Fraxel

How it works

Fraxel, from Solta Medical, is a non-ablative fractional laser using 1550 nm and, in some versions, 1927 nm light. The beam creates a grid of microscopic thermal columns in the dermis without removing the surface layer. The body responds by replacing the heated tissue with fresh collagen over weeks. The 1550 nm wavelength reaches deeper for scars and texture, while the 1927 nm wavelength is more superficial and is used for pigment and surface tone concerns.

Good to know

• The catalog lists it as a non-ablative fractional laser (1550 nm / 1927 nm).
• The surface stays closed, so recovery is typically a few days of redness, swelling and a bronzed look.
• It is used for mild acne scars, fine lines, texture and some sun-related changes.
• A series of sessions is usual, and results vary by person.

Where Fraxel sits among similar devices

Fraxel's main distinction in a comparison is that it heats without removing tissue. That makes it more predictable on recovery than ablative lasers, and it often appeals to people who cannot take a week of crusting. The trade-off is that each session tends to produce a milder change, which is why several sessions are common.

Compared with microneedle RF, it works with light rather than needles and treats the surface more evenly. Compared with deep scars, it has limits: icepick and tethered scars may need targeted methods like TCA CROSS or subcision. The two wavelengths give it range between deeper scar remodeling and more superficial tone concerns.