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NanoLaserPeel™ & Contour TRL®

Using laser skin resurfacing techniques, L&P Aesthetics in Palo Alto and Los Gatos treats patients in the Bay Area who have aging, sun-damaged and / or blemished skin. Our two erbium lasers, the NanoLaserPeel and ContourTRL, are both skin resurfacing techniques that remove the outer layer of skin to address topical skin issues.

Both lasers work by sending brief pulses of high-energy light into the skin and vaporizing damaged skin cells. The laser energy also stimulates underlying layers of skin which encourage the body’s own natural collagen production. As the lasered skin heals, smoother, tighter and more healthy skin is encouraged to form in its place.

Find more out about the NanoLaserPeel and Contour TRL treatments in the Bay Area and what they can do for your face. Request your consultation online or call (650) 327-3232 to schedule an appointment in our Palo Alto or Los Gatos offices.

What Concerns Do the NanoLaserPeel and Contour TRL Address?

Laser skin resurfacing treatments can leave patients with more natural-looking skin by improving such imperfections* as:

• Wrinkles
• Sun damage
• Crow’s feet
• Brown spots
• Blotchiness
• Acne
• Chickenpox scars
• Superficial facial scars

*Individual results may vary.

How Are Laser Skin Resurfacing Procedures Performed?

Laser skin resurfacing procedures are performed on an outpatient basis using a local anesthetic to help mitigate any potential pain. Usually our nursing staff administers the NanoLaserPeel while our facial plastic surgeons treat more severe cases with TRL.

During both laser skin resurfacing treatments, your provider will pass the laser over the targeted area several times until the skin’s imperfections are less visible and only a smooth layer of skin remains.  Depending on the size and condition of the area being treated, your NanoLaserPeel or TRL treatment will last about 30 minutes. Some patients will need multiple treatments to achieve their desired results but others will meet their aesthetic goal after only one treatment.

Who Is a Good Candidate for the NanoLaserPeel?

Anyone looking to improve skin texture, treat shallow wrinkles around the eyes, mouth or forehead or enhance non-responsive skin after a facelift, could consider the NanoLaserPeel. While it does not produce as dramatic results as the Contour TRL* does, there are many advantages of a NanoLaserPeel, including:

• Less downtime, often called “the weekend peel”
• Less painful than a TRL treatment
• Younger patients, who need only a gentle resurfacing, will usually see results with the NanoLaserPeel*
• Can treat small patches of skin
• Can treat thin, delicate areas like around the eyes and upper lips

Who Is a Good Candidate for Contour TRL?

The Contour TRL is widely regarded as the safest, most effective laser available. It safely removes a top layer of skin to reveal brighter, healthier skin. The depth of treatment depends on your skin condition, desired outcome, and expectation for downtime. Because Contour TRL can affect tissue with micron precision, our doctors can treat your skin with the exact amount of energy needed – no more, no less.

Treating skin with a laser stimulates the growth of new collagen, which improves the skin’s thickness and resilience. The skin surface will also re-grow with fresh, healthy cells, which will give your skin a younger rejuvenated appearance.

TRL can produce dramatic results by treating*:

• Deep lines and wrinkles (even in difficult to treat areas like
  around the mouth and eyes)
• Sunspots and age spots
• Actinic keratoses
• Skin texture irregularities
• Acne and scars
• Photodamaged skin
• Enlarged pores

How Do Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatments Compare to Chemical Peels and Microneedling?

Due to their strength, laser procedures usually produce more dramatic results than both chemical peels and microneedling. However, with laser skin resurfacing, there is usually more downtime than with the other two treatments.

Are Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatments Painful?

Pain tolerance varies from person to person, and the level of discomfort will vary by the location and depth of the treatment. On a scale from 0 to 10, (0 being no pain and 10 being unbearable pain), our patients usually report a 3 to 5 level of discomfort. For the NanoLaserPeel , a topical anesthetic will be applied 30 minutes prior to treatment. For the Contour TRL, our doctors may administer a subcutaneous local anesthetic.

What Is Recovery Like After Laser Resurfacing Treatments?

Your skin will probably look like it has been severely sunburned for approximately 3 to 5 days after the NanoLaserPeel and anywhere from 10 days to 4 weeks after a Contour TRL treatment. During this time, your skin may feel raw and have some oozing drainage. Some patients report a tingling, burning, or itching sensation that comes and goes throughout the day.

The top layer of your skin will re-grow and can be covered with makeup in about one week. At this 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 and oftentimes, the skin may show increasing improvements in tightness and resilience.

Our staff will instruct you on how to care for your skin during the healing process, and you may use ice or pain medication to alleviate any discomfort, but it is critical to stay out of the sun as too much sun could cause permanent, irregular discoloration. You can also refer to this video for step-by-step instructions on how to care for your skin after your laser treatment.

Are There Any Risks Associated With Laser Skin Resurfacing Treatments?

There are minor risks associated with laser skin resurfacing treatments, but negative side effects are very rare, especially in our office where our practitioners are highly trained. Possible side effects can include scarring, infection, abnormal healing, and allergic reactions, all of which our staff will discuss with you prior to your appointment.

Also, we generally recommend that people with darker skin tones do not get a Contour TRL resurfacing treatment because the strength of the laser might cause permanent skin lightening. Better treatments for people with darker tones are the Forever Young BBL™ and Halo Hybrid Laser.

Pre-Procedure Prep for Ablative Laser Treatments

Before any laser treatment, you will have a consultation with one of our facial plastic surgeons or a member of our highly trained nursing staff. Before any treatment, our staff will provide you with detailed, personalized instructions on how to prepare. Here are the general guidelines:

4-6 weeks prior:

• Begin using retinol, or a vitamin A, alpha-hydroxy acid, or hydroquinone cream.

2 weeks prior:

• Stop using the retinol, vitamin A cream, alpha-hydroxy acid or a hydroquinone cream.
• Stop using aspirin (if medically possible). Tylenol (acetaminophen) is fine.
• To avoid bruising, stop taking vitamin E, St. John’s Wort, Ginkgo biloba, evening primrose, garlic, feverfew, and ginseng to avoid bruising. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is fine.

2 days prior:

• Do not use medications that cause photosensitivity such as doxycycline or minocycline.
• Stop taking ibuprofen and drinking alcohol.
• Hydrate as much as possible. The laser is attracted to the water in your cells so your results will be better if you are well hydrated.
• If you are prone to cold sores, begin an antiviral and continue for 3-5 days after treatment.

Post-Procedure for Lasers Skin Resurfacing Treatments

After your laser treatment, we recommend the following:

• Get lots of rest with your head and shoulders elevated to help minimize the swelling that may occur around the eyes and cheeks.
• Apply Aquaphor to the area immediately after treatment but then keep the area dry so the peeling with begin sooner.
• Avoid activities that can cause flushing for two weeks after treatment.
• Avoid aggressive facial treatments, such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels, for 4 weeks post treatment and avoid topical products that may cause irritation for 6 weeks following your treatment.
• Be aware that acne lesions or milia (white-colored tiny keratin plugs) can occur up to a month after treatment.
• Contact our office if you develop acne or milia or if blistering, crusting, or scabbing develops. We will most likely recommend a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (such as bacitracin) for you to use twice a day until the skin heals. Do not pick or attempt to remove scabs that form following your treatment, as this may cause infection or scarring.

If you are interested in learning more about which laser treatment is right for you, please call L&P Aesthetics at (650) 327-3232 or set up a consultation with one of our qualified medical staff members.

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