Non-ablative laser rejuvenation allows you to tighten the skin, reduce expression lines, improve complexion, even out the relief, and tighten pores. This gentle version of laser exposure is recommended for people with signs of photo and skin aging.
Ablative and non-ablative laser rejuvenation: what is the difference
Ablative and non-ablative methods of rejuvenation 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 almost instantly to 150 ° C. There is a targeted, controlled trauma to the skin to start the recovery processes.
The depth of exposure depends on the laser used. Carbon dioxide penetrates deeper than erbium, capturing the upper part of the dermis. The stronger the impact, the longer the recovery period the client will have to go through.
The non-ablative procedure is milder and does not have a rehabilitation period. The doctor selects the power and diameter of the laser light beam, which ensure the penetration of the beam deep into the skin. The surface of the treated skin area is not disturbed, 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 proteins. These include elastin and collagen. They are responsible for the skin's ability to stretch and contract.
If the amount of structural proteins in the skin decreases, it recovers worse after stretching, becomes flabby and saggy. Wrinkles begin to appear.
Laser beam, which is a directed beam of light:
- 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. At the temperature limit, protein denaturation occurs: it thickens, activating aseptic inflammation, which leads to the start of the recovery process. New fibroblast cells appear and the skin is gradually renewed.
Today, clients of cosmetology clinics have access to laser rejuvenation with a neodymium, erbium, diode or alexandrite laser.
Advantages of the procedure, disadvantages
Indications for non-ablative laser rejuvenation are:
- Photo and chrono-aging of the skin of the face, neck, décolleté, hands;
- Decreased tone;
- Uneven complexion
- Post-acne;
- Scarring;
- Vascular asterisks.
The benefits of non-ablative laser rejuvenation include:
- Sparing impact. The laser leaves no visible damage. Rarely, slight swelling may occur;
- Physiological rejuvenation;
- Fast recovery. The surface of the skin is not disturbed, after the procedure, hyperemia, which disappears within 24 hours;
- The accuracy of the impact. On the laser apparatus, the diameter of the light beam, the pulse power and various operating options are set.
The procedure has its drawbacks:
- More procedures are required relative to the ablative method;
- Mild impact is not able to eliminate deep scars;
- Monthly repetition. It is advisable to carry out a course of 3-6 procedures every 14-30 days. Then the cumulative effect will manifest itself in full and the result will be more noticeable;
- High price.
Non-ablative laser rejuvenation is recommended for people who do not want a rehabilitation period and can afford to do the procedures as a course.
Possible complications
The likelihood 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 personnel and low-quality equipment. The problem is easily solved by checking the reviews of the clinic.
At a personal meeting with a cosmetologist, you should ask a question about the education of a cosmetologist and ask for a certificate for a laser.
It will not be superfluous to clarify 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 drugs. Before the procedure, the doctor is obliged to tell about contraindications.
How does laser non-ablative skin rejuvenation work?
Before setting yourself up for non-ablative laser rejuvenation, please note 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 make sure that there are no contraindications: pregnancy, skin neoplasms, inflammation and infectious diseases, and so on.
Preparing for the session
Before the non-ablative rejuvenation procedure, it is worth stopping the use of alcohol, tetracycline antibiotics, anticoagulants and retinol.
There should be no damage to the treated area of the skin.
A week before going to the doctor, you need to give up aggressive peels, alcohol-containing cosmetics. Immediately before visiting the clinic, you do not need to apply decorative cosmetics, creams and lotions to the treated area.
Technics
The cosmetologist selects the procedure for the procedure, the intensity of the radiation, the treatment area. The client goes through 4 stages:
- Accommodation. The patient lies down on the couch, taking a comfortable position, in which he will spend from 10 to 30 minutes. Hair is removed from the forehead under a disposable cap;
- Facial cleansing. The doctor removes the remains of cosmetics, sebum and other impurities;
- Laser treatment. The beautician in scanning mode processes the required areas;
- To reduce redness, a cream is applied to the treated area, which stimulates the regeneration processes.
Most people experience no pain during non-ablative rejuvenation. For a client with sensitive skin, the doctor will offer a local anesthetic.
Recovery
Slight redness in the treatment area and a feeling of internal warmth. These symptoms go away on their own for 1-2 days.
For the best effect, the first 3-4 days, you need to protect the treated areas from high temperatures: abandon the bath, saunas, solarium for 2 weeks. 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 price of laser non-ablative facial skin rejuvenation is from $ 45 to $ 330. The number of recommended procedures is at least three, the full course will cost the client $ 140-1000.
Neck and hand treatments are cheaper - from $ 28 to $ 125 (these areas usually cost the same). Neckline - from $ 33 to $ 145. The procedure can also be applied to other parts of the body: abdomen, buttocks, thighs, shoulders and arms. A number of clinics offer partial treatment: treatment of the frontal area, nose, facial wrinkles near the eyes.
Many clinics offer a complex: face + décolleté, face plus neck, face + neck + décolleté, etc. Such general anti-aging treatments are cheaper than treating the zones separately.
The cost of the service is set independently by each clinic. A significant drop in prices should be alarming. There is a possibility that the clinic is using low-quality equipment or does not follow the recommendations for replacing consumable parts of the device.
Reviews
On the websites of cosmetology clinics, clients post reviews of non-ablative laser rejuvenation, share their impressions and advice, publish photos "before" and "after".
"I have completed a full course of laser rejuvenation. I'll tell you about the procedure itself, so that beginners know what to expect: the beam heats up. Feels like a light electric shock, it burns a little, but you can endure it. If anyone has done laser hair removal, then here is one in one feeling.
The face after treatment turned slightly red, but you can safely go to work the next day. The effect builds up gradually: the face is visibly smoothed, the skin thickens. After 5 days, my skin peeled slightly, but there was no such thing that peeled off straight. In general, I am happy with how the effect will wear off, I plan to repeat it. "
"The first time I decided on laser non-ablative skin rejuvenation was in 2015. And I was shocked by the effect! The first few hours my face burned, as if scalded with boiling water. Then the impressions were, as from a light tan, no tightening happened. The second time I made up my mind after persistent advertising of my friend. She did it in another clinic and became noticeably younger, by 10 years.
I went for a consultation with a beautician, he explained to me that the first time the power was chosen incorrectly. I told you something about wavelengths, how a neodymium laser works, but I did not understand anything. And the second time I liked everything! So now I also advise everyone. The main thing is to find a competent specialist. "
In most reviews of non-ablative laser rejuvenation, patients note 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.
Before carrying out non-ablative rejuvenation, a consultation with a cosmetologist is required.