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7 Tips for HALO Treatments

June 2024

When we are talking to practices who are just starting out or are looking to enter a period of growth, we often hear that HALO treatments are two things: it is incredibly enticing as a treatment offering because of the diversity in outcomes they can provide, and it is equally as intimidating to get started.

We’ve developed a complete e-course on learning the ins and outs of HALO treatments that you can check out, but we wanted to take some time and provide 7 actionable and effective ways to improve your HALO treatments. 

From the consultation process to the post-care kit, we have advice for every step that we believe will help your practice.

 

1. Take Your Time in the Consultation

If you are just starting out, you’d be surprised how critical the consultation is to the success of your treatments and the bottom line. While not specific to HALO treatments, a strong consultation process is the foundation of any successful treatment. It will help you set the stage, manage expectations, and start the beginning of a trusting relationship with your client.

Here are some key points to focus on during the consultation:

Understand Your Client’s Goals and Skin Concerns

Start by actively listening to your client’s concerns and desired outcomes. Ask open-ended questions to gain a comprehensive understanding of their skin history, lifestyle, and specific areas they wish to improve. This information is vital in tailoring their treatment plan and procedures to meet their unique needs and is necessary to build strong relationships with your patients. (Pro tip: This isn’t just for HALO — this is applicable to any treatment.)

Educate Them on HALO Benefits and Process

Remember, the technology might not be new to you, but it is new to your patients, many of whom might feel intimidated by the unknown of aesthetics. Use the consultation as an opportunity to educate them about how HALO works, the dual laser technology it employs, and the range of skin issues it can address—from sun damage and hyperpigmentation to fine lines and texture improvements. Clear, jargon-free explanations can demystify the process and make clients feel more comfortable.

Set Realistic Expectations, But Don’t Be Afraid to Excite Them

HALO treatments can deliver impressive results. As providers, we are well aware of their capabilities and may even get excited about the potential improvement they can provide. So, when speaking with your patients or potential patients during the consultation, share the possibilities—average to great and everything in between—but be upfront about the experience, downtime, and variation of final results. Always set realistic expectations, but don’t be afraid to let your enthusiasm show.

Back it up with before-and-after photos and other evidence of the treatment’s capabilities, and the patient will often match your energy and become excited about the treatment as well.

Customize the Treatment Plan, And Let Them Know You’re Doing It

You either have or will have soon sat in on hundreds or thousands of consultations — but it will always be your patient’s first. Keep that in mind, and make sure to avoid “hiding” any of the work you are doing on your end.

Talk them through the decisions you’ll be making about their treatment plan so they know you are tailoring the process to their specific needs. Let them know why you are recommending HALO treatments 1-2 times a year. This way, they know your treatment is bespoke and your expertise is not something they could get anywhere else.

 

2. Invest In Quality Procedure Materials

This tip will make your life a lot easier in the procedure room. Why? The quality of the materials you use during HALO treatments can significantly impact your procedure’s efficiency and the comfort of your clients.

If you are using budget materials or aren’t properly prepared, it will create friction during the procedure that your patient will notice. Plus, with a treatment like HALO, expertise and comfort make an impression, so using better materials on your patients will make them feel even more cared for.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the essential materials you should have on hand:

  • High-Quality Sponges — Use them to gently cleanse the skin before the procedure, remove numbing agents or debris, and fully cleanse the treated area post-treatment.
  • 4×4 Gauze Pads — Not only do these provide a means of wiping down the skin when needed, but they also serve as a reference when measuring the zones to be treated. One 4×4 is approximately 100㎠ which is the average size of a cheek. If you half the pad, it is 50㎠ or roughly the size of a forehead. These will help ensure you have accurate measurements and deliver the appropriate amount of energy.
  • Razor — A clean shave is crucial for ensuring that the HALO laser can penetrate the skin without obstruction. If a client would like a full face treatment, but didn’t shave their beard, having razors on hand will ensure you can accommodate their goals. Disposable is the best way to go as you will not want to reuse a razor for other clients or at another visit.
  • Mineral water  — HALO is a treatment that packs a lot of heat. Providing a cooling spray post-treatment can help with discomfort and hydrate the warm skin.
  • Large Bowl of Ice Water — Having a large bowl of ice water on hand is useful for soothing the skin immediately after the treatment or after a section of treatment. You can soak gauze pads or sponges in the ice water and apply them gently to the treated area. This is critical if you are treating Fitz Type IV-VI or anyone prone to PIH.
  • Sterile Water Mask—At AesthetiCare and MINT, we are huge fans of the Velez Masks. These provide a cooling cover for clients immediately post treatment and help to cool the skin quicker, protect the skin from contact, and help remove the Zimmer from their hand.

3. Maintain Even Contact with the Skin

An effective HALO treatment requires the skin to consistently be in contact with the skin in order to penetrate evenly into the tissue. If the device is moved across the skin irregularly, the treatment will not be uniform across the skin. The likelihood of seeing some areas overtreated also goes up if you put additional pass on skin that was missed.

Focus on small sections, or zones, to manage an even treatment effectively and ensure precise laser application. Communicate with your clients to keep them relaxed, as tense muscles can also impact skin evenness.

For more guidance on performing top-tier HALO results, check out our Hands-On Training or Group Training packages, where you can train at MINT on everything from theory to specific techniques.

 

4. What You Do In the Room Matters

The settings you use determines the downtime and the results. This means your choice of settings—more superficial vs deeper, higher density vs lower density—will impact the length and degree of downtime a client has. While the thought may be “lighter settings, less downtime” you must bear in mind that an easier downtime may also equal less dramatic results.

Therefore, as providers, we must find the unique balance that works for each of our clients. Some clients may be more adverse to the downtime and prefer a lighter treatment for that reason. Another may want to see results above all else. These considerations are critical to ensuring you get effective results and have a happy client.

5. Let the Patient Operate the Zimmer

A Zimmer is a cooling device that blows ice cold air onto the skin. By design, the HALO device includes a Zimmer connected to the handpiece. But there are times when it can be helpful to have a secondary Zimmer to hand the client. In order to make this possible, you will need the Y attachment created by Sciton. Learn more about the dual-hookup here. Here are some benefits to providing a Zimmer to the client:

Enhances Patient Comfort and Control

Allowing patients to control the Zimmer cooling device gives them a sense of control over their pain management, which can greatly reduce anxiety and discomfort. Patients can direct the cold air to areas where they feel the most heat or discomfort—something you may not always be aware of— ensuring they are as comfortable as possible throughout the treatment. This is especially helpful when treating a new client or using higher or deeper settings.

How does this help you? The patient will walk away with a much more positive experience, which will then translate into repeat visits, word-of-mouth recommendations, or even reviews or testimonials. Not to mention, everyone loves being a part of their own aesthetic journey.

Improves Treatment Tolerance

When patients can actively manage their comfort, they are more likely to tolerate the full duration of the treatment. This means fewer interruptions, faster treatment, and a more efficient procedure, leading to better results, higher patient satisfaction, and less time running frantically between appointments.

6. Use Metal Eye Shields — Not the Soft Options — When Treating Near the Eyes

We are big fans of the softer eye covers in many cases, but when treating close to the eyes, the soft, malleable options can sometimes prevent you from getting to the skin you are hoping to treat. With the metal eye shields, you can lift or pull the skin from under it, keeping the eye protected and accessing the skin closest to the eyelid. something you’ll need to worry about in every treatment plan, but it is something to consider when assessing the skin prior to the treatment. It also helps to have an open line of communication with your patient so they can tell you if something becomes uncomfortable or if the eye protection shifts during the procedure.

7. Have a Good Post-Care Kit

Think of the Post-Care Kit as the final part of the HALO treatment. It is your chance to put quality products in their hands that will support healing and overall skin quality. 

But what goes in a Post-Care Kit? It can be any combination of products or instructions that will help their results, but it’s important to keep it simple and effective. Too many steps, too complex of a process or unclear instructions can result in problematic healing and even contact dermatitis. At AesthetiCare and MINT, we include any of the following:

  • Gentle Cleanser — A gentle, non-irritating cleanser is crucial for maintaining clean skin without causing additional irritation. Recommend using the cleanser twice daily with lukewarm water to remove impurities and keep the skin clean during the healing process.
  • Soothing Moisturizer — Include a high-quality, soothing moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and promote healing. Products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides can be particularly effective in restoring the skin barrier and preventing dryness.
  • Sunscreen — Daily sunscreen use is imperative after HALO treatments to protect the skin from UV damage. Provide a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 50, and instruct clients to apply it 15-20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours when outdoors.
  • Portable Fan — While unnecessary, many clients greatly appreciate the portable fan provided to them. These small, battery operated devices help to remove the Zimmer from their hands and keep them comfortable immediately post treatment.
  • Detailed Instructions — Provide a detailed post-care instruction sheet that outlines the dos and don’ts after the treatment. This should include guidance on avoiding sun exposure, not picking or exfoliating the skin, and tips for managing any discomfort or side effects like redness and swelling.
  • Optional Additions — Depending on your clinic’s protocol, you might also include products like Cicalfate to assist in healing and anti-inflammatory medications for managing pain and swelling. This ensures they have everything they might need during the recovery period.

Become an Expert on HALO Treatment

HALO treatment provides many opportunities for your practice and your patients. Unfortunately, becoming an expert is no easy task, and if you are hoping to provide your patients with a unique, custom experience, you’ll need to expedite the learning process a bit.

Our online e-courses are filled with industry-leading educational material that can get your HALO program up and running in no time. In this course you will find supply lists for all of the products we discussed as well as everything else we use in our HALO procedures. Even if HALO turns out not to be your next big move, there are dozens of other educational videos aimed at helping you level up your medical aesthetic practice. 

We also have a podcast episode focused on HALO and how to maximize its performance in your clinic. From pricing to settings, the episode covers everything you need to be successful with HALO. Check out Episode #44 – Optimizing HALO from Start to Finish on the Making A (Multi) Million Dollar Medspa Podcast.