Fraxel® is a fractional non-ablative (1550/1927 nm) resurfacing laser; CoolPeel® is fractional ablative CO₂ (10,600 nm) delivered in ultra-short pulses. Both improve texture, tone, fine lines, and sun damage over a short series with modest downtime — they just get there differently. If you've been searching for Fraxel in west Georgia or the south metro, here's the honest comparison.
How they differ under the hood
Fraxel heats columns of tissue without removing the surface — recovery is mostly redness and a rough "bronzed" feel for several days. CoolPeel removes microscopic columns of surface tissue with minimal residual heat — a day or two of pinkness with light flaking. Ablative resurfacing generally produces more visible change per session on surface texture and pores; non-ablative trades some punch for gentleness.
| Fraxel® | CoolPeel® (DEKA Tetra) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fractional non-ablative | Fractional ablative CO₂, short-pulse |
| Downtime | 3–5 days redness/bronzing | 1–3 days pinkness/flaking |
| Series | 3–5 sessions | 2–3 sessions |
| Best at | Pigment + texture, melasma-adjacent care | Texture, pores, fine lines, sun damage |
Why we chose CoolPeel
For the results-per-downtime math our patients actually live with, short-pulse CO₂ won — read why we chose the DEKA Tetra. And for pigment-first concerns where Fraxel's 1927 nm shines, we reach for the Elluminate® laser facial or IPL instead — often sequenced with CoolPeel.
The right answer depends on your skin, which is what a free consultation with Visia imaging is for — your UV damage, photographed, before anyone recommends anything. See CoolPeel details and pricing.
Fraxel® is a registered trademark of Solta Medical; Carroll Cosmetic Club is not affiliated with Solta and does not offer Fraxel. Comparison reflects publicly available information as of September 2026.