Non-ablative laser rejuvenation allows you to tighten the skin, reduce expression lines, improve complexion, even out relief and tighten pores. This gentle version of laser exposure is recommended for people with signs of photo and aging skin.
Ablative and non-ablative laser rejuvenation: what is the difference
Ablative and non-ablative rejuvenation methods differ in the degree of laser exposure to the treated area.
Ablative lasers, acting on the skin, damage its surface. The temperature of the treated areas rises to 150 ° C almost immediately. There is targeted, controlled trauma to the skin to trigger recovery processes.
The depth of exposure depends on the laser used. Carbon dioxide penetrates deeper than erbium, trapping the upper part of the dermis. The stronger the impact, the longer the client will have to go through the recovery period.
Non-ablative surgery is milder and there is no rehabilitation period. The doctor selects the power and diameter of the laser beam of light, which ensures that the air penetrates deep into the skin. The surface of the treated area of the skin is not disturbed, only hyperemia remains.
The essence of non-ablative laser rejuvenation, the effect of the method
Skin firmness depends on the amount of structural proteins. These include elastin and collagen. They are responsible for the skin's ability to stretch and shrink.
If the amount of structural proteins in the skin decreases, it recovers worse after stretching, becomes flabby and relaxed. Wrinkles begin to appear.
Laser beam, which is a directed beam of light:
- It affects the structure of the dermis;
- Protein denaturation occurs;
- Stimulates the synthesis of new collagen and elastin molecules.
The purpose of non-ablative laser treatment is to heat the structural proteins to 42-80 ° C. Protein denaturation occurs at the temperature limit: it thickens, activates aseptic inflammation, which leads to the beginning of the recovery process. New fibroblast cells appear and the skin gradually regenerates.
Today, laser rejuvenation with neodymium, erbium, diode or alexandrite lasers is available to clients of cosmetology clinics.
Advantages of the procedure, disadvantages
Indications for non-ablative laser rejuvenation are:
- Photo and chronic aging of the skin of the face, neck, décolleté, arm;
- Decreased tone;
- Uneven complexion
- Post-acne;
- Scars;
- Vascular asterisks.
The benefits of non-ablative laser rejuvenation include:
- Savings strike. The laser leaves no visible damage. Mild swelling may occur rarely;
- Physiological rejuvenation;
- Quick recovery. The surface of the skin is not disturbed, after the procedure the hyperemia disappears within 24 hours;
- Accuracy of impact. The laser beam adjusts the beam diameter, pulse power and various operating options.
The procedure has its drawbacks:
- More procedures are needed compared to the ablative method;
- A light blow cannot eliminate deep scars;
- Monthly recurrence. It is recommended to conduct a course of 3-6 procedures every 14-30 days. Then the cumulative effect will be fully manifested and the result will be more noticeable;
- High price.
Non-ablative laser rejuvenation is recommended for people who do not want a period of rehabilitation and can afford to work as a course.
Possible complications
The probability of complications during non-ablative laser rejuvenation is significantly lower than with traditional treatments (chemical and acid peels, surgical interventions, etc. ). The main risk is untrained staff and poor quality equipment. The problem is easily solved by checking the reviews of the clinic.
In a personal meeting with a cosmetologist, you should ask a question about the education of a cosmetologist and ask for a laser certificate.
It will not be superfluous to clarify when the machine was last serviced and ask for confirmation that the laser is correct.
The patient should inform the doctor about possible allergic reactions to the medication. Before the procedure, the doctor is obliged to tell about the contraindications.
How does laser non-ablative skin rejuvenation work?
Before preparing for non-ablative laser rejuvenation, keep in mind that this procedure requires a mandatory consultation with a doctor. The cosmetologist assesses the condition of the skin, predicts the result, selects a technique based on the individual characteristics of the patient's skin. It is important to ensure that there are no contraindications: pregnancy, skin neoplasms, inflammation and infectious diseases, and so on.
Preparing for the session
Alcohol, tetracycline antibiotics, anticoagulants and retinol should be discontinued before non-ablative rejuvenation procedures.
There must be no damage to the treated area of skin.
One week before going to the doctor, you must give up aggressive peels, cosmetics that contain alcohol. You do not have to apply make-up, creams and lotions to the treated area just before visiting the clinic.
Technics
The cosmetologist chooses the procedure for the procedure, the intensity of radiation, the area of treatment. The client goes through 4 stages:
- Accommodation. The patient lies on the couch, occupying a comfortable position, in which he will spend 10 to 30 minutes. Hair is removed from the forehead under a disposable cap;
- Facial cleansing. The doctor removes the remnants of cosmetics, sebum and other impurities;
- Laser treatment. The beautician treats the necessary areas in the scan mode;
- To reduce redness, a cream that stimulates regeneration processes is applied to the treated area.
Most people do not feel pain during non-ablative rejuvenation. The doctor will offer a local anesthetic to clients with sensitive skin.
Recovery
Mild redness in the treatment area and a feeling of inner warmth. These symptoms go away on their own in 1-2 days.
For the best effect, the first 3-4 days, it is necessary to protect the treated areas from high temperatures: leave the bath, sauna, solarium for 2 weeks. There is no need to rub the skin with your hands, actively massage, apply decorative cosmetics.
Prices for non-ablative laser rejuvenation
Depending on the device used in the clinic and the type of radiation source (erbium, neodymium, diode, etc. ), the cost of laser non-ablative facial skin rejuvenation ranges from $ 45 to $ 330. The number of recommended procedures is at least three, and the full course costs the client 140-1000 dollars.
Neck and arm treatments are cheaper - from 28 to 125 dollars (these areas usually cost the same). Cutout - from 33 to 145 dollars. The procedure can also be applied to other parts of the body: abdomen, buttocks, thighs, shoulders and arms. Numerous clinics offer partial treatment: treatment of the frontal area, nose, wrinkles on the face around the eyes.
Many clinics offer a complex: face + décolleté, face plus neck, face + neck + décolleté, etc. Such general anti-aging treatments are cheaper than zone treatments alone.
The price of the service is determined by each clinic independently. The significant drop in prices should be alarming. There is a possibility that the clinic uses poor quality equipment or does not follow the recommendations for replacing consumable parts of the device.
Reviews
On the websites of cosmetology clinics, clients publish reviews of non-ablative laser rejuvenation, share their impressions and tips, publish "before" and "after" photos.
"I've completed a complete laser rejuvenation course. I'll tell you about the procedure itself, so beginners know what to expect: the beam heats up. It feels like a slight electric shock, it burns a little, but you can handle it. If someone did laser hair removal, here's a one-on-one feeling.
The face is a little reddened after the treatment, but you can go to work safely the next day. The effect gradually increases: the face is visibly smoothed, the skin is thickened. After 5 days my skin peeled off slightly, but there was nothing to peel off straight. In general, I am satisfied with how the effect will disappear, I plan to repeat it. "
"I first decided on laser non-ablative skin rejuvenation in 2015. And I was shocked by the effect! For the first few hours, my face burned, as if I had been scalded by boiling water. Then the impressions were, as if from a light tan. The second time I decided after persistent advertising of my friend. She did it in another clinic and significantly rejuvenated, in 10 years.
I went for a consultation with a beautician, he explained to me that the first time the strength was chosen incorrectly. I told you something about wavelengths, how a neodymium laser works, but I didn't understand anything. And the second time I liked everything! So now I also advise everyone. The main thing is to find a competent expert. "
In most non-ablative laser rejuvenation examinations, patients notice a visible result.
Non-ablative laser rejuvenation helps maintain skin tone, prolongs youth. The absence of aggressive effects allows people with sensitive skin to use the procedure.
A consultation with a cosmetologist is required before performing non-ablative rejuvenation.