HALO Hybrid Fractional Laser
Light and shadow are the two most important variables in how we perceive a face. When light hits a smooth, healthy surface, it reflects evenly. When it hits skin with enlarged pores, fine lines, or sun damage, that light gets trapped in the texture, creating the shadows we associate with looking tired or aged. Most people come into our Glen Carbon office asking to fix a "wrinkle," but what they’re actually seeing is a loss of reflectivity.
At MidAmerica Plastic Surgery, we use the HALO laser to recalibrate how your skin interacts with light. This isn't a generic peel or a standard resurfacing; we have evolved our protocol into the HALO Tribrid, a powerhouse combination that integrates HALO, MOXI, and Erbium Resurfacing. We aren't just treating the surface reflection of the skin you see in the mirror. We're treating the biological structure beneath it so that when you’re out living your life, your skin looks natural and healthy in every light.
The HALO Tribrid is our all-in approach to skin health, combining three different laser technologies to hit every layer of your skin at once. It’s a multi-layered strategy: we use the MOXI laser to brighten the top layer, the HALO hybrid fractional laser to remodel the deeper tissue, and Erbium Resurfacing to give the surface a final, glass-like polish.
In the past, laser treatments forced a compromise. You either took the aggressive, "burnt toast" recovery of ablative lasers or settled for the underwhelming results of multiple gentle treatments from non-ablative lasers.
We’ve moved past that. By firing all three modalities together, we get to be a bit more surgical with how we treat you. MOXI handles the "pre-game" by cleaning up light pigment, HALO does the heavy lifting for collagen, and Erbium acts as the finishing touch to smooth out any remaining surface bumps. It’s a customizable "cocktail" of light that lets us go deep on things like acne scars without making you hide under a hat for a month.
We focus on improved skin reflectivity. When your skin texture is smooth, and your skin tone is even, light bounces off the surface rather than getting trapped in the shadows of wrinkles.
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If you’re noticing visible signs of sun exposure (the kind of pigment that won't budge with expensive creams), you’re likely a candidate. The Tribrid is particularly great if you're the type who wants the most bang for your buck—it’s for the patient who wants to tackle pigment, pores, and texture in one shot. We use HALO for patients in their 30s as "pre-juvenation" and for those in their 50s looking for significant removal of skin damage.
It’s not for anyone with active infections or those unwilling to avoid sun exposure during healing. Healthy skin is an investment that requires protection.
We don't just "fix" skin; we restore its structural integrity.
By adding MOXI to the mix, we can be much more aggressive with stubborn sun spots. We’re essentially hitting the pigment at multiple depths so your body can clear it out faster.
This is where the Erbium shines. It physically polishes the skin’s surface, which helps shrink the appearance of pores and smooths out those tiny texture issues that HALO alone might miss.
The heat triggers collagen production, which fills in fine lines and wrinkles and softens the appearance of acne scars over time.
Everything we do is personalized to the person. During your consult, we look at your skin from every angle with a complimentary VISIA imaging session. We want to see how it reacts to light and shadow. We’ll discuss your history of sun damage and any previous laser treatments to see if your skin is ready for the full Tribrid experience or if a different treatment may be better suited for you.
Prep is simple: stay out of the sun completely, no sunless tanners, and stop using retinol two weeks prior. We want the skin calm and ready for the triple-wavelength energy.
Once you arrive at our Glen Carbon office, we apply a topical anesthetic ointment. We let that numb for 20 to 30 minutes. It needs to be effective.
Then we get to work with the handpieces. The HALO Laser is the world's only triple-wavelength laser that can target all three levels of skin within the same pass, making the procedure quicker than ever before.
Redness is normal and expected. It generally increases in intensity the first few days after treatment with day 3 being most intense, and can persist for up to 14 days depending on the aggressiveness of the treatment.
Pinpoint bleeding may occur. This can last for 1 to 12 hours depending on the treatment depth and may be isolated to certain treated areas. Oozing or weeping of clear serous fluid (light pink) may occur. This can last for 24–72 hours depending on the treatment depth. This is a normal skin healing response. Aquaphor may be applied. This barrier may mix with the oozing material and can be dabbed off gently with clean gauze. Be careful not to rub or scrub the treated area.
The treated area may be extremely warm for 2 to 6 hours after the treatment. Cold compresses or ice packs may provide comfort during this time. When heat subsides, a moisturizer should be reapplied as needed to keep the skin moist. DO NOT LET YOUR SKIN DRY OUT. The use of Aquaphor may be suited for individuals who receive more intensive treatment, while the cream may be sufficient on less aggressive treatments.
Contact your provider if yellow crusting occurs on any areas of the face. Peroxide soaks may be recommended to expedite healing and prevent infection.
Immediately after treatment, swelling is common and expected. Use of a cold compress or ice packs will help to relieve the swelling. To avoid further swelling, you may choose to sleep in an upright position the first night after the treatment. The first morning post-treatment is when swelling is more prevalent, especially under the eyes. Swelling may last 2 to 6 days, depending on the aggressiveness of the treatment.
Aquaphor may be suggested to apply over certain areas for the first 48-72 hours. Other products in aftercare kit can be used otherwise. Follow all instructions regarding aftercare and aftercare product (use as directed) Do not use any other skincare products that are not included in your aftercare kit for 7 days.
On the 2nd or 3rd day, you’ll notice "MENDS"—Microscopic Epidermal Necrotic Debris. They look like tiny coffee grounds on the skin. Don't scrub or peel them. They’ll flake off naturally as your new healthy skin emerges. You can return to normal activities almost immediately, but you must keep the skin protected with a high-quality UV sunscreen. Avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks.
Because the Erbium polishes the surface, you’ll likely notice that "fresh" look even sooner than with standard HALO. But the real magic of HALO results happens at the three-month mark. That’s how long it takes for the new collagen to mature. You’ll notice overall improvements in youthful-looking skin that continues to get better as the deeper layers remodel.
The cost of HALO laser treatments typically reflects the customization required for your anatomy and the surface area we're covering. The HALO Tribrid costs $2000 for just the face, however treatment can be done from head to toe.
Since laser treatments are considered elective cosmetic treatments, they are not often covered by insurance. During your consult, we’ll provide a transparent quote and can discuss financing options like CareCredit or Cherry.
The words for these procedures are often the same, but the results are different. You can go anywhere for a laser, but we aren't just touching up the surface of your skin. We brought the Tribrid protocol into the practice because I wanted a way to be even more surgical with non-surgical results. It’s about having the right tools to handle the nuances of your skin. When I'm using the HALO handpiece, I’m looking at how light and dark create shadows on your face. Those shadows are what make you look tired. I’m purposely contouring the light reflectivity of your skin. It’s a bigger investment of technology and time, but it’s so worth it because you live the rest of your life with that result. We want you out living your life, looking natural and real.
Stop settling for skincare that doesn't deliver. Reach out to us however you want—call, text, or find us on Instagram—and let’s help you out.
We recognize that navigating the noise of online reviews and viral trends can be exhausting when you just want a straight answer about your own skin. Our team in Glen Carbon and St. Louis is here to cut through that static and help you figure out exactly which protocols will actually move the needle for you. Whether you prefer to call, text, or send a quick message on Instagram, we’re ready to help you out and get your questions answered.
Dr. Diederich is a Southern Illinois native realizing his dream of giving back to the community. He helps patients feel and look their best with his surgical skills and compassionate care.
The beauty of the Tribrid is that it’s designed to be a "one and done" for most people. If you have significant acne scars or deep sun damage, an additional HALO treatment six months later can provide optimal results.
With the topical anesthetic, it’s very manageable. Patients usually rate it a 3-4/10. The heat lasts about 2 to 5 hours post-treatment, then subsides. Even though discomfort is well managed with the numbing agent, we do offer more extensive pain control as an additional option. Injectable lidocaine blocks or nitrous oxide can be provided per patient’s request.
For lighter treatments, usually 24 hours after the procedure. We recommend breathable, mineral-based products to keep the treated skin happy. For more aggressive treatments,you may need to wait 5 or so days before applying makeup.
It’s more comprehensive. Instead of picking one tool, we’re using three (HALO, MOXI, and Erbium) to make sure no layer of the skin is left out.
You can, but you must be diligent. If you have a beach vacation planned, wait. Direct sun exposure on healing skin is a recipe for hyperpigmentation.
