Fraxel is not one single laser, and only one version of it uses CO2 technology. The Fraxel line includes multiple devices with different wavelengths and mechanisms. The Fraxel re:pair is a fractional CO2 laser, operating at the standard CO2 wavelength of 10,600 nm. The more commonly encountered Fraxel Dual uses completely different technology and is not a CO2 laser at all.
How Fraxel Models Differ
Solta Medical, the company behind Fraxel, manufactures several distinct systems under the Fraxel name. This is where the confusion starts. The two you’ll encounter most often work in fundamentally different ways.
The Fraxel Dual combines two non-ablative wavelengths: a 1550 nm erbium glass fiber laser and a 1927 nm thulium fiber laser. “Non-ablative” means these wavelengths heat tissue beneath the skin’s surface without vaporizing the outer layer. They create tiny columns of thermal injury in the deeper skin, stimulating collagen production while leaving the surface largely intact. This is the version most clinics are referring to when they simply say “Fraxel.”
The Fraxel re:pair is the CO2 model. It uses the 10,600 nm wavelength characteristic of all carbon dioxide lasers. Unlike the Dual, this is an ablative laser, meaning it vaporizes skin tissue. It’s a more aggressive treatment designed for deeper wrinkles, significant sun damage, and acne scarring that non-ablative options can’t fully address. The FDA has approved it alongside other fractional CO2 systems for skin resurfacing.
An earlier model, the Fraxel re:store, used only the single 1550 nm erbium wavelength and was also non-ablative. It has largely been replaced by the Dual system.
What Makes Fractional CO2 Different From Traditional CO2
Even within CO2 lasers, the Fraxel re:pair works differently from older, fully ablative CO2 systems. Traditional CO2 lasers treat the entire skin surface at once, removing a uniform layer of tissue. This delivers dramatic results but comes with extended downtime and higher complication rates.
The Fraxel re:pair uses a fractional approach, targeting only a portion of the skin in each pass. It creates thousands of microscopic columns of treated tissue surrounded by untouched skin. Those islands of healthy tissue act as a reservoir for healing, allowing faster recovery without giving up the intensity of CO2 resurfacing. Fractional ablative CO2 lasers have become what many dermatologists consider the gold standard for nonsurgical skin rejuvenation, improving texture, laxity, and tone.
Recovery: CO2 Fraxel vs. Non-Ablative Fraxel
The recovery gap between these two types of Fraxel is significant, and it’s one of the main reasons the distinction matters when you’re choosing a treatment.
With the non-ablative Fraxel Dual, most visible recovery wraps up within about a week. The first few days bring redness, swelling, and warmth similar to a sunburn. By days 3 to 5, the skin starts to feel rough and sandpapery as tiny dark dots (dead skin cells being pushed to the surface) appear. Noticeable peeling happens around days 4 through 7, and by the end of the first week, most flaking has stopped and makeup can go back on. A pinkish tone fades over the following two to four weeks as collagen remodeling continues beneath the surface.
The Fraxel re:pair, being ablative CO2, involves a longer and more intense recovery. Expect deeper redness, more swelling, oozing in the first few days, and a healing timeline that stretches to two weeks or more before the skin looks socially presentable. Full redness can take several months to completely resolve. The tradeoff is more dramatic improvement in a single session.
Side Effects and Skin Tone Considerations
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, where the skin darkens in treated areas during healing, is a common concern with any laser resurfacing. With CO2 lasers specifically, the research on skin tone as a risk factor is surprisingly inconsistent. Some studies have reported hyperpigmentation rates as high as 75 to 100% regardless of whether patients had lighter or darker skin, while others found rates of 0% even in patients with medium to dark complexions. A review in Dermatology Reports concluded that skin phototype does not appear to be an independent risk factor for hyperpigmentation after CO2 laser treatment, though the evidence remains mixed due to small sample sizes and inconsistent measurement methods across studies.
Non-ablative Fraxel carries a lower overall risk of complications simply because it’s less aggressive. The skin barrier stays intact, which reduces the chance of infection, prolonged redness, and pigment changes. This is why many providers default to the Dual for patients with darker skin tones or those who can’t afford extended downtime.
Which One Clinics Are Offering
When a clinic advertises “Fraxel” without specifying a model, they almost always mean the non-ablative Fraxel Dual. The CO2 version (re:pair) is less commonly offered and is typically reserved for patients with more advanced skin concerns. If you’re specifically interested in CO2 resurfacing, ask your provider to clarify which Fraxel system they use, or whether they offer a different fractional CO2 device entirely.
Solta Medical continues to develop the Fraxel line. The FDA cleared the Fraxel FTX Laser System in August 2024, the latest addition to the brand’s portfolio. Other fractional CO2 competitors exist from different manufacturers, but the Fraxel name carries particular recognition because it helped popularize the concept of fractional laser treatment in the first place.