Everything to Know About Fraxel, According to an Editor and

Recently my skin was looking a little worse for wear and in need of some serious maintenance. Not only did it look dull and tired but I was growing impatient with my enlarged pores because I couldn’t seem to find a product that effectively worked to shrink them. The most bothersome thing I wanted to address were the tiny fine lines I noticed creeping up on my forehead despite being in my late 20s.

Sometimes I feel like no matter how many products I use or facials I try, the complexion I see staring back at me in the mirror just isn’t as vibrant or youthful as the one I want to see. To find out the easiest most effective way to turn my skin around, I reached out to board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. I wasn’t surprised when the doctor immediately recommended a laser treatment, specifically Fraxel, because its versatility allows it to address all kinds of skin concerns.

Plus, according to a few of my sources — i.e. dermatologists and plastic surgeons — intensive laser treatments has been one of the best-kept beauty secrets in Hollywood. Until recently, celebrities have typically opted to keep the more invasive procedures they undergo to prep for a role under wraps, but now it seems many stars have become more comfortable sharing their go-to beauty treatments. Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston, and Chelsea Handler are all said to be fans. Thanks to them, lasers have now become more understood and buzzworthy.

If you’re curious about whether or not lasers can give you a celebrity-grade complexion, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about the formerly taboo topic including my first-hand account of what it’s like

Experts Featured in This Article

Michele Green, MD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist located in New York City. Her practice offers an array of cosmetic treatments, including chemical peels, lasers, and dermal fillers.

What Is Fraxel?

Fraxel is a brand name fractional laser used for skin resurfacing. It requires about a week of downtime after each session. “It’s a versatile treatment and it delivers results with anywhere from two to four treatments depending on the degree of damage being corrected,” Dr. Green tells PS. Fraxel can be used to address everything from fine lines and wrinkles to acne scars and discoloration. It’s also just a really great solution if you’re looking to wipe your slate clean and give your skin a fresh start.

“Fraxel light energy stimulates your skin’s natural collagen, rejuvenating skin cells below the surface to help smooth the creases and pockets that cause wrinkles and scars,” Dr. Green says. “Fraxel only treats targeted problem areas — so the results are focused and effective.”

Ideal candidates include people who are showing signs of premature aging, enlarged pores, skin discolorations, mild to moderate wrinkles, and acne scars.

What to Expect During a Fraxel Treatment

This wasn’t my first rodeo when it came to Fraxel. I actually had the treatment done about a year before with Dr. Green because I was curious to see what the fuss was all about especially since Fraxel boasts results that keep coming up to six months after the treatment. I was happy with my results before, so I was excited to give it another go. To get started this time around, we discussed my goals (overall rejuvenation, a decrease in fine lines, and surface damage removal) and then we got started.

First, a note on the pain. Laser treatments tend to get a bad wrap as being extremely painful, but I’d categorize the experience as just mildly uncomfortable. Most patients, including myself, describe it as the feeling of tiny rubber bands being snapped against your skin. That being said, there are a couple of measures taken to make the experience as pain-free as possible.

For example, no matter where you go, a nurse or aesthetician will likely apply a medical-grade numbing cream to the area being treated for about 15 to 20 minutes pre-treatment. The exact brand and formulation depends on your doctor’s preference. Dr. Green prefers to use a numbing cream containing lidocaine and within minutes of having it applied my face was almost completely desensitized. After the cream is removed, it’s time for the doctor to fire up the laser and get started.

First, the doctor will adjust the machine to the level of intensity, or wavelength, appropriate for your goals. “Fraxel is actually two lasers in one. The 1927 wavelength allows us to treat superficial imperfections, improving pigmentation,” Dr. Green says. “The 1550 wavelength targets skin texture, improving deep lines and acne scars. The components can be used together or separately, depending on your needs.”

Fraxel is technically safe to use on all skin types. But when it comes to people with darker skin tones (who have more melanin), there is a risk of developing darkening or discoloration. If you fall into this category, lower energy levels will be used as a preventative measure during your treatment.

The amount of time spent under the laser takes about 10 to 15 minutes. After a few minutes your skin may start to feel warm, as if it’s being heated from within. Throughout the treatment, your doctor may change the intensity of the laser depending on the area of your skin and the type of damage being targeted. Usually, two passes are made across each section of your face. And then almost as quickly as it started, you’re done.

To help cool and calm skin after your treatment, cold compresses may be applied to your face. Before leaving the office, your doctor or an esthetician will apply moisturizer and sunscreen to your face. These two steps are imperative to your routine for the next for weeks because your skin will be extra sensitive and it needs to stay protected and hydrated. Think of your newly resurfaced skin as that of a newborn baby’s. It must be coddled with a delicate touch and taken care of diligently.

Dr. Green says this means avoiding makeup and any kind of sun exposure for at least a week. Pro tip: I suggest bringing a hat with you to your treatment and wearing one when possible for the next few weeks as another protective measure.

Fraxel Aftercare

The results of Fraxel are both immediate and progressive. “Soon after the treatment the surface of your skin will feel softer, smoother, look brighter, and show a more even skin tone. The pigmentation will be reduced even after one session and the results revealed after only one week,” Dr. Green says.

For deeper lines and wrinkles, it can take three to five treatments and the results improve with each treatment over the next few months. “Even six months after the last treatment, there will be continued improvement as the deeper layers of the skin continue to create new collagen,” she explains.

I kept a journal of my post-Fraxel results, and here’s the gist of what to expect. Of course, results may vary, but I think it’s important to get a sense of why some downtime is necessary after Fraxel. Day one and two were the most uncomfortable days I experienced during my recovery, because my skin was bright red and felt as if I’d gotten a really bad sunburn. My face also looked puffy and inflamed, two side effects that actually looked a lot worse than they felt. On day three my skin had sandpaper-like texture to it. It was also extremely itchy. By days four and five all of these post-treatment effects had started to subside and I was beginning to look like a rejuvenated version of myself again.

As mentioned, during the healing process, my skin felt incredibly itchy, however scratching is absolutely not allowed as it can severely disrupt the healing of post-treatment skin by impairing the delicate process. It can actually be so damaging it can leave skin worse off than it was before. So as hard as it was at times, I had to act like an adult, keeping my hands to myself and away from my face unless I was applying sunscreen or moisturizers.

Fraxel Cost

The cost of Fraxel varies depending on your doctor and location but it typically falls within the range of $1,000 to $1,200. If you need multiple treatments many doctors offer discounted packages to ensure all of your concerns are tackled and you’re completely satisfied with the results.

Fraxel Results

I was really happy with my results just a few weeks after a single Fraxel treatment because I could see that the goals I had set out to achieve had been met. My pores looked visibly smaller, the fine lines on my forehead were minimized, and my skin looked healthier, brighter, and more youthful than it had in months. My skin also felt and looked tighter. During a follow-up appointment with Dr. Green a few weeks after my treatment I was delighted when she reminded me that the results would continue to improve for the next six months as my skin continued to repair itself from the inside out.

Fraxel Before and After