A single session of laser scar removal typically costs between $200 and $3,400, with most people needing multiple sessions to see meaningful results. Your total bill depends on the type of laser used, the size and severity of your scar, and where you live. For a full treatment course, expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to well over $10,000 out of pocket.
Cost Per Session by Laser Type
Not all lasers work the same way, and the type your provider recommends has a big impact on price. Lasers fall into two broad categories: ablative (which remove thin layers of skin to trigger healing) and non-ablative (which heat tissue beneath the surface without removing it). Ablative treatments are more aggressive, typically cost more per session, but often require fewer visits.
The average cost of an ablative laser session is about $2,509. CO2 lasers, the most intensive option, range from roughly $2,446 to $6,700 per session. Non-ablative treatments average around $1,445 per session, with erbium lasers falling in the $2,000 to $2,500 range. Fractional lasers, which can be either ablative or non-ablative depending on the settings, have the widest spread: $100 to $3,900 per session. That low end typically reflects a very small treatment area or a lighter, non-ablative setting.
How Many Sessions You’ll Need
The total cost of laser scar removal isn’t just about the per-session price. It’s the per-session price multiplied by however many treatments it takes. For acne scars treated with fractional lasers, most people need 3 to 6 sessions. CO2 ablative lasers can achieve significant improvement in just 1 to 3 sessions because they’re more aggressive, but each session costs more and recovery time is longer.
To put real numbers on this: if you’re treating moderate acne scarring with a fractional laser at $1,000 per session and need 5 sessions, your total comes to $5,000 in laser fees alone. If you opt for a CO2 laser at $3,000 per session but only need 2 sessions, that’s $6,000. The math varies, but total treatment costs between $2,000 and $10,000 are common for anything beyond a small, shallow scar.
Sessions are usually spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart, so a full course of treatment can stretch over several months.
What Drives the Price Up or Down
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons puts the average cost of laser skin resurfacing at $1,829, but that figure only covers the provider’s professional fee. It doesn’t include facility costs, anesthesia (if needed for deeper treatments), or prescription medications for recovery. Those extras can add hundreds of dollars per visit.
Several factors influence your quote:
- Scar size and location. A small facial scar costs far less to treat than extensive scarring across your back or chest. Larger treatment areas require more time and more laser energy.
- Scar type and depth. Shallow discoloration responds faster than deep, pitted acne scars or raised keloid scars. Deeper scars need more aggressive settings or more sessions.
- Geographic location. Providers in major metro areas like New York, Los Angeles, or Miami generally charge more than those in smaller cities or rural areas. The difference can easily be 30 to 50 percent for the same procedure.
- Provider credentials. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons typically charge more than medical spas or aestheticians (who may not be qualified to perform deeper treatments). For significant scarring, a board-certified specialist is worth the higher fee.
Aftercare Costs to Budget For
After each session, you’ll need recovery products that add to the overall expense. A good post-laser healing cream runs $15 to $50 for drugstore options like La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm, or $50 to $150 for medical-grade products your provider may recommend. You’ll also need a high-SPF sunscreen to protect treated skin, which is non-negotiable since lasered skin is extremely sun-sensitive for weeks after treatment.
If your provider prescribes a topical antibiotic or antiviral medication (common with ablative treatments to prevent infection), that’s another $10 to $75 depending on your pharmacy coverage. Budget an extra $50 to $200 per session for aftercare supplies, especially for the first treatment when you’re stocking up.
Will Insurance Cover Any of It
In most cases, laser scar removal is classified as cosmetic and insurance won’t pay for it. The exception is when scarring causes a documented functional impairment, like restricted movement from a burn scar or a scar that interferes with vision. A study examining insurance policies found that 19 major insurers did consider laser therapy medically necessary for scar revision, but every single one required documentation of functional impairment. Only about half of those policies even defined what “functional impairment” means, which leaves a lot of room for claim denials.
If your scar limits your range of motion, causes chronic pain, or interferes with a bodily function, ask your dermatologist to document those limitations thoroughly before submitting a claim. For purely cosmetic concerns, you’re paying out of pocket.
Ways to Reduce the Cost
Many dermatology practices and medical spas offer payment plans, often through third-party financing like CareCredit, which lets you spread payments over 6 to 24 months. Some offer package pricing if you commit to multiple sessions upfront, shaving 10 to 20 percent off the total.
A few other strategies that can bring costs down: scheduling a consultation with more than one provider to compare quotes, asking about newer-model lasers that may deliver results in fewer sessions, and being realistic about your goals. If you’re aiming for noticeable improvement rather than perfection, you may be able to stop treatment after 2 or 3 sessions instead of completing a full 6-session course. Your provider can usually show you before-and-after photos from other patients to help you set expectations about what each additional session is likely to accomplish.