Non-ablation laser rejuvenation allows to tighten the skin, reduce expressive wrinkles, improve complexion, smooth the relief, shrink pores. This gentle version of laser exposure is recommended for people with photos and signs of skin aging.
Laser ablative and non-ablative rejuvenation: what's the difference
Ablative and non-ablative rejuvenation methods differ in the degree of laser exposure at the site of treatment.
Ablation lasers damage the surface of the skin. The temperature of the treated areas rises to 150 ° C almost instantly. Targeted, controlled skin trauma occurs to initiate healing 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 recovery period the client will have to go through.
The non-ablation procedure is milder and has no rehabilitation period. The doctor selects the power and diameter of the laser light beam, which ensures that the beam penetrates deep into the skin. The surface of the treated skin area is not damaged, only hyperemia remains.
The essence of non-ablative laser rejuvenation, the effect of the method
The firmness of the skin depends on the amount of structural protein. This includes elastin and collagen. They are responsible for the skin’s ability to stretch and contract.
If the structural protein in the skin decreases, it recovers worse after stretching, sags, sags. Wrinkles begin to appear.
Laser beam, which is a directed beam of light:
- Affects dermal structure;
- Protein denaturation occurs;
- Stimulates the synthesis of new collagen and elastin molecules.
The goal of non-ablative laser therapy is to heat structural proteins to 42-80 ° C. When the temperature is reached, protein denaturation occurs: aseptic inflammation thickens and activates, leading to a healing process. New fibroblasts appear and the skin is gradually renewed.
Today, clients of cosmetology clinics have the opportunity to perform laser rejuvenation with neodymium, erbium, diode or alexandrite laser.
Advantages and disadvantages of the procedure
Indications for laser non-ablative rejuvenation are as follows:
- Photo of face, neck, décolleté, hand skin and chronic aging;
- Decreased tone;
- Uneven face color
- After acne;
- Randai;
- Vascular stars.
The advantages of non-ablation laser rejuvenation are:
- Sustainable effect. The laser leaves no visible damage. Slight swelling may occur rarely;
- physiological rejuvenation;
- Fast recovery. The surface of the skin is not damaged, hyperemia occurs after the procedure, which disappears within 24 hours;
- Impact accuracy. The laser device determines the diameter of the light beam, the power of the pulses and the various operating possibilities.
The procedure has its drawbacks:
- More procedures are needed compared to the ablation method;
- Mild exposure does not remove deep scars;
- Repeating the month. It is advisable to perform a course of 3-6 procedures every 14-30 days. The cumulative effect will then be fully felt and the result will be more visible;
- High price.
Non-ablation laser rejuvenation is recommended for people who do not want a period of rehabilitation and can afford to perform the procedures as a course.
Possible complications
The likelihood of complications during laser non-ablative rejuvenation is significantly lower than with traditional treatments (chemical and acid scrubbing, surgical interventions, etc. ). The main risks are untrained staff and poor equipment. The problem is easily solved by checking the clinical reviews.
In a personal meeting with a cosmetologist, you should ask a question about the cosmetologist’s education and ask for a certificate for the laser.
There will be no need to explain when the machine was last serviced and ask for confirmation that the laser is in order.
The patient should inform the doctor about possible allergic reactions to the medication. Before the procedure, the doctor must talk about contraindications.
How does laser non-ablative skin rejuvenation work?
Before preparing for laser ablation, note that this procedure requires a mandatory consultation with your doctor. The cosmetologist evaluates the condition of the skin, predicts the result, selects the technique according to the individual characteristics of the patient's skin. It is important to make sure that there are no contraindications: pregnancy, skin tumors, inflammatory and infectious diseases, and so on.
Preparing for the session
It is advisable to discontinue alcohol, tetracycline antibiotics, anticoagulants and retinol before performing the non-ablative rejuvenation procedure.
The treated area of skin must not be damaged.
One week before the visit to the doctor, aggressive peeling, alcohol-containing cosmetics should be given up. Immediately before coming to the clinic, the treated area does not need to be applied with make-up, creams and lotions.
Technique
The cosmetologist selects the order of the procedure, the intensity of radiation, and the area of treatment. The client goes through 4 stages:
- Accommodation. The patient lies on the couch, in a comfortable position to spend 10 to 30 minutes. Hair is removed from the forehead under a disposable cap;
- Face cleaning. The doctor removes cosmetic residue, grease and other impurities;
- Laser treatment. The beautician processes the required areas in scan mode;
- To reduce redness, the treated area is applied with a cream that promotes regeneration processes.
Most people do not feel pain during non-ablative rejuvenation. For a client with sensitive skin, the doctor will offer a local anesthetic.
Recovery
Slight redness in the treated area and a feeling of internal heat. These symptoms go away on their own in 1-2 days.
To achieve the best effect, the treated area should be protected from high temperatures for the first 3-4 days: abandon the bath, sauna, solarium for 2 weeks. No need to rub the skin by hand, actively massage, apply decorative cosmetics.
Prices of laser non-ablation rejuvenation
Depending on the type of device used in the clinic and the source of radiation (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, the whole course will cost the client 140-1000 USD.
Neck and arm treatments are cheaper, ranging from $ 28 to $ 125 (these areas usually cost the same). Cutout - from $ 33 to $ 145. The procedure can be applied to other parts of the body: abdomen, buttocks, thighs, shoulders and arms. A number of clinics offer partial treatment: treatment of anterior, nasal, facial wrinkles near the eyes.
Many clinics offer a complex: face + décolleté, face plus neck, face + neck + décolleté, and more. Such general anti-aging procedures are less expensive than zone treatment alone.
The price of the service is determined by each clinic independently. The significant fall in prices should be worrying. The clinic may be using poor quality equipment or may not follow the recommendations for replacing consumable parts.
Feedback
On the websites of cosmetology clinics, clients publish reviews about non-abrasive laser rejuvenation, share impressions and tips, and publish "before" and "after" photos.
"I have completed a full course of laser rejuvenation. I’ll tell you about the procedure itself so beginners know what to expect: the beam heats up. Feels like a light electric shock, burns a little, but endures. If anyone has done laser hair removal, it’s one feeling in one.
The face turns a little red after treatment, but you can go to work safely the next day. The effect gradually increases: the face is visibly smoothed, the skin thickens. After 5 days, my skin peeled off a bit, but there was no such thing as peeling straight. Overall, I’m happy with how the effect will go away, I plan to repeat that.
"For the first time for non-ablative laser skin rejuvenation, I decided in 2015. And I was shocked by the effect! For the first few hours, my face burned, as if scalded with boiling water. Then the impressions were, as if from a light tan, the tightening didn’t happen. For the second time, I made up my mind after a stubborn friend’s ad. She did it in another clinic and became noticeably younger, 10 years old.
I was consulting a beautician, he explained to me that for the first time the wrong choice of power. 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 recommend it to everyone. The key is to find a competent specialist.
In most reviews of non-ablative laser rejuvenation, patients note a visible result.
Non-ablation laser rejuvenation helps maintain skin tone and prolongs youth. The absence of aggressive effects allows the procedure to be used on people with sensitive skin.
Consultation with a cosmetologist is necessary before performing non-ablation rejuvenation.