Laser peeling – which of the 6 types of procedures to choose for your skin?

Women pay maximum attention to their face, trying to make the skin smooth, elastic, clean and healthy. Peeling using laser technology helps to achieve this goal in just a few sessions. This is a modern and safe manipulation that provides sustainable results.

What is laser peeling?

The described procedure is the application of microscopic damage to the skin, due to which its tissues regenerate, and the cells begin to actively divide. The laser for the face in cosmetology is one of the most popular activities. Peeling sessions contribute to the renewal of the epidermal layer, stimulate the production of elastin, collagen and hyaluronic acid.

How does the laser work on the skin?

The technique of the manipulation under consideration is based on intense heating and subsequent evaporation of the fluid contained in the cells. Laser peeling causes microscopic burns to the skin. Due to the presence of tissue damage, healing is required, which provokes the formation of new, “young” cells that actively produce collagen fibers and elastin.

The face after laser peeling becomes smoother and more elastic, the oval is tightened. Thanks to the presented procedure, a pronounced skin tightening, smoothing of small wrinkles occurs. Additionally, the course of manipulation helps to get rid of some shortcomings:

• pigmentation;
• scars and scars;
• post-acne.

Laser peeling – pros and cons

The advantages of this cosmetic effect is the rapid achievement of several positive effects:

• lifting;
• disappearance of wrinkles;
• stain removal;
• scar smoothing;
• improvement of skin color;
• increasing the protective properties of the epidermis;
• strengthening local immunity;
• disinfection;
• individual parameter setting (beam penetration depth, intensity);
• minimum rehabilitation period;
• sustainable results that last up to 6-12 months.

The laser for the face also has disadvantages:

• the need to protect the skin from the sun after manipulation;
• noticeable redness and swelling of the epidermis in the affected areas;
• discomfort, sometimes pain, during the procedure;
• risk of severe burns;
• the appearance of a vascular network;
• the formation of multiple atrophic scars (“gauze effect”);
• the appearance of age spots;
• premature aging of the skin;
• infection and bacterial rash.

Most of these problems are observed if laser peeling was performed by a person without appropriate qualifications, or the intensity of the beam was chosen incorrectly. Before starting a therapeutic course, it is important to make sure that the cosmetologist or dermatologist is professional, that the equipment used is in good condition and that there are no contraindications to the procedure.

Types of laser peeling

There are several options for manipulation, which are classified according to 4 criteria:

1. Depth of impact. Superficial laser peeling is the most gentle, it affects only the upper layers of the epidermis. With the median type of procedure, the beam reaches the basal (lower) level. Deep peeling penetrates as far as possible, up to the dermis.
2. processing area. The traditional type of manipulation involves focusing the laser beam in the form of a spot with uniform burning of the surface layer of the epidermis; it is used extremely rarely. Fractional peeling causes point damage without affecting adjacent areas of the skin.
3. Radiation type. Carbon and CO2 lasers are very powerful and can even be used as a scalpel. The erbium version has a less intense effect.
4. Temperature mode. Cold peeling acts only on the deep layers of the skin, leaving the stratum corneum untouched. The hot type of procedure damages all tissue in the beam line.

Laser carbon peeling

The described type of manipulation is designed to combat a wide range of dermatological problems. Laser carbon facial peeling is considered a serious medical procedure because it has a deep effect on the skin (down to the dermal layer) and can cause unwanted and even dangerous side effects. This type of therapy is prescribed for acne, age-related changes, severe pigmentation.

After 2-3 procedures, the effect that such laser peeling produces will already be noticeable – before and after photos show a significant improvement in the shade and oval of the face, the disappearance of dark spots and acne, smoothing the skin relief and increasing its elasticity. Periodic repetition of treatment courses (with a break of several months) ensures the consolidation of the results obtained.

Fractional laser peeling

The active beam of such an apparatus is cut into beams of microscopic thickness. The fractional laser causes point damage to the skin, the total area of ​​burns does not exceed 20-25% of the entire surface of the treated epidermis. Synonyms for the manipulation in question are:

• LAFT-, DOT-therapy (DOT Therapy);
• micro-, nanoperforation;
• fraxel therapy;
• drilling.

Laser fractional peeling is characterized by less trauma when compared with the traditional method (“spot”). It does not damage healthy areas of the skin, so it does not require a long period of rehabilitation, the epidermis heals very quickly. DOT therapy rarely causes complications, infection, or other negative side effects. You can visually evaluate the effect of this technology from the presented photo.

Erbium laser facial peel

The considered type of procedure belongs to the most sparing variations of hardware effects. Erbium laser in cosmetology is used to treat sensitive areas of the skin:

• lips;
• area around the eyes;
• neckline;
• neck.

Erbium laser reaches only the middle and superficial layers of the epidermis, so it does not provoke unwanted side effects and is accompanied by a very short rehabilitation period. In cosmetology practice, it is customary to use combined installations, in which the presented peeling option and another, powerful laser are combined. This helps to get more pronounced results with minimal risk of complications.

CO2 laser peeling

This type of manipulation is one of the variations of the carbon impact. CO2 laser peeling is the most intensive type of procedure that is used to eliminate serious skin defects:

The main disadvantage of CO2 peeling is the high likelihood of burns. The laser beam on such installations penetrates very deeply, reaching the dermal layer. If the specialist incorrectly calculates the intensity and duration of the device, the treatment may result in the formation of atrophic scars, the appearance of the “gauze effect”, hematomas and the vascular network.

Cold laser peeling

The described therapy is a form of fractional skin treatment technology. Non-ablative or cold laser peeling damages only deep areas of the epidermis, without affecting its stratum corneum. When exposed to the beam, a micro-treatment zone is formed in the skin, in which cell renewal is instantly activated, and metabolic processes are accelerated. The cold version of the manipulation refers to gentle methods of exposure, so rehabilitation after the procedure is only 3-5 days.

Hot laser peeling

This type of treatment is also included in the group of fractional microdamages of the epidermis, but it works differently. Hot laser facial peeling involves the use of a powerful carbon apparatus. The beam completely evaporates all layers of the skin at the point of impact, burning out the “column” of soft tissue. Such laser peeling is accompanied by the formation of through microscopic wounds. Due to pinpoint burns, the total area of ​​the epidermis decreases, so it not only regenerates faster, but also noticeably tightens.

Laser peeling – indications

With the help of the presented cosmetic procedure, many skin problems can be solved. Superficial and median peeling helps to get rid of fine wrinkles, small age spots, single scars and scars. These types of manipulations are recommended to eliminate post-acne. Deep laser peeling is used in the treatment of more serious defects:

• pronounced aging of the skin;
• extensive pigmentation;
• large scars;
• deep wrinkles;
• warts and nevi;
• hyperkeratosis;
• follicular cysts.

Laser peeling – contraindications

The considered treatment can be regarded as a form of surgical intervention. Laser skin peeling is accompanied by microscopic burns and damage to the inner layers of the epidermis, which is fraught with infection. On the eve of the procedure, the doctor necessarily assesses the general condition of the person and checks for the absence of contraindications. Laser peeling is not performed in the following cases:

• inflammatory processes in the treatment area, including herpetic rash, exacerbation of psoriasis, eczema and other diseases;
• pustular rash;
• too dark skin;
• pregnancy;
• scleroderma;
• fever;
• lactation;
• systemic lupus erythematosus;
• oncological pathologies;
• tendency to develop keloid and hypertrophic scars, hyperpigmentation;
• vessels close to the surface of the epidermis;
• blood clotting disorders;
• diabetes;
• epilepsy;
• age up to 18 years;
• increased photosensitivity;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system (relapses);
• mental illness;
• immunodeficiencies;
• tuberculosis;
• allergy to drugs for pain relief;
• a history of stroke;
• the presence of a pacemaker;
• fresh skin lesions;
• taking hormonal medications.

Care after laser peeling

During the procedure, the skin will turn very red, and after a few hours it will begin to itch, peel off, and pain will appear. These are normal phenomena that accompany laser facial peeling, they will disappear within 3-5 days, full recovery will take 10-15 days. Proper care involves:

1. Treatment with antiseptics (Miramistin, Chlorhexidine). It is necessary to wipe the epidermis every 2-3 hours during the week.
2. Application of wound healing drugs (Panthenol, Bepanten). The skin is covered with a thin layer of cream or ointment for the first 4-5 days, every 3 hours, immediately after antiseptic treatment.
3. Taking systemic medications (within a week). The dermatologist individually prescribes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, sedatives, herpes remedies.
4. Protecting the skin from adverse effects. Until the epidermis heals, you will have to give up visiting the sauna and bath, pool, solarium, and the use of decorative cosmetics. When going outside, apply a cream with SPF.