Dermatology laser · London
Fraxel laser resurfacing, by a consultant dermatologist.
Fractional laser for photoageing, acne scarring and pigmentation, matched to your Fitzpatrick type: Fraxel Dual 1550 and 1927 Thulium, Halo hybrid, PicoWay Resolve or ablative CO2, in a CQC-registered London clinic.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A named laser dermatologist, not a technician list
A consultant dermatologist or oculoplastic surgeon who sees skin every day, in a CQC-registered clinic that owns the device, not a hired-in machine.
- 02
The right wavelength for your skin
Fraxel 1550, 1927 Thulium, Halo hybrid, or ablative CO2. We match device to Fitzpatrick type and to the actual concern, not to what the clinic happens to own.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What Fraxel costs privately in London.
Indicative ranges across our vetted London clinics. Send us photos and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A single non-ablative Fraxel session in our London network: £550 to £950, home the same day.
| Treatment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatology consultation and skin assessment | £220–£380 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Non-ablative Fraxel 1550 or 1927 (single session) | £550–£950 | 45–75 min | Same visit |
| Non-ablative Fraxel series of 3 | £1,400–£2,400 | 3 x 60 min | Monthly |
| Halo hybrid fractional (single session) | £1,400–£2,800 | 75–90 min | Same visit |
| Ablative Fraxel re:pair CO2 (single session) | £1,600–£3,500 | 60–90 min | Same visit |
| Periorbital fractional resurfacing | £650–£1,400 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by device, by the dermatologist delivering the treatment, and by the area treated. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right device, the right skin type, the right hands.
The wrong wavelength on darker skin, or an over-aggressive ablative pass on a bad candidate, can leave months of hyperpigmentation. We stop that happening.
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Is Fraxel even the right laser?
For dermal melasma, a picosecond or 1927 protocol is safer than 1550. For deep boxcar scars, ablative CO2 or subcision may beat non-ablative fractional.
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Worried about pigment change?
PIH is the real risk in Fitzpatrick IV to VI. We use test patches, longer wavelengths, low densities and pre-treatment topical agents to reduce it.
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Want it done in a real clinic?
A CQC-registered clinic, a consultant dermatologist and a device the clinic owns and services, not a rental turned on for the day.
The journey
From enquiry to review - what happens, in order.
One team from first message to follow-up, including the test patch, the treatment day and the 4 to 6 week review.
Phase 1 · Before your treatment
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
A couple of hours at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You send us photos and your goals
A short, confidential form. Front and side photos in daylight, your Fitzpatrick type, any prior laser or isotretinoin, and what you would like to change.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which fractional device suits you, non-ablative or ablative, single session or a series, and an indicative price.
- 03
Before
Consultation and test patch
A face-to-face consultation with the dermatologist, a test patch on darker skin types, and aciclovir prophylaxis if you have a herpes history.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Topical anaesthetic for 45 to 60 minutes, chilled air or Zimmer cooling, and eye shields. Ablative sessions may add oral analgesia or nerve blocks.
- 05
On the day
The treatment itself
20 to 45 minutes on the face depending on device and density. Non-ablative Fraxel feels like a hot prickle; ablative CO2 is more intense and shorter.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short recovery with cool compresses, written aftercare and mineral SPF. You leave pink and swollen, not raw.
- 07
After
Downtime and review
4 to 5 days for non-ablative Fraxel, 3 to 7 days for Halo, 7 to 14 days for ablative Fraxel. Review at 4 to 6 weeks; series repeated monthly if planned.
Typical end-to-end: 1 to 2 weeks to treatment. Non-ablative downtime: 4 to 5 days. Review: 4 to 6 weeks.
When it helps
When Fraxel is the right step - and when it is not.
The concerns we treat most, plus the settings we postpone or decline treatment in favour of a safer alternative.
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Photoageing and fine lines
Crepey texture, fine lines around the eyes and mouth, and dull, sun-damaged tone on cheeks and neckline.
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Atrophic acne scars
Rolling and boxcar scars respond well to fractional resurfacing; deeper ice-pick scars often need TCA CROSS or subcision alongside.
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Surgical and traumatic scars
Mature caesarean, thyroidectomy or laceration scars softened over a series; timing usually 6 to 12 months post-surgery.
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Pigmentation and sun spots
Solar lentigines and diffuse mottled pigmentation on the face, decolletage and hands lift with the 1927 Thulium wavelength.
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Melasma (1927 Thulium only)
A gentle, low-density Fraxel 1927 protocol can help stubborn dermal melasma when paired with strict SPF and topical tranexamic acid.
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Actinic keratoses and field damage
Diffuse actinic damage on the scalp, forehead and cheeks treated with ablative fractional to reduce field cancerisation risk.
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Stretch marks (striae alba)
Mature white stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs and arms softened over a series; results are modest but real.
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Not suitable: active infection or tan
Active herpes, bacterial infection, a fresh tan, isotretinoin within 6 months, keloid history or pregnancy: we postpone and explain why.
Device options
Fraxel is a family of devices - and there are alternatives.
What each device on the tray actually does - and which suits your skin. For dermal melasma or Fitzpatrick VI, we often recommend a picosecond or 1927 protocol over 1550.
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Fraxel Dual 1550 nm (non-ablative)
The workhorse erbium fibre laser for texture, fine lines and acne scars. 4 to 5 days of pinkness and rough sandpaper feel; 3 to 6 sessions monthly.
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Fraxel Dual 1927 nm Thulium (non-ablative)
A superficial pigment-focused wavelength: solar lentigines, melasma and dull tone. Bronzing at 24 to 48 hours, flaking at day 3 to 5.
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Clear + Brilliant and Permea
A gentler baby Fraxel for early photoageing and glow, in-clinic lunchtime downtime. Ideal in the 30s or as a maintenance protocol.
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PicoWay Resolve (picosecond fractional)
A fractional picosecond laser for pigmentation and mild acne scarring, with less thermal load and often safer in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin.
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Halo hybrid fractional (Sciton)
Combines a 1470 nm non-ablative with a 2940 nm ablative pass in one session. 3 to 7 days downtime, single-session glow and tone.
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Fraxel re:pair CO2 10,600 nm (ablative)
Deep fractional CO2 for advanced photoageing, deep perioral lines and acne scarring. 7 to 14 days re-epithelialisation, dramatic single-session result.
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Sciton Contour TRL (erbium ablative)
A tunable 2940 nm erbium ablative alternative to CO2, with less residual thermal damage and slightly faster healing at similar depths.
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Tixel, chemical peel, RF microneedling
When laser is not the answer: Tixel thermomechanical for eyelids, TCA medium peel for even resurfacing, or Sylfirm and Morpheus8 RF microneedling.
Our vetted London network
A short list of dermatology-led laser clinics, we picked them.
Consultant dermatologists and oculoplastic surgeons with a laser subspecialty, in CQC-registered clinics including PHI Clinic, Cadogan Clinic, EF MEDISPA, Skinesis, Waterhouse Young, Dr Rita Rakus and Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai for periorbital work.
Selection criteria
How we choose every laser clinic in our network.
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Consultant dermatologists and oculoplastic surgeons with a laser subspecialty
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CQC-registered clinics that own the device, with a trained laser protection adviser
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Fitzpatrick IV to VI expertise with 1927 nm and picosecond alternatives
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Written PIH management pathway with tranexamic acid, azelaic acid and strict SPF
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Fraxel is a well-established fractional laser. The things worth planning are your downtime window, pigment protection, herpes prophylaxis and daily SPF.
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Redness and swelling for a few days
Non-ablative Fraxel: pink and gritty for 4 to 5 days. Halo: 3 to 7 days. Ablative CO2: raw and weepy for 3 to 5 days, then pink for 2 to 4 weeks.
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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Higher risk in Fitzpatrick IV to VI. We use conservative densities, longer wavelengths (1927, picosecond) and pre-treatment with tranexamic acid or azelaic acid.
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Herpes reactivation
Any patient with a cold sore history takes oral aciclovir or valaciclovir from the day before until 5 days after treatment, whichever device is used.
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Bacterial or fungal infection
Uncommon but real, especially after ablative resurfacing. Strict hand hygiene, clean linen and prompt review if crusting looks yellow or spreading.
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Scarring and hypopigmentation
Rare with fractional protocols but possible with overly aggressive ablative CO2 on the neck and off-face sites. Test patches on darker skin reduce risk.
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Isotretinoin: wait 6 months
Isotretinoin within the last 6 months increases the risk of atypical scarring after ablative and deep non-ablative resurfacing. We reschedule.
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Strict SPF for 8 to 12 weeks
A daily broad-spectrum SPF 50, ideally mineral, is non-negotiable after any fractional laser. Even one sunny weekend can undo the pigment result.
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Avoid tanning and sunbeds
A fresh tan or sunbed use in the 4 weeks before treatment is a firm contraindication; melanin absorbs the laser energy and burns.
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Red flags after treatment
Increasing pain, spreading yellow crust, blistering beyond the treated area, or new pigment change: contact the clinic the same day.
Reading your treatment notes
Your Fraxel notes in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever device was used, the note the dermatologist sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Laser language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through your treatment note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Device, wavelength and settings
Which laser was used (Fraxel 1550, 1927, Halo, CO2), spot pattern, energy in millijoules per microbeam and treatment density.
- 02 Technique
Areas treated and passes
Which facial subunits, neck or hands, how many passes, whether feathered onto the neck, and any nerve blocks or oral analgesia used.
- 03 Findings
Immediate endpoints and reactions
The clinical endpoint reached (pinpoint bleeding for ablative, erythema and mild oedema for non-ablative), and any focal areas of stronger reaction.
- 04 Impression
Aftercare, review and next step
Read this first: SPF regime, when to restart actives, review date at 4 to 6 weeks, and whether a repeat session is booked.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cosmetic Fraxel is generally self-funded. Scar and actinic damage indications may be considered by insurers on medical grounds. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about Fraxel.
Quick answers on downtime, sessions, pigmentation risk and when Fraxel is not the right laser.
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What is Fraxel laser resurfacing?
Fraxel is a family of fractional lasers that treat only a fraction of the skin at a time, in tiny microthermal treatment zones surrounded by untreated skin that speeds healing. Non-ablative versions (1550 and 1927 nm) work below an intact surface with 4 to 5 days of pinkness. Ablative versions (Fraxel re:pair CO2 10,600 nm) remove tiny columns of skin and give a stronger single-session result with 7 to 14 days of downtime.
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How much does Fraxel cost in London?
A single non-ablative Fraxel session runs £550 to £950 and a series of three £1,400 to £2,400. Halo hybrid is £1,400 to £2,800 per session. Ablative Fraxel CO2 is £1,600 to £3,500 per session, typically once or twice. A dermatology consultation is £220 to £380. We confirm firm figures within one working day.
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Is Fraxel safe for darker skin types?
Non-ablative Fraxel 1927 Thulium and picosecond fractional devices are the safer options for Fitzpatrick IV to VI, using low densities, a test patch and a pre-treatment run of tranexamic acid or azelaic acid to reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Ablative CO2 carries a higher PIH and hypopigmentation risk in darker skin and is usually not our first choice.
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How much downtime should I plan?
Non-ablative Fraxel: expect 4 to 5 days of pinkness, mild swelling and a sandpaper texture, with makeup back on around day 3 to 4. Halo: 3 to 7 days of bronzing and micro-flaking. Ablative Fraxel CO2: 7 to 14 days of re-epithelialisation with weeping, crusting and then persistent pink for 2 to 4 weeks.
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How many sessions will I need?
Non-ablative Fraxel is usually a series of 3 to 6 sessions spaced monthly, with a maintenance session once or twice a year afterwards. Halo often gives a visible result in one session, sometimes repeated once. Ablative Fraxel CO2 is typically a single session, occasionally repeated at 6 to 12 months for deeper acne scarring.
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When is Fraxel not the right choice?
We postpone or decline treatment if you have taken isotretinoin in the last 6 months, have active herpes without aciclovir cover, a keloid tendency, a fresh tan, active bacterial or fungal infection, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. For deep dermal melasma, laser can worsen things: gentler Fraxel 1927 protocols and topical therapy come first.
Ready to talk to a dermatologist
Send us your photos - a firm plan within one working day.
We match you to a consultant dermatologist, the right fractional device for your Fitzpatrick type, and a clear quote across two or three London clinics.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Tixel skin resurfacing
Thermomechanical resurfacing, gentle on eyelids and darker skin.
Learn more -
Chemical peel
Medium-depth TCA and Jessner peels for even resurfacing.
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RF microneedling
Sylfirm and Secret RF for pores, laxity and rosacea.
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Morpheus8
RF microneedling for jawline laxity and deeper texture.
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Melasma treatment
A combined topical, oral and gentle-laser plan for stubborn melasma.
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IPL photofacial
Intense pulsed light for redness, vessels and superficial pigment.
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