Will antihistamines slow collagen stimulation if taken for swelling after Halo laser?

Question

I understand the histamine release is the cause for swelling after a Halo facial. H1 (Claritin) and H2 (Pepcid) are sometimes recommended to help with swelling. I did have significant swelling after my first Halo but had great results. My question is, am I better off to avoid these medications to get the best results from Halo? If I decrease swelling using these medications will I also decrease Collagen production after Halo?

Rebecca Gelber, MD · Answer

Antihistimines shouldn't hurt your results at all. We've been using it in 100% of our patients for 4 1/2 years and people get great results. If having a terrible histamine reaction helped produce collagen, I would move somewhere with a wretched allergy season and have beautiful skin around my eyes and nose!People do debate back and forth (there isn't a good study to answer the question) on whether steroids are a good thing or awful - derms tend to love them and plastic surgeons pale at the thought. The good news is that with elevation, cool compresses, H1&2 blockade, most people never need to use steroids.

Susan Buenaventura, MD, FACS · Answer

Antihistamines are very helpful with HALO and other laser treatments to minimize swelling which also minimizes discomfort.  Your results speak for themselves!  It will not impede your results but will make your healing process smoother.  HALO is an amazing hybrid fractional laser technology.

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Will antihistamines slow collagen stimulation if taken for swelling after Halo laser?

Answers (2)

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