NEW $95,000-$145,000USED $35,000-$70,000FDA Cleared 2008
Last updated: 2026-04-09
Overview
Fraxel Dual is Solta Medical's entry in the skin resurfacing category, built on Dual-Wavelength Non-Ablative Fractional Laser (1550nm + 1927nm). The platform treats face, neck, decolletage, hands, with 20-45 minutes and a recommended course of 3-5 sessions spaced 2-4 weeks apart. FDA cleared in 2008, it lists in the $95,000-$145,000 range for new units and $35,000-$70,000 on the secondary market.
First fractional laser approved for melasma. Dual wavelengths target both deeper texture issues (1550nm) and superficial tone and pigment (1927nm). The mechanism is what separates Fraxel Dual from competitors in the same category. Where it fits in your practice depends on patient demographics, treatment volume, and whether you need a flagship platform or a value-tier alternative.
Fraxel Dual is manufactured by Solta Medical (Bothell, WA, founded 1996). The device benefits from Solta Medical's public market visibility and presence across 75+ countries. Service support, training availability, and parts access vary by region. Practices considering this device should validate dealer presence and technical support coverage in their area before signing a contract.
TREATMENT AREAS
Face, Neck, Decolletage, Hands
TREATMENT TIME
20-45 minutes
SESSIONS
3-5 sessions spaced 2-4 weeks apart
PER SESSION
$900-$1,800
CONSUMABLES/YR
$2,500-$5,500
MAINTENANCE/YR
$5,000-$10,000
Pros & Cons
Pros
Longest-running brand recognition in fractional skin resurfacing
FDA-cleared for melasma, an indication few competitors hold
Dual wavelengths address texture and tone in one device
Solta parent Bausch Health carries heavy debt load
Older platform loses ground to newer hybrid lasers like Halo
Consumable tip costs add up at higher treatment volumes
3-5 sessions limits per-patient revenue compared to single-session alternatives
Patient downtime of 3-7 days affects schedule density
Clinical Evidence
100+ published studies. The most-studied fractional laser platform in the aesthetic market. The published evidence base for Fraxel Dual reflects how long the platform has been in market and how much the manufacturer has invested in clinical research. Devices with FDA clearance dates before 2018 typically have stronger peer-reviewed datasets than newer entrants. For physicians evaluating this device, the questions worth asking are whether the studies used blinded evaluators, what the sample sizes were, and whether the research was independent or manufacturer-funded.
Compare Fraxel Dual's evidence base against the category benchmark. In Fraxel Dual's category, the strongest evidence typically comes from devices that have been on the market for at least five years and have multiple randomized controlled trials with independent funding. Marketing claims from any manufacturer should be cross-checked against PubMed-indexed publications rather than conference posters or white papers. Conference presentations are not equivalent to peer review.
For practices that require strong clinical evidence (academic dermatology, plastic surgery groups with research interests, multi-physician practices that need to defend purchase decisions internally), the evidence profile should be a top-three decision factor. For high-volume cash-pay practices where patient demand drives device selection, brand recognition often matters more than the underlying evidence base. Both approaches are defensible, but they lead to different device selections.
ROI Analysis
Practice ROI for Fraxel Dual depends on three variables: capital cost, per-session revenue, and treatment volume. At a new unit price of $95,000-$145,000, financed over five years at typical equipment rates, the monthly payment runs roughly 2-2.5% of total cost. Per-session revenue at $900-$1,800 means the device needs to fill enough treatment slots monthly to cover the payment, consumables ($2,500-$5,500), maintenance ($5,000-$10,000), and operator labor.
For a practice doing 2-3 treatments per day at the midpoint of the per-session range, Fraxel Dual typically reaches break-even at 12-18 months for the lower end of the new pricing range, or 18-30 months at the high end. Used and refurbished units in the $35,000-$70,000 range can cut payback periods in half. The biggest practice mistake is over-projecting treatment volume. Physicians who run their numbers on 4-6 daily treatments rarely hit those targets in year one.
The realistic question is not whether Fraxel Dual can pay back. Most devices in this price range do, eventually. The question is whether your practice can fill the schedule. Practices with existing patient flow in Dermatology, Plastic Surgery have the easiest path. Practices building demand from scratch should plan for 6-12 months of marketing investment before the device pays for itself.
Best For
Dermatology practices that treat melasma and photodamaged skin on mixed patient populations. Practices that value brand recognition and a deep evidence base. The fit is strongest for practices that match the device's positioning on price, clinical evidence requirements, and patient throughput expectations. Practices with mismatched economics often regret these purchases within 18 months.
Beyond practice type, Fraxel Dual fits best when the patient base aligns with the device's strengths. For skin resurfacing platforms, this usually means matching device capability to patient demographics, skin type range, and willingness to pay per-session pricing. Practices in markets where patients price-shop heavily need to factor that into device selection. Practices in concierge or luxury markets can charge premium pricing that justifies premium platforms.
Buying Guide
New Fraxel Dual units sell for $95,000-$145,000 from Solta Medical or authorized dealers. Refurbished and used units sell for $35,000-$70,000 on the secondary market. The decision between new and used comes down to warranty coverage, software version, included applicators, and consumable allowances. New units typically include a 12-24 month warranty, current software, all applicators, and a starter consumable package. Used units usually carry no warranty, may have outdated software, and require separate consumable purchases.
What to negotiate: applicator quantity (always ask for additional applicators thrown in), consumable starter packs, training and certification fees, extended warranty coverage, marketing materials, and clinical training for additional providers. Solta Medical sales reps typically have 10-15% list price flexibility and far more on bundled deals. End-of-quarter and end-of-year are the strongest negotiation windows. Trade-in programs for older devices can reduce net cost by another 10-20%.
What to watch for: software lock-out fees on used units (some manufacturers disable software on resold devices), per-pulse or per-treatment licensing fees that show up after purchase, consumable price increases over the device life, and service contract terms. Always require a written quote that breaks out hardware, applicators, training, first-year service, and consumables separately. Bundled quotes hide the line items where margins live.
Alternatives and Comparisons
The main alternatives to Fraxel Dual in this category are listed below. Click into any comparison for a full side-by-side breakdown.
Halo: High-end dermatology and plastic surgery practices with an established skin resurfacing patient base. Practices that already own or plan to build the Sciton Jou
NEW $145,000-$210,000 (as Joule module) · USED $80,000-$140,000
UltraPulse: Plastic surgery and academic dermatology practices with established resurfacing programs. Practices performing scar revision and surgical procedures that benefi
LaseMD Ultra: Med spas and dermatology practices that want a low-downtime resurfacing option at a reasonable capital cost. Practices that can package ampoule add-ons into per
New Fraxel Dual units sell for $95,000-$145,000 from Solta Medical and authorized dealers. Used and refurbished units typically run $35,000-$70,000 on the secondary market depending on age, software version, and included applicators. Per-session pricing for treatments is $900-$1,800. Annual consumables run $2,500-$5,500 and annual maintenance averages $5,000-$10,000. Practices financing the device should expect monthly payments around 2-2.5% of the total purchase price over a five-year term.
Is Fraxel Dual FDA cleared?
Yes. Fraxel Dual received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2008. The clearance covers the indications listed in the device labeling. Off-label uses are common in clinical practice but should be discussed with patients explicitly. Physicians should verify current clearance status and any updates directly with Solta Medical or via the FDA 510(k) database before making a purchase decision.
What is the clinical evidence behind Fraxel Dual?
100+ published studies. The most-studied fractional laser platform in the aesthetic market. When evaluating clinical evidence, look for blinded evaluator studies, independent funding sources, and peer-reviewed publications rather than manufacturer-funded white papers or conference posters. Evidence quality varies widely between devices in the same category, even when the marketing materials look similar.
Which specialties use Fraxel Dual?
Fraxel Dual is primarily used by Dermatology, Plastic Surgery. Best fit varies by patient mix and practice economics. Dermatology practices that treat melasma and photodamaged skin on mixed patient populations. Practices that value brand recognition and a deep evidence base.
How long does a Fraxel Dual treatment session take?
Each Fraxel Dual treatment session runs 20-45 minutes. The recommended protocol is 3-5 sessions spaced 2-4 weeks apart. Total chair time including consultation, setup, treatment, and post-treatment care is typically 1.5-2x the listed treatment time. Practices planning daily treatment volume should use the realistic chair-time number, not just the active treatment minutes.
What are the main pros and cons of Fraxel Dual?
Strengths: Longest-running brand recognition in fractional skin resurfacing; FDA-cleared for melasma, an indication few competitors hold; Dual wavelengths address texture and tone in one device. Weaknesses: Solta parent Bausch Health carries heavy debt load; Older platform loses ground to newer hybrid lasers like Halo; Consumable tip costs add up at higher treatment volumes. Every device in this category has tradeoffs. The right choice depends on which strengths matter most to your practice and which weaknesses you can tolerate.
What does Fraxel Dual cost to operate annually?
Annual operating costs for Fraxel Dual include consumables ($2,500-$5,500), maintenance and service ($5,000-$10,000), and operator labor. Practices doing high treatment volumes should also budget for additional applicator wear and replacement. Total annual operating cost typically runs 5-15% of the original purchase price, with consumables driving most of the variability between low and high estimates.
Who manufactures Fraxel Dual and how stable is the company?
Fraxel Dual is manufactured by Solta Medical, headquartered in Bothell, WA and founded in 1996. The company is publicly traded under ticker BHC and operates in 75+ countries. Annual revenue is approximately Part of Bausch Health ($4.5B+). Manufacturer financial stability matters because it affects warranty support, parts availability, and long-term software updates. Physicians making capital purchases should always check the manufacturer's recent financial trajectory before committing.
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