I'm looking worse after Sciton Halo than before!

Question

15 days ago I had the Sciton halo done on level 30/20. I had it done mostly for fine lines, but a little bit of pigmentation issues as well. I see no decrease in lines, but I notice something pretty scary. The area from the corner of lips going down toward the chin now look much more jowly than before I had the procedure. I had a lot of swelling and skin ablation requiring high doses of Prednisone after the procedure, so I am worried it stretched the skin out, and this is the result!?

Jeffrey G. Lind II, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  I have never had anyone feel that they looked worse after a Halo treatment.  Some people have much more of an inflammatory (swelling, etc) response compared to others.  I have not figured out why this is the case.  You are very early in your post-procedure period so I would let some time pass and then evaluate your results at that time.  Certainly, let the provider that performed your procedure know of your concerns.  Best of luck to you.

Promila Banerjee, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear that you had a rough time during recovery.  Your immune response was strong in reaction to the Halo treatment thus you needed prolonged steroids.  This also means that you will get a good response after the initial recovery phase of at least 2-3 weeks in your case!
Few tips (after observing several hundreds of Halo recoveries):
1.  Pay special attention to the hydration level of your skin.  
2.  Review your products with your doctor to eliminate anything irritating.  No exfoliants, Retinols or irritating OTC products.
3. Follow up closely with your doctor.
I have personally never seen lack of results or worsening from baseline skin condition in the last 3 years we have been performing Halo.  You have made an excellent choice in creating a healthy skin in the long run.  The reduction in lines is seen at 3 months and beyond.
Best wishes, Dr B

Steven Swengel, MD · Answer

Swelling after Halo does occur.  On occasion we have had to put patients on a short course of prednisone if the swelling turns them into a Cabbage Patch Kid.  When swelling is severe, you will get exaggeration of jowling and feel as if there is a pint of water in your face.  Rest assured this will clear and not interfere with overall results.  Remember that results take months to reach completion and you may need more than one.  I personally have had two and love what it has done to my skin.

Quenby Erickson, DO, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

I have Halo at my office and we are very happy with the the results people get.  I would not worry about the "jowly" issue as I believe it is likely some swelling remaining.It really takes at least a month to start seeing the effect of the laser on the fine lines and that continues for about 6 months. I like to recommend 2 treatments a month apart and the results after months are really good.  I also find that people do not swell as much with the second treatment. I hope this helps,Dr. Quenby Erickson

Grant Stevens, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question. 
We have the Halo laser at our office and have had wonderful results with the procedure.

We also have noticed some people experience much more swelling than others,
for reasons not exactly clear. They seem to experience more of a histamine
reaction. This is unusual, but not problematic. As you mentioned, you were
given the prednisone which is what we would likely have done, as well. 
I would suggest you call the office where you had the procedure done and let
them know. They can take another set of post treatment photos and examine you.
As well as monitor your healing process. 
More than likely, you are just still healing. The collagen stimulation and
texture improvements often won't show for up to a month and will continue to
improve for about 6 months. 
We have only seen improvements in the skin with the Halo and quite impressively.
Most often with less downtime then the other similar types of resurfacing
lasers. 
Best, 
Dr. Grant Stevens

I'm looking worse after Sciton Halo than before!

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