative resurfacing |
| Operating principle | With a minimal area of the microthermal treatment zone, all layers of the skin are treated.The depth of penetration of the rays is automatically adjusted by the scanning system of the device. | The skin is treated with beams of different lengths: a thulium laser acts on the epidermis, destroying old cells, and an erbium laser acts on the deep layers of the dermis. | The short wavelengths of light act on the reticular layer of the dermis, where the collagen structure is located.Irradiation helps to restore this picture. | Intense light burns microareas of the upper layer of the skin, in their place new, healthy cells are formed. |
| Wavelength (nm) | 1550 | 1550 (for erbium), 1927 (for thulium) | 1420 | 10,600 |
| Penetration depth (mm) | Up to 1.4 | Up to 1.92 | Up to 0.65 | Up to 1.6 |
| Scope | Skin restoration after burns, scars, acne, photorejuvenation, treatment of age-related wrinkles | Post-acne treatment, removal of scars, scars and age spots, wrinkle reduction | Elimination of defects on thin and sensitive skin: wrinkles on the eyelids or stretch marks on the mammary glands | Treatment of wrinkles, scars, stretch marks, removal of age spots and signs of discoloration (discoloration) of the skin, reduction of pores |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Fraxel laser rejuvenation?
Fractional rejuvenation has, overall, only one drawback: high costs.Many patients who have tried it believe the price of the procedure is unjustified and say that a course of laser rejuvenation can be completed for less money.
Among the advantages of Fraxel:
- The procedure is universal, suitable for any skin type;
- has a minimum of contraindications;
- the probability of complications is low;
- the skin recovers quickly;
- the result lasts up to several years.
Preparing for the Fraxel procedure
Preparation for the procedure begins about six months in advance, with the refusal to take certain medications.You will have to temporarily stop taking blood-thinning medications, which nearly one in two women over thirty take.Limit sun exposure, avoid tanning for a while: small sacrifices will help you avoid big problems later.When you go outside, even on a cloudy day, apply sunscreen.You will have to endure such hardships for about 3-4 weeks, until the appointed day.
After two weeks, it is recommended to switch to gentle skin care, abandon home and chemical peeling, facelift, injections (these are general recommendations and some types of procedures are acceptable; on this topic you need to consult a cosmetologist-dermatologist).
On day X, give up makeup and contact lenses and try not to drink a lot of liquids, so that severe swelling does not occur later.You can have lunch 1-2 hours before visiting the salon.
What will they do in the salon?
The doctor treats the skin with an antiseptic and applies an anesthetic, usually an ointment or gel with lidocaine.A layer of contact gel is applied on top, necessary to make the sensor slide more easily on the skin (for the latest generation Fraxel Dual laser the gel is no longer necessary).The treatment scheme for the selected area is similar to a grid, that is, the doctor moves the nozzle along straight lines in one direction, then in the other.Nozzles can have dimensions 7x7 mm and 15x15 mm, so the illuminated area in one approach is 0.5–2 cm2.
It takes approximately 30 minutes to treat the face and neck, 10 minutes for the hands and up to 40 minutes for the stomach, chest and thighs.Under anesthesia the patient does not feel pain, only a slight burning and tingling sensation.After the procedure, unpleasant sensations may occur.Ointment with depanthenol helps reduce pain and accelerate skin healing.However, the doctor usually provides all recommendations for care in the first few days after the procedure.
How many procedures will be necessary
Even after a procedure, the skin will become slightly lighter and more even.The course of treatment, as a rule, lasts up to six months: for a visible result, it is necessary to undergo 3-4 sessions of laser rejuvenation with a break of 1-1.5 months.
What effect can you expect?
2-3 days after the procedure, the swelling subsides, damaged cells are restored - no traces of burns or redness are noticeable.A light matte tan appears on the skin, the complexion is even.But cell restoration takes time.About a month after the first procedure, you will notice how the oval of the face has narrowed, the vascular network has reduced and the pigment spots have lightened.After another 3-4 months, the collagen structure is restored: wrinkles are smoothed, skin tone increases, and the woman already looks 5 or even 10 years younger.
How long does the result last?
It is impossible to calculate precisely how long the effect of Fraxel laser treatment will last, but it will certainly last more than a month or a year.Fraxel restores youth to the skin, but does not abolish the laws of aging, genetics and the risk of hormonal imbalances.You can prolong the result only with proper skin care and following all the doctor's recommendations.
Possible complications, how to avoid them
According to clinical studies, the following complications are possible after Fraxel laser rejuvenation:
- manifestation of acne (acne);
- manifestation of facial herpes;
- postinflammatory hyperpigmentation;
- prolonged erythema (more than 4 days);
- prolonged swelling (more than 2 days).
There is no need to worry about the appearance of scars, the growth of keloids or the formation of a tumor in the area of \u200b\u200blaser exposure.Over the 10 years of the technology's existence, not a single such case has been identified.
Complications are possible even if the doctor fully respects the technology.Whether or not they occur depends rather on the patient's health and the individual's reaction to the procedure.Of course, before visiting the salon, you should find out if you have any contraindications, and then carefully choose a specialist and the place where you will carry out laser resurfacing.Alcohol-containing lotions should be excluded from cosmetic care during recovery.It is not recommended to perform chemical peels or dermabrasion for two weeks after laser resurfacing.
The fractional photothermolysis procedure is becoming very popular.Unfortunately, this leads many salons to deceive customers and perform photothermolysis using fake devices.Most of the negative reviews about this rejuvenation method are the result of using counterfeit equipment of dubious quality.Ask for documentation and certificates for the device you are using and remember that original equipment is not cheap and small salons often cannot afford to buy real equipment.
The rehabilitation period lasts 1-3 days, swelling and redness during this period are normal.
Rehabilitation period
In the first few hours after surgery, the anesthesia will wear off and you will feel your face swell.Cold compresses with ice will help relieve swelling and reduce pain (just wrap ice cubes in a towel or cotton napkin).Avoid any mechanical impact (men should not shave on the same day, only after 2-3 days).
The face acquires a more or less healthy look 2-3 days after the procedure, so experienced women recommend visiting the salon on Friday evening: this way you can recover over the weekend, and on Monday put on makeup and go to work.
As your skin heals, it may peel, so be sure to use a moisturizer—just ask your doctor which one.You can take a shower, but not hot, hot.You should avoid baths, saunas and even baths for several days.
Physical activity in the first three days after visiting the salon will also not bring any benefit, so you will have to maintain a calm and measured regime for some time.
In the flood of laudatory results on Fraxel, posts from women who have undergone this procedure are somehow lost.Keep this in mind before lying down on the lounge sofa.Remember: no laser cosmetic procedure is performed without a preliminary medical examination and approval of a dermatologist.