Contour TRL™ Erbium

An erbium laser that uses turnable resurfacing to precisely adjust the depth and penetration of the laser to deliver customized treatments.

About Contour TRL™ Erbium

Overview

Contour TRL (Tunable Resurfacing Laser) is a type of erbium laser that differentiates itself from other erbium lasers through its tunability and precision.

Key features that set Contour TRL apart from other erbium lasers include:

  • Tunability: Contour TRL allows the physician to adjust the laser’s ablation depth, coagulation, and thermal effect. This tunability enables the practitioner to tailor the treatment to each patient’s needs, ranging from superficial to deep resurfacing.
  • Deep Resurfacing: Contour TRL delivers laser energy to the deeper layers of the skin, allowing it to treat severe wrinkles, acne scars, and other deep skin imperfections.
  • Precision: The Contour TRL laser system uses a high-precision scanner that ensures uniform and controlled laser energy delivery, minimizing the risk of uneven or inconsistent results.
  • Variable Pulse Widths: The laser allows the duration of each laser pulse to be adjusted, allowing the treatment to be customized for different face and body areas, optimizing results and minimizing downtime.
Advantages

Ideal candidates for Contour TRL erbium laser treatments are people seeking skin rejuvenation and improvement in specific skin conditions. Generally, suitable candidates include those with:

  • Fine lines and wrinkles: Contour TRL erbium laser can effectively reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, including crow’s feet and forehead lines.
  • Acne scars: The laser treatment can help smooth out and minimize the appearance of acne scars.
  • Sun-damaged skin: The laser can target and remove pigmented lesions, benefiting individuals with sunspots, age spots, and uneven pigmentation.
  • Uneven skin texture: Those with rough or uneven skin texture caused by factors like aging or scarring may find improvement with the laser treatment.
  • Skin laxity: The Contour TRL erbium laser stimulates collagen production, leading to tighter and firmer skin.
Pros
  • Precision and Efficacy: The Contour TRL erbium Laser delivers highly precise and controlled energy pulses, making it ideal for targeting specific areas without causing damage to the surrounding tissues.
  • Versatility: This laser technology can be used for a wide range of applications, including skin resurfacing, scar revision, wrinkle reduction, and pigmentation correction. 
  • Deep Tissue Penetration: The Contour TRL erbium Laser penetrates deep into the skin layers, making it particularly effective for treating deep wrinkles, acne scars, and other complex skin conditions.
  • Customizable Settings: Precise control of energy settings, pulse duration, and spot size enables customization based on the individual patient’s needs.
  • Minimal Downtime: Despite its powerful capabilities, the Contour TRL erbium Laser offers shorter recovery periods than older laser technologies.
Cons
  • Discomfort during Treatment: While the Contour TRL erbium Laser is generally well-tolerated, some patients may experience mild pain or a burning sensation during the procedure. The use of topical anesthesia or cooling techniques can minimize any potential discomfort.
  • Side effects:  In rare cases, individuals may experience side effects such as temporary redness, swelling, itching, and hyperpigmentation following treatment. These usually resolve on their own within a few days or weeks.
  • Skin sensitivity: The laser treatment may cause temporary sensitivity in the treated area, making it essential to protect the skin from sun exposure.
  • Cost: The Contour TRL erbium Laser is a high-end technology and may cost more than other laser treatments.
What to Expect

Erbium laser resurfacing is typically an outpatient procedure lasting 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the treatment area size and desired intensity.

Before the procedure, your provider administers local anesthesia to numb the area and may provide an oral sedative for relaxation. General anesthesia may be used for fully ablative treatments, requiring transportation arrangements afterward.

During the procedure, the handheld laser device is moved across the treatment area, emitting a powerful beam of light in a grid-like pattern. Under general anesthesia, there’s no sensation. With local anesthesia, you may feel a snapping sensation.

Afterward, your skin is coated with ointment and dressings.

Recovery

Downtime varies from several days for superficial treatments to over two weeks for deeper treatments. During this period, expect swelling, scabbing, and discomfort. You can manage pain with over-the-counter or prescribed medication.

To reduce swelling, use a combination of prescription steroids and ice packs, and elevate your head while sleeping. Follow your doctor’s cleansing and moisturizing instructions, possibly using medical-grade products they recommend.

Moisturize regularly to promote healthy skin turnover and prevent scabbing. After initial healing, expect pink skin for weeks. You can resume using makeup once the area fully heals.

When outdoors, protect your skin from the sun with SPF 30+ sunscreen to prevent damage to the delicate regenerated skin.

Results

Visible outcomes depend on treatment intensity and healing duration. Noticeable results typically appear after skin restoration and redness resolution, taking weeks for superficial treatments and months for deeper treatments ones.

Clients see immediate improvements post-healing, but collagen-enhancing effects take a few months to develop as new cells and proteins form fully.

With proper skin care and sun protection, results can last several years. Regular hydration and antioxidant-rich products, along with high-SPF sunscreen, are recommended to prevent recurring damage.

However, skin aging is inevitable, necessitating ongoing maintenance. Continuous laser treatments or other rejuvenation therapies can help sustain results over time.

Safety Profile

Deeper erbium treatments pose significant risks, including burning and scarring due to the complete removal of surface skin layers. Healing can be intense, with weeks of swelling, scabbing, and redness. Adhering strictly to post-treatment instructions, including cleansing and moisturizing, is crucial to minimize infection risk. Your provider may prescribe antibiotics post-treatment.

Superficial erbium treatments carry lesser risks but can still cause burning and scarring, particularly for those with medium to deep skin tones. Following a doctor’s guidance is essential for healthy healing and infection prevention.

Avoid lasers for active acne as they can exacerbate inflammation and bacterial spread. Those on Accutane therapy or completed within the last 6 months should refrain from erbium treatment due to impaired healing capabilities.

Inform your doctor of any history of cold sores so that you can receive antiviral medication before treatment to prevent flare-ups.

Cost

$1,500-$3,000 per session. Prices vary depending on the area treated and location.

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