Fraxel® re:pair CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Most laser treatments ask you to come back four or five times. Fraxel re:pair asks once.
It’s the most powerful resurfacing laser we offer — a fractional CO2 laser built for skin that needs real correction rather than maintenance. Deep wrinkles, significant sun damage, acne scarring, crepey texture around the eyes and mouth. One session, a recovery period you plan around, and results that keep developing for months afterward.
What Makes Fraxel re:pair Different
Fraxel re:pair is ablative, which is the distinction that matters. Gentler lasers heat the skin and leave the surface intact. Fraxel re:pair removes microscopic columns of damaged tissue entirely, reaching depths of up to 1.6mm, and leaves the surrounding healthy skin untouched to speed healing.
That fractional pattern — treated columns surrounded by intact tissue — is what makes a treatment this aggressive possible outside an operating room. Your skin heals from the edges of thousands of tiny wounds rather than from one continuous resurfaced surface.
The result is a level of correction that used to require far more invasive procedures, delivered in a single appointment.
What Fraxel re:pair Treats
The laser is FDA-cleared to treat:
- Deep wrinkles and fine lines
- Loss of skin elasticity and crepey texture
- Sun-induced redness and vascular discoloration
- Sun spots, age spots, and brown spots
- Irregular, rough, or uneven texture
- Acne scarring and other textural scarring
It’s commonly used on the face, and also on the neck, chest, and hands — areas where sun damage accumulates and tends to give away age before the face does.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Fraxel re:pair tends to be the right choice if you:
- Have significant sun damage or deep wrinkles that gentler treatments haven’t touched
- Want meaningful correction in one session rather than a series
- Have acne scarring or textural scarring you’d like addressed
- Can plan for a genuine recovery period
- Are looking for a non-surgical alternative to more invasive resurfacing
Your provider will assess your skin type, medical history, and goals at consultation and tell you honestly which laser fits.
What to Expect During Treatment
Consultation first. Every Fraxel re:pair patient is evaluated by one of our providers beforehand. We’ll review your skin, your history, any medications, and what recovery will realistically look like for your schedule.
Preparation. Topical numbing is applied well before treatment. Depending on the area and depth, additional comfort measures may be used — your provider will discuss this with you in advance.
Treatment. The provider passes the handpiece across the treatment area in a measured pattern. Most patients describe heat and pressure. Session length depends on the area treated.
Immediately after. Your skin will feel hot, similar to a strong sunburn, typically for about an hour. Swelling and redness follow.
Recovery: What the First Two Weeks Look Like
This is the part worth reading carefully, because Fraxel re:pair asks more of you than a gentler laser does — and knowing what’s coming makes the recovery far easier.
Days 1–3. Expect swelling, redness, and heat. Swelling is usually most pronounced in the first 48 hours. New skin begins forming within about 24 hours.
Days 3–7. The new skin often takes on a bronzed appearance and begins to flake and peel as it turns over. This is the treated tissue working its way off.
Week 2 and beyond. Most patients are comfortable returning to work and normal social activity around the one-week mark, though pinkness can linger and is easily covered with makeup once your provider clears it.
Sun protection is non-negotiable. Avoid direct sun exposure for at least three months after treatment, and use SPF 30 or higher daily. New skin is highly photosensitive, and sun exposure during healing is the single fastest way to undo the result.
Results
Results are visible almost immediately and continue improving as swelling resolves and the deeper layers heal. Most patients see their full result three to six months after treatment, as new collagen continues to form.
With full results, patients typically see:
- Smoother skin tone and refined texture
- Reduced pore size
- Softened acne scars, age spots, and brown spots
- Smoothed wrinkles and lines, including around the eyes
- Rejuvenated skin on the neck, chest, and hands
Because Fraxel re:pair stimulates your own collagen, the improvement continues well after your skin has visibly healed.
Why Patients Choose The Parker Clinic
An ablative laser is only as safe as the judgment behind it. At The Parker Skin & Aesthetic Clinic, Fraxel re:pair is planned and performed under board-certified dermatologists who will tell you plainly when a gentler treatment is the better call.
We see patients at our Beachwood, Westlake, and Willoughby offices, with payment plans and CareCredit financing available for cosmetic treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Fraxel re:pair treatments will I need?
How much downtime does Fraxel re:pair require?
Does Fraxel re:pair hurt?
How much does Fraxel re:pair cost?
Can Fraxel re:pair treat acne scars?
When will I see results?
Some improvement is visible immediately. Results continue developing as swelling resolves and collagen rebuilds, with most patients seeing full results at three to six months.
Is Fraxel re:pair safe for darker skin tones?
Ablative resurfacing carries a higher risk of pigment changes in deeper skin tones. Your provider will evaluate your skin type at consultation and recommend the safest approach for you, which may be a different treatment.
Can I have Fraxel re:pair on my neck, chest, or hands?
Yes. These areas are commonly treated and often show sun damage more visibly than the face.
When is the best time of year for Fraxel re:pair?
Fall and winter. Since you’ll need to avoid direct sun for about three months after treatment, the cooler months make recovery much easier to manage.
How should I prepare?
Your provider will give you specific pre-treatment instructions, which typically include pausing certain skincare products and medications and arranging time away from sun exposure.
Ready for Real Correction?
Schedule a Fraxel re:pair consultation at our Beachwood, Westlake, or Willoughby office. We’ll look at your skin, talk through recovery, and tell you honestly whether re:pair is the right fit.
