Halo Laser for Melasma

Pregnancy, stress, the use of birth control pills, or hormone replacement therapy can all contribute to melasma. It is also known as chloasma or the mask of pregnancy.

Melasma can appear in various locations on the face and body, but it usually appears on the cheeks or forehead. It may also appear on the upper lip and around the eyes.

Melasma is an uneven brownish-to-black discoloration of the skin that results from increased melanin production in your skin cells. The discoloration occurs when melatonin binds to your skin cells’ receptors and stimulates excess production of melanin pigments. This results in a blotchy appearance that can make your complexion look darker than normal.

Melasma can be noticeable even without anyone else seeing it—you’ll notice it every time you look in the mirror and see a change in your skin tone that doesn’t seem right for your overall complexion.

In this article, you’ll learn about halo laser cost and halo laser treatment.

Halo Laser for Melasma Reviews

Aspect	Details
Condition	Melasma
Prevalence	Affects about 10% of people
Common Areas Affected	Cheeks Forehead Nose Upper lip
Characteristics	Brown or grayish-brown patches on the face
Causes	Sun exposure Hormonal changes
Treatment Challenges	Traditional methods like chemical peels and laser treatments may not produce consistent results
Halo Moxi Laser	Second-generation laser Combines ablative and non-ablative wavelengths Targets both the top layer of skin and deeper tissue
Treatment Areas	Face Neck Décolletage Arms Hands Legs
Laser Type	Fractionated laser, breaking light into small beams
Skin Concerns Treated	Visible signs of aging Sun damage Hyperpigmentation Uneven skin tone Fine lines Textural issues
Benefits of Halo Moxi Laser	Combines non-ablative and ablative laser benefits Less downtime than other lasers Initial results in 5-7 days Long-term results can last years Highly customizable settings for safety on dark skin
Treatment Duration	20 to 60 minutes
Preparation	Avoid sun exposure No tanning, waxing, or hair removal creams Stop using active skincare ingredients one week prior Ensure skin is free of lotion or makeup
Healing Time	Range from a few days to a full week
Post-Treatment Care	Minimal downtime; skin may be red, swollen, and flaky Normal activities can continue, but some may prefer to stay home Significant swelling may occur but usually resolves within a week
Cost Factors	Varies based on provider experience, location, and number of areas treated
Results Timeline	Short-term results in 5-7 days Long-term results over 6-8 weeks
Exfoliation Post-Treatment	Allowed one week after treatment
Complications to Avoid	Scarring pigmentation changes

What are the risks and potential side effects of Halo laser?

Like all laser treatments, Halo carries risks of burning, blistering, scarring, and infection. 

The risk of burning and scarring is higher for dark skin, which may also be at risk of hypo- or hyperpigmentation. However, doctors on RealSelf say Halo is still the best laser option for all skin tones. 

“Halo is the safest type of laser for dark skin because the settings can be customized for your skin type. Ablation can be reduced to a smaller fraction of the face and shallower depth,” says San Francisco physician Dr. Jake Wardwell. “Halo has been studied and shown to be safe for all skin types, and it is the laser of choice for treating conditions that have a higher risk of hyperpigmentation, such as melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, without risking making it worse.”

To help ensure a good outcome, find a provider who regularly performs the treatment and has a track record of positive Halo reviews.

How long does Halo laser last?

How long Halo laser treatment results last varies from person to person, but the typical timeline is one to two years. 

You can help prolong your results by practicing smart sun behavior: apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, wear a hat, and try to stay out of the sun during peak hours. An anti-aging skin-care regimen can also help.

What are some alternatives to Halo laser?

	Chemical Peel nonsurgical	Potenza nonsurgical	Vivace nonsurgical	Clear + Brilliant nonsurgical	CO2 Laser nonsurgical	Halo Laser nonsurgical	Laser Genesis nonsurgical
Worth It Rating	91%	90%	90%	86%	84%	84%	81%
Average Cost	$400	$1675	$875	$725	$2750	$1475	$650
Downtime	Up to 2 weeks of downtime	Little to no downtime	Little to no downtime	No downtime	1–2 weeks of downtime	2–7 days of downtime	No downtime
Anesthesia	No anesthesia	Topical numbing cream	Topical anesthesia	Topical anesthesia (if needed)	Local or general anesthesia	Topical anesthesia	No anesthesia

Melasma is a condition that can be treated with various laser treatments, including the Halo laser, which has no replicable effects. Other options include Laser Genesis and Clear + Brilliant, which can improve pore size, fade pigmentation, and soften fine lines without downtime. However, severe wrinkles or acne scars may not see significant improvement, and it takes a series of three to six “microlaser peels” to deliver similar results to one Halo treatment.

CO2 laser is a more aggressive option with several days of downtime but can effectively treat various skin concerns and provide more drastic results than many other treatments. Radiofrequency microneedling treatments like Vivace and Potenza stimulate collagen in deeper layers of skin to treat wrinkles, acne scars, uneven texture, sunspots, and rosacea. Chemical peels, which use an acidic solution to remove damaged top layers of skin and speed up cell turnover, can also drastically improve the skin’s appearance.

The exact causes of melasma are not yet entirely clear, but it is known that those with darker skin tones are more likely to develop the condition. Sun exposure, summer, hormonal fluctuations caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, or hormone replacement therapies can trigger melasma. Melasma typically appears as blotchy, dark patches on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, chin, and upper lip, which fluctuate with the seasons and can be caused by hormonal changes. Some individuals may experience hormonal melasma clearing up on its own after adjusting to a new hormonal treatment or returning to normal hormone levels after pregnancy.

Can the Halo Laser in Rochester Treat Melasma

To help our patients minimize the appearance of their stubborn melasma, we offer the Halo laser in Rochester. 

Our Halo laser device by Sciton is the world’s first hybrid fractional laser. This means it combines two different wavelengths, that allows us to customize the treatment exactly to our patients and their unique needs.

Additionally, the cutting-edge hybrid fractional technology that Halo provides enables us to precisely target and dissect skin melanin. (Melanin is what causes unsightly melasma patches.) With adequate SPF protection and a healthy skincare routine, we can reduce or even eliminate the signs of melasma on your skin!

We hope that this article has helped you understand melasma and the Halo laser treatment for it. If you have questions about how to get started with treatment or what results you should expect, please leave a comment below.