Laser in cosmetology: types of lasers, side effects and complications of laser cosmetology

The laser is a powerful light source. It has extraordinary characteristics and is able to cover long distances with little divergence. Based on the unique properties of the laser beam, laser cosmetology appeared. The steering is distinguished by the ability to get into hard-to-reach areas of the body, control the process of blood circulation, select the most suitable method of exposure, adjust the parameters of the device to the characteristics of thepatient's body. The ability to achieve beautiful skin without cuts or punctures appeals to many people. Therefore, rejuvenation and other services involving manipulation of a high energy beam are preferred over plastic surgeries and "beauty injections".

Types of lasers

To achieve healing and corrective effects, different types of cosmetological lasers are used - it is advisable to immediately ask the cosmetologist what kind of installation he uses in the office. All varieties are united by the absence of consequences in the form of scars, scars, which often occur after the interventions of cosmetic surgeons.

Existthese types of laser:

1. Erbium. . . Penetrates superficially, eliminates the defect with maximum precision. The thermal energy generated is quickly dissipated so that neighboring tissues are not damaged. The short and fast pulses, combined with the wavelength and energy density of the transmitted wave, must be balanced. Only then are side effects of the procedure excluded. With the help of an erbium laser, streaks are qualitatively removed, tightening is performed and peeling is performed.
2. Carbon dioxide. . . It has been used in cosmetology and medicine for almost 40 years. The indications for resurfacing with this particular type of beam are age spots of the face and body, removal of tattoos, poor quality permanent makeup, removal of scars after operations, past injuries, attemptedelimination of acne by themselves.

   Carbon dioxide laser (the second name of the unit) is used to perform dermabrasion - a fairly serious cosmetic procedure. In the event of improper handling of the device or thoughtless setting of the options, this leads to irreversible consequences. The device makes it possible to direct a metered high energy beam, to regulate and then control the depth of penetration. In one session, the beautician treats a large area of the skin. Direct indications for the use of carbon dioxide laser are the need to remove papillomas, colloidal scars and the effects of acne. The patient will be able to normalize the condition of the skin, if it was previously problematic. The beautician will remove the enlarged pores, even out the surface of the epithelium. The advantage of the procedure is a low number of relapses and side effects, a short recovery period. Disadvantages - the redness lasts for a long time on the treatment area (up to 2 months). The phenomenon is associated with the expansion of capillaries - small blood vessels experience increased stress during the procedure. Allowing the wrong dosage of the laser beam leads to scarring, weakening or vice versa - increased pigmentation.

3. Ruby. . . This beam is used for hair removal. Feature - the procedure can be performed only on fair skin. By acting on tanned or naturally dark skin, you can cause pigmentation problems, with an even more serious load, a burn will occur.
4. Alexandrite. . . Generates a long-range beam that sets it apart from its ruby counterpart. The treatment requires constant external cooling of the tissues. It is used for exposure to fair skin, provided there is no sunburn. Hair removal for a person with blond hair is ineffective and even harmful.
5. Diode. . . This type of laser is used for one of the most effective types of hair removal. The depth of penetration of the beam does not exceed 4 mm. The advantage of the procedure is the absence of damage to the body's natural pigmentation.

Also applyneodymium laser. . . The individual properties of the generated energy flow allow it to be used for various purposes - from removing poor-quality permanent makeup to hair removal. In addition to affecting the hair follicle and the skin's natural pigment, the bundle affects small blood vessels. They coagulate. Facilities of this type are only equipped in specialized clinics; in standard beauty salons their presence is rather rare.

Indications for laser treatment

The widespread use of laser in cosmetology is explained by the versatile spectrum of management. It will be useful to contact a beautician and register for the procedure for people with such skin problems:

• Acne, the consequences after it are scars, blue spots.
• Wrinkles are typical, pronounced facial expressions associated with age.
• Scars, whatever their origin, limitation period.
• Sagging of the contours of the face.
• Laxity of the skin, decreased tone.
• Pockets under the eyes.
• Hyperpigmentation on the face, body.
• The presence of dark circles under the eyes.
• Poor quality tattoo.
• Pores.

After the treatment, the skin becomes velvety, smooth, soft and tight. Defects disappear, thanks to which the face and body acquire a uniform texture. The length of a procedure depends on the type of laser treatment, the patient's expectations, the amount of work to be done, and the degree of neglect of the existing defect. Sometimes the duration of a session is predetermined by the age of the skin problem.

The choice of a beautician and the contraindications to the procedure

Laser correction has long been used in cosmetology. And since the introduction of innovation, experts have established almost all the characteristics of the body, in the presence of which it is better to refuse the procedure. The limitation is explained by the fact that exposure to a high energy beam worsens the course of pathological processes that are present in the body continuously.

The list of contraindications is renewed every month, because no rejuvenating and corrective effect is worth a person's life - it is the priority. The fact that you have chosen the right beautician (and not a salon, a medical center) is evidenced by her desire to collect as much information as possible about your health. A competent doctor always specifies absolutely all chronic diseases, and also takes into account those from which the patient suffered in childhood. Find out about any medications you take on a regular or periodic basis. What matters is the propensity to develop allergies, the lifestyle of the patient, if there has ever been an experience of laser correction, what did it lead to.

Absolutely all factors matter, and if a beautician simply indifferently registers for a visit to the procedure, then she cannot be called competent.

Having identified at least one contraindication, the doctor will suggest alternative ways to achieve the expected effect or recommend to completely abandon the idea of using a laser.
A competent physician will never undertake such procedures after learning that a patient has:

• Poor blood clotting (hemophilia, including a family history), a predisposition to thrombosis.
• Diseases of an autoimmune nature - rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Inflammatory elements of unknown origin have been found on the skin of the face and body.
• Inflammatory processes and extensive skin lesions - psoriasis, dermatosis, herpes infection.
• Precancerous condition.
• There are a lot of moles on the body (over 100).
• Sunburns naturally (at the beach for example) lead to the formation of new moles. They are a little darker than the nevi already present or do not differ in their shade.
• Oncological tumors of a benign and malignant nature (location does not matter).
• Diabetes mellitus, whatever its type.
• Hypertension.
• Chronic renal failure.
• Early postoperative period (weak immunity can cause an unpredictable skin reaction to resurfacing).
• Severe ischemia.
• Phlebeurism.
• Psycho-emotional instability, presence of serious mental illness.
• The need to take sulfonamides, antibiotics, hormonal agents, fluoroquinolones, as well as drugs that enhance the effect of ultraviolet rays.
• Tendency to activate colloidal scars.
• Family history of vitiligo.
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding period.

The presence of these factors is incompatible with the use of a laser, and all of these conditions are united by a common concept - absolute contraindications. If the beautician finds out their presence, in no case should it be possible to achieve the effect with high energy. The procedure can accelerate the course of oncological processes, transfer chronic diseases to an aggravating phase and make moles a malignant tumor.

But there are several relative contraindications - most of them are temporary, and the cosmetologist only postpones the procedure to another date. These phenomena include:

1. The appearance on the affected area of acne, a boil.
2. Increase in body temperature.
3. Respiratory infections.
4. Fresh tan.
5. Hypertensive crisis on the day of the planned manipulation.
6. Menstruation.
7. Visit a chemical (acid) peel in the past 2 weeks. The skin must regenerate, otherwise exposure will cause burns.

It is impossible to characterize laser treatment as a harmless procedure. The ray penetrates the skin, by the power of energy, destroys old cells, eliminates areas of defects. If the body undergoes peculiarities, pathologies, and is subject to an inadequate response to ultraviolet light, the beautician should be notified.

Side effects of laser exposure

The laser beam is an invention aimed at improving the state of appearance. The procedure is really effective and has already provided obvious positive effects to many people. But even these statistics cannot guarantee against possible negative results in each subsequent case. Exactly the same treatment for some patients can be a real salvation against scars, acne and wrinkles, while for others it can cause problems with the body.

All negative results have their root cause - they appear due to the illiteracy of the cosmetologist, features of the patient's immunity, unwillingness to take care of the already treated skin surface. The laser beam can cause the following side effects:

• Burn (when the cosmetologist incorrectly chose the parameters of exposure to the laser beam).
• Scabbing is normal for some types of laser procedures. But the appearance of a crust, which creates pain even with mimic activity, is a pathology.
• Itching due to increased sensitivity of the skin.
• Redness - normally disappears after 2-3 days, subject to systematic treatment with a remedy for burns.
• Scarring of the tissue. The change in texture is the result of incorrect selection of processing parameters.
• Activation of herpes infection is the reaction of the body's immune system to an irritant.

Also, side effects include edema and the development of suppuration in the treated area. But this only happens in the case of a bacterial infection - when the patient rubs, combs the polished surface with a laser.

If there are no obstacles to the procedure, laser treatment of the problematic area of the skin will be the best option to resolve the problem. Overwhelmingly, it is the beneficial properties of a high precision beam that are described in the medical literature. Experiencing psychological discomfort from achieving external inferiority, through the use of a laser, many people eliminated cosmetic imperfections and became happy.