One of my top priorities as both a board-certified cosmetic laser surgeon and your trusted skin wellness partner is to stay on top of the latest laser and device technology out there. Advances in science are happening every day, providing us with new and innovative ways to address some of the most common skin concerns people experience. I do extensive research to ensure these new devices show proven results before determining if they should be introduced to our practice — it’s how I maintain the quality patient care you’ve come to know us for.

We’ve heard a lot of chatter lately about Fraxel — one of our most popular and effective laser treatments — and Halo, another device intended to offer similar results. I thought to take some time to share a little bit about these two devices, the science behind them and why I’m a firm believer that Fraxel is the superior treatment for our patients.

Fraxel Restore Dual (more simply known as Fraxel) is a non-ablative skin resurfacing laser treatment we use at our practice. As opposed to ablative treatments that remove tissue, non-ablative lasers instead use different wavelengths of  energy to treat the skin. Fraxel uses two different wavelengths to address skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation, sun damage, melasma, texture, acne scars and even fine lines and wrinkles. The great thing about Fraxel is not just the effectiveness of the laser, but also the fact it requires much less downtime compared to ablative devices.

Halo is another laser device intended to yield the same results as Fraxel but with a different science behind it. While Fraxel uses only non-ablative wavelengths, Halo uses both ablative and non-ablative energy wavelengths. The combination of these two types of laser technology is meant to provide greater results than non-ablative alone can without being as “intense” as using strictly ablative lasers.

Halo promises to provide this perfect medium between results and recovery time, but in my opinion this just doesn’t stand true. The non-ablative wavelength in Halo is far inferior to the type used in Fraxel, meaning Halo isn’t as effective at treating things such as collagen development or pigmentation. On the other end, the ablative wavelength doesn’t help with these issues nearly as well as better ablative lasers like CO2, and instead just results in a longer, more uncomfortable downtime period. Rather than getting the best of both worlds, you’re actually getting the worst.

My assessment of Halo vs. Fraxel isn’t just based on my own research, but also firsthand experience with patients. We’ve seen people in our practice who’ve gone elsewhere for Halo and then visited us for Fraxel. After just a single round of Fraxel, they saw better results than they did with a series of Halo. Plus, the downtime and discomfort they experienced after Fraxel was far less than that of Halo.

As mentioned earlier, I conduct my due diligence when determining whether we should introduce a new device or treatment to Seiler Skin. Big brands try to market their technology as the “latest and greatest’, which is why I do the real research to see just how true that claim is. While other providers may not be as familiar with the specific science and tech behind different devices out there and be convinced by sales reps, I have the experience and background necessary to determine the quality of a laser and make the best decision for my patients without outside influence. I am always willing to invest in the things we need to provide the greatest level of care possible, but only if I firmly believe it’ll benefit patients in the long run and address their concerns. Patient education at our practice is key and I’ll always be here to answer your questions!

If you want to learn more about the benefits of Fraxel, other laser treatments or more, schedule an appointment online or book your next visit by calling 205.870.0204.