Fraxel laser NYC treatment is a non-ablative fractional resurfacing procedure that improves tone, texture, sun damage, acne scars, and fine lines with roughly 3 to 7 days of visible downtime. Most patients need a short series of sessions rather than a single visit, and cost varies by the size of the treatment area.
The Fraxel Dual system used at our Park Avenue practice offers two wavelengths, so treatment can be matched to pigment concerns, texture concerns, or both.
Fraxel is a non-ablative, fractionated laser that stimulates collagen production in the skin’s dermis. The energy emitted by the Fraxel laser triggers a wound-healing response that clears away sun-damaged and wrinkled tissue. The removal of the older skin layer allows a fresh layer to regenerate.
The new skin that is generated has improved texture and appears smoother, less blemished, and rejuvenated. Fractionated lasers split the laser light beam into thousands of microscopic beams, treating narrow columns of tissue known as microscopic treatment zones. The untreated columns of skin left in between act as a reservoir of healthy cells that speed regeneration of the treated columns.
Because the laser reaches into the dermis and stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen, the skin thickens over time. Unlike many other skin resurfacing lasers, Fraxel is safe and effective both on and off the face. Wrinkles and sun damage on the neck and chest respond well, as do stretch marks on the abdomen that follow pregnancy or rapid weight change.
Hyperpigmentation and acne scars can also be addressed with laser resurfacing. Dr. Kopelman uses Fraxel for superficial wrinkles and an erbium/YAG laser for deeper wrinkles. Resurfacing is also commonly combined with eyelid surgery to address loss of elasticity in eyelid skin, and to improve skin quality during facelift surgery.
| Detail | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Procedure type | Non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing |
| Treats | Fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, surgical scars, enlarged pores, stretch marks |
| Treatment areas | Face, neck, chest, hands, abdomen |
| Session length | About 20 to 30 minutes of laser time, plus 45 to 60 minutes for topical numbing |
| Anesthesia | Topical numbing cream; cooling used during treatment |
| Discomfort level | Mild; most patients describe a warm, sunburn-like sensation |
| Typical downtime | 3 to 7 days of redness, swelling, and light peeling depending on wavelength and settings |
| Number of sessions | Commonly a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart; determined at consultation |
| When results appear | Initial brightening within 1 to 2 weeks; collagen-driven results continue over 2 to 3 months |
| Cost | [Insert practice-verified Fraxel pricing or price range by treatment area] |
“I decided to have Fraxel laser resurfacing with Dr. Kopelman. He is a very kind and compassionate doctor who spends a great deal of time with his patients. My skin looks fabulous and I am extremely pleased with my results. My husband was so impressed with the results that he also had Fraxel and fillers done. I was so pleased with my youthful skin I decided to have a second Fraxel treatment. Dr. Kopelman and his warm inviting staff are in a league of their own.”
The word “Dual” refers to the two laser wavelengths the device delivers. Each wavelength travels to a different depth in the skin, so each one solves a different problem. Understanding the difference is the clearest way to know what your own treatment plan will involve.
The 1927 nm wavelength is a superficial thulium wavelength that targets pigment: sunspots, brown patches, melasma-type discoloration, and dull surface tone. The 1550 nm wavelength is an erbium-doped wavelength that penetrates deeper to remodel collagen, making it a better tool for acne scars, surgical scars, texture, and fine lines.
Many patients benefit from a plan that uses both wavelengths, either in the same session or across a series. This is one of the main reasons a Fraxel laser treatment NYC plan is customized rather than standardized.
| Feature | 1927 nm (Superficial) | 1550 nm (Deep) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary target | Pigment and surface tone | Texture, scarring, and collagen |
| Best for | Sun spots, brown spots, freckles, dull or uneven tone, actinic damage | Acne scars, surgical scars, fine lines, enlarged pores, crepey texture |
| Depth reached | Upper epidermis and superficial dermis | Deeper dermis, below the epidermal surface |
| What recovery looks like | Sunburn-like flush, then visible flaking and shedding around days 3 to 5 | Redness and mild swelling, with minimal surface peeling |
| Typical downtime | About 5 to 7 days | About 3 to 5 days |
| When results show | Within 1 to 2 weeks as the treated pigment sheds | Gradually over 1 to 3 months as new collagen forms |
Rejuvenate your skin with a short recovery with a Fraxel laser treatment.
Fraxel laser treatments are ideal for targeting fine lines and wrinkles, including crow’s feet and brow lines. The device is also used for:
Fraxel technology holds FDA clearance for skin resurfacing indications including periorbital wrinkles, pigmented lesions, acne scars, and surgical scars. You can review general guidance on laser resurfacing safety through the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Fraxel pricing is driven by the size of the treatment area, the wavelength or combination of wavelengths used, the number of passes performed, and the number of sessions your skin actually needs. A single scar or a small area costs considerably less than a full-face session, and a package of sessions is usually priced differently than a one-off treatment.
Across Manhattan, published and patient-reported figures for a single Fraxel session vary widely, from a few hundred dollars for a small, targeted area up to the low thousands for full-face treatment with an experienced physician. Wide gaps in price usually reflect real differences in who is holding the handpiece, how many passes are performed, and what aftercare is included.
| Cost Factor | Why It Changes the Price | Reported NYC Range |
|---|---|---|
| Small or targeted area (single scar, spot) | A single scar or small patch requires far less laser time than a full face | From roughly $325 per session |
| Full-face session | The largest standard treatment area, and the most common request | Roughly $900 to $2,200 per session, depending on the practice |
| Wavelength used | Single-wavelength sessions are priced differently than combined 1927 nm and 1550 nm treatment | Varies by plan; confirmed at consultation |
| Number of passes and intensity | Lower-intensity, fewer-pass sessions cost less per visit but generally require more visits to reach the same endpoint | Reduced-intensity sessions are commonly sold in packages, with 3-session packages reported near $1,500 |
| Number of sessions | Most concerns need a series; packages are typically priced below the per-session rate | Packages priced below the sum of individual sessions |
| Provider performing treatment | Physician-performed treatment is priced differently than technician-delivered treatment | Physician-performed sessions sit at the higher end of the ranges above |
| Included aftercare | Post-treatment skincare, recovery visits, and adjunct treatments may be bundled or billed separately | Some higher-priced sessions include follow-up recovery care in the quoted fee |
Ranges reflect publicly reported and patient-reported NYC pricing and are provided for orientation only. They are not quotes from this practice. For current pricing, please contact the office.
After a series of treatments wrinkles, fine lines and sun damage will diminish. The silvery sheen of mature stretch marks will improve and the skin tone will appear more like normal skin. When Fraxel laser skin therapy is used in combination with IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, the red discoloration of new stretch marks can also be diminished. In order to obtain the best results, usually a series of Fraxel laser and IPL treatments are necessary. The exact number of treatments will be determined based on your response to the procedure. Some patients will get excellent improvement in as little as two treatments but others may require additional sessions depending upon their reaction. The reduced downtime following a Fraxel laser treatment is a big advantage compared to ablative lasers.
Fraxel laser treatments are ideal for targeting fine lines and wrinkles, such as crow’s feet and brow lines. Fraxel targets: acne scars, pigmentation, sun damage, and pores.
Most patients tolerate it well. Topical numbing cream is applied beforehand, and the skin is cooled during treatment. The sensation is typically described as warmth and prickling, followed by a sunburn-like feeling that fades within a few hours.
It can be, but settings must be adjusted conservatively, and the choice of wavelength matters. Deeper skin tones carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so an in-person assessment of your skin type is essential before scheduling any laser resurfacing NYC treatment.
“Baby Fraxel” is an informal term, not a distinct device. It usually refers to a Fraxel session performed with fewer passes and gentler settings, which means less downtime but generally more sessions to reach the same endpoint.
Confusingly, the term is also used loosely to describe other, milder resurfacing lasers, so always confirm exactly which device and which settings a provider is proposing.
Microneedling creates mechanical micro-injuries rather than thermal ones, with less downtime and typically more subtle resurfacing.
A CO2 laser is fully ablative, delivering more dramatic correction of deep wrinkles at the cost of two to four weeks of recovery. Fraxel sits between the two.
Improvements from a completed series generally last for years, though your skin continues to age. Sun protection is the single most important factor in how long the result lasts. Many patients schedule occasional maintenance sessions to preserve tone and texture.
Many patients return to work and normal routines within a few days, often with mineral makeup once peeling settles. Plan around any event that matters to you, and expect visible flaking during the first week if the superficial wavelength is used.
After a series of treatments wrinkles, fine lines and sun damage will diminish. The silvery sheen of mature stretch marks will improve and the skin tone will appear more like normal skin. When Fraxel laser skin therapy is used in combination with IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, the red discoloration of new stretch marks can also be diminished. In order to obtain the best results, usually a series of Fraxel laser and IPL treatments are necessary. The exact number of treatments will be determined based on your response to the procedure. Some patients will get excellent improvement in as little as two treatments but others may require additional sessions depending upon their reaction. The reduced downtime following a Fraxel laser treatment is a big advantage compared to ablative lasers.
Fraxel laser treatments are ideal for targeting fine lines and wrinkles, such as crow’s feet and brow lines. Fraxel targets: acne scars, pigmentation, sun damage, and pores.
Page updated in July 2026 by Dr. Joel Kopelman (Facial Plastic Surgeon) of Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery.
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