We all age and change, our skin naturally evolves in its own way, too. As you notice deeper creases or more prominent hyperpigmentation, you might begin exploring your options for advanced skin resurfacing treatments that can reverse the signs of aging.
At Cosmedica Aesthetics, we use the Halo hybrid fractional laser to help our patients discover glowing, youthful skin. With laser resurfacing near Ancaster, we can promote a youthful complexion, improve skin texture, and enhance overall skin clarity with innovative technology.
Let’s discuss everything you need to know about the Halo laser, our process at Cosmedica, and your candidacy as we answer commonly asked questions.
How does Halo laser technology work?
The Halo hybrid fractional laser combines 2 technologies to improve skin texture and signs of aging effectively. The laser uses both ablative and non-ablative treatments simultaneously to address a variety of skin concerns with less downtime compared to fully ablative laser treatments.
Ablative Skin Resurfacing
Of the 2 treatments, ablative skin resurfacing is more aggressive than non-ablative as it creates controlled damage to the skin. An ablative laser vaporizes and completely removes the epidermis. This means with ablative laser treatments, you experience significant downtime, but more dramatic results.
Over time, your skin increases the production of collagen, a protein essential for skin strength and support. Your skin grows back healthier, stronger, and tighter after an ablative treatment.
Non-Ablative Skin Resurfacing
Halo laser also uses a non-ablative method to stimulate collagen growth and promote skin renewal. This treatment works by heating the lower layers of the skin, without damaging the surface. It works as a less aggressive alternative to ablative skin resurfacing and yields subtler results.
With a non-ablative treatment alone, patients see subtle improvements in the skin tone and texture, but might not see changes to wrinkles or hyperpigmentation.
Hybrid Fractional Skin Resurfacing
Halo laser resurfacing near Ancaster effortlessly combines ablative and non-ablative treatments in a fractional laser. This means the laser delivers heat through tiny columns that reach the dermis. The laser breaks down damaged tissue, areas of hyperpigmentation and stimulates the natural healing process to produce healthier tissue.
Fractional laser technology provides you with youthful skin as well as less downtime and healing compared to treating the entire face with an ablative laser.
What does Halo laser treat?
Using the fractional laser device, we can address a wide variety of common skin concerns, making many patients good candidates for the treatment. Many of these skin concerns stem from aging or sun damage, as patients’ skin changes over time.
Halo laser can:
- Reduce the appearance of dark spots, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation
- Minimize wrinkles and fine lines
- Improve acne scarring
- Reduce pore size
- Brighten your complexion
- Enhance overall texture and tone
What does my appointment look like?
As with any treatment at Cosmedica, we prioritize your comfort and safety. Before using the laser, we apply a topical numbing cream to make the session comfortable. Appointments last an hour to an hour and a half, as our experienced laser nurses pass the Halo device over your skin.
The device emits ablative and non-ablative wavelengths, which stimulate your skin’s natural healing process and stimulate collagen production. The tissues we target during the process begin to regenerate in the days and weeks following your appointment for long-lasting, radiant results.
How many appointments do I need?
Chantal and our team of laser nurses find that many patients reach their desired results after 1 to 3 appointments. Your treatment plan for laser resurfacing near Ancaster depends on the skin concerns you would like addressed. If you have more severe signs of aging—like deep wrinkles or prominent hyperpigmentation—you likely require more than 1 appointment.
Here’s a quick guide to understanding how many appointments you might need.
| Recommended: 1 Appointment | Recommended: 2 to 3 Appointments |
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During your consultation, Chantal assesses your skin and asks about how much downtime you expect with treatment. From there, she can create a tailored treatment plan that gives you a better understanding of exactly how many appointments you need and the amount of downtime to expect after each one.
How much downtime should I expect?
After your Halo laser treatment, your skin begins to heal and regenerate. Increased collagen production encourages the growth of healthier skin cells, which replace the old, damaged ones. Typically, our patients experience downtime for 5 to 7 days.
Over the course of the next few days, you should expect:
- Day 1: The first day of healing is the day you receive treatment. After you leave our clinic, your skin might be red and tender. You might also experience swelling for the next day or so.
- Days 2 and 3: Your skin might still be red and swollen, but you’ll likely notice the redness starting to fade into dark speckled patches of skin. This is known as microscopic epidermal necrotic debris (MENDS). As your body begins the healing process, the old skin that was treated rises to the surface. The texture of this skin might resemble coffee grounds.
- Day 4: Your skin gently exfoliates, and these dark spots begin to slough off. During this time, remember not to pick at the skin and let it fall off naturally.
- Day 5+: Around day 5, you can return to normal activities. You can now apply makeup, go back to work, and get back to your daily routine without redness, peeling, or swelling.
Your healing timeline might take longer than 5 days, depending on the intensity of the laser resurfacing. Near Ancaster, our team provides you with all of the information you need to encourage healthy healing at home, including a formulated skincare routine.
How do I care for my skin after Halo laser resurfacing?
During the healing process, keeping your skin hydrated and protected allows your skin to recover properly. Our talented laser nurses educate you on what you should do and what you should avoid while your skin heals.
Our team wants to provide you with everything you need to encourage a healthy healing process at home. We provide a balancing cleanser and daily power defense sunscreen from ZO Skin Health, as well as EXOIE exosomes to encourage cell renewal and faster healing. If you experience open wounds, we can prescribe topical medication as well.
After your treatment, you should:
- Use the provided skincare as directed
- Avoid sun exposure to prevent further damage and irritation
- Avoid saunas, baths, hot tubs, and excess heat to prevent swelling and irritation
- Let the skin heal naturally without picking or scratching
- Visit with your providers for each follow-up appointment to discuss healing
Our team is always available to offer guidance at any point of your journey with us. If you have questions about healing and recovery after laser resurfacing near Ancaster, give us a call.
When will I see results?
After your laser resurfacing treatment, you can expect to see results in 1 to 2 weeks. As the collagen production in your skin increases, you experience dermal regeneration. This process improves with time, meaning the full results of your treatment appear around 3 months after your last session.
For stubborn wrinkles and areas of excess pigment, you might require more than 1 session of laser resurfacing near Ancaster. With each treatment, your skin continues to regenerate, leaving you with a youthful glow.
Following your provider’s post-care instructions and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can increase the longevity of your results. Wearing SPF daily and minimizing sun exposure can make your results last for up to a year.
We recommend patients who have completed their initial series of treatments return to Cosmedica Aesthetics for a yearly maintenance appointment. This helps you sustain a long-lasting, youthful complexion.
Can I combine Halo with other treatments?
Yes, for those looking for an intense skin rejuvenation treatment, we can combine our Halo laser with a MicroLaser Peel. Our MicroLaser Peel addresses superficial (surface) skin concerns, removing the epidermis, while the Halo laser targets the lower layers of the skin.
We begin with the Halo laser, then follow with the MicroLaser Peel to further break down pigmentation and treat wrinkles. After combining Halo laser and a MicroLaser Peel, patients can experience transformative, polished results.
Please note that combining these treatments requires longer downtime than the Halo laser treatment alone. Patients should expect around 10 to 12 days of complete downtime as their skin renews and heals.
The Halo laser with a MicroLaser Peel addresses:
- Severe wrinkles and folds
- Acne scarring and acne-related pigmentation
- Dull skin tone
- Severe hyperpigmentation and age spots
What if I’m unsure about laser resurfacing?
Near Ancaster, we have many different treatment options that can address your concerns. If you don’t want the downtime associated with Halo laser, we might suggest RF microneedling instead. Our providers find that 3 sessions of Exion RF microneedling can yield the same results as 1 session of Halo laser.
Depending on your goals and lifestyle, our team can create a treatment plan customized to you. We recommend treatment options based on your desired downtime and results, so we can treat your unique skin concerns.
Radiant, Refined, and Refreshed: Book Your Appointment
Now that you’ve read through some commonly answered questions about Halo laser, we welcome you to book your appointment with us. We begin with an in-depth consultation to determine your candidacy and discuss your skin concerns. From there, we create a personalized treatment plan that helps you achieve youthful skin.
Book your appointment for laser resurfacing near Ancaster to experience patient-first, advanced care. Or, if you are curious about our other treatments, use our Treatment Planning Tool to discover the possibilities at Cosmedica Aesthetics.
About Cosmedica Aesthetics
Built on decades of experience, Chantal and her team of talented professionals use the latest advancements in aesthetics to help you feel renewed and radiant. The team leads with empowerment and education, guiding you through your aesthetics journey with confidence and grace. Trust the experts and step into your very best self at Cosmedica!
