Everything You Need to Know About the Halo Laser Treatment
The Halo hybrid fractional laser or halo laser treatment is a revolutionary treatment available at COCO Skin Clinic and we’re proud to be one of only a few select group of aesthetic clinics in Australia offering this procedure. Halo hybrid fractional laser utilises one-of-a-kind technology to get you the results of more aggressive laser without the months of downtime.
The Halo laser works to rebuild the collagen broken down with aging and significantly the texture of the surface of your skin for a smoother, healthier, glowing skin. Halo is a great choice for anyone wanting to reduce the signs of aging, fight years of sun damage and/or repair scarring. Think of it like your ultimate skin makeover, in just one treatment.
So how does it actually work?
It’s uses two laser lights to very precisely treat different layers of the skin. It’s a fractional treatment – meaning only a portion of your skin is treated. This allows the skin to regenerate and repair quickly without the extended downtime of an aggressive full field treatment. It also means that it is safer, with less risk of infection and post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation. With Halo laser, downtime is typically only 5-7 days and you are able to apply medical grade camouflage make up after 48 hours. And yet, results are not compromised – impressive changes are noticeable in as little as 1-week post procedure and skin continues to improve each week thereafter. Patients are impressed by the undeniable ‘Halo glow’ and report that their skin has never looked healthier.
In this article, we will break down what you can expect before, during and after your treatment. Please be advised this healing process example is based on an average Halo Pro treatment – the treatment is very personalised so your downtime may vary.
Before the treatment:
Your appointment will always begin with a consultation, to touch base to see if there have been any changes to general health. Your medical history and suitability for the treatment will be reviewed. Your skin will be cleansed, and pre-treatment photos will be taken using our Clinical Imaging. This system takes detailed photos from multiple angles showing colour, pigment and textural irregularities of the skin. This allows us to clearly compare your before and after treatment photos, with controlled lighting and positions.
We will then apply a specially formulated topical anaesthetic cream to the treatment area. The anaesthetic cream is left on your skin for approximately 45 mins to maximise your comfort during the treatment. During this time, you can relax and watch Netflix or enjoy some quiet time.
During the treatment:
The first stage of treatment involves taking accurate measurements of the treatment area/s using motion tracking technology. These measurements assist in calculating the amount of energy that is required to be delivered in each area. Your skin will be once again cleansed thoroughly pre-treatment. Protective eye shields will be applied to your eyes. Now you are finally ready for your Halo laser treatment. Most people describe the sensation as a ‘warm’ or ‘prickly’ sensation. We use a sophisticated cooling device called Zimmer, which blows cooling air onto your skin during the treatment. Depending on the area being treated, the actual treatment time is approximately 30mins.
Immediately post:
Immediately after the treatment, most people report feeling heat, similar to a bad sunburn. This is usually considered the most uncomfortable part of the procedure and can last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. We can use a combination of cool compress, mineralised water spritz and the Zimmer, our specialised cool air system to increase your comfort level.
Post treatment balm and SPF will be applied to your skin. We will also discuss your aftercare with you and provide you with written instructions. If you have ever experienced cold sores in the past, we will give you antiviral medication to take immediately post treatment. We may also prescribe topical antibiotic cream as prophylaxis if you are prone to acne breakouts.
Post treatment:
Day 1 and 2:
For the first couple of days following Halo Pro laser treatment, you may experience swelling and redness in the treated area. We recommend sleeping propped up a couple of pillows for the first 2 nights as it can minimise swelling. You will be sensitive to heat and may find products tingly when applied to the skin. Wash your face with a mild cleanser such as Aspect Dr Mild Clean and use cold or lukewarm water. We also recommend that you avoid hot showers. Applying a moisturising agent such as Aspect Dr Hyaluronic Serum and Aspect Dr Soothing Balm will help keep the skin hydrated.
Over the course of the two days, some tiny, dark spots will appear on your skin – we refer to these as MENDs (Microscopic Epithelial Necrotic Debris). MENDs are sections of treated skin being removed from the body so it can be replaced by healthy new skin.
Day 3 to 5:
During this time, your skin will be feeling tight and dry – people often describe their skin as feeling like sandpaper during this phase. You may begin to experience slight flaking of the dry skin and see more MENDs appearing in the skin. The redness in your skin will be reducing from this point onwards. You can continue to apply a simple moisturiser or Aspect Dr Soothing Balm to keep your skin hydrated. Some people may experience some breakouts which can be managed with topical antibiotic cream if required.
It is during this time, at day 3 or 4, we recommend that you visit us in clinic for your first post treatment Healite II LED treatment. This is a relaxing 15-minute treatment which helps to speed up recovery time and improve skin rejuvenation. This is included complimentary as part of your post Halo laser treatment post treatment care at COCO Skin Clinic. It’s also an opportunity for us to touch base with you.
Day 6 and 7:
This is when you will see your early results begin to show – you may start to notice a luminosity or glow to your skin, often referred to as the ‘halo glow’. You may be dry and experience mild flaking, but this will soon settle.
On day 7 you will receive a complimentary Epiblading treatment which is a pain-free treatment that uses a medical blade to gently remove any residual dry/old skin to reveal new baby-smooth skin. We also include a complimentary second Healite II LED treatment to further aid in your skin’s recovery and rejuvenation.
2-3 months post:
The improvement in skin’s clarity and the undeniable Halo glow is well and truly evident. A few months after your Halo treatment is when you will be seeing the peak of your Halo laser results. Your skin will appear smoother, brighter, more youthful with a reduction in pigmentation, redness and pore size. The results will continue to improve as your body produces collagen and elastin – the plumping agents of the skin.
One-year post:
At one year post Halo laser treatment, you may choose to undergo the procedure again. While the results of Halo last for many years, each treatment has a cumulative beneficial effect. Yearly maintenance appointments allow us to keep on top of and prevent these signs of aging from emerging. Enjoy youthful, healthy skin with a yearly Halo laser, perth treatment at COCO Skin Clinic.
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