What is photorejuvenation?
Photorejuvenation is a collective title for various procedures with similar effects.
The main principle of this method is thermal disturbance of collagen in the skin. The result of thermal disturbance of collagen in the skin is activation of healing process and release of substances, which influence regeneration of skin cells. The cell activity is stimulated and new collagen fibres develop. The skin strenght and elasticity improves.
To other effects of photorejuvenation belongs disappearance of pigment stains and tiny veins, filling of small wrinkles and scars and general improvement of skin quality.
Photorejuvenation is a very gentle treatment, that is why it can be combined with chemical peeling, other laser treatments, application of bulotoxin, skin implants and it is possible to undergo it after operational treatments.
Techniques of photorejuvenation
We distinguish two main techniques of photorejuvenation, ablative resurfacing and non-ablative photorejuvenation.
Non-ablative photorejuvenation is a less invasive treatment than ablative resurfacing.
Ablative resurfacing (regeneration of skin surface)
This method uses so called ablative lasers, for ex. Carbon dioxid laser and Erbia laser. These lasers cause gentle evaporation of skin layer, which leads to skin regeneration.
This procedure is used mostly to treat scars after smallpox or acne or to smooth out deeper wrinklesaround eyes and on upper lip.
Non-ablative photorejuvenation (subsurface remodeling of collagen)
It is a gentle warming of dermis with low doses of light energy. The source of energy can be either pulse light, pulse pigment laser or diode laser.
This warming causes stimulation of cells which produce collagen fibres. The process encourages new development of collagen, smooths out little wrinkles and the skin stretches out.
The light energy is partly absorbed in dilated facial veins, it causes their sealing and subsequent disappearance after few weeks.
The non-ablative photorejuvenation can cause improvement of facial pigment stains as well.
Are you a suitable candidate for photorejuvenation?
If you suffer from chappy skin on the face, wrinkles, scars after acne or smallpox or pigment stains, you can be a suitable candidate for photorejuvenation. It is however necessary to have realistic expectations and realize that photorejuvenation does not bring such radical results as treatments of esthetic surgery (ex. face-lift).
Before the treatment
During the first consultation, the doctor is going to talk to you about your ideas and expectations. He shall check the condition and elasticity of your skin.
If your wrinkles are too deep and skin too loose, the doctor can recommend a combination of photorejuvenation with an other type of treatment or a more radical procedure, for ex. face lift, to achieve the bestpossible results.
The doctor will provide you with all instructions concerning the skin care before and after the treatment.
Anesthesia
The treatment is almost painless, but the doctor can use local anesthesia in a form of a anesthetic ointment.
After the treatment
The treatment is very fast. Immediately after the laser treatment, the skin is slightly red and oozes.During this time, it is necessary to provide your skin with a special care, for ex. application of cold compresses from sterile water and ointments.
The complete healing after laser treatment comes after 7 – 14 days.
It is necessary to protect the treated surfaces against sunshine and use cremes with a high UV screen (40 – 120) for minimum 2 months. No other measures are necessary.
That is the result of photorejuvenation?
The results of ablative resurfacing are excellent. Your skin can look 5 – 10 years younger.
If you have undergone non-ablative photorejuvenation, you can count on very good results, improvement of the features of skin surface, disappearance of dilated veins and pigment stains. The impact on deep wrinkles is moderate. Best results has the smoothing out of wrinkles around eyes.
To achieve best results of the non-ablative photorejuvenation, it is necessary to undergo approximately four treatments in a period of minimum 6 weeks. The final result can be assessed in ca 3 monthsafter the end of the treatment.
How long will the result of photorejuvenation last?
Photorejuvenation has long-term results but does not prevent other ageing of skin, development of new dilated veins or pigment stains. After some time, you may feel the need to undergo photorejuvenation for the second time.