ProFractional Laser: What You Need to Know
Pros & cons
How much it costs
What to expect
How long recovery takes
Fast facts
The Sciton ProFractional laser is a fractional laser energy device that resurfaces and rejuvenates the skin to improve tone and texture.Â
The laser’s powerful erbium YAG microbeam of light vaporizes the superficial skin of the epidermis and delivers heat into the deeper epidermis to spark cellular renewal and collagen production.
ProFractional laser resurfacing improves a number of skin conditions: dark spots of hyperpigmentation (including sun spots and age spots), fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, uneven tone, and rough texture.
As a fractional laser, the device only targets a fraction of your skin at a time. Leaving a portion of the skin intact—as opposed to fully ablating the surface—enables easier healing and quicker recovery. It also makes these treatments safer and more accessible for a wider range of skin tones and types.
Pros
- Your provider can customize ProFractional laser treatments for your skin tone, skin type, and specific skin concerns, choosing the power and depth of laser energy delivery.Â
- It’s great for stubborn acne scars, which often evade successful treatment.
- RealSelf members give the ProFractional laser a high Worth It Rating, with many saying that it exceeded their expectations.
Cons
- You may need more than one treatment for optimal results, especially for notable improvement of scars and deep wrinkles.
- The laser procedure can be very painful, even with a local anesthetic, and discomfort continues through recovery. Smiling or making facial expressions during your recovery may feel tight, and some RealSelf members report that it feels like a very bad sunburn.Â
- Laser skin resurfacing treatments, even when fractional, put medium to dark skin tones at risk of burning, scarring, and pigmentation issues. If you have olive, brown, or deep skin, proceed with caution and consult a provider experienced in treating skin like yours.
- Average Cost:
- $1,100
- Range:
- $742 - $1,750
Your cost depends on the experience level of your provider, their office location, and the type of procedure you have. Some people need more than one ProFractional laser treatment, which increases the overall cost, but others see the results they’re after with just one visit.
See our complete guide to ProFractional laser resurfacing costs
The ProFractional laser photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
A treatment begins with an application of numbing cream to mitigate pain from the laser’s heat.
After you’re sufficiently numb, your provider passes the handheld laser device across the skin of the treatment area as it emits light.
You may still feel some heat or experience a sensation like a rubber band snapping against your skin.Â
The procedure typically takes 15–30 minutes. Once it's complete, your provider applies a thick ointment and possibly a dressing (gauze or bandages) to protect your skin and discourage infection.Â
RealSelf Tip: The ProFractional laser is sometimes confused with Fraxel, another popular fractional laser treatment that similarly rejuvenates skin.
ProFractional laser results rely on your skin’s natural healing response, so healthy recovery is key. Fresh, new skin comes to the surface, and cells in the dermis get to work on collagen remodeling.
Your downtime will depend on your treatment’s intensity and depth as well as how your body responds.
Brisbane, Australia-based dermatologist Dr. Davin Lim says, “If your problems are superficial, a treatment such as ProFractional, with a very light setting and less coverage, will give you a downtime of about four to five days. If we go deeper and add more heat, the downtime will be longer than a week, with persisting redness for several weeks.” But there’s a trade-off: “The deeper we go, the better the outcome for wrinkles, crinkles, and scars.”
During your downtime, treat your skin carefully with gentle skin care products. Focus on cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen, omitting anything too potent or complicated.
You’ll also want to avoid direct sun exposure and make SPF a serious habit—one you should stick with to prevent future sun damage.
Updated July 20, 2023