• Sciton HALO & Micropeel

    In London & Surrey, UK

INTRODUCTION

Sciton HALO/Micropeel is a laser resurfacing treatment designed to give a renewal of the skin surface coupled with the deeper benefits of HALO laser. This laser treatment is designed to smooth and renew the surface of the skin. It removes a layer of the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). It is much more intensive than a chemical peel because the HALO element creates new collagen within the dermis and tackles pigmentation and redness. Even though the benefits are far greater than mild to moderate chemical peels such as Glycolic and TCA peels, the downtime associated with this treatment is in the region of 5 days. This is less than a 25% TCA chemical peel.

It is also precise as Dr Hussein can remove a very precise even layer from the skin.

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PROCEDURE DETAILS

The result is a brighter skin surface with a more even skin texture. The pore openings will be smoothed off and thickened overgrown epidermis will be smoothed. Partial epidermal laser like this also stimulates collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin. This is triggered by the inflammatory reaction from the laser damage to the epidermis (outer layer).

This treatment has the advantage of quick healing with 3 days of redness and flaking because of the partial removal of the outside layer of skin. Its results are however highly visible and far in excess of a mild or moderate depth chemical peel.

Results are long-lived depending on how one looks after the skin and the procedure can be repeated every 12 months for maintenance.

This young lady has had a Sciton HALO & Contour TRL laser micropeel and this photo shows before, 2 days after and four days after the procedure. Quick effective results. Tone texture, pores and fine lines are improved.

Sciton HALO & Micropeel

This lady is day 2 following a Sciton Contour TRL laser micropeel. The rough outer surface has been removed and the smooth epidermis below is showing through.

Sciton HALO & Micropeel healing

Sciton Contour TRL Laser Epidermal Resurfacing

This procedure is more aggressive than the Sciton Contour TRL Micropeel. Here I use the Sciton Erbium YAG laser to completely remove the outer layer of skin (epidermis). This procedure will require 5 days of recovery time. This procedure provides an excellent one-stop procedure for the following:

Complete removal of superficial pigmentation (solar lentigo and macular seborrheic keratosis)
Complete smoothing of the epidermis by allowing regrowth of a completely new epidermis
Pore appearance will be improved
Fine lines and moderate wrinkles will be improved especially around the eyes
Small bumps on the skin surface (sebaceous hyperplasia) will be smoothed

Following this treatment, you will notice a radical renewed appearance of the skin. Pigmented marks will be removed to create a blank canvas effect.

Good skincare and appropriate sun protection will allow the results to remain for several years. On average this type of procedure can be repeated every 1 to 2 years or topped up with a Sciton Contour TRL Micropeel every 6 months for maintenance.

This procedure is carried out using a strong local anaesthetic gel coupled with local anaesthetic nerve block injections.

Photos below show Sciton Contour TRL Epidermal Resurfacing in action. Before and after as well as various stages of the procedure can be seen.

Sciton HALO & Micropeel before and after

This lady is almost recovered following Sciton Contour TRL Epidermal Resurfacing. This is before and day 4 following the procedure. Pigmentation, fine lines and pore appearance are already radically improved.

Sciton HALO & Micropeel before and after 2

This is before and day 7 following a Sciton Contour TRL Epidermal Resurfacing. That smooth blank canvas effect is clearly visible.

Sciton Contour TRL Epidermal Resurfacing. Here I have removed the epidermis revealing new skin around the eyes. Look at the comparison between the new skin around the eyes versus the old skin beyond that. As you can see with the old layer removed the new skin already has become visible and the rejuvenation is clearly visible. Textural improvement and removal of fine lines is immediately visible. The metal eyeshields are like contact lenses and help me reach the eyelash margin safely with the laser. These shields are easy and painless to insert and remove.

Sciton HALO & Micropeel

Not all people like their freckles and pigmentation. This young lady felt that it took too much make up to cover them. Here we performed Sciton Contour TRL Epidermal Resurfacing and this is a photo showing before and 6 days after the procedure. As you can see just a fresh blank canvas requiring minimal make-up.

POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS

Dr Hussein is an expert in cutaneous laser surgery the incidence of side effects is low. In Dr Hussein’s hands Sciton HALO & Micropeel laser resurfacing is very safe treatment.

However with any laser resurfacing treatment complications are possible. In Sciton HALO & Micropeel laser resurfacing these include the following:

Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH/skin darkening)

This is relatively rare with Sciton HALO & Micropeel. It would be more likely to occur on darker skin types but spontaneously improves. Improvement can be enhanced by the use of topical cream. Duration of this side effect usually depends on the severity of the inflammation that created it in the first place. Resolution can take anything from a few weeks to 3 months depending on severity. Sun exposure is the most common aggravating factor and this is why strict sun avoidance is important in the first few weeks following treatment.

Infection (bacterial/viral/fungal)

This can happen in any kind of laser resurfacing but is rare in Sciton HALO & Micropeel laser resurfacing. HSV infection (cold sore virus) is the most common kind but is usually prevented by taking a Valciclovir tablet twice daily for 7 days during the recovery period. Uncontrolled infection can then go on to result in hypertrophic (raised bumps) scarring. Thankfully if treated early any problems can be prevented. This is why Dr Hussein monitors the healing closely with the use of ‘selfie’ photos everyday for the first week.

Scarring

This is a possibility but again exceptionally rare in Sciton HALO & Micropeel treatment due to the fractionated energy delivery of HALO and superficial penetration depth of the Micropeel element. Theoretically if there was uncontrolled infection this could cause scarring. This is highly unlikely due to insistence by Dr Hussein on direct photo monitoring in the first week post treatment.

The second reason is due to a thermal injury directly created from the laser (burn). This is extremely unlikely due to Dr Hussein’s level of experience and expertise.

Prolonged redness (erythema)

This is not really a complication. Mild redness that remains for a couple of weeks after the treatment is normal. It will spontaneously settle.

Post resurfacing contact dermatitis

Again this is a rare complication of Sciton HALO & Micropeel but more likely in more aggressive forms of laser resurfacing such as fully ablative resurfacing. This is a form of increased sensitivity of the skin that is encountered by a proportion of individuals post laser resurfacing. In some cases it can be quite severe. Mild irritants can trigger a disproportionately large irritation of the skin (burning and itching) that then can result in prolonged redness and darkening of the skin. It is usually treated by topical steroid ointment or oral steroid tablets (prednisilone) if it occurs and eventually spontaneously settles. Triggering can be minimised by the use of mild perfume free cleansers and skin product post treatment. Dr Hussein can advise on these.

AFTERCARE

 

This treatment will renew the epidermis (outer layer) as well as stimulating new collagen production within the dermis (deeper layer). Pigmentation (browns) and vascularity (reds) will be reduced. It is a moderate grade of skin laser resurfacing procedure. Please adhere to these aftercare instructions following your Sciton HALO & Micropeel treatment.What you will experience following the treatment:

  • You will experience a sensation of heat and following treatment and mild swelling of the face will develop over the next 24 hours. There may also be a small amount of oozing and weeping in the first 24 hours. The burning sensation takes 24 hours to resolve.
  • Over the next three days skin will turn brown and begin to flake.
  • Swelling takes up to 72 hours to settle
  • Mild itching may be experienced 4-5 days following the treatment. Dr Hussein will advise on how to manage this.
  • At the end of 6 days the skin will almost completely healed but there will be ongoing mild redness for a further week.
  • It will usually be safe to return to a simple skin care and make-up regime from day 7 onwards

Never pick or remove skin flakes or crusts. Allow them to shed naturally. Picking will increase the likelihood of scarring.

Please note the time periods above may vary according to the strength of treatment. For example the duration of crusting may be longer in more aggressive treatments.

You will be issued with a skincare pack containing dermol facewash, Eucerin Aquaphor and a pack of sterile gauze on completion of the procedure.

Dr Hussein will also prescribe Valciclovir (to prevent cold sore virus infection) and Fucibet cream (to help settle itch and irritation). The Valciclovir must be taken morning and evening for one week. Fucibet should only be used if Dr Hussein instructs. There will also be antibiotic tablets and antifungal tablets in the pack that Dr Hussein gives to you. Again these are only to be taken if Dr Hussein instructs.

Skincare day 1 to day 7

It is imperative that you adhere strictly to the following skin care routine after Sciton HALO & Micropeel laser treatment. The skin barrier has been temporarily impaired by the laser. Premature application of your normal skincare products will result in inflammation, irritation, slow healing and may increase the risk of pigmentation problems and/or scarring. You are more susceptible to contact irritant and allergic dermatitis during this first 10 day period.

After the first 7 days have elapsed you must use a sunscreen SPF50 for the following 6 weeks. You must minimize your sun exposure at all times throughout the treatment and for 6 weeks after treatment.

Morning

  1. Wash the face in the morning with Dermol face wash and allow to air dry OR pat dry gently with a clean face towel or clean kitchen roll (DO NOT RUB).
  2. Apply Eucerin Aquaphor barrier cream to the face. This will protect the skin and stop it from drying out while the epidermal barrier is healing.
  3. Take any antiviral tablets according to instructions that Dr Hussein may have prescribed. Complete the course of medication.

Throughout the day

  • Top up the Eucerin Aquaphor cream at any point when the skin starts to feel dry and tight. This should be at least twice throughout the day. Allowing the skin to become too dry will slow the healing process.

Evening

  • Repeat steps 1 & 2 (and step 3 if your Doctor has prescribed the medication) before going to bed.

Dr Hussein will review you at 2 weeks following treatment but do not hesitate to contact him before this if you need earlier advice/review/information.
Remember to send healing ‘selfie’ photos everyday so that Dr Hussein can monitor your healing. Use the details on the contact card.

 

DR HUSSEIN CASE GALLERY

Sciton Halo & Micropeel – Part 1

Sciton Halo & Micropeel – Part 2

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