Eliminating scars from acne, injury, or surgery is difficult. Such skin imperfections remain for a long time, getting rid of them can be difficult even with the help of a specialist. Laser scar resurfacing is now effective. This technique removes defects quickly and permanently. She has few contraindications, and negative consequences are very rare.
Features
Laser scar removal involves exposing the skin to a beam that removes defective tissue. There are 3 ways to remove a defect:
- Coagulation of blood vessels.
- Laser resurfacing of scars.
- Photothermolysis.
The coagulation method is a fusion of blood vessels into the whole in the thickness of the connective tissue. After the procedure, the skin acquires smoothness and smoothes, its color is restored. Laser resurfacing of scars involves the evaporation of a damaged layer of skin. In the epidermis, the formation of new cells is accelerated.
Along with this, the production of collagen fibers is activated. It is advisable to combine the laser procedure using a filler with hyaluronic acid to smooth the scars. As a result, the place of the skin with the deficiency looks healthy.
Photothermolysis is a method for removing the upper layer of the epidermis, with which the regeneration processes are accelerated. Intensive production of collagen occurs due to the lifting effect, so the skin becomes elastic and taut. If the scars are very deep and appeared long ago, then it is preferable to choose an ablation laser.
To eliminate normotrophic scars with a laser, 2-3 procedures are needed. They are carried out with an interval of a month. To get rid of hypertrophic scars, you need up to 8 sessions, between which there should be breaks of 2 months. At this time, a professional will be able to assess the condition of the skin and the effectiveness of the treatment.
Benefits
Laser resurfacing of scars has the following advantages:
- Removal of serious defects and large scars.
- High efficiency and accuracy.
- There are few contraindications and negative consequences.
- No special care required.
- No harm to healthy skin.
- Elimination of defects on the body, face and in inaccessible places.
- Bloodless intervention.
- The effect is noticeable after 1 procedure.
- The technique is effective for different skin types.
- There is no risk of blood poisoning and secondary inflammation.
The number of procedures is determined by the depth of the scar and its size. This should be determined by a specialist.
disadvantages
Laser resurfacing of the face from scars after acne and injuries has disadvantages. These include:
- Pain effect. Although local anesthesia is used, discomfort is felt during deep grinding. Often even the use of deep anesthesia is practiced, but this is a strong burden on the heart.
- Complex recovery. After laser procedures, you need some skin care, namely the use of creams, ointments and the use of painkillers. This treatment can cause itching, fever, inconvenience when applying makeup. Recovery takes 2-4 weeks.
- There are contraindications. Before performing the procedure, you should consult a specialist, as in some cases grinding cannot be performed.
- High price. A full effect is expected only after completing the entire course.
Although the procedure has flaws, laser resurfacing is effective. With it, synthetic injections are not necessary under the skin.
What lasers are used?
Modern clinics offer sessions with different devices. Often used for this:
- Erbium laser. It affects only the upper layer of the epidermis, so it does not penetrate deeply under the skin. The healing beam of this device becomes inactive when in contact with various types of fluids, including cell, lymph, and blood. The device is used only for surface treatment of shallow scars. The device is used to remove the top layer of scars. If the scar is fresh, then such an apparatus will be effective.
- Carbon dioxide laser. Used for in-depth exposure of connective tissue cells in the rumen. It has a powerful therapeutic effect on the place of the skin that is being processed. The carbon dioxide method is more modern, since even small deviations are detected by adjusted sensors, which will allow for targeted processing.
In both cases, the laser action and the size of the treated area are adjusted by a computer. This will help to obtain accurate results for determining the area of the treated place and the depth of the laser beam.
Indications
Judging by the photo, laser resurfacing of scars allows you to get excellent results. The procedure must be performed when:
- photoaging;
- fuzzy oval of the face;
- uneven skin texture;
- facial and age wrinkles;
- scar and scars;
- seals and large pores on the skin;
- gray complexion;
- stretch marks on the body.
Although this is all indications for the procedure, nevertheless, a specialist consultation is required before execution. He will determine whether it is really necessary to use this method of eliminating the disadvantage.
Contraindications
Laser resurfacing of scars after acne or injuries cannot be performed when:
- exacerbation of skin diseases - psoriasis, herpes;
- malignant tumors;
- bleeding disorders;
- heart and vascular diseases;
- diabetes mellitus;
- acute inflammation and infections;
- epilepsy;
- pregnancy and lactation.
Laser repair should not be performed while taking retinoids and photosensitizing agents. If you take into account contraindications, then you can avoid harm to health.
How is the procedure carried out?
According to reviews, laser resurfacing of scars is an unpleasant and painful process, but this is only true if it is performed in sensitive places, for example, on the face. Therefore, the doctor uses local anesthesia. It is chosen depending on the location of the scar and its size.
If a person has a low threshold of sensitivity, then general anesthesia is used before the procedure. Scar removal is carried out as follows:
- The doctor applies an anesthetic cream or an injection is performed.
- The specialist sets up the device.
- Skin deficiency treatment is performed. During this period, there is a burning sensation, redness.
The procedure lasts 20-40 minutes. Then a calming cream is applied to the defective area. This will restore the water balance of the skin, get rid of the burning sensation, which often lasts 3-5 hours. The pain can be felt for about 2 weeks. It is necessary to take painkillers.
Negative consequences in the form of a change in skin color at the treatment site are possible. To prevent inflammation, you need to take antimicrobial and wound healing products, as well as drugs that improve blood circulation.
On day 2, the treatment site usually acquires a brown shade similar to tan. After 4-6 days, the crust leaves. Peeling and itching lasts 7-10 days. Then the skin on the treated area gains smoothness and evenness.
Cost
What is the price of laser resurfacing on the face, body? The cost depends on the size of the deficiency, its depth. Equally important is the device used and the location of the procedure. Typically, the following rates apply:
- 1 cm 2 - 300 rubles;
- 5 x 5 cm 2 - 5000 rubles;
- 10 x 10 cm 2 - 9000 rubles;
- on the body - 2000 rubles;
- in the eye area - 6000 rubles;
- on the chin - 8000 rubles;
- on the cheekbones - 4000 rubles;
- anesthesia - 500 rubles.
The entire course of treatment, including several procedures, can cost 20-40 thousand rubles. The need to perform such treatment and the number of sessions should be determined by the doctor.
Undesirable effect
After a carbon dioxide laser, spots, burns, and other negative consequences can occur on the skin. And for security, this procedure is considered more reliable. But often, women confuse the negative consequences with an imperfect appearance of the skin immediately after the session - swelling, small wounds and peeling. This all disappears in a week. But it also happens that healing is delayed, and the result is getting worse.
The undesirable effect includes:
- Burns and blisters. Highly intense laser treatment in very sensitive areas can burn the skin. This leads to burns.
- Pigmentation. Rarely, the skin reacts to the procedure unpredictably - in some places it brightens, and somewhere darkens. The reason for this is a pigmentation disorder due to the influence of the laser.
- Suppuration. If after the procedure the care was incorrect, then tissue infection occurs. It is necessary to use special ointments that accelerate healing. You should not scratch or tear off the formed peels, they should fall off themselves.
In order not to get an undesirable effect, you need to find out about the type of laser used, make sure the doctor’s professionalism, and also follow his recommendations. If the temperature has risen, and blisters have appeared on the face, then you must immediately consult a doctor.
Positive results
If the procedure is performed by a professional, and the processing rules are followed, then, most likely, a decent result will be obtained. Positive results include:
- Alignment of scar tissue. The depth of the deficiency decreases, it becomes lighter. Age irregularities and fossae on the cheeks will be eliminated. With acne, 1 procedure is enough to make the results noticeable.
- Wrinkle smoothing. The deeper ones will be less noticeable, while the shallower ones will quickly smooth out. Due to the activation of collagen production, the dermis gains elasticity.
- Improving the condition of the skin. There is a narrowing of the pores, color alignment, the destruction of age spots. The skin gains a healthy glow.
Care
You can make sure how the scars look before and after laser resurfacing using the photo. After this procedure, it is important to observe the following rules:
- You should not go to the solarium or sauna during the week.
- Every day it is necessary to apply creams with moisturizing and nourishing effects on the skin.
- During recovery, do not use cosmetics with alcohol.
- Do not use scrubs and peels.
- Before going out, you need to apply sunscreen.
The treatment course includes several sessions, performed with an interval of 2-4 weeks. The duration of scar treatment is determined by the size and complexity of the deficiency. If the scar is small, its size is not more than 2 cm, then 1 time is enough.
Thus, laser resurfacing of the face from scars or treatment of body areas is an effective procedure for improving the condition of the skin. It is only important that the work is carried out by a specialist, and after that proper care is provided.