POSTED UNDER Laser Resurfacing REVIEWS
Contour TRL Laser - Waste of Time and Money - La Jolla, CA
ORIGINAL POST
I'm a 40-something guy who is starting to show...
KiwiJoinSDMay 30, 2016
$1,500
I'm a 40-something guy who is starting to show some age lines/wrinkles, plus I've had some mild scars and textural inconsistencies on my face due to different pore zones, young adult acne and also getting chicken pox in my 30s. I had previously tried chemical peels to some success, but decided to explore something more intense.
As such I visited a number of the highest rated cosmetic places in the San Diego area, and all of them recommended laser treatment, mostly Fraxel. Initially I was leery of the downtime, but then one particular place was doing a special re. the Halo laser treatment. However during my consultation, the technician said it might take several sessions as that particular laser was mild, compared with others. She suggested if I could handle 7-10 days downtime, that I should go with TRL for a really deep treatment. Timing wise, this would work for me as I was still in a job where I worked from home, but would soon be starting a new job down the road when it would be tougher to get time off.
The procedure seemed to go fine and the technician said they'd never gone that deep/strong with anyone... but that my skin would be "smooth as a baby's bottom."
This was done on a Thur. and I fully expected to look like a burn victim for a week... and I did through Sat. However by Sunday night I had completely peeled and was simply pink. I thought this seemed a bit quick from what was described, plus I could still see the same issues I had before going in. I emailed my technician and she said not to worry. By Tue, you could barely tell I had anything done.. even went out for happy hour. During my follow-up that week, I was told to be patient as it takes at least a month for a lot of changes to be seen.
Well it's now been about 2 months and I'm not at all happy. There's been some slight smoothing of skin in some areas, but this has had the effect of making other textural issues seem even more pronounced. Not a single divot, scar, wrinkle or other defect is any better. In fact, not a single person in my life even noticed any changes at all.
It's extremely disappointing as I not only spend a lot of money, but also a lot of time - delaying job searching and during pre-and post treatment, I had to avoid the sun, which meant giving up all my favorite hobbies for months (kayaking, biking, etc).
I did, of course, let the Center know of my dismay and they suggested 4 more rounds of laser treatments, spaced 12 weeks apart. They did offer to deeply discount these treatments, but now I'm likely getting a new job and it will be extremely difficult if not impossible to schedule another 4 weeks of downtime in the coming year.
According to the Contour TRL website, the company claims it's for the aggressive treatment of mild to deep wrinkles, scars and bad texture. It didn't work for me, even at supposedly the more intense settings, and my particular skin issues were relatively medium to mild.
Now I've lost confidence in the whole laser industry and don't know what to do.
As such I visited a number of the highest rated cosmetic places in the San Diego area, and all of them recommended laser treatment, mostly Fraxel. Initially I was leery of the downtime, but then one particular place was doing a special re. the Halo laser treatment. However during my consultation, the technician said it might take several sessions as that particular laser was mild, compared with others. She suggested if I could handle 7-10 days downtime, that I should go with TRL for a really deep treatment. Timing wise, this would work for me as I was still in a job where I worked from home, but would soon be starting a new job down the road when it would be tougher to get time off.
The procedure seemed to go fine and the technician said they'd never gone that deep/strong with anyone... but that my skin would be "smooth as a baby's bottom."
This was done on a Thur. and I fully expected to look like a burn victim for a week... and I did through Sat. However by Sunday night I had completely peeled and was simply pink. I thought this seemed a bit quick from what was described, plus I could still see the same issues I had before going in. I emailed my technician and she said not to worry. By Tue, you could barely tell I had anything done.. even went out for happy hour. During my follow-up that week, I was told to be patient as it takes at least a month for a lot of changes to be seen.
Well it's now been about 2 months and I'm not at all happy. There's been some slight smoothing of skin in some areas, but this has had the effect of making other textural issues seem even more pronounced. Not a single divot, scar, wrinkle or other defect is any better. In fact, not a single person in my life even noticed any changes at all.
It's extremely disappointing as I not only spend a lot of money, but also a lot of time - delaying job searching and during pre-and post treatment, I had to avoid the sun, which meant giving up all my favorite hobbies for months (kayaking, biking, etc).
I did, of course, let the Center know of my dismay and they suggested 4 more rounds of laser treatments, spaced 12 weeks apart. They did offer to deeply discount these treatments, but now I'm likely getting a new job and it will be extremely difficult if not impossible to schedule another 4 weeks of downtime in the coming year.
According to the Contour TRL website, the company claims it's for the aggressive treatment of mild to deep wrinkles, scars and bad texture. It didn't work for me, even at supposedly the more intense settings, and my particular skin issues were relatively medium to mild.
Now I've lost confidence in the whole laser industry and don't know what to do.
Replies (8)
June 5, 2016
Not defending the laser as a) I am unfamiliar with the process you had and b) I am having my own issues with funky results (hyperpigmentation and no noticeable improvement on any of my smokers lines, sunspots, etc.) but they do say that the formation of new collagen after an ablative procedure should take up to 6 months. It's possible you'll still get the results you want.
That said, I am 100% sorry I wasted the major money on my own fractionated CO2 full face laser. More than two months later I am still dealing with a blotchy face, wrinkles I didn't have before, saggy undereyes and a generally tired look. I have had multiple cosmetic surgeries and have been thrilled with the results of each but this one has been horrible in every way. Same skilled plastic surgeon too. Guess I was a poor candidate, or maybe in the next three months I will suddenly wake up dewy fresh and unblemished. One can only hope. :)
That said, I am 100% sorry I wasted the major money on my own fractionated CO2 full face laser. More than two months later I am still dealing with a blotchy face, wrinkles I didn't have before, saggy undereyes and a generally tired look. I have had multiple cosmetic surgeries and have been thrilled with the results of each but this one has been horrible in every way. Same skilled plastic surgeon too. Guess I was a poor candidate, or maybe in the next three months I will suddenly wake up dewy fresh and unblemished. One can only hope. :)
July 25, 2016
I had the contour TRL and I paid more than double of what you spent and I did not see any results, my texture is slightly better, I had very good skin to start, but I had brown spots that I expected to be gone with the laser, I was red for along time and the brown spots are still there, now the plastic surgeon's office are giving me BBL laser for free because they saw I did not have any good results. I think my PS put very little power on the machine, I think he used 40 amps, let me know what power did your doctor use in yr face? BBL does not give you any down time but it takes lots of times every 3 or 4 weeks. total of 4 treatments, I regretted it as well, I would not recommend this type of laser. I heard CO2 is good and TTRL is supposed to do the same job, in my case it didn't.
July 25, 2016
I forgot to add that this was a Park Ave. dr. in NYC very well known plastic surgeon.
November 14, 2016
I had absolutely no improvement with the contour TRL. My doctor agreed with me and wants me now to use fillers and fractional laser.
November 14, 2016
I paid $3,500 here in NY city (on Park ave.) and I only had an improvement in the texture of my skin but for that I'd rather had a peel. I don't agree in doing a laser after TRL because it thins your skin and to do it again, I am afraid it will be to make your skin thin and wrinkly. My dr. (dr. Steven Perlman) still says that some patients see improvement but I think is just marketing, you just get robbed of your money.
September 6, 2019
I feel the same. I only had about 5 days downtime and don't see any improvement. The laser is expensive and then when you don't see results they want you to spend more money on fillers and Botox. I'm done. I spent $3,000 for nothing. I'm just going to age gracefully. I'm 61 and my husband loves me the way I am. Don't waste your money. It's a scam
Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope you find support here in the community.