I had the Halo laser treatment and I could smell burning flesh during the treatment. Is this normal?

Good question! After performing thousands of laser procedures and seeing great results, I can tell you this is normal, however the suction on the tiny smoke evacuator might have needed turning up. Since Halo is the world’s first hybrid fractional laser system, and since it is an “erbium ablative laser” (a fancy medical way of saying it can remove your top layer of older, discolored, or rough-textured skin damage, and encourage fresh collagen production), then a slight scent comes with the progress.

What I love about the Halo Laser is that it is much less painful than other laser treatments I’ve used. Plus, I’m getting better results and patients typically look great after only 4-5 days of some superficial scabbing. My patients love this new laser.

I use the Halo for skin discoloration, sun damage, age spots, to improve skin texture and tone, and reduce pore size. It will improve fine lines, deep wrinkles, acne scars and even stretch marks. The most important thing is to seek an experienced doctor who has done thousands of procedures to get your best glowing skin results.

Thank you so much for your question! Yes, it is normal to notice a slightly acrid smell during an ablative laser treatment.  Ablation means, "to remove body tissue through vaporization." During a Halo laser treatment at my practice, we use a cooling fan and suction to limit the burning smell and make the procedure more comfortable for the patient.

Thank you for this question. We frequently perform Halo treatments, usually in combination with BBL. We use cooling and vacuums to help suck away the burning smell. I hope this helps. 

Yes, it is normal to notice that type of smell during an ablative laser treatment.  Ablation means, to remove body tissue through vaporization. During a Halo laser treatment at my practice, we use a cooling fan and suction to limit the burning smell and make the procedure more comfortable for the patient. Even with the fan and suction, it is normal to have a hint of that smell. Hope this helps. 

HALO is a hybrid fractional laser with ablation that removes some skin so what you describe can be normal; however, the smoke evacuator should be suctioning all of that smoke and odor up.  If it isn't, sometimes the suction needs to be turned higher.  You had a wonderful treatment with HALO.  You should see your doctor for follow up within a week.

As disturbing as it may have been in the moment, that is entirely normal. One of the wonderful things about Halo is that one of the two lasers actually removes older, damaged collagen so that your body is stimulated to make new collagen - it's why you get a better result with Halo than other purely non-ablative lasers. When those skin cells are vaporized (not burned), the water and matter in the cells is released and sucked up by a vacuum. The vacuum never gets 100% of this vapor, so you can smell the result.

Halo has two wavelengths hence the name hybrid fractionated laser. The 2940nm wavelength is ablative meaning that the skin it hits is vaporized. There is a plume that is given off during the treatment which is normally vacuum suctioned off. The vacuum is integrated into the hand piece. If the vacuum is not turned high enough or if the treatment has a high ablative setting it’s not abnormal to smell some of the plume. There’s nothing wrong with this or the treatment itself. 

Your plastics or dermatologist would have told you that the erbium laser is an ablative laser - this means it vaporises your skin (the target is water in your epidermis), hence the burning smell. Entirely normal. I use a vacuum extractor to decrease plume (as most dermatologist - plastics would). All the best, Dr Davin Lim