How Much Does Laser Resurfacing Cost?
The average cost of laser skin resurfacing is $2,125, aaccording to hundreds of recent reviews from RealSelf community members. However, the cost can range up to $7,999, depending on a few key factors.
Elective cosmetic procedures like this one aren’t covered by health insurance, but most providers accept third-party financing options.
Read on to find out why prices vary, how the cost compares to chemical peels, and whether real patients say their results were worth the money.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Laser Resurfacing
What affects the cost of laser skin resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing treatment costs can vary widely, depending on:
1) The type of laser skin resurfacing you get
Lasers used for skin rejuvenation typically fall into two main categories: nonablative and ablative.
Ablative treatments, like CO2 and Erbium lasers, vaporize the epidermis (the outer layers of the skin) to reveal fresh new skin, while contracting existing collagen fibers and boosting new collagen in the dermis to lessen signs of aging, like sunspots and fine lines. With a CO2 laser (versus other lasers), you may see some degree of skin tightening, but it’s generally modest.
CO2 lasers are commonly used in plastic surgery to complement facelift results, since a surgical lift alone does nothing to address skin tone and texture. Without adding laser resurfacing, a lifted face may still look weathered.
Nonablative laser treatments, like the Fraxel Dual, spare the surface of the skin and target only the lower dermal layers, triggering cellular turnover and new collagen production, so social downtime is minimal.
Both ablative and nonablative lasers can be fractional, meaning they treat a fraction of the skin at a time, creating columns of thermal damage in a pixelated pattern while leaving certain zones untouched. This helps minimize risks and downtime and accelerate healing.
Ablative lasers are the most aggressive types of laser treatments, with the longest recovery time (and higher risk of side effects). They also typically cost more, but they're typically a "one-and-done" procedure, while nonablative laser skin resurfacing lasers may require a series of treatments for optimal results.
These are some of the most popular options and what you can expect to pay for a laser skin resurfacing procedure:
- CO2 lasers (also called carbon dioxide lasers) are a type of ablative laser. They're the strongest laser skin resurfacing technology available, treating everything from deep wrinkles and hyperpigmentation to acne scars. They’re generally not safe for olive or brown skin types. See the average cost.
- Fraxel is the brand name of a laser company that makes both ablative and nonablative lasers. The strongest laser energy targets wrinkles, mottling, and scarring (including stretch marks), while gentler settings address dullness and mild hyperpigmentation like age spots and fine lines. See the average cost.
- Halo is a hybrid fractional laser that combines ablative and nonablative wavelengths, to target the top layer of skin and the deeper tissue. See the average cost.
- Clear + Brilliant is a mild fractional laser that treats 20% of the skin's surface. Many people refer to it as “baby Fraxel” because of their similarities, but it's much gentler: most people need three to six treatments to get their desired results, followed by maintenance treatments twice a year. See the average cost.
- Laser Genesis is an extremely safe nonablative laser, which requires four to six treatments for gradual skin rejuvenation. See the average cost.
2) How many laser treatment sessions you need
As we've mentioned, most people need multiple treatment sessions with a nonablative laser to see the results they want.
During your initial consultation, your provider will evaluate your skin concerns and devise a treatment plan. A series of multiple treatments can quickly add up. Ask for a price estimate for the entire initial treatment series and whether you'll save any money by paying the full cost up-front.
3) How many treatment areas are involved
Most laser resurfacing procedures are performed on the face, but other possible treatment areas involve the neck, chest, backs of the hands, as well as other body areas, to treat concerns like stretch marks.
As you can imagine, it costs less to treat one small area than several larger ones.
4) Your provider’s credentials and level of expertise
In some states, you don’t need to be a licensed medical professional—such as a dermatologist, physician’s assistant, or nurse—to perform laser skin resurfacing.
You can expect the price of laser skin resurfacing to be lower when performed by a aesthetician than you would with a dermatologist, who has more advanced training.
An aesthetician or nurse who has several years of experience performing laser resurfacing may be able to safely perform a treatment with a fractional nonablative laser, but keep in mind that laser treatments come with risks, including burns and hyperpigmentation, so be sure to read reviews and look at before and after photos, to make sure you can trust your face to that specific provider.
Ablative laser treatments carry the most serious risks (including scarring), so it's well worth seeing out a board-certified dermatologist, facial plastic surgeon, or another qualified physician who will know best how to perform your treatment safely.
5) Their practice location
Typically, a swanky dermatology practice in a major city like New York or LA will charge more for laser resurfacing than one in an outlying or suburban area. When rents are high, some of that cost gets passed on to patients.
However, providers in areas with lots of competition for patients may need to offer more competitive pricing, special offers, or seasonal deals.
6) Special promotions and discounts.
Some providers offer seasonal specials on laser skin resurfacing, especially in fall, when people are most interested in reversing sun damage.
You can find laser skin rejuvenation deals on RealSelf provider profiles, by subscribing to the email lists of qualified providers in your area, and checking discount sites. While you’ll need to do your homework to ensure they’re credible and skilled before booking, this can help you save a few bucks.
Which is more expensive, a chemical peel or laser resurfacing?
The average cost of a chemical peel is $320, making it much more affordable than the average laser skin resurfacing cost off $2,125.
That said, both of these cosmetic procedures have a wide price range.
The average cost of the most expensive chemical peels, a deep phenol peel, is over $4,000, while ablative CO2 laser resurfacing costs about the same. These are the most potent forms of both treatments and treat comparable conditions.
That said, price isn’t the only thing you should consider when comparing these two treatments. A dermatologist can help determine which is the best for your skin tone, skin conditions, and budget.
Is the cost of laser skin resurfacing worth it?
Most RealSelf members who have had laser resurfacing think their results were worth the time, discomfort, and money: it has an 87% Worth It Rating.
However, everyone has different expectations, and individual results vary.
To ensure that you get the most bang for your buck, find an experienced provider, follow their aftercare instructions carefully, and extend your results by sticking to a dedicated skin care routine that limits sun exposure with a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30+, to help prevent discoloration and new wrinkles.