One of dermatology's most influential clinical researchers joins Halio to help build the scientific foundation for the next era of at-home longevity technology.
Halio, the skin longevity technology company, today announced the appointment of renowned board-certified dermatologist and clinical researcher Dr. Ted Lain as its first-ever Chief Clinical Innovation Officer. The appointment marks a defining step in Halio's evolution from a beauty-tech brand into a clinically led platform built at the intersection of dermatology, photobiomodulation, and longevity science.
As beauty technology converges with longevity science, Halio believes the category needs a new standard: not products merely inspired by science, but technology developed under scientific leadership and validated through evidence. Dr. Lain's appointment is the foundation of that standard.
The Appointment at a Glance
Dr. Ted Lain becomes Halio's first Chief Clinical Innovation Officer, leading the company's clinical research agenda, scientific standards, and the formation of the Halio Longevity Council, a multidisciplinary advisory board spanning dermatology, light science, and regenerative health.
The next frontier of longevity will not be defined only by discoveries made in the lab. It will be defined by the ability to translate scientific breakthroughs into technologies and daily habits that people can realistically adopt and use consistently. That translation is where most of the science breaks down, and it is precisely the gap Halio has set out to close.
Halio's role is to turn emerging science into technology designed for real-world adoption. Dr. Lain's role is to help ensure the science behind those technologies is rigorous and to make that science understandable to the people who use them.
Dr. Lain joins to help shape the scientific foundation behind that effort. Few clinicians are better positioned to do it. As Principal Investigator at the Austin Institute for Clinical Research, he has directed hundreds of clinical trials across medical, cosmetic, aesthetic, and device dermatology, a rare depth of experience in the specific discipline of evaluating whether a device does what it claims. It was that scientific rigor, Halio says, that made him the right person to help architect the company's clinical innovation agenda.
"Halio was built on the conviction that longevity science belongs in people's daily lives, not just in clinics. Our role is to take emerging science and translate it into technology that millions of people can realistically adopt. Dr. Lain brings the clinical expertise to help us build the evidence behind that technology and the ability to make complex science understandable far beyond the medical community." said Sao Lonsdale, Founder & CEO, Halio Sonic.
Dr. Lain's decision to join carries its own weight. Over two decades he has partnered with some of the most respected names in skincare, from global leaders like CeraVe to emerging innovators, and has built a reputation for backing brands that meet a genuine clinical bar.
"I've worked with many brands over the years, and What drew me to Halio is the clear focus on science, testing, and innovation." said Dr. Ted Lain. "Unlike many other companies focused on longevity, Halio is interested in advancing the science of photobiomodulation and not just selling another me-too product. I am excited about helping Halio deliver evidence-based, at-home devices to improve the health and appearance of skin."
Asked which Halio device has earned a place in his own routine, Dr. Lain points to the Halio PureGlow Ultralite Silicone LED Face Mask Pro, which he uses daily—when someone else in his household hasn't claimed it first. “It has become one of the most popular tech devices in our home,” he says.
As Chief Clinical Innovation Officer, Dr. Lain helps shape Halio's scientific direction across four fronts.
Architecting the clinical research agenda. Dr. Lain helps define the direction for Halio's clinical studies, including what the company investigates, how results are measured, and how findings contribute to a growing evidence base, beginning with red light therapy and expanding across adjacent technologies.
Setting the scientific standard. He establishes the framework that governs what qualifies as proof at Halio, and oversees the scientific language behind the company's claims, ensuring clinical and scientific communication remains grounded in the evidence available.
Translating the science. As Halio's lead clinical voice, Dr. Lain will bring the mechanisms behind photobiomodulation, EMS, RF, and IPL to a wider audience through education, media, and video, making advanced skin science clear, relevant, and genuinely understandable for everyday consumers.
Building the Halio Longevity Council. Dr. Lain is leading the formation of Halio's first multidisciplinary advisory board, bringing together leading experts across dermatology, photobiomodulation, longevity medicine, and regenerative health, with the ambition of creating a strategic scientific network that helps evaluate emerging science, inform Halio's clinical research agenda, and shape the company's long-term innovation pipeline.
Dr. Lain is a board-certified dermatologist who has practiced in Austin, Texas, since 2006. He serves as Chief Medical Officer at Sanova Dermatology and as Executive Director of the Austin Institute for Clinical Research, and he earned his medical degree and MBA through a joint program at Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University.
Beyond the clinic, he is a prolific educator and industry convener. He co-founded and co-directs the Science of Skin Summit, the annual Austin conference that in 2025 drew more than 800 dermatologists, researchers, and skincare innovators. He co-hosts The Science of Skin podcast alongside fellow board-certified dermatologist Dr. Patti Farris. And in February 2027, he and Dr. Farris will debut the inaugural Science of Skin Longevity Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona, a new gathering dedicated to the science of aging and healthspan, and reflective of the growing convergence between dermatology, longevity, and preventive health.
Meet Halio at the Science of Skin Summit
Halio will appear as a Pearl sponsor at the 6th annual Science of Skin Summit, September 17 to 20, 2026, in Austin, exhibiting alongside respected names in the field including Omnilux, Nutrafol, Dermalogica, and SENTÉ. Attendees can experience Halio's devices firsthand and meet the team working to translate evidence-led longevity technologies into everyday routines.
What Comes Next
Dr. Lain's appointment is the first step in building Halio's scientific leadership platform. In the months ahead, the company will announce the founding members of the Halio Longevity Council and the first initiatives on its clinical research roadmap, as Halio continues to build the clinical, scientific, and technological infrastructure behind its ambition to make evidence-led longevity solutions part of everyday life.
The appointment is not simply about adding another medical credential to a consumer brand. It marks the beginning of a broader effort to bring scientific leadership closer to how Halio evaluates emerging technologies, develops products, communicates evidence, and builds the future of skin longevity.
About Halio
Halio is a skin longevity technology company bringing clinically informed light and energy-based devices into everyday routines. Halio devices carry CE marking verified by an independent notified body and meet IEC 62471 photobiological safety standards. Learn more at halio-sonic.com.
