Sciton Contour TRL vs ProFractional: Which Laser Resurfacing Is Right for You?
Sciton Contour TRL and Sciton ProFractional are the two laser resurfacing treatments we use most for scarring, deep lines and sun damage at NassifMD Medical Spa in Manchester. They run on the same erbium laser, but they treat the skin in opposite ways: Contour TRL resurfaces the whole surface of the treated area, ProFractional treats a fraction of it in microscopic columns. That single difference decides the result, the downtime and the price, so this guide sets both out plainly.
Contour TRL vs ProFractional at a glance
| Sciton Contour TRL | Sciton ProFractional | |
|---|---|---|
| How it treats | Full-field: removes a controlled layer of the whole surface | Fractional: microscopic columns, skin in between left intact |
| Best for | Deep lines, heavy sun damage, eyelid skin, deep acne scars across the face | Acne scars, C-section and surgical scars, localised scarring, texture |
| Depth | Tunable from light to deep resurfacing | Adjustable column depth, from superficial to deep |
| Downtime | Seven to ten days of healing for deep treatments; a few days for light ones | Two to five days of redness and mild swelling |
| Sessions | Often one deep treatment, or a series of lighter ones | Usually a course of three to six, four to eight weeks apart |
| Price at NassifMD | Eyelids from £1,050; peri-oral £1,995; full face deep resurfacing £3,250 | From £500 for one area; full face £1,800; C-section course of three £1,500 |
| Skin types | Lighter skin types, assessed at consultation | Wider range of skin tones with the right settings |
What is Sciton Contour TRL?
Sciton Contour TRL (Tunable Resurfacing Laser) is a full-field erbium YAG laser. It removes the damaged outer layers of skin across the whole treatment area, to a depth your practitioner sets in microns, and the skin that grows back is smoother, tighter and more even. Because the whole surface is treated, it is the stronger option for deep lines around the mouth and eyes, heavy sun damage and widespread scarring, and for non-surgical eyelid resurfacing on hooded or crepey eyelids.
The trade-off is recovery. A deep Contour TRL treatment means around seven to ten days of healing, with the skin raw, then pink, before it settles. Light settings heal in a few days.
What is Sciton ProFractional?
Sciton ProFractional uses the same erbium laser but delivers it in thousands of microscopic columns, leaving the skin between them untouched. Those intact bridges of skin heal the treated columns quickly, so downtime is two to five days, and the body responds by building new collagen that lifts and softens scars from below.
That makes ProFractional our first choice for acne scars, C-section scars, surgical scars and other localised scarring, and for texture and pores where someone cannot take a week off. See our scar removal page for the full range of scars we treat.
Which is better for acne scars?
For most acne scarring, ProFractional. A course of three to six sessions remodels the scars progressively with manageable downtime each time. Deep, widespread scarring on lighter skin may do better with one Contour TRL treatment, or with ProFractional combined with HALO for texture across the whole face. Your practitioner assesses the scar type and depth before recommending either.
Which is better for lines and wrinkles?
Contour TRL. Full-field resurfacing has the greater effect on etched lines around the mouth and eyes and on crepey eyelid skin, which is why it is priced per area for the eyes and peri-oral zone. For finer lines and general texture with little downtime, HALO or MOXI are usually the better fit.
Which is better for C-section and surgical scars?
ProFractional. It treats the scar itself without resurfacing the surrounding skin, and a course of three C-section treatments is £1,500. Raised or keloid scars may also need a steroid injection, which we can combine with laser.
How much do Contour TRL and ProFractional cost in Manchester?
ProFractional is from £500 for one area, £700 for two, and £1,800 for the full face. Contour TRL is £1,050 for upper or lower eyelids, £1,995 for both eyelids or the peri-oral area, and £3,250 for full face deep resurfacing. Both are on our price list, and the number of sessions is agreed at your consultation.
Downtime, side by side
After ProFractional the area is red and feels like mild sunburn for two to five days; make-up can usually go on after 48 hours. After a deep Contour TRL treatment you should plan seven to ten days away from work or social plans, with daily aftercare and strict sun protection for several weeks. Our laser resurfacing recovery guide shows what each day looks like.
Can the two be combined?
Yes. A common plan is Contour TRL on the eyelids or around the mouth with ProFractional across scarred areas, in one session, so each part of the face gets the right depth. Both can also be combined with BBL for redness and pigmentation.
Contour TRL and ProFractional at NassifMD, Manchester
Both lasers are part of the Sciton platform at our clinic at The Alexandra, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, with private parking on site. Treatments are carried out by our medical team, and every plan starts with a consultation where we assess your skin, your scars and how much downtime you can take. Book a consultation or call 0161 877 8444.
Frequently asked questions
Is Contour TRL the same as a CO₂ laser?
No. Contour TRL is an erbium laser, which is absorbed by water in the skin more efficiently than CO₂ and leaves less heat behind, so healing is faster and more predictable. We explain the difference in Contour TRL vs CO₂ laser.
Does ProFractional hurt?
We apply a topical anaesthetic first. Most people describe ProFractional as hot pinpricks and Contour TRL as more intense, which is why deeper Contour TRL treatments are planned with additional pain relief.
How soon will I see results?
Texture and tone improve as the skin heals, within two to four weeks. Collagen remodelling continues for three to six months, so scars and lines keep improving after the last session.
Can darker skin have these treatments?
ProFractional can be used on a wider range of skin tones with the right settings. Full-field Contour TRL carries more risk of pigmentation change on darker skin, so we assess carefully and may recommend ProFractional or HALO instead.
