NanoLaserPeel™ & Contour TRL®

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.

• 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.

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.

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.