Fraxel Laser
Fraxel is a brand of non-ablative fractional laser from Solta Medical, best known in its dual-wavelength form combining 1550 nm and 1927 nm. By creating microscopic zones of heat in the skin while leaving the surface intact, it prompts the skin's own repair and collagen renewal, and is a classic choice for texture, pigmentation, and fine lines.
- Collagen renewal
- Redness and flaking for 3–7 days, varies by depth
- Medical aesthetic
Overview
Fraxel is most often discussed for photoaged skin: rough or uneven texture, fine lines around the eyes and mouth, sun-induced spots and mottled tone, enlarged-looking pores, and acne scars. The two wavelengths divide the work—1550 nm reaches deeper to address texture, fine lines, and scarring, while 1927 nm works more superficially on pigmentation and overall tone. Commonly treated areas include the face, neck, chest, and the backs of the hands.
It improves the quality of the skin's surface and stimulates gradual collagen remodeling, but it is not a lifting procedure: it does not reposition sagging tissue the way surgery does, nor does it tighten deeper layers the way ultrasound- or radiofrequency-based devices aim to. It also differs from ablative fractional lasers, which vaporize tissue for stronger single-session change at the cost of a longer recovery; non-ablative Fraxel trades intensity for a milder, repeatable approach.
How it works
The underlying principle is fractional photothermolysis: instead of heating the whole surface, the laser places thousands of microscopic columns of thermal injury into the skin, each surrounded by untouched tissue. Because the surface stays unbroken and healthy skin sits right next to every treated column, healing is comparatively fast. Over the following weeks, the body clears the damaged cells—carrying pigment out with them—and lays down new collagen where the columns were.
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