How much does a Fraxel laser treatment cost?
How much does a Fraxel laser treatment cost?
$900 – $1,500 average cost per session (full face)
Average Fraxel laser cost
Fraxel laser costs $900 to $1,500 per session on average for a full-face treatment or $250 to $500 per session to spot-treat one small area. The total cost depends on the number of sessions, provider type, and your location. Fraxel laser resurfacing can restore even skin tone, repair wrinkles, and eliminate scars.
| Treatment type | Average cost per session |
|---|---|
| Spot treatment | $250 – $500 |
| Full face | $900 – $1,500 |
| Face & neck | $1,200 – $2,000 |
What is a Fraxel laser?
Fraxel is a brand of fractional laser treatment used to resurface the skin one portion at a time. The laser energy penetrates the second layer of your skin and causes a small amount of damage in order to encourage new cell growth and boost collagen production.
Fraxel lasers are a non-invasive way to target aging or damaged skin. Since the laser only targets one fraction of the skin at a time, the surrounding tissue is left intact. This means faster healing and results.
Fraxel cost factors
Several factors affect the cost of Fraxel treatments:
Fraxel type: The Fraxel brand offers three options with varying wavelengths. Re:store is the most gentle non-ablative option, also called “mini Fraxel” or “baby Fraxel.” This is followed by Dual, which is a midrange wavelength. Re:pair is a more aggressive ablative option that requires more downtime and typically costs more.
Body part: Most people get Fraxel treatments on their face or a single scar. If you want to treat a less common body part like your chest, abdomen, hands, or shoulders, you may pay more. Some providers offer “mini Fraxel” or “baby Fraxel” treatments for small areas.
Number of treatments: Some scars or pigmented spots may need multiple treatments to get rid of them, depending on the type or wavelength you choose. The more sessions you need, the more you’ll end up paying.
Experience: In some states, only licensed nurses or physician assistants can perform Fraxel treatments. In other states, estheticians can operate the laser. Your state’s rules will dictate the type of professional, which affects how much they charge.
Location: Providers in major cities and areas with a higher cost of living tend to charge more for cosmetic procedures.
Add-on services: Clients often combine Fraxel with other anti-aging treatments for an added fee. Your provider can make a treatment plan to achieve the results you want.
Some providers and med spas offer discounts for your first treatment, bundled services, or Fraxel treatments after summertime.
Fraxel benefits
Fraxel laser treatments target uneven pigment and improve your skin’s appearance and texture. Most patients get Fraxel treatments for issues like:
Acne and acne scars
Age spots
Enlarged pores
Fine lines
Freckles
Scars
Stretch marks
Sun damage or sunspots
Uneven skin texture
Uneven skin tone
Wrinkles
If you have eczema or rosacea, you may not be a good candidate for Fraxel resurfacing. Ask your dermatologist for advice on appropriate alternative treatments.
What to expect
During a Fraxel appointment, your provider will cleanse your skin and apply a numbing ointment to the area. The anesthetic needs to set in for up to an hour. After that, a full-face Fraxel procedure only takes 20 to 30 minutes. The recovery period for Fraxel is typically about a week.
Within 1 to 3 days:
You can go back to work and resume normal activities.
You may experience redness and swelling, similar to a sunburn.
Use cool compresses and avoid hot showers or extreme exercise until your skin feels back to normal.
Days 3 to 5:
Your skin may feel grainy to the touch as damaged cells come up to your skin’s surface.
Do not exfoliate your skin or shave during this time.
Remember to apply moisturizer and sunscreen.
Fraxel vs. other laser treatments
Fraxel is only one of many skin treatments available today. The following table shows the cost and features of some similar options:
| Treatment type | Average cost per session* | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fraxel | $900 – $1,500 |
|
| CO2 laser cost | $1,000 – $5,000 |
|
| Halo laser cost | $1,000 – $2,400 |
|
| IPL cost | $300 – $600 |
|
*For a full-face treatment
Fraxel laser treatment FAQs
Is Fraxel a CO2 laser?
Fraxel is usually a non-ablative treatment, meaning the laser leaves the top layer of the skin intact. CO2 treatments remove the top layer of the skin and provide deeper resurfacing. Some Fraxel Re:pair services may involve CO2, but most Fraxel treatments don’t.
Does Fraxel hurt?
Fraxel does not hurt during the procedure. Your provider will use topical anesthesia and cold air to minimize any possible discomfort. Most patients report feeling tender after the procedure temporarily, as you would after getting too much sun.
Is Fraxel worth it?
Patients who get Fraxel laser treatments report improvements in skin conditions like acne scars, melasma, stretch marks, and wrinkles. However, some feel that the cost of Fraxel is not worth it since you can get similar results from other treatments.
If you’re worried about the cost associated with the Fraxel brand name, there are other lasers that use the same fractional technology.
How long does Fraxel last?
Results from Fraxel treatments typically last 1 to 5 years. You should see and feel the results immediately, with peak improvement after 2 to 3 months. Make sure to protect your skin from the sun and talk to your provider to set reasonable expectations.
If your skin concern needs multiple sessions, you will have to space them out with 4 weeks of downtime in between. Some scars require up to 6 treatments.
What to look for in a Fraxel laser treatment provider
Follow these guidelines to help you choose a qualified Fraxel facial provider near you:
Consider the provider's prices as well as their experience and equipment quality.
Check your state’s regulations and look for a FAAD (Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology) if necessary.
Read client reviews on Thervo and Google.
Ask the provider for before-and-after photos of past clients.
Talk to them about the treatment and ask about any potential side effects.
Questions to ask a Fraxel provider
Asking these questions can help you make an informed decision and pick the best Fraxel provider possible:
What type of Fraxel equipment do you use?
Do you offer any Mini or Baby Fraxel treatments?
How long have you been offering Fraxel treatments?
How many sessions do you think I’ll need?
What are the potential side effects of this laser?
Can you show me some before-and-after photos of clients?
Do you offer any package deals for multiple sessions?
Can I combine Fraxel with any other treatments? What would you suggest?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.