Lower density
The deeper ProFractional pass is done at a lower density, which Dr. Emer says keeps it safe on her tone.
DR. JASON EMER INSIDE THE PRACTICE
Lasers can be safe on darker skin. When they are done correctly.
Halo And ProFractional Laser On Darker Skin: How Dr. Emer Treats Pores, Scars And Tone Safely
A first Halo laser plus ProFractional for a patient with darker skin, pores, scars, pigmentation and a history of eczema: why the settings are safe for her tone, how the pain is managed, and why the neck is always treated.
THE DETAIL IS THE DIFFERENCE.Explore the story ↓
From the filmed session
Inside the treatment. With Dr. Emer.
Halo + ProFractional Laser on Darker Skin: Pores, Scars and Tone, Done Safely | Dr. Jason Emer
A first Halo laser, then ProFractional, on a patient with darker skin.
Open on YouTubeTHE THINKING BEHIND THE TREATMENT
The story.
The decisions.
The details.
Follow Dr. Emer’s approach through the stages described in this case.
Back to the video ↗- 01Before
The starting point
The goals: shrink pores and scars, even out texture and tone, and anti-aging.
This patient has darker skin, pore and ice pick scars, some pigmentation and a history of eczema, which Dr. Emer reads as inflammation. Her skin was primed beforehand with a light peel using the practice's own products.
- 02The plan
What Dr. Emer decided to do
Preparing the skin, resurfacing it safely for her tone, and helping it heal.
- 03The session
In the room, in order
She had Halo across the face and neck, a TCA touch on the pore scars, then a deeper ProFractional pass at a lower density for scarring, pores and tightening. Numbing was re-applied between passes, and she added nerve blocks for the ProFractional.
- Prime the skin
- Halo across the face
- TCA on pore scars
- Treat the neck
- ProFractional at a lower density
Explore the full treatment details +
Darker skin, nervous about lasers / Patient story
First Halo. Pores, scars, and eczema-prone skin.
The goals: shrink pores and scars, even out texture and tone, and anti-aging.
This patient has darker skin, pore and ice pick scars, some pigmentation and a history of eczema, which Dr. Emer reads as inflammation. Her skin was primed beforehand with a light peel using the practice's own products.
She had Halo across the face and neck, a TCA touch on the pore scars, then a deeper ProFractional pass at a lower density for scarring, pores and tightening. Numbing was re-applied between passes, and she added nerve blocks for the ProFractional.
Why darker skin needs a different approach
The patient in this video is getting Halo laser for the first time. Dr. Emer's goals for her are to shrink pores and scars, even out texture and tone, and anti-aging.
Many people with darker skin or mixed ethnicity get nervous about lasers, because heat can cause hyperpigmentation, and done incorrectly a laser can burn the skin. Dr. Emer explains that this laser is very safe on darker skin tones when it is done correctly, and the deeper ProFractional pass is kept at a lower density for the same reason.
What Halo actually does
Halo creates microscopic holes in the skin. Dr. Emer calls the tiny treated columns epidermal necrotic debris, or MENDs. As they peel, they take some of the pigment with them, improving texture and brightening the skin.
The deeper wavelength goes under the surface to build collagen over time. On pore and ice pick scars, a TCA touch is added, and you can see the frost form on camera.
How the session is built
Five steps. One visit.
Preparing the skin, resurfacing it safely for her tone, and helping it heal.
- 01
Prime the skin
A light peel with the practice's own products prepares the skin before any laser.
- 02
Halo across the face
Halo creates microscopic treatment channels that peel away pigment and roughness while a deeper wavelength builds collagen over time.
- 03
TCA on pore scars
A TCA touch is placed on pore and ice pick scars; the white frost shows where it took.
- 04
Treat the neck
The neck is treated too, for sun damage, wrinkles and tightening, so the face and neck age together.
- 05
ProFractional at a lower density
A deeper erbium pass targets scarring, pores and tightening, kept at a lower density because that is what keeps it safe on her tone.
Why Dr. Emer
Heat and pigment need a dermatologist's hand.
Done incorrectly, heat can cause hyperpigmentation. Done correctly, the same lasers brighten and smooth.
Dr. Emer is a board-certified dermatologist who treats every skin tone. The settings, the density and the order of lasers are chosen for the skin in front of him, not a preset.
Many patients with darker skin or mixed ethnicity have been told to avoid lasers. This session shows how he treats pores, scars and tone on darker skin with lasers he considers very safe for it.
- Board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon
- Every procedure performed personally by Dr. Emer
- West Hollywood and New York City
EMER METHOD™×RECODEX™
Numbing between passes
Re-applying numbing cream between passes keeps her comfortable without the extra swelling heavy nerve blocks can cause.
Calming, not just resurfacing
Removing inflamed and damaged cells lets the skin remodel into healthy skin and collagen, which helps eczema-prone skin settle.
Face and neck together
Treating the neck avoids a smooth face above an older looking neck later on.
Asked plainly, answered plainly
What patients ask before a laser on darker skin.
Is Halo safe on darker skin?+
Dr. Emer considers it very safe on darker skin tones when it is done correctly. Heat can cause hyperpigmentation when a laser is done incorrectly, which is why settings matter.
Does it hurt?+
Dr. Emer rates Halo around three or four out of ten; this patient said five. Numbing is re-applied between passes, and nerve blocks are available.
What are the dots on the skin?+
They are microscopic treatment channels, which Dr. Emer calls MENDs. They peel, taking pigment and rough texture with them.
Can it help skin with eczema?+
Dr. Emer explains that removing inflamed and damaged skin cells lets the skin remodel into healthy skin and collagen, which helps calm it. Whether it fits your skin is decided in consultation.
Why treat the neck?+
For sun damage, wrinkles and tightening, and to avoid a smooth face above an older looking neck later.
Find out what lasers can do for your skin.
A consultation with Dr. Emer covers your skin type, your goals and the safest settings for your tone.
Request a consultationWest Hollywood and New York City