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

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

Types of lasers

To achieve health-improving and corrective effects, different types of cosmetological lasers are used - it is advisable to immediately ask the cosmetologist what kind of installation they use 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 aesthetic surgeons.

Existsthese types of laser:

1. Erbium. . . Penetrates shallowly, eliminates the defect with maximum precision. The generated heat energy is quickly dissipated so that nearby tissues are not damaged. The short, rapid pulses, combined with the wavelength and energy density of the emitted wave, need to be balanced. Only then are the side effects of the procedure excluded. With the help of an erbium laser, striae are qualitatively eliminated, a tightening is performed, and peeling is performed.

2. Carbon dioxide. . . It has been used in cosmetology and medicine for almost 40 years. Indications for grinding with this particular type of beam are pigmented spots on the face and body, removal of tattoos, low-quality permanent make-up, removal of scars after operations, trauma, attempts to eliminate acne on their own.

   Carbon dioxide laser (the second name of the unit) is used to perform dermabrasion - a fairly serious cosmetic procedure. In case of improper handling of the device, rash setting of options, it leads to irreversible consequences. The device allows you to direct a high-energy beam dosed, regulate and then control the depth of penetration. In one session, the beautician processes 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 skin condition, if it was previously problematic. The beautician will eliminate enlarged pores, make the surface of the epithelium even. The advantage of the procedure is a low number of relapses and side effects, a short recovery period. Disadvantages - 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 undergo increased stress during the procedure. Allowing the wrong dosage of the laser beam leads to scarring, weakening, or vice versa - an increase in pigmentation.

3. Ruby. . . This beam is used for epilation. Feature - the procedure can be carried out only on light skin. By acting on a tanned or naturally dark skin, you can provoke problems with pigmentation, with an even more serious burden, a burn will occur.
4. Alexandrite. . . Generates a long-range beam that distinguishes it from its ruby counterpart. Processing requires constant external cooling of the tissues. It is used to affect light skin, provided that 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 penetration depth of the beam is no more than 4 mm. The advantage of the procedure is the absence of damage to the natural pigmentation of the body.

Also applyneodymium laser. . . The individual properties of the generated energy flow make it possible to use it for various purposes - from eliminating low-quality permanent make-up to epilation. In addition to affecting the hair follicle and the natural pigment of the skin, the beam affects small blood vessels. They coagulate. Installations of this type are equipped only in specialized clinics; in standard beauty salons, their presence is a rather rare occurrence.

Indications for laser treatment

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

• Acne, the consequences after it are scars, blue spots.
• Wrinkles are typical mimic, pronounced age-related.
• Scars, regardless of their origin, limitation period.
• Sagging facial contours.
• Laxity of the skin, decreased tone.
• Bags under the eyes.
• Hyperpigmentation on the face, body.
• The presence of dark circles under the eyes.
• Low-quality tattoo.
• Enlarged pores.

After the treatment, the skin becomes velvety, smooth, soft and taut. Defects disappear, due to which the face and body acquire an even texture. The duration of one 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 one session is predetermined by the age of the skin problem.

The choice of a beautician and contraindications for the procedure

Laser correction has been used in cosmetology for a long time. And since the introduction of the innovation, experts have established almost all the features 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 aggravates the course of pathological processes that are present in the body on an ongoing basis.

The list of contraindications is replenished every month, since not a single rejuvenating, corrective effect is worth a person's life - she is the priority. The fact that you have chosen the right beautician (and not a salon, medical center) is evidenced by his 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 that the patient suffered from in childhood. Finds out about all medications taken on a regular or periodic basis. What matters is the propensity to develop allergies, what lifestyle the patient leads, whether there has already been an experience of laser correction, to what it has led.

Absolutely all factors matter, and if the beautician simply indifferently signs up for a visit to the procedure, he cannot be called competent.

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

• Low 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 were found on the skin of the face and body.
• Inflammatory processes and extensive skin lesions - psoriasis, dermatosis, herpes infection.
• Precancerous condition.
• There are many moles on the body (more than 100).
• Sunburn naturally (at the beach, for example) leads to the formation of new moles. They are somewhat darker than the already present nevi or do not differ from their shade.
• Oncological tumors of a benign, malignant nature (localization does not matter).
• Diabetes mellitus, regardless of its type.
• Hypertension.
• Chronic renal failure.
• Early postoperative period (weak immunity can cause an unpredictable skin reaction to resurfacing).
• Severe ischemia.
• Phlebeurysm.
• Psychoemotional instability, the presence of severe mental illness.
• The need to take sulfonamides, antibiotics, hormonal agents, fluoroquinolones, as well as medications that enhance the effect of ultraviolet radiation.
• Tendency to activate colloidal scarring.
• Family history of vitiligo.
• Pregnancy, lactation period.

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

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. Increased body temperature.
3. Respiratory infections.
4. Fresh tan.
5. Hypertensive crisis on the day of the planned manipulation.
6. Menstruation.
7. Visiting a chemical (acid) peel in the last 2 weeks. The skin must regenerate, otherwise exposure will lead to burns.

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

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 insure against possible negative outcomes in each subsequent case. Exactly the same treatment for some patients can be a real salvation from scars, acne and wrinkles, while for others it can provoke problems with the body.

All negative outcomes have their root cause - they appear due to the illiteracy of the cosmetologist, the characteristics 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 chose the parameters of exposure to the laser beam incorrectly).
• Crust formation is normal for certain types of laser procedures. But the appearance of a crust, which creates soreness even with mimic activity, is a pathology.
• Itching due to increased skin sensitivity.
• Redness - normally disappears in 2-3 days, subject to systematic treatment with a burn remedy.
• 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 of the treated area. But this happens only in the case of a bacterial infection - when the patient rubs, combs the surface polished 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 for solving the problem. In the overwhelming majority, it is the beneficial properties of a high-precision beam that are described in medical literature. Experiencing psychological discomfort from the realization of external inferiority, thanks to the use of a laser, many people have eliminated aesthetic imperfections and become happy.