Is fractional laser treatment painful, because I heard a lot of people say it can be very painful?

Typically not.The tolerance of fractional CO2 laser resurfacing treatments depends on a number of factors.  At my office we offer a number of different options to make the treatment virtually or completely pain free.  Those options, at a minimum, include topical anesthetic cream applied to the areas being treated for 1-1.5 hours.  I also perform targeted numbing injections to numb the face.  We also provide oral medication such as Valium and other anesthesia options that range from intra-muscular (IM) injections, twilight anesthesia, and even general anesthesia.  Most patients do well with just oral medications and an IM injection.The attached link and website provides more information.I hope this helps.

Thank you for your question. Not if adequate preparation is performed. See a Board Certified Dermatologist or Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. I hope this helps!

Since most fractional laser treatments penetrate deep into the dermis, adequate anesthesia is a must for a comfortable experience.  In my personal experience of performing hundreds of fractional laser treatments, I have found that complete anesthesia of the face is the best bet when it comes to having a pleasant day of procedure (assuming the patient is not under general anesthesia).  Every surgeon has his or her own preference, for some use only topical cream for skin anesthesia.  Again, in my experience, I have found creams to be unreliable and inconsistent. My personal preference is to numb the entire face via a combination of diluted tumescent (liposuction type solution) and regional nerve blocks.  Admittedly this requires a few more "pinches" to get the anesthesia in place, however, the payoff is that the entire face can be completely numbed 100%.  I have found this method to work best since it allows me to focus on giving the patient an even and strong treatment versus worrying about how uncomfortable the treatment is and managing a "squirming patient" (which is not pleasant for either party).So my advice to you would be to ask you surgeon how he/she anesthetizes the skin prior to the laser treatment. Certainly you should seek a physician who performs these on a regular basis, and who has logged many procedures over the years. 

Prior to the procedure topical anesthetic will be applied and for extensive areas a local block is available .this will make the procedure more comfortable.

if no local numbing cream is used.... wow, yes, it is extremely painful. Pain depends on-1. Individual perception2. Type of laser3. Power of laser4. Depth of laser5. Area treated6. Density of treatment7. Pain management. Pain management can be with v v v strong creams such as 23/7, or with additional numbing injections, or, if a large area is being treated, with high densities, at v v deep levels, sedation with valium or other methods can be used. If you see a specialist, we will always find ways to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.RegardsDr Davin Lim Laser DermatologistBRISBANE, Australia. 

The short answer is "yes" but the long answer requires a lot of explanation. First, it depends on the machine being used. Some fractional devices are more painful than others. And the settings of the machine are also very important - lower energy means less pain, but it also means less results. Most offices will have you apply at least a topical numbing cream prior to treatment. For some of my patients, I will even put a lidocaine block in the area so that we can go VERY high on the settings for best results but they don't feel it. Sometimes a cold air chiller called a Zimmer can also be used for patient comfort and to distract you while the fractional laser is on your skin. And finally, you can also have anti-anxiety pre-meds if you wish. But I will say with the InMode Fractora I do in my office, no patients have needed pre-meds and no patients have needed any post pain pills either. Each fractional laser itself is very different, as well as the physician's office doing it. "This
answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot be
held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person treatment
with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."