A variety of methods are being used to maintain youth. Laser in cosmetology provides a therapeutic and cosmetic effect. Procedures allow you to perform aesthetic procedures in a short time without the risk of various complications that may occur with other methods of exposure. The types of laser and their use are described in the article.
Opportunities
A laser is a single-color light beam converted into thermal energy. It is used in various fields of science, including cosmetology. There are many types and types of this radiation. Each of them has its own effect on biological tissues. Laser in cosmetology is used for:
- restoration of the lost facial contour;
- smoothing small and deep wrinkles;
- lightening age spots;
- removal of unwanted moles and papillomas;
- coagulation of damaged vessels;
- eliminate unnecessary tattoos, keloid scars;
- performing hair removal;
- stimulation of hair follicles and treatment for baldness;
- acne reduction;
- dissolving and removing fat cells.
These problems are eliminated in this way only with the help of specialists. Instead of many other methods, specialists choose a laser in cosmetology. Reviews indicate the effectiveness of the procedure and an excellent result.
Body reaction
Cells of skin, hair, blood, and blood vessels include colored substances called chromophores. They perform the absorption of laser light energy and heating under its influence. In cosmetology, an ablative and non-ablative laser is used, which are divided into many types (colors). An important difference is the depth and strength of the impact.
Ablative performs evaporation of water from tissue cells, and non-ablative performs heating of this tissue. Lasers of various colors act selectively, that is, on a tissue that is susceptible to this spectrum. Other nearby tissues will be intact. For example, a yellow laser is used for soldering blood vessels, coagulation. As a result, the spider vein is eliminated, and the skin will be intact.
The green color of the laser absorbs melanin, which is present in abundance in age spots. Therefore, in the treatment of pigmentation use it. Red color absorbs blood and has a wide effect.
Laser in cosmetology is used to eliminate wrinkles. Such removal can be continuous or fractional. After the second procedure, healthy skin remains, so recovery is faster and easier.
What problems are solved?
In cosmetology, a CO2 laser and an erbium laser have different exposure depths. The second is gentle, therefore, it is in demand among women who want to undergo laser resurfacing or lifting. But often the desired effect is not achieved only due to the surface effect. Depending on the purpose, a CO2 or erbium laser is used in cosmetology. Thanks to these methods, you can get rid of:
- Wrinkles and roughness of the skin. To eliminate deep facial and minor senile wrinkles, complex laser rejuvenation is used. It includes laser resurfacing, lifting or laser-vacuum massage. For this, an aggressive ablation laser is used, for example, an erbium or CO2 laser. In cosmetology, these are the most effective methods.
- Warts and moles. Undesirable formations using a laser beam eliminate better compared to a scalpel.
- The need for a facelift. In plastic surgery, a carbon dioxide laser is often used, which perfectly cuts tissue. The ability to quickly solder blood vessels makes the operation almost bloodless.
- The need to improve skin turgor. Thanks to non-ablative fractional laser exposure, the production of its collagen and elastin in the skin occurs. A feature is the result, which increases every day and lasts for many years.
- Keloid scars. After the first procedure, acne or burn scars will be smoothed out and less noticeable. If the scars are deep, apply a CO2 beam.
- Tattoos. To burn them, a CO2 laser is used in cosmetology, which penetrates deeply into the skin.
- Age spots and freckles. As can be seen from the photo, the laser in cosmetology provides an excellent effect. Manifestations of hyperpigmentation using this procedure can also be eliminated. Melanin, which is abundant in the cells of the epidermis, is destroyed, and the skin will lighten. This will help permanently fix this problem.
- Spider veins and birthmarks. Weak blood vessels are damaged and stellate reticles appear. Eliminate them, as well as birthmarks, will be obtained by a dye laser or yttrium aluminum garnet with an admixture of neodymium. In some cases, semiconductor diode lasers are used.
- Hair removal. For these purposes, various laser beams are used, which are selected based on skin tone and removed vegetation.
- Cellulite or a second chin. The laser is able to dissolve fatty tissues, turning them into fatty acids and glycerol, therefore it is used to eliminate excess weight. A greater cosmetological effect is achieved when combined with physical activity or other methods that ensure the rapid removal of dissolved lipids. Clinics that offer laser lipolysis promise a 2–4 cm removal after the first session. And many positive reviews confirm this.
CO2
According to reviews, a CO2 laser in cosmetology has been used in the medical field for about 40 years. It is also called carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide. The procedure is effective for tumors, severe pigmentation of the skin, elimination of tattoos, scarring skin imperfections after acne. Thanks to the improvement of devices and techniques, the laser is also used in grinding.
The method consists in eliminating the epidermis to the papillary layer. The procedure is usually performed before mechanical and chemical dermabrasion. This is due to the fact that you can strictly dose the exposure depth in 1 pass with a scanner. Another method covers a large area in 1 procedure, has good hemostasis (stopping bleeding), less trauma, and better efficiency.
As can be seen from the photo, the CO2 laser in cosmetology allows you to get excellent results. With it, it will be possible to remove small papillomas, fibromas, keloid scars, and post-acne. The effect of prolonged lifting and narrowing of pores is still ensured. The number of relapses and complications is noticeably smaller, and recovery is faster.
But this method has also disadvantages. Of these, a long (from 2 weeks to 2 months) redness of the face is distinguished, which occurs due to the expansion of the capillary network. The epithelial layer is restored for a long time - at least 15 days. If the dosage of the beam was inaccurate, then scars and pigmentation appear.
Erbium
Such a device does not have the disadvantages that the previous device has. This is confirmed by numerous reviews. Erbium laser in cosmetology has a basis - a crystal of yttrium-aluminum garnet (erbium). The device provides a photomechanical reaction in tissues when thermal energy appears noticeably less than with a carbon dioxide laser.
Such a laser penetrates to a shallower depth, has high accuracy (the main feature), and the released heat energy is lost quickly, so the cells are damaged minimally. As a result, the energy density, wavelength, and pulse duration are balanced, which minimizes side effects. Erbium lasers are more suitable for peeling, removal of stretch marks, lifting.
"Photon"
Laser "Photon" in cosmetology includes erbium and neodymium lasers. Radiation does not act on dyeing melanin, but on the vessels of the hair follicles, which will help to epilate not only dark, but also fair hair. Due to the large penetration depth of the beam (6–8 mm), even hair follicles that are deep under the skin can be eliminated.
These rays destroy the bacterial membrane, provides an anti-inflammatory effect during the treatment of acne. They are used for coagulation of blood vessels in the treatment of rosacea, spider veins. Due to the moderate warm effect, the function of fibroblasts and collagen synthesis in the deep skin layers are stimulated, so the procedure is used to tighten the skin, naturally moisturize, smooth wrinkles. This laser is great for eliminating vascular problems.
Neodymium
Neodymium laser in cosmetology is considered the most common. It penetrates the tissue by 6-8 mm. Due to the individual characteristics of the generated energy flow, it can be used in various directions.
This cosmetology laser perfectly acts on the hair follicle, a natural pigment of the skin. Only small blood vessels are affected by the laser beam. During this period, their coagulation is observed. Due to the ability to effectively coagulate blood-saturated tissues, it is used in cosmetic surgery.
Holmium
This species is considered to be a crystal of yttrium aluminum garnet activated by holmium ions. The depth of radiation into biological tissue is up to 0.4 mm. These properties are similar to a carbon dioxide laser. Due to the 2 micron radiation, it passes perfectly through the optical fiber. This ability will help to use it for convenient delivery of radiation to the area of the operation.
Holmium radiation can coagulate vessels up to 0.5 mm in size. Due to the combination of the physical characteristics of holmium laser radiation, it is used in various fields of medicine.
Other species
In addition to the above types of laser, there are others:
- Ruby. This beam is used to perform hair removal. A feature is the ability to carry out the procedure only on fair skin. If you use radiation on tanned or dark skin, then there is the likelihood of pigmentation problems. And with a strong burden, a burn can occur.
- Alexandrite. A long-distance beam is generated with it, which makes it different from the ruby appearance. During processing, constant external cooling of the tissues is necessary. Used for exposure to fair skin if there is no tan. Hair removal with blond hair can be harmful and ineffective.
- Diode. This type of laser is used to perform effective hair removal. The depth of penetration of the beam is not more than 4 mm. The plus of the procedure is the absence of damage to the natural pigmentation of the body.
The laser, although it is considered effective in solving many problems, still first you need to get expert advice. You must also follow the recommendations of a professional after these sessions, so that recovery occurs faster.
Combination with other procedures
In cosmetology, a face laser is used not only on its own, but also with other rejuvenation agents. This provides the best impact of other anti-aging methods. An excellent effect is expected with laser-vacuum rejuvenation.
All nozzles of the device in the form of a jar are equipped with 2 holes: for pumping out air and a light beam. With the help of a vacuum, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage in problem areas are enhanced, the bottom of wrinkles rises, and therefore the laser acts concentratedly without increasing the radiation power.
The device on which laser-vacuum massage is performed has the name of a barolaser. With it, it will be possible to repeatedly increase the skin turgor, smooth out wrinkles, get rid of cellulite.
In clinics, head massage is performed using a nozzle in the form of a needle roller that emits laser light. At home, a laser comb can be used. This is necessary to effectively combat baldness.
Contraindications
Laser procedures for the face and other parts of the body have contraindications. Therefore, before going to the clinic, you need to visit a doctor to undergo an examination. Laser procedures are prohibited, if any:
- heart disease, pacemaker, high systolic pressure;
- acute inflammation, deep vein thrombosis and hemorrhoids;
- trauma and bleeding;
- cancer;
- asthma;
- violation of the immune system;
- dark skin;
- pregnancy;
- dental implants and plastic prostheses;
- inflammation of the skin, herpes.
When can the procedures be performed?
It is believed that all laser procedures can be performed at any age. This is not entirely true, since stability of the hormonal system is considered important. Therefore, for minor children who are not yet 13-14 years old, laser procedures are prohibited. In some cases, this is possible only with the permission of the attending physician.
It is believed that these procedures give a lesser effect in adolescence than in 17 years. It is advisable to wait than wasting money. But even at a later age, it is better to consult with a specialist in advance.