What is Halo Hybrid Fractional Laser? Things You Should Know

By Dr Jane Lucas | July 5, 2024 | Treatments

What is Halo Hybrid Fractional Laser?

Halo Hybrid Fractional Laser is a fractionated dual laser with both ablative and non-ablative components. It’s the world’s first and most advanced hybrid fractional laser. To better appreciate what the Halo Laser does, it is important to understand what hybrid fractional laser actually means.

What is Halo Hybrid Fractional Laser?

Hybrid:

The Halo Laser is referred to as hybrid because it utilises two different types of lasers at the same time during the treatment. The first is an Erbium (2940nm) ablative laser. Which is capable of causing controlled vaporisation of microscopic sections of skin allowing for complete regeneration.

The second is non-ablative Diode (1470nm). It works by heating the deeper layers of the skin, causing a wound healing reaction and the stimulation of collagen.

Fractional Laser:

Traditional ablative lasers treat the entire surface of the skin; this is a painful process with very long downtime. Halo Laser is fractional meaning it only treats, or ablates, a certain percentage of the skin. This allows for reduced downtime, much faster healing time and decreased complications whilst not compromising on the results.

Together these two features allow for the Halo Laser to create results similar to that of a fully ablative laser whilst benefiting from the faster healing process associated with non-ablative treatments.

Results that patients commonly experience include:

  • Significant textural changes – including reduction in fine lines and wrinkles and smoothing of scarring.
  • Reduction in pore size
  • Even skin tone – significant reduction in discolouration and pigmentation
  • The “Halo Glow” – a healthy, youthful glow

What is Fraxel?

Fraxel is also a fractionated laser and depending on the provider you visit and the machine they stock, it may be ablative or non-ablative.

Fraxel Dual is a 1550nm wavelength laser paired with a 1927nm. Both of these wavelengths are non-ablative. This means multiple treatments would be required to gain similar results to that of a single fractional ablative laser session. The standard Fraxel works only with fractionated ablative laser. It means it is missing the benefits you can gain from the deeper penetration of a non-ablative laser.

What is the difference between them?

Fraxel is the old school method; it is still capable of achieving results, but it is no longer the most effective. The hybrid technology of Halo Laser has superseded it. The company first released Fraxel in the early 2000s, and technology has come a long way since then. Halo Laser utilises more up-to-date research and technology to create superior outcomes. Researchers have continuously refined Halo Laser’s protocols over the last 5 years.

Fraxel works on a standard ‘8 pass technique’ for every patient, meaning the practitioner treats each area of the face 8 times. Practitioners customise every Halo Laser treatment to the individual patient. They begin by taking precise measurements of the individual’s face using precise motion-tracking technology, which allows the machine to calculate the amount of energy that needs to be delivered and therefore the number of passes. The Halo Laser design allows practitioners to highly customise the treatment to suit the needs and concerns of each individual.

Patients find Fraxel more uncomfortable and less tolerable. Practitioners need to perform multiple Fraxel treatments to achieve comparable Halo Laser results. On average, patients take 7-9 days to heal from a Fraxel treatment, whereas the social downtime from a Halo Laser treatment is 5-7 days.

In summary, practitioners find that Halo Laser treatment is more customisable, more comfortable, and more effective with less downtime than the traditional Fraxel treatment. If you’d like to book a session with it, book online here.

Leave a Comment

Join COCO Club

Sign up to receive the latest news and exclusive COCO Club offers.