Jason Emer, MD, FAAD, FACS
Halo ProFractional Laser For Darker Skin Tones: Deep Resurfacing Without Pigmentation Risk
How Dr. Jason Emer uses Halo and ProFractional erbium lasers at specific settings to resurface acne scars and texture on darker skin tones, with prep and aftercare that prevent pigmentation issues.
Dr. Jason Emer MD · FAAD · FACS
The practice's own photographs
Patients of the practice, from Dr. Emer's published before and after gallery. Each case is one patient. Individual results vary.
Deep erbium laser resurfacing on darker skin tones requires settings that remodel scar tissue without the heat that causes pigmentation, plus prep and aftercare that prevent inflammation from turning into lasting discoloration.
Your plan starts with Dr. Emer.
Schedule ConsultationReserve online. West Hollywood and New York.
From the filmed session
What Dr. Emer did · RE:SKN
Micro droplet silicone placed into deep acne scars before laser treatment to stimulate collagen remodeling and improve final result when combined with resurfacing.
“What I find is if you do this, it brings in more collagen. You're able to get a better result. That's why I tell people do the treatment together because that's how you're going to get the best result.”
Dr. Emer, in the film
Deep erbium laser combination at settings that create microscopic channels into the dermis on darker skin tones, run cooler than CO2 to prevent hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation, double pass in areas with deeper scarring, with expected bleeding due to lack of coagulation from cooler wavelength.
“Herbium lasers go really deep, but they're really cold. They're cooler. So you can do this treatment on somebody with a darker skin tone and right setting and it'd be really safe despite all this blood.”
Dr. Emer, in the film
PRP and stem cells applied immediately after laser treatment to absorb into the microscopic channels created by the laser, accelerating healing and preventing pigmentation issues.
Why patients fly in
Cooler erbium wavelength goes deep without the heat that causes hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation in darker skin, though it bleeds more during treatment because vessels do not coagulate immediately.
“Herbium lasers go really deep, but they're really cold. They're cooler. So you can do this treatment on somebody with a darker skin tone and right setting and it'd be really safe despite all this blood.”
Weeks of barrier-strengthening skincare before laser and aftercare protocol to prevent inflammation and pigmentation issues; Dr. Emer turns patients away who want only the laser without the full protocol.
“I always tell people if you are getting lasers and they don't have any type of skin care protocol, please run out of there. Don't get it. It's not safe and especially for I'm a woman of color, we are prone to hyperpigmentating or hypo pigmentating.”
PRP and stem cells absorb into the laser channels to decrease inflammation, speed healing and prevent the pigmentation issues that would otherwise occur in darker skin tones.
Silicone placed into scars before laser treatment brings in more collagen as the skin remodels, performed in the same session for best results.
“What I find is if you do this, it brings in more collagen. You're able to get a better result. That's why I tell people do the treatment together because that's how you're going to get the best result.”
Dr. Emer's early training in burns, scars from skin cancer removal and complex wound healing taught him how to work on compromised or reactive skin without causing new damage.
THE THINKING BEHIND THE TREATMENT
Follow Dr. Emer’s approach through the stages described in this case.
Back to the video ↗Her first treatment with Dr. Emer produced significant improvement. This visit builds on that result.
The patient in this video has darker skin and deep acne scarring. Her first laser session with Dr. Emer was four years ago, and the improvement from that treatment held. This second session goes deeper into the remaining scars, using the same Halo and ProFractional erbium laser combination at settings that remodel tissue without triggering hyperpigmentation.
“I came from another place and I never realized how important it was to prep and prime your skin.”DR. JASON EMER · FROM THE VIDEO
Deep resurfacing on darker skin requires prep before, precision during, and aftercare immediately after. Skip one and the result is not safe.
“We build these protocols over the years. So the results are significantly better. This is a totally different level of going to a doctor's office for aesthetic.”DR. JASON EMER · FROM THE VIDEO
Before the laser, Dr. Emer placed micro droplet silicone into her scars to bring in more collagen as the skin remodels. Immediately after the laser, he applied PRP and stem cells to the treated area so they absorb into the microscopic channels the laser just created. That absorption speeds healing and prevents the inflammation that would otherwise turn into pigmentation issues.
Her skin was also prepped in the weeks before the session with a skincare protocol designed to strengthen the barrier and reduce reactivity. Without that prep and aftercare, even the right laser at the right settings is not safe for darker skin.
Dr. Emer does not perform this laser without a skincare protocol before and after. The patient's skin is prepped in the weeks leading up to the session to strengthen the barrier and reduce reactivity, and immediately after the laser he applies PRP and stem cells to the treated area.
Those stem cells and PRP absorb into the microscopic channels the laser just created, which speeds healing and prevents the inflammation that would otherwise turn into hyperpigmentation. The patient also had micro droplet silicone placed into her scars before the laser, which brings in more collagen as the skin remodels.
Halo and ProFractional erbium lasers, dialed for your skin / Patient story
Her first treatment with Dr. Emer produced significant improvement. This visit builds on that result.
The patient in this video has darker skin and deep acne scarring. Her first laser session with Dr. Emer was four years ago, and the improvement from that treatment held. This second session goes deeper into the remaining scars, using the same Halo and ProFractional erbium laser combination at settings that remodel tissue without triggering hyperpigmentation.
Before the laser, Dr. Emer placed micro droplet silicone into her scars to bring in more collagen as the skin remodels. Immediately after the laser, he applied PRP and stem cells to the treated area so they absorb into the microscopic channels the laser just created. That absorption speeds healing and prevents the inflammation that would otherwise turn into pigmentation issues.
Her skin was also prepped in the weeks before the session with a skincare protocol designed to strengthen the barrier and reduce reactivity. Without that prep and aftercare, even the right laser at the right settings is not safe for darker skin.
It was the settings.
The patient in this video has darker skin and deep acne scarring. That combination has kept her from laser resurfacing at other practices, because many providers either will not treat darker tones or use settings that cause hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
Dr. Emer built a protocol that makes deep erbium laser resurfacing safe for darker skin: the right combination of Halo and ProFractional lasers at settings that go deep without the heat that triggers pigment changes, plus prep and aftercare that prevent inflammation from turning into lasting discoloration.
Erbium lasers run cooler than CO2 lasers, which is why Dr. Emer uses them on patients with darker skin. The Halo and ProFractional combination creates microscopic channels deep into the dermis to remodel scar tissue and stimulate collagen, but the cooler wavelength means less coagulation and less risk of the heat damage that causes pigmentation problems.
That coolness also means more bleeding during the treatment. In the video you see blood and oozing as the laser works, which is normal: the lack of heat means blood vessels do not seal immediately. The trade is worth it, because the skin heals without the pigment issues that come from hotter lasers.
How the protocol is built
Deep resurfacing on darker skin requires prep before, precision during, and aftercare immediately after. Skip one and the result is not safe.
Weeks before the laser, the patient follows a skincare protocol to strengthen the barrier and reduce reactivity. For patients traveling from far away, a virtual consult with the team gets the protocol started before the visit.
Before the laser, micro droplet silicone is placed into deep scars to bring in more collagen as the skin remodels. This step is done in the same session, not separately.
Halo and ProFractional erbium lasers create microscopic channels deep into the dermis to remodel scar tissue and stimulate collagen. The cooler wavelength means less heat and less risk of pigmentation issues, but also more bleeding during the treatment, which is normal and safe.
PRP and stem cells are applied to the treated area so they absorb into the channels the laser just created. That absorption speeds healing and prevents inflammation from turning into hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
The treatment, explained
Also called Halo laser for dark skin tones, ProFractional laser for acne scars on darker skin, laser resurfacing for hyperpigmentation, deep laser for ethnic skin, acne scar treatment for darker skin tones, laser skin resurfacing for people of color.
Signature procedures
Peptides / biologic optimization
Peptide and biologic protocols for recovery, body composition and longevity, with epigenetic testing. RECODEX™ peptides are available to purchase through the practice after consultation.
Why Dr. Emer
He started with burn victims and skin cancer reconstruction, which is why you should feel safe about going this deep.
Dr. Emer's early training was in burns, scars from skin cancer removal, and complex wound healing. That foundation taught him how to work on compromised or reactive skin without causing new damage, and it is the reason he can perform deep erbium laser resurfacing on darker skin tones when most practices will not.
He has spent two decades refining the settings, the prep and the aftercare that make this treatment safe. Patients come to him when they have been told no elsewhere, or when they have had pigmentation problems from lasers at other offices.
The Halo and ProFractional combination goes deep without the heat that causes hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. The trade is more bleeding during the treatment, because the lack of heat means blood vessels do not seal immediately. That bleeding is normal and safe.
The skin is prepped in the weeks before the laser to strengthen the barrier and reduce reactivity. Without that prep, even the right laser at the right settings can cause pigmentation issues. Dr. Emer will turn a patient away if they want only the laser.
PRP and stem cells absorb into the microscopic channels the laser creates, which speeds healing and prevents the inflammation that would otherwise turn into lasting discoloration. This step is not optional.
Asked plainly, answered plainly
Many providers will not treat darker skin tones with deep lasers because the risk of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation is real if the settings or aftercare are wrong. Dr. Emer uses erbium lasers at settings that go deep without the heat that causes pigment changes, plus prep and aftercare that prevent inflammation. That protocol makes deep resurfacing safe for darker skin.
Erbium lasers run cooler than CO2 lasers, which means less coagulation and less heat damage. The trade is that blood vessels do not seal immediately, so the treatment bleeds and oozes. That bleeding is normal and safe, and it is the reason the skin heals without pigmentation issues.
The treated skin will peel over the following days, revealing smoother, remodeled skin underneath. The PRP and stem cells applied immediately after the laser speed healing and reduce inflammation, so downtime is shorter than it would be without that aftercare. Recovery time is determined in consultation based on skin tone and scarring.
For someone starting fresh, Dr. Emer recommends sessions every two to four months for the first few treatments, then maintenance once or twice a year. The patient in this video is on her second session, four years after her first treatment produced significant improvement. The long-term anti-aging plan for skin is a facial every month, laser every two to four months, and daily skincare.
Yes. For patients traveling from far away, a virtual consult with the team can get the skincare protocol started before the visit. The prep is required, so starting early makes the timeline work.
The skincare protocol before and after the laser is what prevents pigmentation issues in darker skin tones. Without that prep and aftercare, even the right laser at the right settings can cause hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. Dr. Emer will turn a patient away if they want only the laser without the full protocol.
Micro droplet silicone is placed into deep scars before the laser to bring in more collagen as the skin remodels. This step is done in the same session, not separately, and it improves the final result when combined with the laser.
The PRP and stem cells absorb into the microscopic channels the laser creates, which speeds healing and prevents the inflammation that would otherwise turn into hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. This step is not optional; it is the key to making deep laser resurfacing safe for darker skin tones.
A consultation with Dr. Emer covers your skin tone, your scarring, and whether deep laser resurfacing fits your plan.
Schedule ConsultationWest Hollywood and New York City