As we age, we start to notice our skin changing bit by bit. This may appear in the form of fine lines, dark spots, wrinkles, and overall sagginess. This change is completely natural and is all part of the aging process. And of course, factors like genetics, lifestyle, and sun exposure can all contribute to quicker aging, but that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do about it! Aside from using creams, serums, and the like, there are plenty of non-invasive, gentle skin treatments that you can look into. Today, we're going to talk about the Halo skin treatment and what you should expect.
What is a Halo Skin Treatment?
The Halo skin treatment is a Hybrid Fractional Laser (HFL) that delivers ablative and non-ablative wavelengths. What this means is that the non-ablative lasers will heat up the underlying skin tissue without doing harm to the actual surface of the skin. An ablative only laser treatment will remove the top layer of the skin, making it a much more intense treatment. In short, it's the best of both worlds! A Halo skin treatments basically targets a certain area of the skin to abolish fine lines, dark spots, imperfections, and scars but without the scarring or downtime of a regular laser.
As opossed to a regular laser treatment (which requires something like 6 treatments), with a Halo skin treatment, you only need about two sessions. The ablative laser (the one that goes underneath the skin), works to get rid of stubborn wrinkles and give long-lasting anti-aging results. The non-ablative laser works on top of the skin to remove dark spots, imperfections, and improve skin texture. So now that we have a better understanding of what is a Halo skin treatment, let's take a look at what it actually does to improve your skin.
The Benefits of a Halo Skin Treatment
The Halo skin treatment is a great option for anyone with skin concerns, so long as you don't have any breakouts. The Halo treatment is not recommended for anyone with current breakouts as it can do further damage. It IS a great treatment for those with sun spots, age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. Here are some benefits of the Halo treatment that you can expect:
- Help to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crows feet.
- Fades away scars.
- Minimizes enlarged pores.
- Fades away sun spots, age spots, and dark spots.
- Corrects uneven skin tone.
- Smooths skin to reveal a softer, more glowing complexion.
- Corrects discoloration and improves skin texture.
- Helps with sagginess and tightens skin.
What You Should Expect From a Halo Treatment
Prep:
If you feel like the Halo skin treatment may be for you, here's what you should expect from a session! First, your dermatologist may give you a prescription for a numbing cream, or they may just apply it themselves when you get to your appointment. The numbing cream should be applied an hour before the procedure, and this is to help with the pain. Don't worry thought – it's totally tolerable, and the numbing cream helps a lot!
How Long Does a Halo Treatment Last?
Typically, a halo treatment will last between 45 minutes to 1 hour, plus the 1 hour before for the numbing cream. If your dermatologist is applying the numbing cream, expect to be in there for about 2 hours.
The Treatment:
The treatment has been described as tolerable, but it can also feel extremely hot and as if sandpaper is being dragged across the skin. Not a good feeling, but this is perfectly normal, and the results are pretty impressive. The treatment starts off with your dermatologist running the laser across your skin, starting off on small sections and continuing throughout. You will also be wearing protective eye gear, as to not damage the eyes. At first, you'll feel a burning sensation, and as the procedure goes on, the burning sensation will get more and more intense. Thankfully, they do give you some cool air to blow onto your face to calm then burning sensation.
Most people will need two Halo treatments to correct their skin concerns, but it completely depends on the state of the skin. If you don't have many skin concerns (wrinkles, dark spots), one treatment may be plenty. If you're undergoing two treatments, you will need to wait at least 3 weeks before proceeding with the second treatment.
Post Treatment:
Once the procedure is over, your skin will still feel like it's on fire, and at this point in time, you may be feeling some regret. Your dermatologist will usually place cold gauze on your skin to help with the burning, and thankfully, you'll still be holding on to your fan to help cool you down. This burning sensation is usually over in about an hour, but it can take up to 8 hours for the warm sensation to completely subside.
How Long is the Recovery?
Once you've left your dermatologist's office, it's super important to use the right products on your skin (usually they'll recommend some products), as well as to stay out of the sun. At this point, your skin extremely sensitive, especially to light, and sun exposure can cause further damage. For at least 3 months, you should also be applying a sunscreen that doesn't contain any chemicals, and if possible, shield your face from the sun (especially during the first week!).
The next day after the procedure, you'll notice that your face will be very red and swollen. Again, totally normal – it will get better. A few days after that, you'll notice your skin start to get little dots all over it, and this is because the top layer of the skin is shedding. No, your skin will not look amazing these next few days, and it will also feel rough. Hang in there though, because within a week or two, your skin will have never looked better!
How Much Does a Halo Skin Treatment Cost?
A Halo skin treatment can vary in price (depending on the area and the type of treatment) from $600 to $2,400. On average though, a Halo treatment will set you back about $1,500. You may only need one treatment, but most people will undergo two treatments for best results.
How Long Will a Halo Skin Treatment Last?
You will see a dramatic and visible difference in your skin after a week. Skin will be brighter, smoother, and with significantly less fine lines, wrinkles, scars, and spots. If skin is well cared for and sunscreen is applied regularly, expect the results to last for a good two years. After about two years, you may need to repeat the procedure.
Halo Skin Treatment Before and After
Still not sure whether the Halo treatment is right for you? Let's take a look at some before and after pictures!
