Learn About UltraClear
This diary documents a Halo treatment. Weston Center for Plastic Surgery now offers UltraClear, with six precision modes across three treatment paths.
Patient Diary
HaloDiary
a patient’s first-hand account
One patient’s honest, day-by-day diary of her Halo hybrid fractional laser treatment with Dr. Eberle. The decision, the procedure, the recovery, and whether the result was worth it.
The Backstory
My Halo Experience
I have to be honest, I’ve always had nice skin. I went through the teenage acne stage, but it was never excessive. At 42, I felt that my skin looked pretty good “for my age.” But it’s the “for my age” part that started to bother me.
For the past few years, I noticed I needed a fuller-coverage foundation to cover sunspots — but then the foundation would seep into my lines and wrinkles and make me look older. Facebook memories kept reminding me how my skin used to look, so on a breast lift follow-up appointment with Dr. Eberle, I asked what I could do about the sunspots.
He started me on BBL Corrective — a simple outpatient procedure, about 30 minutes from prep to finish, no downtime. A series is recommended, so I bought a package of two. At my next appointment, he suggested Halo. He said it would address any remaining sunspots, plus fine lines and uneven texture. He also recommended a CO2 Lift Pro Carboxy Treatment Mask before the Halo procedure, which I did in the office.
Treatment
Halo hybrid fractional laser by Sciton.
Surgeon
Dr. Nathan Eberle, M.D., D.D.S., F.A.C.S.
Total Downtime
Roughly one week of redness and peeling.
Time of Year
Week before Thanksgiving — slow at work, able to recover at home.
The Procedure
The Day of Halo
I picked the week before Thanksgiving — slow at work, easy to work from home. I came in and my skin was prepped with numbing cream. I relaxed for about an hour while my face numbed. Then it was time.
With the numbing cream removed, Dr. Eberle started with the BBL Corrective. With the numb-up, it was much more pleasant than my first time and seemed to go faster. Then on to the Halo. He started with my forehead — barely noticeable at first, then the intensity increased.
He kept telling me how far we had gone and how much was left. By the time the forehead was done, it was extremely hot. He moved on to the right side of my face, then the left, then the nose — by far the most uncomfortable area. Once we were done I felt a lot of heat. Rina, one of the office assistants, was incredibly helpful and brought me cooling gauze pads for my face.
Day by Day
The Photo Diary
Twelve entries documenting the redness, peeling, and resurfacing from the first hour through the two-week verdict.
01
1 Hour After
One hour after the procedure, wearing the CO2 Lift Pro mask. I felt pretty good but very red. Still went through the Pollo Tropical drive-thru.
02
Wearing CO2 Mask
The carboxy treatment mask going to work. Within minutes you can feel the tingling and see the bubbling of the carbon dioxide on the skin.
03
Night of Procedure
The most uncomfortable part. My face was burning with intense heat. Advil PM helped me sleep through it.
04
Day After
The redness is still significant and the skin is tight. Day one of the visible MENDs (microscopic exfoliative necrotic debris) settling in.
05
2 Days After
Redness starting to even out. Skin feels sandpaper-rough and slightly bronzed as the MENDs surface.
06
3 Days After
MENDs are darkening into a fine sandpaper finish. Swelling around the eyes has come down.
07
4 Days After — Back at Work
Back to looking like myself. Swelling mostly gone, redness subsided, and the peeling has started. The sunspot on my chest is dark and dry.
08
5 Days After
The bronzed MENDs are sloughing off in patches. The new skin underneath is visibly smoother and clearer.
09
6 Days After
Texture is settling. Most of the peeling has finished and the residual pink is fading.
10
One Week Later
About 95% of the redness is gone. My face is noticeably clearer and even-toned. Peeling is done and the skin feels tighter.
11
One Week + CO2 Mask
Another CO2 Lift Pro mask, fully recovered this time. Now I see why celebrities use this before big events — it is THAT good.
12
2 Weeks Later — Minimal Makeup
Two weeks later, out and about with minimal makeup. Tinted moisturizer with SPF, mascara, and lip gloss — that's it.
Actual patient. Individual results may vary.
The Verdict
Was It Worth It?
While I noticed the improvements myself, the side-by-side comparison of my before and after photos (two weeks after) made them obvious. Lines near my eyes and cheeks were gone. My skin was clearer and smoother.
I’m back to wearing minimal makeup on an everyday basis — tinted moisturizer with SPF, mascara, and lip gloss. Even on fuller-coverage days, I’m using a lighter foundation, it glides on smoother, and there are fewer creases for it to settle into.
It’s recommended that you do Halo twice within six to eight weeks of each other, then maintenance every one to two years. I’m booked for my second treatment and excited to see what those results bring.
Two Weeks Out
Ready to Begin?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Eberle to find out whether UltraClear is the right next step for your skin.
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