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 successful, but it did not come up with a special name: in the price lists of beauty salons and in everyday life, the fractional rejuvenation procedure is now called Fraxel.
What is Fraxel laser resurfacing?
Fraxel technology is used for laser peeling (photothermolysis) of the face and body.In itself, laser light skin rejuvenation is a long-established hardware technique used everywhere.Fraxel's discovery is that the devices' own radiation is not delivered continuously, as is the case, for example, with CO2 lasers.Scientists came up with the idea of splitting the light flux and turning it into a beam of ultra-thin rays of different lengths.The doctor working with the installation can adjust the depth of its penetration (it can be 0.3 mm or 1.9 mm) depending on the problem the patient has.Spot laser irradiation is useful because it helps new cells grow.When treating a problem area with ultrafine rays, the so-called microthermal treatment zones are formed (skin areas at a distance of no more than 1 mm), there are practically no gaps left.When the metabolism begins to be more intense in each of these microfractions, it is natural that the entire treated area recovers faster.
The latest development, fourth generation Fraxel, also acts on the top layer of the skin;This technology is called ablative resurfacing (as opposed to non-ablative, which is performed with other types of lasers).In problem areas (where there are wrinkles, scars, post-acne, age spots), it is the cells of the upper layer that have aged or are damaged.When they are burned by short rays, the damaged area is restored, but with new, healthy cells.Therefore, after laser treatment, the skin becomes cleaner and brighter, age spots disappear, scars and stretch marks disappear.
Fraxel technology will not help to completely eliminate wrinkles, especially deep ones;It will only soften the fine mesh around your eyes or lips.
When is Fraxel rejuvenation necessary?
Laser peeling with Fraxel technology is recommended for women and men between 30 and 50 years old who have already noticed age-related changes:
- the skin lost its tone and became sagging;
- the pores are enlarged, the complexion has deteriorated: the skin has become gray, earthy in color;
- uneven skin, visible scars, signs of post-acne;
- pigment spots appeared;
- wrinkles appeared.
It is allowed to treat almost all areas with laser: face, neck, décolleté, hands, arms, legs, back.
Contraindications for use
Laser peeling is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women and in people with cancer.Those experiencing an exacerbation of viral and infectious diseases will have to postpone the procedure.For any skin disease (psoriasis, dermatitis, herpes) and mechanical damage in the area that will need to be treated with laser, peeling is also not performed until the patient has completely recovered.
Relative contraindications are skin cleansing procedures performed more than 3 months before Fraxel.In this case, you should consult with your cosmetologist about the possibility of laser peeling.You should also tell your doctor about allergies to pain relievers.
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 | Fractional surface photothermolysis (skin remodeling) |
Fractional ablative resurfacing |
| Working principle | With a minimal microthermal treatment zone area, all layers of the skin are treated.The penetration depth of the rays is automatically adjusted by the device's scanning system. | 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. | Short wavelengths of light act on the reticular layer of the dermis, where the collagen structure is located.Irradiation helps restore this framework. | The intense light burns micro-areas of the top layer of the skin and new, healthy cells form in their place. |
| 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 |
| Purpose | Restoration of the skin after burns, scars, acne, photorejuvenation, treatment of age wrinkles. | Treatment of post-acne, removal of scars, scars and age spots, reduction of wrinkles. | Elimination of defects in 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 skin dyschromia (discoloration), pore reduction. |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Fraxel laser resurfacing?
Fractional rejuvenation has, in general, only one drawback: the high cost.Many patients, who have tried it, consider the price of the procedure to be unjustified and say that laser rejuvenation treatment can be performed 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.
Preparation for the Fraxel procedure
Preparation for the procedure begins approximately six months in advance, with refusal to take certain medications.You will have to temporarily stop taking blood-thinning medications, which almost one in two women take after age thirty.Limit your sun exposure, avoid tanning for a while;Small sacrifices will help you avoid big problems in the future.When you go outside, even on a cloudy day, apply sunscreen.You will have to endure such difficulties for about 3-4 weeks, until the appointed day.
In two weeks, it is recommended to switch to gentle skin care, abandon home and chemical peels, lifting and injections (these are general recommendations and certain types of procedures are acceptable - you should consult a cosmetologist-dermatologist on this issue).
On dayYou can have lunch 1-2 hours before visiting the salon.
What will they do in the living room?
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;It is necessary so that the sensor slides more easily over the skin (for the latest generation Fraxel Dual laser, the gel is no longer necessary).The treatment scheme for the selected area is something like a grid, that is, the doctor moves the nozzle in a straight line in one direction, and then in the other.The nozzles can have a size of 7x7 mm and 15x15 mm, so the area illuminated in a single approach is 0.5 to 2 cm2.
It takes about 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 feels no pain, only a slight burning and tingling sensation.Unpleasant sensations may occur after the procedure.Depanthenol ointment helps reduce pain and accelerate skin healing..However, the doctor usually gives all care recommendations in the first days after the procedure.
How many procedures will be necessary?
Even after a procedure, the skin will become a little lighter and more even.The course of treatment, as a rule, lasts up to six months: to obtain a visible result, you need to undergo 3-4 sessions of laser resurfacing with a break of 1 to 1.5 months.
What effect can you expect?
2-3 days after the procedure, the swelling subsides, damaged cells are restored, and no traces of burns or redness are noticeable.A light matte tan appears on the skin and the complexion is evened out.But cellular restoration takes time.Approximately a month after the first procedure, you will notice how the oval of the face has tightened, the vascular network has reduced and age 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 accurately estimate how long the effect of Fraxel laser treatment will last, but it will definitely last longer than a month or a year.Fraxel restores youth to the skin, but does not eliminate the laws of aging, genetics and the risk of hormonal imbalances.It is only possible to prolong the result with proper skin care and following all doctor's recommendations.
Possible complications, how to avoid them.
According to clinical studies, the following complications are possible after Fraxel laser resurfacing:
- manifestation of acne (acne);
- manifestation of facial herpes;
- post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation;
- prolonged erythema (more than 4 days);
- prolonged swelling (more than 2 days).
There is no need to worry about scarring, keloid growth, or tumor formation in the area of laser 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 follows the technology.Whether or not they occur depends rather on the health of the patient and the individual reaction to the procedure.Of course, before visiting the salon, you should find out if you have any contraindications, and then carefully choose the specialist and the place where you will have laser resurfacing.Alcohol-containing lotions should be excluded from care cosmetics during recovery.A chemical peel or dermabrasion is not recommended for two weeks after laser resurfacing.
The fractional photothermolysis procedure is becoming very popular.Unfortunately, this leads to many salons misleading clients and performing 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 to 3 days;swelling and redness during this time are normal.
Rehabilitation period
In the first few hours after the procedure, 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 the ice cubes in a cotton towel or napkin).Avoid any mechanical impact (men should not shave on the same day, only after 2-3 days).
The face takes on a more or less healthy appearance 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 put on your makeup and go to work on Monday.
As the skin heals, it may peel, so be sure to use a moisturizer;just talk to your doctor in advance which one.You can take a shower, but not hot, lukewarm.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 stream of glowing results about Fraxel, publications from women who underwent this procedure are somehow lost.Keep this in mind before you lie down on the living room couch.Remember: no cosmetic laser procedure is performed without a preliminary medical examination and approval from a dermatologist.