Is one fractional laser session enough?

Author: Marco Howe  |  Last update: Friday, September 19, 2025

While the typical recommendation is three to five sessions, the ideal number varies based on your specific goals, skin condition, lifestyle habits, and other unique factors.

What happens if you only do one laser session?

Answer: What happens if laser hair reduction treatments are stopped after one session Since only active hair follicles are affected, only a fraction of the total hair follicles are destroyed during any one treatment. Usually 5-8 treatments are necessary to achieve the desired result.

Is one session of Fraxel laser enough?

The Fraxel laser penetrates deep within the skin to stimulate new collagen production, smoothing out the skin to reduce the appearance of acne scars and improve skin texture. After three to five treatment sessions, you can expect smooth, clear, radiant, and long-lasting results.

How many fractional laser do you need?

In most cases, you will need about 4 treatments with Fraxel® re:store, compared to 1 treatment with Fraxel® re:pair. Fraxel® re:store is especially effective on acne scars. Another option for treating sun damage, scarring, or birthmarks is carbon dioxide (CO2) laser skin resurfacing.

How long does it take to see results from a fractional laser?

Full results can be seen 3-6 months after the initial treatment, once the skin has completely healed. How long do results from an CO2 laser last? Improvements from an CO2 laser treatment can be seen for many years after treatment.

5 Things to Know About CO2 Laser Resurfacing

Is one session of fractional laser enough?

While the typical recommendation is three to five sessions, the ideal number varies based on your specific goals, skin condition, lifestyle habits, and other unique factors.

Do you see results after 1 laser session?

The color and thickness of your hair, area treated, type of laser used, and color of your skin all affect the results. You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment. To remove the hair, most patients need 2 to 6 laser treatments.

What is the best age for fractional laser treatment?

Individuals up to their 50s benefit greatly from laser fractional resurfacing treatments. Skin concerns like sun damage and deeper wrinkles are common in this age group. The efficacy of the treatment varies with age-related factors such as skin elasticity and collagen production levels.

What is better than fractional laser?

Unlike fractional laser technology, which can produce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring, radiofrequency energy does not carry the same risk of post-treatment discoloration.

What is the best laser for skin tightening?

Expert Dermatologists Name 8 Best Lasers and Devices for Skin Tightening
  • Laser and energy-based therapy is the gold standard for non-surgical skin tightening. ...
  • LaseMD Ultra. ...
  • Active FX and Deep FX. ...
  • Fraxel Repair. ...
  • Erbium YAG. ...
  • RF Microneedling. ...
  • Ellacor. ...
  • Sofwave.

Can you see results after one Fraxel treatment?

With Fraxel, most people see improvements after just one or two treatments. However, achieving the best outcome generally requires multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart. Traditional methods might need six or more sessions for similar results.

Is one laser session enough?

Generally, clients need about two to six laser treatments in order to completely get rid of hair. You can expect to see about a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after your first treatment.

How many treatments are needed for fractional RF?

For optimum results, we recommend 6 Fractional RF treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart.

What does laser look like after one session?

Immediate results and short-term effects

Or those who are struggling with the discomfort of ingrown hairs. Right after your first laser hair removal treatment, you'll likely notice some redness and swelling, which is perfectly normal. These symptoms typically subside within a few hours to a couple of days.

How many laser sessions before a cover up?

After an average 3 to 5 sessions your old art will have faded enough to get going on the new piece, depending on what your new art is going to be.

Is it better to wait longer between laser sessions?

What is the ideal gap between treatments? Typically, treatments are spaced 4-5 weeks apart for the face, and 5-6 weeks apart for areas on the body. This timing aligns with the natural hair growth cycle, making the treatments more effective.

Is one fractional laser enough?

With fractional nonablative and fractional ablative procedures, you'll need 2 to 4 treatments to get noticeable results. These sessions are usually scheduled over weeks or months. As you age, you'll continue to get lines from squinting and smiling. New sun damage also can reverse your results.

Can Fraxel tighten jowls?

Thermage is best if you have skin laxity and want to tighten and retract your skin to lift areas such as eyelids or sagging jowls. Fraxel is best if you have textural issues you want to smooth, such as scars, or if you want a more even skin tone as you can treat hyperpigmentation and sun damage.

Is Fraxel or Morpheus better?

Morpheus8 works well for deeper scars due to its penetration depth. It can reduce scar appearance by stimulating deep collagen renewal. Fraxel is also effective but works best on surface-level scars. The laser resurfacing helps smooth out uneven textures and discoloration from acne scars.

How long do fractional laser results last?

Your skin may continue to improve up to a year and the improvement may last for several years. Normal aging will eventually lead to new wrinkles, which can be treated with laser resurfacing again. You should avoid the sun as much as possible and apply sunscreen every day.

Who should avoid fractional lasers?

If you have an autoimmune disease or a weakened immune system, laser resurfacing may not be the best option for you. Since the procedure works by creating controlled damage to stimulate healing, individuals with compromised immune systems may struggle with prolonged recovery times and an increased risk of infection.

Is IPL or Fraxel better for age spots?

IPL breaks down excess pigments, fades dark spots, and stimulates collagen for improved texture. While Fraxel targets deep wrinkles and scars, IPL is a suitable choice for sun damage and pigmentation problems. Consulting with a dermatologist is crucial for personalized advice based on individual needs.

Is one session enough for laser?

It's important to complete the initial course of 10 treatments and at consistent intervals for optimal results. We recommend a series of 8-12 treatments done at monthly intervals and maintenance treatments every 2-3 months for permanent hair reduction.

How to tell if laser is working?

Laser focuses heat energy on the follicle structure. This can destroy hair that will start to shed 1-3 weeks after treatment. Seeing an increase of dead hairs falling out indicates the laser has hit its target.

What to expect after 1 laser session?

After the procedure

You might notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal. To reduce any discomfort, apply ice to the treated area. If you have a skin reaction immediately after laser hair removal, the doctor might apply a steroid cream to the affected area.

Previous article
Which comes first, kojic acid or niacinamide?
Next article
Do skin tightening creams work for cellulite?