Ablative Fractional Lasers

Ablative fractional laser is an expensive scar treatment. The cost may vary widely, but on average you can expect about $1,250 per session. While ablative fractional laser is more expensive than some other scar repair procedures, the cost must be weighed against safety and efficacy.

Ablative fractional laser treatment is considered to be a cosmetic procedure, so your health insurance is unlikely to cover the cost. Check your insurance coverage before scheduling a treatment.

The total cost of ablative fractional laser treatment depends on the:

• Type of laser: Prices vary widely depending on the specific subtype of laser used. For example, treatment with an Er:YAG fractional laser is generally cheaper than treatment with a CO₂ fractional laser, even though both are ablative fractional lasers.
• Number of treatments: With all laser types multiple (4 or more) treatments are usually necessary to achieve the desired results. Since most doctors charge per treatment, the more treatments, the higher the costs will be.
• Size of skin area to be treated: The larger the area of skin that will be treated with ablative fractional laser, the higher the price is likely to be. The table below shows the estimated total cost of treating the entire face with different types of lasers.

• Geographic location of medical facility: Ablative fractional laser treatment is more expensive in some cities and countries than in others.
• Physician’s experience: Doctors with more experience with ablative fractional laser treatment, may charge a higher fee. With all ablative fractional laser treatments, it is important to select a highly experienced doctor for your treatment.
• Recurrence of scars: Hypertrophic and keloid scars may potentially improve, but they may sometimes regrow, requiring a new round of treatments. This will drive up the costs.

If you decide to undergo ablative fractional laser treatment, ask multiple doctors for their price estimates before scheduling a treatment.