Hybrid Fractional Laser Technology
The HALO® laser by Sciton is the first and only tunable hybrid fractional laser on the market that uses both ablative and non-ablative wavelengths in one application. HALO® treats both epidermal and deeper dermal pigmentation, sun damage, acne scarring, skin tone and texture to even out the skin’s complexion and increase reflectivity and glow.
This provides the ability to customize the treatment based on each patient’s needs for improvement in discoloration, surface texture, pore size and fine lines.
How the Halo® Laser Works
HALO® delivers both ablative and non-ablative wavelengths simultaneously, which treats the damage you can and cannot see at the same time.
Ablative Wavelength:
The target is the top layer of the skin, or the epidermis, to treat textural issues and pore size
Non-Ablative Wavelength:
The target is the deeper layer of the skin, or the dermis, to treat deeper sun damage and pigment, and stimulate collagen production
The laser beam is divided into a fractionated pattern, which means that only a fraction of the skin’s surface is treated at a time. This is often compared to a hole puncher on a piece of printer paper, and your provider can adjust the settings to dictate the density and depth. This allows for quicker healing and less downtime compared to full-field resurfacing lasers (100% of the skin surface treated).
This procedure treats sun damage and pigment, poor skin tone, surface texture, scarring, enlarged pores and fine lines. However, in order to treat deeper lines and wrinkles, we must pull in the TRL (Tunable Resurfacing Laser) by Sciton to be added only to areas of concern, most often around the eyes and mouth. The HALO® laser alone will not erase fine lines or wrinkles, so the combination of TRL + HALO® is a very popular treatment to get the benefits of both procedures. As this is a full-field ablative laser, there is more downtime with the addition of TRL.
Your provider can customize a treatment plan to meet your biggest skin concerns and lifestyle needs in regard to downtime. This is typically a once-a-year corrective treatment, but can also be a treatment series in special cases with lower-intensity treatments. The HALO® laser is a perfect long-term skin maintenance plan.
What To Expect During Your HALO® Laser Treatment
A topical numbing cream is applied to the treatment area 60 minutes before your procedure. Our team will give you safety shields or glasses to wear during the procedure to protect your eyes. The procedure itself usually takes about 40-60 minutes, depending on the treatment area and depth.
Patients should feel a gentle warmth, with minimal discomfort. The energy and heat are slowly built, as the HALO® laser’s handpiece gently rolls across the skin. We also use cool air and saline gauze for additional comfort.
Immediately after the treatment, you will continue to feel warm for about an hour.
After Your HALO® Laser Treatment
For the first few hours after the treatment, you will experience warmth in the treatment area. Ice and cool air help to relieve this discomfort. Redness, a sunburn-like sensation or sensitivity, dryness and edema (swelling) are expected post-procedure. Redness usually fades over 1-2 weeks but could last up to 3 months or more in some individuals.
The first morning is when the swelling is most prevalent, especially around the eyes. MENDs (microscopic epidermal necrotic debris) will appear on days 3-4 post-treatment as tiny dark spots and have a bronzed appearance to the skin. MENDs are a normal part of the healing process, as fresh skin regenerates at the treatment site. During this time, your skin will be very dry and feel like sandpaper. Avoid picking or rubbing your skin, as this could result in scarring, delayed healing and infection.
Keep the area very clean and apply Aquaphor® generously. The best healing happens with a wet wound, not a dry scab. We will provide a post-treatment skin care kit. This contains safe products that will not cause irritation and will also aid in healing. Proper SPF and sun protection is essential during recovery. This new skin is vulnerable and should be protected!
Post-Op Care Instructions
For a smooth recovery, make sure to read our post-op care guide. If you have any questions regarding the HALO® laser by Sciton, call our office and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.
Halo Results
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Chris W. Robb, MD, PhD
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Rebecca Gelber, MD
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Rebecca Gelber, MD
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AesthetiCare MedSpa
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James Namnoum, MD
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Rebecca Gelber, MD