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

A laser is a powerful source of light. It has outstanding features and is able to cover long distances with little deviation. Based on the unique properties of the laser beam, laser cosmetology appeared. The course is characterized by the ability to penetrate hard-to-reach areas of the body, control the process of blood circulation, select the most appropriate mode of exposure, adapting the device parameters to the characteristics of the patient's body. The ability to get beautiful skin without cuts and stings attracts many people. Therefore, rejuvenation and other services involving high-energy beam manipulation are preferred over plastic surgery and "beauty injections".

Types of lasers

Different types of cosmetic lasers are used to achieve healing and corrective effects - it is recommended to immediately ask a cosmetologist what kind of installation they use in the office. All variants are united by the absence of consequences in the form of scars, scars, which often occur after the intervention of cosmetic surgeons.

There isthese types of lasers:

1. Erbium. . . It penetrates shallowly, eliminates the defect with maximum precision. The generated heat energy is quickly dissipated so that nearby tissues are not damaged. Short, fast pulses, combined with the wavelength and energy density of the emitted wave, must be balanced. Only then are the side effects of the procedure ruled out. With the help of erbium laser, stretch marks are qualitatively removed, tightening and peeling are performed.

2. Carbon dioxide. . . It has been used in cosmetology and medicine for almost 40 years. Indications for resurfacing this type of air are age spots on the face and body, removal of tattoos, poor quality permanent makeup, removal of scars after surgery, previous injuries, attempts to remove acne on their own.

   A carbon dioxide laser (another name for the unit) is used to perform dermabrasion - a rather serious cosmetic procedure. In case of improper handling of the device, reckless setting of options, this leads to irreversible consequences. The device enables directing of the dosed high-energy beam, regulation and control of the penetration depth. In one session, the beautician treats a large area of skin. Direct indications for the use of a carbon dioxide laser are the need to remove papillomas, colloid 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 enlarged pores, even out the surface of the epithelium. The advantage of the procedure is a small number of recurrences and side effects, a short recovery period. Disadvantages - redness lasts a long time in the treated area (up to 2 months). The phenomenon is associated with the expansion of capillaries - small blood vessels are exposed to 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 bundle is used for epilation. Feature - the procedure can be performed only on fair skin. By acting on tanned or naturally dark skin, you can cause problems with pigmentation, and burns will occur with an even more serious load.
4. Alexandrite. . . It generates a long-range beam that distinguishes it from its ruby counterpart. Continuous external cooling of the tissue is required for processing. It is used for exposure to light skin, provided there is no sunburn. Depilation for a person with blonde 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 not more than 4 mm. The advantage of the procedure is the absence of damage to the body's natural pigmentation.

Also sign upneodymium laser. . . The individual properties of the generated energy flow enable its use for various purposes - from the removal of low-quality permanent make-up to epilation. In addition to affecting the hair follicle and the skin’s natural pigment, the bundle acts on small blood vessels. They coagulate. Installations of this type are equipped only in specialized clinics, in standard beauty salons their presence is quite rare.

Indications for laser treatment

The widespread use of lasers in cosmetology is explained by the diverse spectrum of directions. It will be helpful to contact a beautician and sign up for a procedure for people with such skin problems:

• Acne, the consequences after which are scars, blue spots.
• Wrinkles are typical mimic, pronounced age.
• Scars, regardless of their origin, have a statute of limitations.
• Relaxed facial contours.
• Skin relaxation, reduced 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. The flaws disappear, which is why the face and body get a uniform 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.

Selection of beauticians and contraindications for the procedure

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

The list of contraindications is updated every month, because no rejuvenating, corrective effect is worth a person's life - it is a priority. That you have chosen the right beautician (and not a salon, medical center) is evidenced by his desire to gather as much information as possible about your health. A competent doctor always specifies absolutely all chronic diseases, and takes into account those from which the patient suffered in childhood. Learn about all medications that are taken regularly or periodically. What is important is the tendency to develop allergies, what lifestyle the patient leads, whether there has already been an experience of laser correction, which it has led to.

Absolutely all factors are important, and if a beautician simply indifferently registers for a visit to the procedure, he cannot be called competent.

After identifying at least one contraindication, the doctor will suggest alternative ways to achieve the expected effect or recommend abandoning the idea of using a laser altogether.
A competent physician will never take such procedures after learning that a patient has:

• Low blood clotting (hemophilia, including family history), predisposition to thrombosis.
• Diseases of 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 infections.
• Precancerous condition.
• There are many moles on the body (more than 100).
• Sunburn naturally (on the beach, for example) leads to the creation of new moles. They are slightly darker than the already present nevi or do not differ from their shade.
• Oncological tumors of benign, malignant nature (localization is not important).
• Diabetes mellitus, regardless of its type.
• Hypertension.
• Chronic renal failure.
• Early postoperative period (weak immunity can cause an unpredictable skin reaction to regrowth).
• Severe ischemia.
• Phlebeurism.
• Psychoemotional instability, the presence of severe mental illness.
• The need to take sulfonamides, antibiotics, hormonal agents, fluoroquinolones, as well as drugs that enhance the effects of ultraviolet radiation.
• Tendency to activate colloidal scars.
• Family history of vitiligo.
• Pregnancy, lactation.

The presence of these factors is incompatible with the use of lasers, 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 perform the effect with great energy. The procedure can accelerate the course of oncological processes, translate chronic diseases into an aggravated 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. Occurrence of acne in the affected area, ulcer.
2. Increased body temperature.
3. Respiratory infections.
4. Fresh tan.
5. Hypertensive crisis on the day of the planned manipulation.
6. Menstruation.
7. Visit to chemical (acid) peeling 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 air penetrates the skin, with the power of energy, destroys old cells, eliminates defect areas. If the body goes through 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 that aims to improve the appearance. The procedure is really effective and has already given 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 in others it can cause problems in the body.

All negative outcomes have their basic cause - they occur 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 has wrongly chosen the parameters of exposure to the laser beam).
• Bark formation is normal for certain types of laser procedures. But the appearance of the bark, which creates pain even with mimic activity, is a pathology.
• Itching due to increased skin sensitivity.
• Redness - usually disappears after 2-3 days, subject to systematic treatment with burns.
• Tissue scars. The texture change is the result of incorrect selection of processing parameters.
• Activation of herpes infection is a reaction of the body's immune system to irritants.

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

If there are no obstacles to the procedure, laser treatment of the problem area of the skin will be the best option to solve the problem. In the vast majority, the useful properties of high-precision beams are described in the medical literature. Experiencing psychological discomfort from the realization of external inferiority, thanks to the use of lasers, many people have removed aesthetic imperfections and become happy.