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

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").  

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.

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.