Is it necessary to take prednisone after Halo laser?

Question

I have read recommendations in literature for the use of prednisone after laser for swelling. Can someone opt out and if so will the swelling still subside without the use.

Andrew Campbell, MD · Answer

You can absolutely get a Halo without taking prednisone. The majority of our patients don't take prednisone, only those that want to everything they can to minimize any swelling. The swelling that occurs will still go away within a week whether you take prednisone or not.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Rejuvenation SpecialistQuintessa

Kristin Jackson, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question!
I generally do not recommend that patients use prednisone after a Halo laser. Halo creates a pattern of tiny holes in the top layer of skin, and then your body will rush to heal those holes with fresh new glowing skin. Prednisone will block the normal healing function of the skin during this time.
If you are a person who gets really big welts when you get a bug bite, you might be prone to more swelling after a Halo laser. In that case, I would recommend taking 800 mg of ibuprofen an hour before the procedure, and use 25-50 mg oral Benedryl after the procedure to control swelling.
Hope this helps!

Rebecca Gelber, MD · Answer

You're golden. We did the original research on Halo back in 2013 and have been using it every day since. Biopsies have shown that the swelling from Halo goes through the histamine, not inflammatory pathway, so the best way to treat the swelling ISN'T prednisone! It's sleeping upright as much as possible and taking benadryl (or claritin or allegra) PLUS tagamet, pepcid or benadryl.

Thomas D. Griffin Jr., MD · Answer

Halo can cause pretty significant swelling in some cases. its not entirely predictable who will swell and who wont. We will prescribe prednisone to some patients with a known history of swelling with other procedures and on a case by case basis. It is absolutely not necessary to take prednisone after the procedure and taking it does not alter the final results of the procedure, it merely makes some of the post procedure a bit more comfortable.

Is it necessary to take prednisone after Halo laser?

Answers (4)

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