Fully Ablative Contour TRL FAQ
Sciton Contour TRL (tunable resurfacing laser) is a fully ablative laser device that can specifically target deep skin layers to remove damaged tissue, stimulate collagen production, and promote skin renewal. Unlike older CO2 laser methods, the Contour TRL lets your doctor adjust how much heat is introduced into the skin. This tunable feature allows for tailored treatments targeting specific patient needs. It is used for advanced skin resurfacing, reserved for patients seeking significant improvements in skin quality.
Sciton Contour TRL is used to treat a variety of skin conditions and concerns, including:
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- Deep wrinkles and etched lines: It can significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It is particularly effective for etched vertical lip lines, crepey under-eye skin, and laxity of the upper and lower eye lids, and crow’s feet. Scars: It is effective in treating acne scars, surgical scars, and other types of scars by smoothing the skin’s surface.
- Uneven skin tone and texture: It can improve skin discoloration and roughness, resulting in a more even complexion.
- Age spots and sun damage: It can help diminish the appearance of age spots, seborrheic keratoses, and signs of sun damage.
The procedure works by stimulating the body’s natural healing process, which leads to the production of new collagen and elastin. This results in smoother, tighter, and more youthful-looking skin.
Because it involves removing the entire outer layer of skin, fully ablative laser resurfacing requires a significant recovery period, during which the skin heals and regenerates.
Expected skin changes:
- Swelling, crusting, oozing, discomfort for 4-5 days.
- Redness, crusting, then peeling for 8-12 days.
- Redness that fades gradually for up to 3-4 months, but it can be covered with makeup once the crusting has gone away.
Most people can wear makeup again after about 2 weeks, which helps hide any remaining redness. We recommend avoiding social activities for at least 14 days to ensure proper healing.
Many patients see their best results from just one treatment, which can last for several years. Sometimes, a follow-up treatment may be done on specific areas if needed.
The procedure can be quite uncomfortable, rated around 8 out of 10 in pain. To help manage this:
- You may take prescribed pain medication (like oxycodone) and anti-anxiety medicine (like Ativan or Halcion) before the procedure.
- Nerve blocking anesthetic can be injected if treatment covers sensitive areas like around the mouth or eyes.
- A strong topical numbing cream is applied an hour before your treatment.
- The most discomfort usually lasts for the first 2-3 days after treatment. Some people manage pain with Tylenol, while others prefer stronger prescription medications.
Plan to be in our office for about 2 to 3 hours, with the actual laser treatment lasting 60 to 90 minutes for a full face treatment.
The full result of collagen building and wrinkle reduction takes 3-4 months, but the early results will be obvious after the skin peeling has finished. With proper skincare and sun protection, results can last for several years, but aging and environmental factors will continue to influence your skin over time.
This treatment can be performed on most skin types, but darker skin types may have a higher risk of pigment changes. It’s essential to consult with your physician to assess your skin type and suitability.