BBL and Halo Laser
The Real-life Instagram Filter for Your Face
I kept seeing the BBL and Halo Laser all over the internet and the results were insane! It was dubbed the “filter” laser because after treatment your real-life skin looks as amazing as it does when you apply a filter to your Instagram Stories.
I was skeptical as I always am until I tried it myself and witnessed the results from it on someone I know personally. If it did what everyone was claiming, I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to try this one for myself.
Let me tell you something… THIS IS THE REAL DEAL! This laser does not disappoint and I would go so far as to say that this is my favorite skin procedure I have ever done. Spoiler Alert: this is 100% worth the investment and every single compliment I get on my skin I credit to this procedure.
If you don't have time to read the play-by-play, watch my YouTube video review at the bottom of this page!
What is the BBL and Halo Laser?
The Halo laser is a hybrid fractional laser that uses ablative and non-ablative wavelengths to treat the skin simultaneously. This laser helps to reduce and remove dark spots, fine lines, and reduce pore size. It also provides patients with a more even skin tone. Halo laser stimulates quick re-growth of healthy new skin, making it a popular treatment!
The Halo and BBL experience from start to finish has been a great one!
Pre-Treatment
The first step in the laser process was the initial consultation. I went in and spoke with Christina Nagle PA-C at Lickstein Plastic Surgery. I am fortunate that this was one of many wonderful treatments and appointments with Christina and my confidence in her experience and expertise is what keeps me coming back. I saw many before and after photos at this appointment, had all my questions answered, and walked through the process and recovery. I also picked up my aftercare products when I scheduled my treatment date.
Alastin Aftercare Products
Next, I came in to meet with the Medspa’s paramedical esthetician. She went over what I should wear to the laser appointment, what I needed to have on hand to make the aftercare as easy and comfortable as possible, what to avoid prior, and what to expect. We also scheduled an appointment for a HydraFacial 10 days after to add moisture back into the skin and for Christina to check to see how everything looked.
One of the many incredible things about this treatment is that you see results in as little as 7 days and the full results in 3-4 months, so as excited as I am after the first-week things just keep getting better and better. Outside of the incredible results that everyone has been getting from this laser and the way your no-makeup face looks like you have an Instagram filter on in real life is how safe it is. This laser is safer than getting laser hair removal! It is safe for areas of hair like eyebrows (I had half mine permanently lasered off previously) and you do not have to fully hide from the sun for a week afterward. Though hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen during the recovery period are a must. Plus, if you are making the investment in more beautiful skin why would you ever consider going out in the sun and messing it all up!
For the two weeks prior and following treatment I was advised not to use my retinol, and 3-5 days prior start using the recommended aftercare products to get my skin in top shape for the laser treatment. The day of, I was instructed to wear a button-down or zip-up shirt and bring an umbrella to shade my hot skin while walking out to the car. I would suggest not scheduling or planning anything for the 2 hours following this treatment, as you will feel hot, and relaxing with cold compresses will be helpful.
Day of Laser
When I arrived at the Med Spa, I was taken back to my procedure room to get ready. I changed into my robe and made myself comfortable. The nurse applied numbing cream to my face and neck, and I had 30 minutes to relax and check email while the numbing began working. It was magic. Following the 30 minutes of numbing the cream from my face and neck were removed and more numbing cream was applied to my chest. We then began the BBL treatment of my face and neck.
The BBL laser does not feel like much of anything just a bright flashing light and slight sound, no big deal at all! Then we began the Halo Laser treatment. The Halo is more of a hot feeling, but not something I would describe as painful, full disclosure I have a high tolerance for pain and was unbothered by this. While you are being lasered you are also being blasted with cold air which takes the edge off the heat. I am not going to lie, there were a couple of sensitive areas that hurt a little bit such as around my lips, but I have had similar experiences with other facial treatments I have done as well. Some spots are just a little more sensitive than others. One of the greatest parts about this laser was that I had expressed concern about my nose area and Christina was able to turn up the frequency slightly and safely to address this area of annoyance.
While I had little discomfort for my face and less for the neck, the chest was mild at best and the easiest part to laser. Christina went over my chest first with the BBL and then the HALO laser. I was expecting it to be worse because of how much sun damage we were working on, but it was so super easy!
The whole procedure was so quick and easy, and I was so relaxed I didn’t want it to end! Then I looked in the mirror and was shocked that I did not look worse! I mean I was expecting to look like those old Kim Kardashian vampire facial photos, but it just looked like the worst sunburn I have ever had. I headed out to my car with my umbrella shading my face, neck, and chest, and was on my merry way. I even did an IG Story as soon as I got in my car so everyone could see just how fine and easy this whole laser thing could be.
I went home, laid on the couch, dunked some wash clothes in ice-cold water, and watched the Real Housewives of New Jersey and Salt Lake City reunion. I ordered UberEats and just relaxed until the heat subsided which was about 1 -1.5 hours after the treatment. But, as always, there is no rest time for this busy mom and within 2 hours of treatment, I was picking up my little one and heading out to his tutoring session, where I sat in the car and waited for him for 30 minutes, then I picked up my older one from school, and headed home. I was so happy to be able to go back about my normal life the same day. If I had found a whole day to stay home in a dark room afterward and could not even ride in the car it would have taken months to schedule!
Day 1 Post Treatment
I woke up and was pleasantly surprised to see that I just looked sunburned and freckly! Obviously, if you know me you would be able to tell I was swollen, but with a hat and mask no one knew the difference! I had no pain and no itching. The texture of my skin could be described as sandpapery, and upon close inspection, you can see tiny little scabs all over, but nothing like the pronounced red marks from the plasma pen treatment.
It was a chilly day for Florida (high 60/low 70’s), so I used the weather to my advantage and put on a crew neck sweater, fun hat, mask (because COVID), and sunglasses, and not only was no one any the wiser, I also was fully protected from the sun! Cute outfit- check, sun protection – check, no one knows staring at my skin thinking there is something wrong with me – check.
We even had a full day, we went to breakfast (inside), ran a couple of errands (even went to the mall), took the kids to early evening mini golf, and had dinner outside under the stars. I was able to completely resume my normal life with the addition of a hat!
Day 2 Post Treatment
On Day 2 I woke up expecting to be a lot more swollen because I had been warned that this could happen. I was definitely swollen, but I’m a person who likes to plan for the worst and be happy if it is not as bad, and this was the case! I was swollen, less red, and still scabby/sandpapery but not much to “write home about.”
The only additional symptom I experienced was a slight itching. I kept catching myself rubbing my nose when I was still sleeping the morning of day 2, and I was a little itchy on my chest. I took a shower applied the nectar to my face and neck, and moisturizer to all three areas and that took care of the itching.
If the itching continues on Day 3, I have white vinegar on hand that I can dilute with water and use on my skin to prevent any further itching.
Day 3 Post Treatment
Day 3 is really the turning point following my laser procedure. On day 3, you can use white vinegar to relieve itching, you can and absolutely should wear sunscreen following this procedure, and makeup can be applied at this time.
By day 3, some of the swelling was starting to subside and I am very very dry and flakey. I would describe it as crusty, however, I have no pain and minimal itching. I am still red, and the more pigmented spots are starting to lift and slough off.
I chose not to wear makeup today because I didn’t have anywhere I had to be and I felt it would look weird and rough. I applied the nectar, moisturizer, and sunscreen with a pigmented tint to it.
Day 4 Post Treatment
I was still swollen on day 4 but a lot less than the previous days, and a lot less red like a sunburn. I was still very dry and flakey. It took all of me not to start scratching and scraping the dry shedding skin off, but I didn't. I was really good! My chin flaked and peeled the fastest of any part of my face. I think it’s because it gets wiped the most often like when you are brushing your teeth or eating. My skin was already starting to feel super soft in the areas that have flaked off and the dark spots already appear lighter. I don’t really feel like I need more coverage than the tinted sunscreen provides, so I skipped makeup again today.
Days 5-7 Post Treatment
Days 5 -7 were pretty easy, the skin became less red and the skin gradually flaked off. By day 7 after the laser, my skin was already glowing and looking super clear. I would say that by day 5 no one really noticed I had done anything to my skin and by day 7 my skin was back to my new normal which was absolutely fabulous!
Day 10 Post Treatment
On the 10th day after I had my Halo and BBL Laser procedure I went and had a hydrafacial. It replenished the moisture in my skin and when I left I was positively glowing. I couldn’t believe how amazing my skin looked and felt it was incredible. I couldn’t have been happier.
3 Months Post Laser
I am now 3 months post Halo and BBL Laser and I couldn’t be happier. As I said when I started this is my most favorite and effective skin procedure and is well worth the investment! My face, neck, and chest look clear and incredible.
I highly recommend the Halo and BBL Lasers. This is something I will continue to do yearly because I feel that it is so worth the investment in my skin. I am also considering going in at the end of the summer if I have sunspots that arise after spending so much time in the Florida sun, but I’m so happy with how my skin looks. I have become a real stickler for sunscreen, and have been way more on top of wearing my hat and rash guard. I’ll stick to my spray tans for a little bronzed skin!
Things to consider with BBL & Halo Laser:
While this may not be the case at all facilities providing HALO and BBL Laser treatments, it was more cost-effective to do my face, neck, and chest all at the same time to save money on the cost of the tip for the laser rather than starting with my face, being thrilled and going back for my neck and chest.
It took longer for my chest to heal and to see results than it did on my face and neck. This is probably because I had significantly more sun damage in this area. It healed beautifully and I am very happy with the results, however, I felt it was worth noting as I wouldn’t want anyone to be discouraged. It just takes a little longer than the face and neck.
This is not necessarily a once-a-year treatment for everyone, depending on your age, skin, and other factors, more than one treatment may be needed.
BBL and HALO Laser treatments are safe and effective but still an investment in your skin, and should be treated as such, make sure to be completely honest with your medical practitioner, before, during, and after treatment.
Make sure you have realistic expectations, while this treatment dramatically improves the tone, and texture of the skin, nothing in life is perfect.
Peace, love, and a real-life filter,
XX,
Jenna
