Erbium Laser Resurfacing in the Washington DC Area: Reston, VA
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass performs Sciton Contour TRL erbium laser resurfacing at our Reston, Virginia office, with consultations in Reston and Chevy Chase, Maryland. It softens fine lines, sun damage and rough texture for smoother, brighter skin.
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Erbium Laser Resurfacing Benefits
Erbium laser resurfacing renews the surface of your skin and prompts it to build new collagen. We use it to soften fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, brown spots, rough texture and shallow scars on the face.
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What Is Erbium Laser Resurfacing?
Erbium laser resurfacing uses a 2940 nm erbium laser, a wavelength the water in your skin absorbs very strongly. That lets the laser treat the skin precisely, with less heat spreading into the surrounding skin than a CO2 laser. It is used for fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, brown spots and hyperpigmentation, rough texture and shallow acne scars.
Our erbium laser is the Contour TRL on our Sciton Joule platform. Its depth can be set from a light laser peel that refreshes the surface to deeper resurfacing for lines and scars. Dr. Snodgrass performs it at our Reston office for select patients.
Most of our resurfacing is done with UltraClear, which is also an erbium laser. UltraClear is a cold fiber fractional laser that works with very little heat, so it is safe for all skin types. At your consultation Dr. Snodgrass recommends the laser that fits your skin. You can compare all of our options on our laser resurfacing page.
Who performs it: Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass, board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic dermatology.
Where: Our Reston, Virginia office. Consultations are also available at our Chevy Chase, Maryland office.
Downtime: Depends on depth. Expect redness, swelling and peeling while the skin heals.
Treatments: Usually one. Deeper lines and scars may need more than one.
Cost: Sciton Contour TRL erbium resurfacing starts at $4,500 for the face. Your exact price is confirmed at your consultation.
The Sciton Joule with the Contour TRL erbium laser, at our Reston, Virginia officeWe will bring the experience.
How Does Erbium Laser Resurfacing Work?
The laser light is absorbed by the water in your skin cells. Each pass treats the skin to a depth we choose, and a controlled amount of gentle heat in the deeper skin signals your body to make new collagen. As the treated skin heals over the following days, fresher, smoother skin takes its place, and the new collagen keeps improving firmness and texture over the next few months.
The Contour TRL lets us adjust the depth and the heat separately, so the treatment can be light for a quick refresh or deeper for more visible lines and scars. Deeper lines and scars need a deeper treatment, and sometimes more than one.
Erbium, UltraClear or CO2: Which Laser Is Right for Me?
We have three resurfacing lasers, and we choose the one that fits your skin instead of using the same laser on everyone.
Sciton Contour TRL erbium. An adjustable erbium laser for fine to moderate lines, sun damage and rough texture. Dr. Snodgrass performs it at our Reston office for select patients.
UltraClear. Our most used resurfacing laser, a cold fiber fractional erbium laser that is safe for all skin types, including darker skin. Dr. Snodgrass performs Level 2, Level 3 and Coring treatments, and our licensed master aesthetician performs 3DMIRACL, the lightest UltraClear treatment.
Deep fractional CO2. Our strongest option for the deepest wrinkles and scarring. Dr. Naderi performs it in the operating room at Prince William Surgery Center under general anesthesia, often together with a facelift or eyelid surgery.
If you were searching for Fraxel, we don’t use that laser. These are the lasers we use for the same concerns, and your consultation decides which one fits your skin.
We will bring the experience.
Is Erbium Laser Resurfacing Right for Me?
You may be a good candidate if you have fine to moderate lines, sun damage, brown spots, rough texture or shallow scars, and you can protect your skin from the sun while it heals. If you have darker skin, we often recommend UltraClear instead, because it works with very little heat.
How do I prepare?
Tell us about every medication you take and any history of cold sores, so nothing interferes with healing. Before deeper resurfacing we prescribe an antiviral to prevent cold sores. Starting Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar 3 to 4 weeks before treatment is optional, but it helps build collagen and can help you heal.
What is recovery like?
Recovery depends on how deep we treat. Redness, swelling, a sunburned feeling and peeling are normal while the skin heals, and a lighter treatment heals faster than a deeper one. Every patient goes home with an aftercare kit and written instructions, and deeper treatments use a fuller kit. Stay strictly out of the sun for 3 months after treatment.
What are the risks?
The main risks of any laser resurfacing are darkening of the skin (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) and scarring, especially in unskilled hands. That is why deeper erbium treatments at The Naderi Center are performed by a board-certified dermatologist.
How much does erbium laser resurfacing cost?
Sciton Contour TRL erbium laser resurfacing starts at $4,500 for the face. UltraClear starts at $1,800 for a Level 2 treatment. Your exact price is confirmed at your consultation.
Where is erbium laser resurfacing done?
Treatments are done at our Reston, Virginia office at 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavilion II, Suite 551, a short drive from McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Arlington and Washington DC. You can have your consultation in Reston or at our Chevy Chase, Maryland office at 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1655, convenient to Bethesda and Potomac. Call Reston at 703-481-0002, Chevy Chase at 301-222-2020, or book online.
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Erbium Laser Resurfacing FAQs
Who performs erbium laser resurfacing at The Naderi Center?
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alexandra Snodgrass performs Sciton Contour TRL erbium laser resurfacing at our Reston, Virginia office. She also performs UltraClear Level 2, Level 3 and Coring treatments.
Where is erbium laser resurfacing done?
At our Reston, Virginia office at 1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavilion II, Suite 551. Consultations are available in Reston and at our Chevy Chase, Maryland office, and many patients come from McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Arlington, Bethesda, Potomac and Washington DC.
What does erbium laser resurfacing treat?
Fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, brown spots, uneven tone, rough texture, enlarged pores and shallow acne scars on the face.
Is UltraClear an erbium laser?
Yes. UltraClear is a cold fiber fractional erbium laser, and it is the laser we use for most resurfacing because it works with very little heat and is safe for all skin types. The Sciton Contour TRL is an adjustable erbium laser that Dr. Snodgrass uses for select patients.
How is erbium laser resurfacing different from CO2?
Erbium light is absorbed more strongly by water, so less heat spreads into the surrounding skin. Deep fractional CO2 is our strongest option for the deepest wrinkles and scarring, and Dr. Naderi performs it in the operating room at Prince William Surgery Center under general anesthesia.
How many erbium laser treatments will I need?
Usually one. Deeper lines and scars are more stubborn and may need more than one treatment, spaced to allow full healing.
How long do erbium laser results last?
Results can last for years. Your skin keeps aging, so sun protection, good medical-grade skincare and occasional lighter treatments help you keep your results longer.
How much does erbium laser resurfacing cost?
Sciton Contour TRL erbium laser resurfacing starts at $4,500 for the face. Your exact price depends on the depth and the area treated and is confirmed at your consultation.
What is recovery like after erbium laser resurfacing?
It depends on the depth. Redness, swelling and peeling are normal while the skin heals, and lighter treatments heal faster than deeper ones. You go home with an aftercare kit and written instructions, and you need to stay strictly out of the sun for 3 months.
Is erbium laser resurfacing safe for darker skin?
Darker skin needs a laser and settings chosen with care. For darker skin we often recommend UltraClear, which works with very little heat and is safe for all skin types. Dr. Snodgrass matches the laser and the depth to your skin at your consultation.
Do you offer Fraxel?
No. We don't use Fraxel. We use UltraClear and the Sciton Contour TRL erbium laser at our Reston office, and Dr. Naderi performs deep fractional CO2 in the operating room, for the same concerns people often ask about for Fraxel.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shervin Naderi, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Last updated October 2026.
ZO Products for Erbium Laser
Once your skin has healed and we clear you to restart skincare, these ZO products help protect and maintain your results.
Not sure what fits your skin? Take our 30-second skin quiz or shop all ZO products.
Alastin Products for Before and After Erbium Laser Resurfacing
Alastin makes skincare designed to prepare skin before a treatment and support it while it heals. Ask us when to start and stop each product around your appointment.
Shop all Alastin products or see skincare for before and after procedures.