How Much Does a Fraxel Laser Treatment Cost?

A Fraxel treatment costs $1,550 on average, according to 476 recent patient reviews on RealSelf.

Several factors can affect Fraxel prices, so your cost could range from as little as $250 for one small treatment area up to $4,000 for a series of treatment sessions. 

Fraxel laser resurfacing treatments stimulate new collagen and elastin production, while making way for healthy, younger-looking new skin.

There are different types of Fraxel laser treatments, so during your initial consultation, discuss your personalized treatment plan and get a bespoke price quote. This helps avoid sticker shock when you’re presented with the bill.

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Why is Fraxel so expensive?

Fraxel laser treatments are expensive for two reasons: 

1. Providers have to buy a new Fraxel laser tip for each treatment. 

These disposable tips are expensive, but they also have a lower risk of skin damage than some cheaper lasers that don’t use disposable tips.  

2. Results are very technique-dependent, so you’re paying for skill and experience.  

Laser skin resurfacing procedures like Fraxel work by intentionally damaging your skin with columns of thermal energy. 

In turn, the treatment speeds cellular turnover and ramps up collagen production in the dermis to improve discoloration, fine lines, and scars, while also targeting pre-cancerous cells, to reduce your risk of nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Fraxel lasers can be either nonablative, like the Fraxel Dual, or ablative, like the Fraxel Re:pair. Non-ablative lasers spare the skin’s surface, while ablative devices vaporize the skin’s outermost layer to encourage the formation of new, healthy skin. 

Both types of Fraxel laser heat the skin in a pixelated pattern, altering only a fraction of the total treatment area, for a safer procedure with less downtime than traditional lasers.

Board-certified dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other physicians who have years of experience performing laser resurfacing treatments will know how to give you the best results, safely. Their time is valuable.

Why do Fraxel laser costs vary?

The price of Fraxel laser treatments can range dramatically. These are the top factors that can influence what you'll pay. 

1. Your provider’s credentials and level of expertise

U.S. states each have their own rules about who is legally allowed to perform laser skin resurfacing treatments. In some states, only licensed medical professionals—nurses, physician assistants, and doctors—can perform Fraxel laser treatments. In others, estheticians are also able to perform Fraxel laser procedures. 

Being treated by a provider with advanced training will cost more, since you’re paying them for their expertise. 

Even if price is a major factor for you, remember that your Fraxel results will depend heavily on your provider’s technique. An inexperienced technician could do serious damage to your skin—which could be very expensive to fix. Many of the RealSelf members who say Fraxel was not worth it say they have lasting damage due to complications like scarring, changes in skin texture, and hyperpigmentation after their provider used a too-high setting or made too many passes. 

Choosing a board-certified dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or another physician who has extensive experience performing laser resurfacing with excellent results (on patients who have a similar skin tone as yours) can help avoid unwanted side effects and deliver the results you want. 

Budget carefully and save your cash for a qualified, trustworthy provider who can tailor the treatment to your individual skin type and concerns.

2. Their practice location

Major metropolitan areas tend to have higher costs of living, which translates to higher prices on everything, including Fraxel laser treatments. 

Supply and demand can affect pricing too. In areas where providers are competing for patients, prices may drop to attract new business. Areas with few qualified providers and lots of demand will probably be more expensive.  

If you’re not picky about where you want it done, it may be worth your time to consult with more than one provider, so you can compare personalized cost quotes.

3. The type of Fraxel laser treatment you get

Fraxel is the brand name of a type of fractional laser. The Fraxel brand offers three laser treatment options: 

• Fraxel Re:store, the gentlest, most superficial wavelength
• Fraxel Dual, a combination of two non-ablative wavelengths: one that works deeper and the other, more superficially 
• Fraxel Re:pair, an ablative CO2 laser, is the most aggressive treatment and involves greater downtime and special aftercare

None of the lasers have set costs, but Re:pair is typically the most expensive because performing it well requires the utmost skill. 

4. The size of the treatment area

The most common treatment areas are the face, neck, decolletage, and hands, but Fraxel can be performed almost anywhere you'd like some serious skin rejuvenation. 

Having multiple areas or your full face, neck, and chest treated is more time-consuming for your provider, so you can expect to pay more. 

Related: The 5 Best In-Office Treatments to Try If You're Not Ready for Fraxel

5. How many treatment sessions you have

Everyone’s needs are different, but providers often recommend a series of three to six Fraxel sessions (depending on your concerns and the type of Fraxel laser used), spaced two to four weeks apart, for optimal results. 

(One exception: The ablative Fraxel Re:pair typically requires only a single treatment.)

Having just one nonablative treatment will cost less than a series, but it may not get you the results you want. Providers often offer discounted rates if you purchase a treatment package up front vs. individual sessions a la carte.

6. Sales and discounts

Some dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and med spas offer seasonal specials and deals on Fraxel treatments. These pop up most frequently after summer, when people are looking to address new sun spots and other sun damage they've developed over the past several months. 

You may also find Fraxel treatments offered at low rates on coupon and deal sites. Before you choose your provider based on a deal, read reviews and find photos of real results, posted by patients that not only went to the same practice but were treated by the same provider who would be performing your treatment. 

It’s also smart to call the practice and ask if they use a real Fraxel laser, not a similar (but suboptimal) knockoff made by another manufacturer that may use cheaper parts.

We've said it before, but it's worth repeating: a cheaper treatment by an inexperienced laser technician could leave you with serious skin damage that may be permanent. A great deal is always tempting, but you don't want to wind up shelling out even more cash to correct burn scars and other injuries.

Is Fraxel worth the money?

Fraxel has a 59% Worth It Rating from RealSelf members—technically a majority, but far lower than similar skin resurfacing treatment options like the fractional Halo laser.

While some cosmetic treatments get panned for not delivering results, the reasons most reviewers cited for saying Fraxel is not worth it were all related to skin damage, which is why we keep raising that potential risk. 

That said, happy patients often rave about dramatic improvements Fraxel laser treatment made for skin concerns like acne scars, excess pigment, stretch marks, and fine lines. If you do have good results, you can prolong them by investing in good skin care, including sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. 

It’s important to note that not everyone is a good candidate for Fraxel. Milder treatments, administered by true experts, may be safe for people with deep skin tones, but it’s smart to do a patch test first to see how your skin reacts. 

Likewise for those with melasma, a pigmentary condition that’s commonly triggered or exacerbated by heat. While even the gentlest version of Fraxel may be contraindicated for certain folks with melasma, some doctors insist that pre-treating the skin with topical hydroquinone and/or oral tranexamic acid for a period of time prior to a Fraxel treatment can reduce the risk of pigmentary flares. 

If you’re still on the fence, learn more about how Fraxel works and find a provider with deep experience treating your skin type and unique concerns.

Fraxel laser costs in U.S. states

Browse the average cost of Fraxel laser treatments in select U.S. states, according to patient reviews on RealSelf. States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.