Originally published on Beauty Junkies Unite
I know we’ve already talked about it, but I’m noticing all of those little unpleasant things you start to notice as you reach another birthday. Don’t get me wrong — I’m totally okay with aging, I just want to age gracefully. Some people age gracefully more naturally than others, and I think I’m in the category that I may need a little more help when it comes to my genetic jackpot — and the hereditary aging I’ve seen in my family over the years.
I’m not out to give myself a new face or lifestyle when I try these cosmetic procedures, I’m really just doing what will make me feel the most confident about my appearance. So I understand that when I talk about some of these procedures, they might not be for everyone — but my hopes are that you can learn through my experiences and make those important, educated decisions for yourself. And with that — I want to tell you about one of the newest professional laser treatments available today, Halo Laser Treatment.
What it is…
Halo Laser Treatment uses hybrid technology of a non-ablative laser, combined with an ablative laser to create controlled zones of coagulation to chosen depths into the dermis that stimulate new collagen, and fractionally vaporize (ablate) micro laser channels into the epidermis; addressing tone and texture of the skin. This type of laser treatment offers less downtime than others. However, Halo’s technology is currently one-of-a-kind.
Why I did it…
For me, this was like the best of both worlds — because the aging process naturally breaks down your collagen production, and it’s hard as heck to get it back — hence one of the reasons I chose Halo. Another reason I chose Halo, was to address the texture and tone of my skin. As my skin ages and slackens, I’m noticing my pore size becoming more exaggerated than it was before, and all of the little “freckles” I’ve had all these years are morphing into larger areas of hyper-pigmentation. When you’re trying to put your best face forward in the world, I understand this can be a daunting task.
How the treatment is performed…
I visited Marina Plastic Surgery in Marina Del Rey, CA. I arrived for my consultation and felt confident enough to go forward. I took a series of clinical before photos, and then I went into a special waiting area where I had a topical anesthetic applied. I had to sit for about an hour for the numbness to take full effect, but it wasn’t uncomfortable in any way. It just felt kinda funny! After I was numb, it was time to get started.
Without getting too technical, before we got into the actual treatment, Carla used the laser to take measurements of the depth of my skin so that the laser would intelligently know how far down to go to get the job done. Did it hurt? Honestly — the worst parts of it were when she went around my nose and lips, as those are typically more sensitive areas anyway. During the procedure, I felt a mild discomfort and warmth to my skin — but I have a low pain tolerance. Even I was surprised with how well I did! I did take some Motrin while the numbing cream was taking effect, so that helped as well. After about 45 minutes, it was complete, and I sat up and said, “Wow! That was it?” It was pretty simple. All I had to do was lay there with my eyes closed, and I only had to ask Carla to give me a break for a second, once. (Did I mention I’m a wimp?)
The aftercare/recovery…
Everyone will respond differently to this laser treatment because it’s geared specifically for each individual’s skin needs. Some patients may have more swelling than others. I’ve read some patients say they wore makeup the next day and had minimal redness. I, on the other hand, had a little bit tougher of a recovery time.
Because a main focus of mine was under both of my eyes, Carla got really detailed under them which led to some swelling that lasted about two days. The worst of it was on the first night. Once my skin realized what was going on, I felt like I had a sunburn. This is a completely normal reaction, according to every review I’ve read on Real Self, and per the medical professionals at Marina Plastic Surgery.
The next day, my skin felt very warm, and I developed what looked like little coffee grounds around my eyes. This meant it was working! That spotting was working on that hyper-pigmentation around my eyes. After a few days, the brown spots disappeared, and I noticed a lightening of the spots around my eyes. On day two, I was allowed to apply Aquaphor to my entire face to keep a safe barrier on it, and it also alleviated some of the sting.
Halo also helped on some of the hollows under my eyes. They are less dark, more plump (thanks, collagen!), and as time goes on — the results are only getting better. It took about two weeks to see my first results, but now that the collagen is stimulated, things are getting better.
What changes I’m noticing…
I am now approximately three months post first treatment, and I’m noticing little changes week by week. I know I mentioned some successes under and around my eyes, but I am also really impressed with the diminishing of the feathery lines all around my lip line. I can now apply lipstick in my magnified mirror, and not be horrified with all the little puckering. Of course, it’s not 100% removed, but it’s definitely improving.
I’m also impressed with the added plumpness I’m seeing, and even though my pore size is still enlarged, I can tell they are a little smaller. Carla told me I would probably do better in this area with a second treatment — which some patients require for full results.
Our advanced training with our new JOULE laser system is THIS WEEK! The JOULE laser incorporates multiple treatment modalities: Halo, BBL (similar to IPL), Forever Young, Forever Clear, Skin Tyte, and Nano and Micro Laser peels.