Halo Treatment by Sciton

Did you know that 72% of women over 35 confirmed that their skin’s appearance impacted their confidence? Wrinkles and dry skin were two of the most common complaints of this group of nearly 2,000 women. 

Have you heard of the Halo treatment? If you are familiar with visiting a dermatologist clinic for rejuvenating skin care measures, you must check out this newest laser skin treatment. 

It can help eliminate blemishes, wrinkles, fine lines, and more. Luckily, we have put together a complete guide that will go over this innovative skin care technology and why it should be your next dermatology treatment, so keep reading for more information!

Common Aging Signs

One of the main reasons patients seek treatments is for aging skin. The most common complaints and effects of the natural aging process include:

• Fine lines
• Wrinkles
• Skin laxity
• Thinning skin
• Sagging skin
• Changes in texture
• Dry skin

Collagen and elastin amounts decrease with age, which results in many of the problems noted above. Excessive sun exposure, skin type, and even gravity can all contribute to aging skin. 

Halo Treatment 101

What is the Halo treatment? Halo by Sciton is a skin resurfacing technique that uses a laser to help rebuild surface layer skin cells. The benefit of using the Halo laser are:

• Reduce acne scars
• Reduce hyperpigmentation
• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Improve the appearance of sagging skin
• Shrink pores

You may also hear it called Halo Fractional Laser, but the term means the same. The technologically advanced hybrid fractional laser is one of the first in its class and can treat multiple skin layers for better and longer-lasting results. 

How Does the Halo Laser Work?

The Halo laser incorporates dual ablative and nonablative wavelengths using a handheld device gently rolled over the skin. As the wand moves, it targets deep and superficial skin layers for a better synergistic approach than other laser treatments. 

Non-ablative wavelengths run between 250 to 700 microns and target your epidermis and papillary dermis skin layers. At this depth, you may have noticeable skin issues such as:

• Large pores
• Sagging skin
• Wrinkles
• Age spots
• Hyperpigmentation

Ablative wavelengths are between 20 to 100 microns, and their primary job is exactly as the name sounds – it resurfaces or ablates the skin’s surface. It mainly targets the most superficial layer of your skin, the epidermis. Ablative wavelengths help remove dead skin cells and tissue while kickstarting your body’s natural collagen and healing process. 

Most lasers use one or the other, but the Halo laser combines the process for faster results with less downtime and targeting broader skin conditions. In studies that looked at hybrid fractional lasers, 80% of participants noted significant skin improvements, and 100% were satisfied with the treatment.  

Is There Any Downtime?

The reason so many people love the Halo treatment is its minimal downtime. You should avoid applying makeup or any harsh skin products for the next 24 hours. If you have had skin lasering in the past, you are likely more familiar with the aftercare process. 

For example, if you received CO2 lasering at Kirsch Dermatology, our experts recommend limiting sun exposure and skin product irritants for several days. You may experience itchiness, redness, or dryness. 

With CO2 lasering, downtime is anywhere from four days to two weeks. With the Halo laser, you should notice a faster healing time, although you may still experience skin peeling for a few days as the damaged cells strip away. 

Do You Need More Than One Session?

After a few days, you will start noticing results. Once the old skin layers peel away, you will see new skin beneath that will be more sensitive to UV rays and facial products. As the weeks pass, these results should continue improving since it takes time for skin cells to regenerate. 

Call the clinic after your skin has healed for touch-up sessions if you are still unsatisfied with your results. Most patients notice positive results in one to two sessions. Compared to other fractional lasers, treatments usually take a minimum of three sessions for severe skin issues. 

Are Halo Treatments Painful? 

Dermatologists manage laser resurfacing pain with topical numbing agents. You won’t need any nerve blocks or sedatives during the procedure. Most of these numbing agents are similar to lidocaine that can help keep you comfortable throughout the session without adverse effects. 

Where Can You Use Halo Treatments?

Halo treatments are unique treatments since they can be used anywhere. Popular Halo treatment regions include:

• Neck
• Chest
• Hands
• Arms
• Legs
• Face

While it is primarily thought of as a facial treatment, it should be better known as a skin rejuvenation treatment. It actively treats aging signs anywhere on your body. It can help minimize scarring from previous surgeries, decrease sun damage spots on hands, and help with hyperpigmentation. 

Are Halo Treatments Safe for All Skin Types?

In short – Halo by Sciton is safe for Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI. The Fitzpatrick skin type rankings help determine safe treatments for your skin type and skin cancer risks. 

To simplify this system, type I is a person with very pale skin and green or blue eyes. They burn very easily and may not ever tan.

On the other end of the spectrum, type VI is a person with dark or black skin that doesn’t burn and only tans. Types I and II are at the highest risk for aging signs and skin cancer, making them ideal candidates for sun damage treatments through Halo lasering. 

Many skin resurfacing techniques such as chemical peels are not commonly used with people who have type IV, V, or VI skin types. Why?

These skin types pose higher risks for skin discoloration or scarring after treatments. Only certain treatments may be used with these individuals, making the Halo laser a broader and, most importantly, safer treatment for everyone. 

Advanced Dermatology Technology

The Halo laser helps map skin resurfacing for the utmost precision through proprietary skin mapping. Using a measuring software, the Halo helps accurately map heat delivery for more thorough results. 

As practitioners move the handpiece, it uses an optical navigation system that measures the speed at which the wand moves across the skin. The benefit of optical navigation is Halo delivers even pulses and provides velocity feedback. 

It eliminates human error and provides even laser delivery to every patient. Halo by Sciton offers more customization with three beam sizes:

• 4mm
• 7mm
• 15mm

You can position it left or right for better control over edges and scarring. As the wand moves over the skin, Dynamic Thermal Optimization adjusts the pulse power based on the patient’s skin temperature. It helps precision, comfortability, and consistency. 

How Does Ablative Technology Help Create New Skin? 

Dermatology treatments such as CO2 lasering, Halo lasering, and microneedling help stimulate collagen growth. And they all share one common characteristic – damaging surface skin layers to boost collagen production. 

Laser skin resurfacing removes layers of the epidermis and sometimes the outer dermis layer. This ‘damage’ removes old cells and stimulates your body’s natural healing process. With old cells out of the way and small injuries created, your body will flood the area with nutrients, blood, and, most importantly, collagen. 

In the long run, it creates new skin cells that are healthier and give you the appearance of younger-looking skin. 

Are Non-Ablative Wavelengths Helpful?

Now that you have read some of the benefits of ablative wavelengths, you may wonder if non-ablative wavelengths are worthwhile. Nonablative wavelengths use lasers without causing surface layer injuries. 

They also come in two different types (similar to ablative technology), including:

• Fractional
• Non-fractional

Non-ablative lasers cause thermal injury to tissue. It typically bypasses the epidermis and targets deeper skin layers. If you remember, the dermis is what causes more substantial signs of aging, such as wrinkles, age spots, hyperpigmentation, and more. 

During the process, the laser generates heat as it moves over the skin’s surface, causing less downtime and visible injury. Non-ablative lasers are an ideal treatment for combating signs of aging or improving skin tone. It has less downtime than ablative lasering and will also stimulate collagen growth. 

Ablative technology targets more superficial wrinkles, severe scarring, and hyperpigmentation. When combined, these treatments offer more substantial skin changes. 

Start Your Anti-Aging Treatments Today

If you’ve noticed sagging skin, an increase in acne scars, or sun damage spots, you want a treatment that is safe, effective and has long-term results. Traditional ablative lasering is effective at helping boost collagen production and give you back that healthy, youthful glow. 

The downside is that they can take many treatments and sometimes fail to target deeper skin layers. The Halo treatment combines the best of both worlds in a newly redesigned hybrid fractional laser. 

Kirsch Dermatology has skilled practitioners that can help you get started with treatments, so contact us today and request an appointment!

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Brandon Kirsch, MD

Brandon Kirsch, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in clinical drug development and medical innovation. He is the founder of Kirsch Dermatology in Naples, Florida and is also the Chief of Dermatology at the Naples Community Hospital.