Contour TRL is Sciton’s fully ablative, tunable 2940‑nm Er:YAG laser designed to precisely remove layers of skin to smooth etched lines, refine texture and improve scars—especially in areas like the upper lip and around the eyes. Depth is customised by your clinician for anything from a focused perioral/periorbital “laser peel” to deeper full‑face resurfacing.
What it treats (best suited)
- Etched perioral (“smoker’s”) lines and periorbital lines
- Cheek crêpiness, coarse texture and enlarged pores
- Selected acne or surgical scars (when appropriate)
- Diffuse sun damage with fine–moderate etched wrinkles
Who it’s not ideal for
- Very deep laxity that would be better served by surgery or tightening first (e.g., Sofwave / Ultherapy)
- Recent isotretinoin use, active infection, poor wound healing, or significant keloid tendency
- Fitzpatrick V–VI for fully ablative, high‑energy, large‑area treatments (consider staged or fractional options first)
How it works
Er:YAG energy is strongly absorbed by water in the epidermis, allowing Contour TRL to ablate skin with high precision and limited thermal spread. By removing controlled depths, fresh collagen remodelling is triggered as new skin forms—softening lines and improving texture. Your clinician can tune depth (microns) and coverage for localised focus (e.g., upper lip) or more comprehensive resurfacing.
Treatment areas
- Upper lip, lower face and mouth corners
- Under‑eye/around eyes (specialist settings and eye protection)
- Cheeks, forehead and full face where appropriate
- Selected scars on face (case‑by‑case)
Session plan
- Number of treatments: 1 session often gives meaningful softening for etched lines; deeper or widespread concerns may be staged 1–2 sessions several months apart.
- Maintenance: Many maintain clarity/texture with lighter fractional passes like LaseMD Ultra, MOXI, or Fraxel Dual a few times per year.
Comfort & anaesthesia
- Topical anaesthetic is standard for lighter passes; deeper face or focal lip/eye work may use local injections or oral sedation as advised.
- Protective eye shields are used for peri‑ocular treatments.
Downtime & aftercare
- Days 0–3: Oozing/serous drainage; frequent soaks/occlusive care as instructed.
- Days 4–7: Peeling and tightness; redness persists.
- Days 7–14: Re‑epithelialised in most cases; pinkness continues (camouflage makeup once cleared).
- Weeks 3–8: Redness gradually fades; texture and fine‑line smoothing becomes more apparent.
- Sun care: Strict UV avoidance and broad‑spectrum SPF are essential during healing and beyond.
- Cold sores: If prone to HSV, prophylaxis is commonly used (discuss with your clinician).
Results & longevity
- Initial smoothing is visible once healing completes; collagen remodelling continues for 3–6 months.
- Long‑lasting softening for etched lines; lifestyle, sun care and skin biology influence durability.
Skin of colour (deeper complexions)
- Higher risk of post‑inflammatory pigment change with fully ablative, high‑energy, large‑area treatment.
- Consider conservative, staged plans or fractional options (e.g., ProFractional, HALO, LaseMD Ultra) with an experienced team.
Combines well with
- Tone & pigment: Staged IPL/BBL such as BBL HERO or M22 IPL to tidy residual reds/browns after healing.
- Structure/volume: Biostimulators like Sculptra or Radiesse (timed around resurfacing as advised).
- Laxity & lift: Stage with ultrasound tightening—Sofwave or Ultherapy—or RF microneedling (Morpheus8, Genius, Potenza, Secret RF).
How it compares
- Contour TRL vs CO₂ (e.g., UltraPulse, CO2RE, eCO2 Plus): Both are ablative “heavy lifters.” Er:YAG (Contour TRL) has higher water absorption and a typically narrower thermal zone, enabling very precise layer‑by‑layer removal; CO₂ devices offer powerful textural change with more thermal effect. Choice depends on skin, goals and operator preference.
- Contour TRL vs ProFractional: ProFractional is fractional Er:YAG—micro‑columns of ablation with intact skin between for quicker healing. Contour TRL is fully ablative in the treated field and can deliver stronger smoothing per session with more downtime.
- Contour TRL vs hybrids/light fractional: HALO, MOXI, LaseMD Ultra, Fraxel Dual give milder, buildable improvements with shorter downtime.
Safety notes & contraindications
- Active infection, open wounds, or uncontrolled dermatitis in the area
- Recent isotretinoin, significant keloid history, or conditions affecting wound healing—discuss with your clinician
- History of cold sores: consider antiviral prophylaxis
- Meticulous aftercare and sun avoidance are essential to reduce risks such as infection, scarring, or pigment change
FAQs
How many days off will I need?
Plan on 7–14 days before you look “socially comfortable” after deeper face or perioral/periorbital work; light, focal passes may be shorter.
Is it painful?
With appropriate topical and/or local anaesthesia, most people tolerate the procedure; your plan is tailored to depth and area.
When can I wear makeup?
Usually after the new skin surface is intact and approved by your clinician—often from day 7 onward for deeper passes.
Will it help deep folds or sagging?
Resurfacing smooths skin and etched lines. For volume loss or descent, pair with structural treatments (e.g., Sculptra / Radiesse) or tightening.
Is it safe for under‑eye skin?
Yes in skilled hands with appropriate eye protection and conservative settings; expect more swelling and longer pinkness around the eyes.