HALO works on skin that is calm, unirritated, and unburned. Everything below is about getting it there — and about making sure the recovery does not catch you by surprise.
Plan Your Recovery Before You Book
- After HALO expect three to seven days of redness, swelling, and peeling.
- Do not book it close to a wedding, a photograph, a presentation, or travel.
Four Weeks Before
- No sun exposure on the area to be treated, and no tanning beds. Wear SPF 30 or higher every day.
- No self-tanning products of any kind on the area. Tell us if you have used one, even weeks ago.
- Tell us if you have taken isotretinoin for acne within the past year.
Two Weeks Before
- Stop retinoids and exfoliating or acidic products on the area — retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, scrubs.
- No chemical peels, waxing, or other resurfacing in the area.
- If your skin darkens easily after inflammation, or you have melasma, tell us. We may start you on a brightening preparation first, and we may treat a test area before treating everything.
One Week Before
- Collect any prescriptions we have given you. For deeper treatment we prescribe an antiviral to prevent a cold sore outbreak, and sometimes an antibiotic. Start them exactly as directed — usually the day before your procedure.
- If it is medically safe for you to do so, stop anything that thins the blood — with your physician’s agreement. Bring your full list to your visit, or call ahead, and we will go through it with you. Never stop a prescribed blood thinner on your own.
- No waxing, threading, depilatory creams, or electrolysis in the area.
- Stop smoking if you can. Smoking slows healing after resurfacing more than most people expect.
The Day of Your Treatment
- Arrive with the area clean and completely free of makeup, lotion, sunscreen, and self-tanner.
- Do not take any sedative or sleeping tablet. You will be awake for your treatment. Tell us if you have taken anything.
- Eat normally beforehand and drink water.
- Bring a current list of your medications and supplements.
- Leave contact lenses at home and bring your glasses.
- Expect to arrive early. Numbing cream needs time to work, and deeper treatments need more of it.
- Arrange to go straight home afterward, and arrange for someone to be with you.
What to Have Ready at Home
- A gentle cleanser with no acids in it.
- A plain moisturizer and a large tub of Aquaphor. Buy it before your procedure. You will use far more of it than you expect, and keeping the skin moist is the single most important thing you will do that week.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil), so you are not sending someone to the pharmacy on the first evening.
- A cool-mist humidifier if you can.
- A sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher that you will actually use every day.
- Clean pillowcases, and a cold pack or clean cloths for cool compresses.
Tell Us Before We Begin If Any of These Apply
- You are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- You have had any sun exposure, a tanning bed, or self-tanner in the past four weeks.
- You are prone to cold sores, or have one now.
- You have an infection, open area, or skin condition flaring in the area to be treated.
- You have a history of keloid or raised scarring, vitiligo, lupus, another autoimmune condition, or diabetes.
- You have had radiation treatment, surgery, resurfacing, or filler in the area.
- You have glaucoma, dry eye, a corneal problem, or have had eye or eyelid surgery.
- You have a tattoo or permanent makeup in or near the area to be treated — including permanent eyeliner, lip liner, or microbladed eyebrows.
- You have ever reacted badly to a local anesthetic.
- You take a medication that makes you sensitive to light. Tetracycline antibiotics are the common ones — doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline itself, often prescribed for acne or rosacea. Others include some diuretics, heart medications, and St. John’s Wort. Tell us about everything you take and never stop a prescribed medication on your own — ask the doctor who prescribed it.
- You have any spot that is new, changing, or that concerns you.
- You are unwell today. If you are ill, call us and we will move your appointment. There is no charge for that.