Fractional thermolysis: procedure description, indications and effectiveness

Women have always sought to look young and beautiful. Previously veiled hated wrinkles and pimples could only be creams and powder. Then in the arsenal of cosmetologists appeared injections of botox, chemical peeling, mesotherapy, laser resurfacing.

A remarkable alternative to all these methods is fractional thermolysis, which performs rejuvenation and healing of the face, hands, eyelids, neck and other areas at the cellular level. This procedure is almost as effective as surgical braces, but unlike them it is much less traumatic, and after thermolysis, skin cells begin to actively produce collagen and elastin, as in youth, that is, useful changes take place in several layers at once, and not Only in the outer epidermis. This explains the long visual effect of the procedure.

The essence of the method

Fractional thermolysis has other names - photothermolysis, fractal, nanopforration. It was developed in the USA and has been successfully applied since 2004. The essence of the method is that the laser beam is divided into thousands of ultra-thin beams (fractions).

Their microscopic diameter allows them, without injuring the epidermis, to pass through it into the deeper layers of the skin. There the rays, whose energy power is extremely high, evaporate the old, defunct cells of the dermis, collagen, elastin and pigments. At the same time, no more than 30% of the cells are destroyed, therefore the recovery stage after this procedure is very short.

So, after skin treatment with a carbon dioxide laser used in cosmetology for 40 years, rehabilitation can last for 2 months, and after fractional thermolysis it takes a maximum of a week. The remaining intact cells receive an impulse to develop a new, actively working elastin and collagen, which creates a rejuvenating effect.

Types of applied lasers

In everyday life, many people call a thin luminous ray, but in fact it is a device (a quantum generator) that converts various types of energy into a narrowly directed radiation stream.

Fractional thermolysis is performed using erbium and thulium generators. In the first, an yttrium-aluminum garnet crystal is used, into which erbium ions are embedded. The wavelength of the energy flows or rays produced by them is only 1550 nm. In the second installations, an aluminum garnet crystal with thulium ions is used, which create fluxes with a wave of 1920 nm. Erbium rays penetrate the dermis to a depth of maximum 1.4 mm, thulium to 2 mm.

In both cases, they act with high accuracy, affecting only that microscopically small area, which is directly directed. In these places, the cells evaporate almost instantly.

The energy of the rays in the erbium and thulium wave bands is completely absorbed by the water contained in the skin of each person. Due to this, there is no overheating of neighboring tissues, and they remain completely intact.

Types of fractal-effect

Having invented the revolutionary installation "Fraxel", American specialists, developed the methods by which fractional laser thermolysis in cosmetology will be carried out for each specific task. To date, there are devices in which only the erbium or only the tulium rod is used, or two at once. The cosmetologist uses them, depending on the site of treatment and on the skin problem that needs to be solved. Types of laser devices:

• «Fraxel re: store». This is a classic setup using an erbium rod. With its help, stretch marks, traces of acne, hyperpigmentation, bags on the eyelids are best removed.
• "Fraxel re: store DUAL". The device uses both rod, erbium and tulium. It is very effective for smoothing wrinkles, pronounced scars and scars, can be used to get rid of hyperpigmentation.
• «Fraxel re: pair». Here, a tulium rod is used, which ensures deeper penetration of the rays into the dermis. The method helps to correct even very deep wrinkles and traces of acne, vascular dyschromia, remove yawning pores, adjust the degree of fatness of the skin.
• «Fraxel re: fine». In this installation, flows with a wavelength of only 1420 nm are generated. It is advisable to use them to affect particularly delicate areas, such as the skin of the eyelids, mammary glands.

Indications for the procedure

Fractional thermolysis can be carried out to people of any gender who have reached the age of 18 if they have such skin defects:

• Scars and scars;
• Wrinkles of different localization and depth;
• Gaping pores, pronounced striae (stretch marks);
• pigmentation;
• Decreased turgor of the skin (for example, there is no clear line of the face oval);
• Flabbiness of the skin;
• Post-acne.

This technology will remove scarring and other defects in any part of the body, not only on the face or in the decollete.

Fractional thermolysis, contraindications

The procedure can not be carried out for people who have such abnormalities and conditions:

• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• mental disorders;
• epilepsy;
• diabetes;
• Oncology of any localization;
• Skin diseases, localized in places of laser exposure (psoriasis, eczema, dermatosis);
• Problems with thyroid;
• Autoimmune diseases;
• An allergy to the analgesics used during the procedure.

Technology execution

Some women, fearing pain, do not dare to do fractional thermolysis. Feedback from those who passed it, note that there may indeed be a sensation of a slight burning sensation, but no more. Prior to the procedure, the beautician thoroughly cleanses the patient's skin and applies an analgesic cream with lidocaine. Usually they use Emla.

After 10-15 minutes, depending on the individual reaction to lidocaine, the remnants of the cream are removed, and the skin is covered with gel, so that the glide of the apparatus passes without obstruction. The procedure lasts up to 30 minutes, which depends on the size of the treated areas.

Exposure to the skin is carried out using nozzles that have different areas of contact. The cosmetologist performs alternate, light, tangential movements in the horizontal and vertical directions.

For additional anesthesia, chilled air is simultaneously supplied. Some women do not use the Emla cream, which costs 500 rubles. They note that the procedure was painful, but tolerable.

At the end, the face is covered with Bepanten cream to reduce inflammation. To obtain a cooling effect, you can apply the cream "Bepanten plus."

Rehabilitation

Almost every patient who has undergone the procedure of fractional thermolysis, after the end of lidocaine, feels pain on the face, like after a burn. The skin becomes very inflamed, hypertrophied, often swelling of different degrees. Some patients may have fever and general condition worsen. All these symptoms are observed in the first 24-48 hours, therefore it is recommended to carry out thermolysis at the end of the work week for the weekend.

At home, you need to rinse your face with cool water, lubricate with anti-inflammatory cream. Applying decorative cosmetics over inflamed skin is highly undesirable. Approximately on the third day of pain completely pass, swelling subsides, but itching and flaking may occur.

On the fifth-sixth day the skin is fully restored. To some patients the doctor recommends several procedures for fractional thermolysis. You can repeat them at intervals of at least a month.

Correction of eyelids

Eyes play the most important role in the attractiveness of any person. Unfortunately, age, some diseases and a way of life "decorate" the eyelids and the skin around the eyes with all sorts of defects, which is far from being the best way to affect the appearance. To correct these drawbacks, fractional thermolysis of the eyelids is taken. He is capable of:

• Remove "crow's feet" (small wrinkles near the eyes);
• Eliminate or significantly reduce the overhang of the upper eyelids;
• Around the eyes to rejuvenate and strengthen the skin;
• Look open and clear.

Before the procedure, the beautician must put the patient in the eye protective lenses. All other actions are performed in the same way as fractals for other skin areas. The laser is used only with an erbium rod and with a wavelength of maximum 1420 nm. Usually, to achieve a good effect, several procedures are required, which are performed on the eyelids at intervals of one and a half (maybe two) months.

Some useful tips

A fairly safe, but not cheap procedure is fractional thermolysis. The price can vary depending on the price-list of the clinic, the area of the laser exposure site, the purchase price of materials and other. On average, 1 session of thermolysis for face, neck, abdomen, decollete costs 20,000 rubles each zone. Fraksel for eyelids can cost from 12 000 rubles. In each clinic there is a price list for different areas of exposure (the whole face, only the cheeks, only the eyelids, the stomach, hands, buttocks and so on).

Before the procedure, you can not visit the solarium or sunbathe in the open sun, drink alcohol. Six months before the session of the fractal, it is necessary to stop taking retinoids "Isotretinoin", "Roaccutane" and others. Doctors recommend drinking a course of drugs with collagen, hyaluronic acid, as well as antioxidants, to carry out biostimulation procedures for the face.

To keep the effect last longer, after the faction, you should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and visits to the solarium, provide supportive therapy for youthful skin - do massages, use high-quality masks and creams, refrain from smoking and alcohol abuse.

Reviews

The skin of each woman reacts in its own way to fractional laser thermolysis. Feedback on this procedure, in general, good. The main advantage noted by the respondents is a noticeable positive effect. After the fractal skin becomes tender, matte, tightened, elastic. In addition, pigmentation disappears completely, shallow post-acne, scars, fine wrinkles, and the deep ones do not become so conspicuous.

Notable drawbacks of the procedure:

• high price;
• Painful sensations;
• Reddened skin.