What is the difference between Sciton Halo ‘levels’ of treatment?

Question

I am having trouble trying to decide on a treatment and am interviewing 3 Doctors. I can’t seem to get clarification of the different ‘levels’ in terms of the Halo treatments? What is the difference between a Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 Sciton Halo treatment? I was told a deep, intensive level 2?

Kian Karimi, MD, FACS · Answer

HALO laser treatments are a combination of two different lasers.  The workhorse of this laser is the "non-ablative" erbium:yag laser which penetrates the skin without removing the surface.  There is a lighter "ablative" erbium:yag laser which takes off a small layer of the top of the skin.  The neat thing about the HALO laser is that both of these laser depths can be precisely adjusted by your doctor to give you optimal results while minimizing the risk of complications (like hyperpigmentation).  Even with "heavier" or "more intense" treatments with the HALO, the downtime is quite acceptable at 2-3 days.  It is also far less painful than erbium or CO2 fractionated laser treatments ("Fraxel" or "Profractional").

Otto Weiglein, FRCSC · Answer

The
Halo hybrid fractional laser is the first such treatment that can be precisely
customized based on a patient's skin texture and tone, the size of pores, and
other conditions. I've been using Halo at my practice and the great thing about
it is that patients don't have to choose between more downtime or more
treatments. The 3 levels you mention refer to the amount of energy and depth needed
to get the desired results. Thank you for your question.

Steven Swengel, MD · Answer

Depth and density of Halo treatments are determined by your skin type, what conditions we are trying to address.The level designation was really set by the office you visited.  Often increased level in many offices are attached to higher prices.    Lighter, less dense treatments are for darker skin types where pigmentation is an issue.  When texture, pore size and fine lines become the focus we go deeper and denser if your skin type can handle those settings.  When we are truly 'going for it' with coarse skin, acne scars, we go the deepest and most densely as possible.  Realize too that with increased depth and density there is more swelling, downtime and longer recovery.

Robert G. Aycock, MD, FACS · Answer

The levels allows our patients  to understand what to expect for recovery. Level 1 is 3-5 days, level 2 is one week and level 3 and up expect about 7-10 days. Each office has their own treatment protocols. If you need clarification, it's best to visit your doctor's office again and ask more questions being getting the treatment.

Melanie L. Petro, MD · Answer

I basically create levels for individual patients typically based on the amount of downtime they would like what we are trying to treat.Halo is completely individualized so the laser can be adjusted in so very many ways.  There is no standard for "levels"  this is just dependent on the physician.It is an amazing laser- my favorite personally and professionally.You will love it!

Arlo J. Miller, MD, PhD · Answer

"Levels" refer to how aggressive the treatment is.  Sciton provides some guidance on treatment levels, but the reason you can't get a clarification is because they are going to differ from office to office. The basic idea is that a level 1 treatment is lighter, more superficial, less 
downtime.  less results.  A level 3 treatment is going to go deeper, 
have more downtime, but deliver much more significant results.The way this is actually done is by setting the depth of each laser as well as how dense the tiny holes are that it makes. With each pass of the laser head, Halo fires the lasers and makes what really looks like microscopic swiss cheese). If you set the lasers to only reach a shallow depth and don't make many holes, you'd have a level one.  Set them deeper, make  lots of them, you'd have a level 3 or 4.  The actual settings are more complicated than this, and depend on skin color, desired effect, body area being treated, etc.  Frankly, in my office we don't use "levels" because we think the whole concept of levels is confusing and instead formulate treatment plans based on doing whatever it will take to deliver the needed result.

What is the difference between Sciton Halo ‘levels’ of treatment?

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