A one time "deep" Halo treatment did not deliver the promised results. Should I ask for a redo?

Question

I had minimal redness, swelling and peeling after my Halo and several weeks later, I don't see much improvement in my overall skin quality. I still have enlarged pores, age spots and fine lines and wrinkles. I am 60, have good skin but wanted better. I had this done at a premier Atlanta plastic surgery practice. Is it appropriate to ask my surgeon for a redo? The results were purported to be "amazing". Instead I am very underwhelmed and disappointed as I spent over $1600.

Burke Robinson, MD, FACS · Answer

Halo improves fine lines, wrinkles. pigmentation, pore size, texture and redness. You will still have some after one treatment depending on the status of your skin when initially seen.  It takes 6-8 to see your full results. Having one treatment will not take care of all your concerns no matter how aggressive the treatment is. Two treatments plus BBL is really the optimal regimen.  Those in combination with neurotoxins and fillers could also help achieve even better results. However, routine skin care with a qualified esthetician is the same as seeing the dental hygienist to make sure what you are doing at home is being complimented with other treatments in the office.

Lesley Loss, MD · Answer

Its probably too early to tell still, but it is a good idea to schedule a follow up with your physician a couple of months post treatment if you are not sure.  At our office, we  do before and after photos because that can be helpful in viewing the results or lack of results.  We typically recommend 2-3 treatments for best results with this technology and often combine it with other procedures, such as neurotoxins. 
Best, Lesley Loss MD

Robert G. Aycock, MD, FACS · Answer

Halo improves fine lines and wrinkles but you will still have them after the procedure. It takes 6-8 to see your full results. Having one treatment will not take care of all your concerns no matter how aggressive the treatment is. Combination treatments are recommended to obtain the results you want. Neurotoxins and fillers along with lasers could also help achieve less wrinkles and fine lines.

David A. Sieber, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the great question and I'm sorry you're disappointed with the results. What I have noticed in my own patients is that it sometimes takes 10-12 weeks after the treatment to see the best results. This is because it takes time for the body to produce new collagen to fill in the areas damaged by the laser. I don't know what settings were used for your treatment, but the laser is able to produce very aggressive treatments which should make a noticeable improvement in your skin. I would talk to your doctors office about your results to see what they think.Best,~Dr. Sieber

Peter Petropoulos, MD · Answer

Sorry that you are disappointed, although a few week later is still too early to gauge results on many of the changes that HALO delivers.  Usually age spots will show improvement this early, but many of the other changes, such as wrinkles and overall skin texture take more time to show the results.  I would definitely contact them to discuss what changes you should see by now and what is yet to come.  It is not uncommon to have to do multiple HALOs on some skin to see great results and every patient responds differently to each treatment.

Rebecca Gelber, MD · Answer

So sorry to hear about that. The first thing to do is contact the office and express your concerns. Make sure they have you in to review your experience, results and before and afters. Before you ask for a redo, I'd wait to see how they respond. Maybe as you didn't respond as expected, they may have different ideas on how to get you to your desired results.

Thomas D. Griffin Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Though I don’t know your exact settings,  I will hopefully help explain why you didn’t get some of the expected immediate changes. Halo essentially drills many holes in the skin. The depth and density of these holes are predetermined by the surgeon. The deeper the holes, the wider they are at the surface skin level. Therefore to cover the same area at a 225 micron depth you need many more holes than to cover the area at 700 micron depth. The more holes equals more exfoliation. If you had a deep halo aimed at acne scarring and wrinkles we would expect less exfoliation. 
So that being said, if you are concerned more for fine lines and sun spots than for deep acne scarring, a more dense and shallow halo will give you that result. I suggest you talk with your surgeon.

A one time "deep" Halo treatment did not deliver the promised results. Should I ask for a redo?

Answers (7)

More Halo Laser Questions

Can the Halo laser be used on the neck and chest?

Does Halo laser remove deep pigmentation or just superficial?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (7)

More Halo Laser Questions

Can the Halo laser be used on the neck and chest?

Does Halo laser remove deep pigmentation or just superficial?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS