Contour TRL Questions

What areas of the body can be treated?

The most commonly treated areas are the face and neck. Many other areas such as the chest and hands can also be treated. Sometimes laser resurfacing treatments are combined with traditional plastic surgery procedures as well additional laser treatments to further improve results. Please discuss your needs and skin goals with your physician.

What will happen during the procedure?

Your skin will be cleaned in the treatment area and your eyes will be protected with safety shields. The physician will position the laser over the skin while a computer-guided scanner moves the laser beam in the designated treatment area. Depending on the size of the area being treated, the procedure usually lasts 15-30 mins.

Will it be uncomfortable?

The comfort level of laser resurfacing treatments varies from patient to patient and depends largely on the depth of treatment. For shallow treatments, the procedure is well tolerated with the use of a topical anesthetic. For deeper treatments, your physician may administer a nerve block or local anesthetic.

What should I expect immediately after the treatment?

Immediately following the treatment, you may experience redness and a sensation resembling sunburn. Swelling may also occur in the treated areas. Your physician will advise you on specific after-treatment care recommendations, which may include analgesics and application of an ointment to keep the skin moist.

How long will it take to recover?

Complete healing will depend largely on the depth of treatment. Healing times for shallow treatments are typically 2-4 days before patients resume normal activities. For deeper treatments, you should discuss realistic expectations for recovery with your physician.

What aftercare do I need?

You may be given skin care products and instructions on how to use them. Your skin will be sensitive to ultra-violet light after the procedure, so you must avoid direct sun exposure until fully healed. It is recommended that you always use some level of sun protection to avoid sun damage and premature aging of your skin.

When should I expect results?

Depending on your treatment, the top layer of your skin will re-grow and can be covered with makeup in about 2 days to 1 week, at which time you will see noticeable improvements in your skin’s texture, tone, and wrinkle appearance. Deeper laser treatments also stimulate the growth of new collagen over the next 4 to 6 months. During this time, the skin may show increasing improvements in tightness and resilience.