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How Fraxel Works
Fraxel divides its energy into thousands of microscopic treatment zones rather than resurfacing the whole surface at once. Each zone is treated to depth while the untreated skin between the zones stays intact, and that surrounding healthy tissue drives rapid healing.
The result is a meaningful resurfacing effect with a fraction of the recovery time of fully ablative laser treatment. Skin renews from within, replacing damaged tissue with new collagen over the following weeks.
Who Fraxel Is For
Fraxel suits patients whose main concerns are pigment and texture:
- Sun damage and brown spots
- Uneven skin tone
- Rough or coarse texture and enlarged pores
- Fine lines, particularly around the eyes and mouth
- Acne scarring
Skin type matters with laser treatment. Your provider will assess whether Fraxel or an alternative is the safer choice for your skin.
What to Expect
Topical numbing is applied for about an hour beforehand. Treatment itself takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the area. Most patients describe a prickling heat with cooling air running throughout.
Immediately afterward the skin looks and feels sunburned, with noticeable heat for the first several hours.
Aftercare
Expect redness and swelling for three to five days, followed by a bronzed appearance and fine flaking as treated tissue sheds. Keep the skin well moisturized, avoid active ingredients until healed, and use strict daily sun protection.
Improvement appears as the skin renews and continues building over one to three months as new collagen forms. Most patients need a series of three to five sessions spaced several weeks apart.
Session Length
20 to 45 minutes plus numbing time
Downtime
20 to 45 minutes plus numbing time
Session Count
Typically three to five, spaced several weeks apart
Results Timeline
Visible as skin renews, building over one to three months
Results Duration
Long lasting with sun protection and maintenance
Device or Brand
Fraxel® (Solta Medical)
FDA Status
FDA cleared fractional laser
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Fraxel treatments do I need?
Most patients need three to five sessions spaced a few weeks apart, though this depends on your concern and its severity.
How much downtime does Fraxel involve?
Plan on three to five days of visible redness and swelling, then several days of flaking. Many patients schedule around a weekend or a quiet week.
What is the difference between Fraxel and Pure Plasma?
Fraxel is a fractional laser that delivers light energy in microscopic columns. Pure Plasma uses thermal energy from super-heated nitrogen across the full dermal architecture. Your provider will recommend one over the other based on whether your primary concern is pigment and texture or overall skin quality and laxity.
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Dr. Todd A. Besnoff, MD
Medical Director
Top Doctor in Tampa Bay
Dr. Besnoff has been referred to as one of the Top Doctors in Tampa Bay (as seen in the recent Tampa Bay Magazine Top Doctors issue) and Top 100 Aesthetic Provider in America! Dr. Besnoff has assisted and/or performed hundreds of thousands of surgical procedures since 1995 in specialties such as plastic surgery, gynecology, tissue donation and life-saving emergency treatments. In fact, Ultimate Image has been known to have performed more BOTOX® / Dysport® treatments in Tampa Bay than any other provider.