Fractional laser therapy sessions have become popular in the world of cosmetology as one of the solutions to common skin problems. The following article will teach you about the advantages of fractional laser and its negative effects.
In a non-surgical cosmetic procedure known as fractional laser skin resurfacing, focused beams of fractional laser are shone into the skin's lower layers in order to speed the growth of new, healthy tissues by promoting the body's natural healing response to damaged tissues in the treatment area.
Fractional laser can be used on the face, neck, chest, arms and hands, and this type of treatment produces satisfactory and long-term results. Discover more about the numerous advantages of fractional laser by reading the following:
Benefits of fractional laser
When talking about the benefits of the fractional laser, it is necessary to understand its mechanism of action, represented by delivering a beam of laser divided into thousands of small and deep treatment columns to the epidermis and dermis layer of the skin .
During this process, the old pigment cells of the skin are expelled, collagen is remodeled, and new collagen is formed in response to the penetration of laser rays into the dermis. In order to treat the damaged area intensively while leaving the surrounding tissues unaffected and intact, this is how it is described.
This partial treatment results in a faster tissue healing process than if all tissues in the treatment area were exposed to laser. The following are some advantages of fractional laser:
- removing stretch marks and the fine lines and wrinkles they cause.
- minimising the harm and pigmentation brought on by excessive sun exposure.
- removing surgical and other scars from acne.
- enhance the firmness, texture, and youthful appearance of the skin.
- Get rid of age-related pigmentation and unify skin tone.
- Treatment of precancerous skin lesions.
- treatment for disorders of pigmentation, including melasma.
How to get the benefits of fractional laser
Following up on the discussion of the advantages of fractional laser therapy, the following advice is provided for preparation both before and after the treatment session in order to get the most out of it:
1. Pre-session instructions for fractional laser therapy
Before beginning a fractional laser session, follow these instructions:
- For four weeks prior to the treatment, refrain from tanning or excessive sun exposure, and make sure to apply sunscreen every day.
- For at least three days prior to the session, refrain from using medications that increase sensitivity to the sun, such as some antibiotics.
- Tell your health care provider if you have a history of herpes, such as: cold sores in the mouth or in the treatment area. Before beginning the fractional laser session, he or she might advise you to start taking antiviral medication.
- Before the session, eat and drink enough to avoid becoming dehydrated.
- At least one week prior to the fractional laser treatment, stop using any products that contain retinoids.
- To ensure you are as prepared as possible, discuss with your provider the skin care products and medications you use before your treatment, as well as the products and supplies you will need after treatment.
2. Post-fractional laser session instructions
After a fractional laser session, follow these instructions:
- To keep skin moisturised and avoid dry skin, use a mild moisturiser.
- After the session, use ice bags to lessen the sensation of heat.
- In the days following the fractional laser treatment session, make sure the skin is clean, moisturised, and using gentle products that won't irritate or clog the skin.
- When the skin starts to peel, don't rub it or pull it off; instead, let it heal.
- To avoid irritation, keep clothing as far away as possible from the treated areas.
- Avoid as much as you can activities that cause external skin irritations, such as smoking, binge drinking, strenuous exercise that causes excessive perspiration, swimming, and exposure to the sun and heat.
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that offers broad spectrum protection.
Fractional laser side effects
After learning about the advantages of fractional laser, it is necessary to discuss some of the complications and side effects that may arise from it, even though some studies have shown that these effects are transient and do not result in any long-term complications, like scarring. These complications and side effects include:
- The provider might advise taking an antibiotic before and after the appointment if you have acne or another type of bacterial infection.
- mouth-area cold sores that flare up again.
- Hyperpigmentation is a rare occurrence that causes the treated area to darken in colour.
- the development of milia, or small, white bumps that can be removed by gently wiping with a cloth, during the healing process.
- Some people have persistent redness that takes longer to go away completely.
- Swelling of the treated area.