Have an Hour? Take Years Off Your Decollete With the Halo Laser-I Did!

A Halo LaserTreatment Can Take Years off Your Decollete...I  know, because I did it!

Report by Alison Blackman

I didn’t believe in wearing sunblock when I was younger. Now I’m paying the price for that foolishness. My skin is sun damaged. It’s especially visible on my neck and chest where you can see that it’s discolored and rough-looking. This makes me look older than I really am.

I wanted a way to fix this. And I found it.  A Halo laser treatment!

What is the Halo Laser? 

Lasers have long since stopped being the stuff of  sci-fi fantasy and light sabers in Star Wars. In skilled hands, laser treatments can make a big difference in how your skin looks and with it, reduce the potential for skin cancer  (you must still always use sunblock).

There are many different types of laser treatments for skin, but the Halo is a fractional laser that combines two different wavelengths to target both the upper and lower layers of skin.To learn more about basics of the halo laser (with a short video)  Click Here.

What makes Halo special is that it is personalized. Your doctor determines how much and how intense to make each laser treatment based on your individual needs and your skin condition and goals.

Quick and Easy Does It 

The Halo laser is really a “lunchtime laser” treatment. You don’t need much time to get a lot of benefits (my decollete treatment took just about an hour from beginning to end),.

Treatments can be done in the doctor’s office and in most cases you can cover up the redness and go back to work. After you’ve been assessed and some numbing gel has been applied, you lie on a table while the doctor runs the laser “wand” over the area to be treated.

Post treatment you may add some sun block or mineral makeup.

A single session can target years of damage including  discoloration; sun damage; visible signs of aging; uneven skin tone; enlarged pores; and poor texture.

Not My First Rodeo/Laser Treatment

Over the years I’ve tried and reported on a number of laser treatments for advicesisters.com, including Fraxel, Zerona, Strawberry and photo facials. I also experienced the Halo laser thanks to New York board-certified plastic surgeon and dermatologist Dr. Mark Schwartz (read about rmy 1st Halo experience/see photos) and (see the fab results).

Honesty and Realistic Expectations = A More Positive Experience

Honesty is one of the most important aspects of trust. Knowing what to expect from a treatment and being realistic about what the result might be is what contributes to your ultimate satisfaction with any treatment.

Lasers are not toys by any means. In the wrong hands they can do serious damage. In the right hands, they can do amazing amounts of good.

Therefore, before you let anyone apply a laser to your skin, you likely have some questions or concerns. This is especially true if you’ve heard scary or confusing things from friends or read something online.

The way in which your doctor communicates with you and your level of trust in him/her will contribute a great deal to whether you have a good experience with your treatment and are happy with the results. 

More Than One Treatment?

The skin on the decollete is more delicate than that on the face and can be damaged if treated too harshly.  Dr. Schwartz said I’d see some improvement on my decollete with one treatment but probably needed two. 

The cost of treatments can be a factor in how many you might like to undertake. But your doctor should always give you an honest assessment (not just tell you what you want to hear), answer your questions, and make sure you understand the procedure and the potential outcome, before proceeding.

This is the hallmark of a caring, responsible doctor. You shouldn’t expect any less!

Here’s What To Expect: My Experience

For this decollete laser treatment, Dr. Schwartz assessed my skin, then his assistant applied some numbing cream (it takes about 30 minutes to work). 

You may also be offered painkillers but I didn’t need them for this less intense treatment.

When my skin was prepared, we went into the exam room with the laser.  Dr. Schwartz told the assistant what strength to set the laser, He gave me safety glasses to wear and ran the  laser around the area of my skin to be treated for the determined amount of time.

Dr. Schwartz is good at diverting one’s attention. It seemed like only a few minutes and it was over.  

Afterward, my skin was red but I was wearing a blouse with a high neckline so no one noticed. I went from the doctor’s office to an evening event, no issues. 

Is the Halo laser Painful?

In a word, NO.  I’m terrible with pain. While pain is highly subjective, even the deep facial treatment I had previously wasn’t  more than a 2 out of 10 for discomfort. This treatment was really about 0-1.  Your experience may differ but for me, eyebrow waxing is more unpleasant.

Post Treatment & Results 

As you’ll see in the selfies I took below, my skin looked red for about a week, then started to improve.  I didn’t really itch or peel. I had a few dry spots and I moisturized twice a day and used lots of SPF (*including Dr. Mark Schwartz Clinical Skincare Daily Moisturizer DPF 20 1.7 Fl. Oz. – a review of Dr.Schwartz’ own line of skincare products will appear on advicesisters.com in early 2017).

I’m obsessed with applying sun block anyway, but once Once you have a laser treatment you have delicate newly-exposed skin you must protect that brand new skin. It’s not just considering your investment in time and money, that new skin can get easily damaged by the sun and you’ll be risking potential skin cancers all over again. 

On the theory that a picture is worth a thousand words, I took selfies at various points. these are my own un-retouched selfies. I know they’re ugly, but the reason I post these photos is to show you truth, not fiction. Even with this one treatment I still think the Halo laser took years off my chest, literally. Do you agree?

Cost/Doctors

Like all cosmetic treatments, the Halo Laser treatments average $1,500 per treatment and will vary based on your location and the person you choose. Don’t be tempted to select someone because the cost seems like a bargain. Lasers are very dangerous in the wrong hands. Be an educated consumer. Ask for references. Shop around. Don’t be intimidated. If anything seems “wrong” when you are in the office run, don’t walk. This is your skin and your life you’re protecting!

Should You Get A Halo Laser Treatment?  

I received this treatment gratis to write about it, but as always, my report is an unbiased one. My skin isn’t your skin.Your results, expectations, and feelings about any treatment will vary. 

But one thing remains constant — choose your doctor carefully. Select one with experience with the treatment you are seeking. You don’t want to be someone’s guinea pig. nd will suggest the right treatment based on your goals and skin condition

Your doctor will suggest the right treatment for you, based on your goals and skin condition. Listen carefully to your doctor’s recommendations. Be realistic about what any treatment can do for you. If your skin is very aged and damaged no treatment will make perfectly youthful. 

Laser treatments like Halo can do a lot to improve most skin quickly and relatively effortlessly. If your doctor suggests the Halo laser, you now have some information to make good choices. Feel free to share this with your own network and connect with me if you have specific questions. 

I highly recommend Dr. Schwartz If you’re in New York City (or planning a visit) and want to see Dr. Schwartz here is his contact information:  Mark H. Schwartz, MD, FACS, 79 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075.  To learn more call 212-737-9090 to schedule a consultation.212 737 9090 or visit www.drmarkschwartz.com

If you want to learn more about the Halo laser by Sciton visit the company website