Fraxel Dual Laser

A non-ablative laser for sun damage and texture,
set once we know what is behind your spots.

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What Is
Fraxel Dual?

Fraxel Dual is a non-ablative fractional laser for sun damage, brown spots, texture and fine lines. It treats thousands of microscopic columns of skin and leaves the skin around them intact, so the surface stays whole while your skin repairs itself and builds new collagen. It has two wavelengths: 1927 nm for discoloration and sun damage, 1550 nm for texture and fine lines.

At a Glance

Comfort
A feeling of heat during treatment
Downtime
Shorter than ablative lasers; a few days of redness and peeling
Results in
After the first session, improving over time
Sessions
1 to 5, set after your skin’s first response
Lasts
With sunscreen and skincare; pigment may need upkeep

Who It’s For

For sun damage and texture, on the face and body.

Ideal For

Sun damage, brown spots and freckling, uneven tone, rough texture and fine lines, on the face, around the eyes, the neck, chest, hands and arms. It is also used on acne scars and surgical scars, often alongside other treatments. See all our lasers and devices, or compare treatments for the neck and chest.

When to Wait

If you have melasma, heat based lasers such as Fraxel can make it worse, so we treat it with skincare first and choose more cautiously. We wait while acne is active or eczema is flaring. Darker skin tones can be treated with the non-ablative setting, after a test spot. For brown spots, a skincare routine comes first, for six to eight weeks.

Fraxel or another laser?

Clear + Brilliant is the gentler laser in the same family, with less downtime and lighter results. For deep acne scars, a CO2 laser resurfaces more deeply (compare acne scar treatments). For redness and broken capillaries, Vbeam is the better tool. Your doctor chooses by what your skin needs. Compare Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant and microneedling for texture and pores. Compare Fraxel, IPL and the Alexandrite laser for dark spots.

Close up of an eye with fine lines, freckles and sun spots
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“Before I choose a laser, I want to know what is causing your spots or discoloration. Sun damage and melasma can look alike, and a laser that helps one can make the other worse.”

Dr. Juliya Fisher

The Treatment

1

Skin Prep
First

Treatment starts with your skin. For brown spots, you follow a skincare routine for six to eight weeks so the result has something to hold on to.

2

The Laser
Session

Your doctor sets the 1927 nm wavelength for discoloration, the 1550 nm for texture and fine lines, or both. The laser targets water in the skin, treating microscopic columns, and you feel heat as it passes.

3

Heal, Then
Decide

Your skin feels sunburned at first, then repairs itself and builds collagen. Results keep improving over time, and your doctor decides on further sessions once your skin has responded.

Beneath the Surface

How Fraxel Dual works, in four stepsA cross section of skin with brown spots and a rough surface, and a magnified circle on two of the laser's treatment columns. Step 1: sun damage shows in the skin as brown spots, uneven tone, rough texture and fine lines. Step 2: the laser handpiece rolls across the skin and treats thousands of microscopic columns, shown in yellow, leaving the skin between them intact. Step 3: the skin feels sunburned at first, then the treated columns heal with new skin, filled in from the intact skin around them. Step 4: new collagen forms beneath the surface, the brown spots fade and the surface is smoother, and the results keep improving over time.

Step 1 of 4: Sun damage shows

Sun damage shows in your skin as brown spots, uneven tone, rough texture and fine lines. For brown spots, a skincare routine comes first, for six to eight weeks.

Step 2 of 4: Thousands of microscopic columns

The laser targets water in the skin and treats thousands of microscopic columns, leaving the skin between them intact. Its 1927 nm setting is for discoloration, its 1550 nm for texture and fine lines.

Step 3 of 4: Your skin repairs itself

Because the skin around each column is left intact, your skin repairs itself while the surface stays whole. It feels sunburned at first, then the treated columns heal with new skin.

Step 4 of 4: Clearer and smoother over time

New collagen builds and the results keep improving over time, toward clearer tone and smoother texture. Your doctor decides on more sessions once your skin has responded.

Often paired with: Clear + Brilliant, Vbeam and Botox.

“If you have hyperpigmentation and you going for a Fraxel but you’re not on a skincare routine that is addressing discoloration … you’re basically wasting money on the Fraxel.”

Dr. Shereene Idriss

In Our Patients’ Words

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“

I had a great experience with Dr. Fisher, who treated my acne scars with laser. She was incredibly compassionate, thorough and made me feel completely at ease throughout the whole process. … I’m already noticing a boost in my self-esteem thanks to the care I received. I highly recommend Dr. Fisher and Idriss Derm in general!

Bernie F.

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“

I highly recommend Dr. Fisher. I followed her from her previous practice and I continue to be happy with my results. I’ve gotten fillers and laser. Whenever I’ve wanted to do more, she was always honest with me. If I didn’t need it, I could count on her to tell me

Lillian J.

Read more patient stories

Bryant Park, New York

Your Dermatologists

Both doctors share one philosophy, so either is a good place to start. Book online with Dr. Fisher, or call (212) 612-1520 for Dr. Idriss.

Questions, Answered

How much does Fraxel cost in NYC?

How many Fraxel sessions do I need?

What is the downtime after Fraxel?

Does Fraxel hurt?

Is Fraxel safe for darker skin?

Can Fraxel treat melasma?

What is the difference between Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant?

Is Fraxel FDA cleared?

We do not perform cosmetic treatments during pregnancy. Breastfeeding patients are evaluated case by case.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shereene Idriss, board-certified dermatologist · Last reviewed October 23, 2026