Two women with smooth, glowing skin

Sciton Contour TRL (Tunable Resurfacing Laser)

Advanced laser resurfacing for wrinkles, scarring and uneven skin texture

Advanced laser resurfacing for wrinkles, scarring and uneven skin texture

Sciton Contour TRL is an advanced Er:YAG laser resurfacing treatment designed to improve the appearance and texture of the skin. The treatment can be adjusted in depth and intensity, from lighter resurfacing through to deeper Er:YAG laser treatments for more established skin concerns.

At Nassif MedSpa in MediaCity, Manchester, we use Contour TRL to treat concerns including deep wrinkles, acne scarring, surgical scars, uneven skin texture and sun damage.

What is Contour TRL?

Contour TRL uses a 2940nm Erbium:YAG laser to precisely resurface the skin. The depth and intensity can be altered depending on the area being treated, the condition of the skin and the level of resurfacing required.

This makes Contour TRL a versatile Er:YAG laser treatment that can be used for lighter skin resurfacing as well as more intensive treatments where deeper resurfacing is needed.

Contour TRL can also be used for Nano and Micro Peel treatments, offering a lighter approach to skin resurfacing. We have dedicated pages explaining these treatments in more detail.

Er:YAG vs CO2 laser resurfacing

Both Er:YAG and CO2 lasers can be used for skin resurfacing, but Er:YAG laser resurfacing provides highly precise ablation with less thermal damage to the surrounding tissue. This allows greater control over treatment depth and can offer a more tailored approach to resurfacing and recovery.

What can Contour TRL treat?

Contour TRL may be recommended for:

  • Deep lines and wrinkles
  • Acne scarring
  • Surgical and traumatic scars
  • Uneven skin texture
  • Sun damage and signs of skin ageing
  • Certain pigmentation concerns

The Er:YAG laser removes controlled layers of damaged skin and stimulates the skin's natural healing and collagen remodelling process. As the skin heals, new tissue develops to improve texture, smoothness and overall skin quality.

Contour TRL for acne scars and scar revision

Acne scars and other scars can affect the structure and texture of the skin, rather than simply its surface appearance.

Where deeper resurfacing is appropriate, Er:YAG laser resurfacing with Contour TRL can be used to treat scarred skin and improve the transition between the scar and surrounding tissue.

For more localised scarring, Sciton ProFractional may be recommended instead. ProFractional treats microscopic columns of skin and can be particularly useful when treatment needs to be focused on specific areas of scarring.

Your practitioner will assess the type, depth and location of your scarring before recommending the most appropriate laser treatment.

Contour TRL for wrinkles and skin resurfacing

Contour TRL can be used to improve more established lines, wrinkles and uneven skin texture. By resurfacing the skin at a controlled depth, Er:YAG laser treatment can address changes that may not respond sufficiently to skincare or lighter treatments.

The skin continues to remodel collagen following treatment, so improvements develop gradually as the skin heals and renews.

Your Contour TRL treatment

Your treatment intensity will be decided during your consultation. A lighter Er:YAG treatment may require less recovery, while deeper resurfacing involves a more significant healing period.

After deeper treatment, the skin can be red, swollen and sensitive, followed by peeling as the treated layers of skin shed. Recovery time will depend on the depth and intensity of your treatment.

Because deeper Er:YAG laser resurfacing requires downtime, we will discuss what to expect before you proceed and provide detailed aftercare following your treatment.

Is Contour TRL right for you?

Contour TRL is not one fixed treatment. Its adjustable depth and intensity allow your practitioner to select the level of Er:YAG laser resurfacing according to your skin and the concern being treated.

During your consultation at Nassif MedSpa, your skin will be assessed and your practitioner will discuss whether Contour TRL, ProFractional, a lighter Nano or Micro Peel, or another treatment would be the most appropriate option.

The treatment is planned around your skin, concerns and the result you are looking to achieve.

Prices from £900.00

Your Treatment Guide

Expected Results

A youthful look for the entire face

Treatment Time

60 minutes

Downtime

1-2 weeks

Longevity

Several years

The art of subtle transformation

After

After Sciton laser resurfacing: smoother skin with softer wrinkles

Before

Before Sciton laser resurfacing: deep wrinkles on the cheek and around the eye

FAQs

Both are ablative laser technologies used for skin resurfacing. Er:YAG provides highly precise ablation with less thermal damage to surrounding tissue, allowing the treatment depth to be controlled according to the patient's skin and treatment goal. CO2 laser resurfacing generally produces more thermal effect, so the two technologies have different treatment and recovery characteristics.

Both use Erbium laser technology, but they are used differently. Contour TRL provides broader resurfacing across an area of skin and can be adjusted to different depths. ProFractional creates microscopic columns specifically within localised scar tissue, making it particularly useful when treatment needs to be concentrated on individual scars.

Yes. Different laser treatments may be used as part of a wider plan when there are several concerns, such as texture alongside pigmentation or redness. They may be performed on the same day or at different stages rather than during the same appointment, depending on the skin and depth of treatment required.

The skin continues to improve after the initial healing period as collagen remodelling takes place beneath the treated surface. Texture and wrinkles can continue to improve over the following months, particularly when deeper resurfacing is used.

Contour TRL is designed for patients with more established skin concerns that may benefit from deeper resurfacing, including deep wrinkles, significant sun damage, pronounced uneven texture, acne scarring and certain surgical scars. It can be considered across a range of skin types, but skin tone, pigmentation, previous treatments and the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation need to be assessed before treatment. The depth and settings of the Er:YAG laser can then be adjusted according to your skin and the level of correction required.

The number of treatments depends on the depth of resurfacing required and the concern being treated. Some patients may achieve significant improvement with one deeper treatment, while lighter resurfacing may be performed as a series of treatments. Sciton advises that treatment can be carried out over 1–3 sessions, with results continuing to develop as collagen remodels over the following months.

Contour TRL can be used for more established acne scarring and significant textural irregularities, particularly when broader resurfacing is required. Very localised or individual depressed scars may be better suited to targeted ProFractional treatment, depending on the scar pattern.