How To Optimize Your Anti-Aging Laser Treatment Strategy

Injectables and facelifts have been long-time go-to’s for facial rejuvenation, but there’s another player in the game that’s gaining traction: laser skin resurfacing treatments. They offer long-term collagen stimulation and can rejuvenate and enhance the quality of the skin, making them a powerful alternative or enhancement to injectables. Interested in learning how you can utilize lasers for youthful-looking skin? Read on as we cover the best lasers for anti-aging, a realistic price breakdown, and how to maintain results.

Are Lasers the New Injectable?

With technology rapidly advancing, more and more doctors are turning to lasers to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, enlarged pores, textural irregularities, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. While they aren’t a replacement for injectables, board-certified NYC cosmetic dermatologist Michele Green, MD, says laser skin resurfacing treatments can be an excellent option for those seeking to reduce the appearance of aging signs.

“Laser technology has evolved significantly in recent years, allowing us to target multiple layers of the skin with precision,” says Dr. William Kennedy, MD. “In my practice, I’m increasingly using lasers as a primary tool for addressing signs of aging, especially for patients looking for long-term collagen stimulation and overall skin quality improvement.”

When it comes to lasers vs. injectables for wrinkles, laser treatments are a powerful anti-aging tool, but they’re not interchangeable with Botox and dermal fillers. That’s because they target different types of wrinkles (yes, there are different types!). Botox works best for dynamic wrinkles whereas laser treatments and dermal fillers target static wrinkles.

So, what’s the difference? Dynamic wrinkles are caused by muscle movement. These are the types of wrinkles that appear when making certain facial gestures. Think: crow’s feet or smile lines. Static wrinkles, on the other hand, are a common sign of aging skin that occurs as collagen and elastin levels decrease. These types of wrinkles are more permanent and are visible even when the facial muscles are relaxed.

Those with dynamic wrinkles should opt for Botox, which temporarily relaxes the muscles and smoothes out any fine lines. On the other hand, those with static wrinkles would benefit from resurfacing lasers (e.g. Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, and eMatrix), which Dr. Green says encourage collagen production to smooth out the skin and minimize fine lines. But, if someone is seeing static wrinkles alongside volume loss, such as in the nasolabial folds or oral commissures, Dr. Green says dermal fillers are a better option compared to resurfacing lasers.

The Best Laser Treatments to Combat Aging

Fraxel is a do-it-all fractional laser treatment; it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reverse sun damage, and minimize discoloration. It works by creating micro-wounds to boost collagen production, which improves skin tone and texture over time. Dr. Green says patients often engage in a series of three or more treatment sessions spaced one month apart for facial rejuvenation.

Also known as the “Mini-Fraxel,” Clear + Brilliant is a lighter treatment that also helps with skin rejuvenation, tone, and texture—without any downtime. Like Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant utilizes fractional laser energy to create thousands of microscopic injuries to the skin. Dr. Green explains that these micro-injuries trigger skin cell turnover and the production of collagen, the protein in the skin that provides structure, firmness, and youthfulness. While patients can diminish visible signs of aging with each treatment, Dr. Green says that most need around six treatments for optimized results.

eMatrix is another skin resurfacing treatment but instead employs bi-polar radio frequency energy to heat the layers beneath the skin’s surface while preserving the top layers. Dr. Green says it triggers the skin’s natural healing process, stimulating collagen production in the dermis, and effectively targets various signs of aging, including wrinkles, sun damage, skin laxity, acne scars, stretch marks, discoloration, and enlarged pores. Because the energy is delivered beneath the skin’s surface, Dr. Green says that patients can achieve impressive facial rejuvenation over a brief series of treatment sessions and with minimal downtime.

Fractional CO2 Lasers use a carbon dioxide laser to make micro-wounds to stimulate collagen production as a way to improve skin texture and minimize signs of aging. Like Fraxel, fractional CO2 Lasers are much deeper treatments and, as a result, have a downtime of one to two weeks.

“Fractional CO2 lasers are ideal for patients with more advanced signs of aging or significant sun damage,” explains Dr. Kennedy. “While Fraxel is excellent for moderate skin rejuvenation with minimal downtime, CO2 lasers penetrate deeper, making them more effective for deep wrinkles, scarring, and pronounced texture issues. However, they require a longer recovery period. Typically, one session of CO2 laser resurfacing can yield dramatic results, but some patients may require a second session depending on their skin concerns.”

“Laser treatments like IPL, VBeam, and Erbium improve skin tone, target pigmentation, and address vascular concerns. While they enhance collagen production and skin clarity, they’re best for treating sun damage, redness, and mild texture issues rather than deep wrinkles. Often used alone or as maintenance, they complement deeper resurfacing lasers like Fraxel, eMatrix, and Fractional CO₂ for advanced aging signs. Clear + Brilliant offers a gentler alternative for those seeking subtle rejuvenation with minimal downtime. A personalized combination of these treatments can optimize long-term skin health and aesthetic results.”

Your Laser Treatment Maintenance Plan for Long-Term Results

While most see improvements after one session, many lasers require multiple sessions for full results, and ongoing maintenance is needed for long-term benefits. As always, treatment plans are individualized and are best discussed with a board-certified dermatologist. So, it’s best practice to book a consultation to address specific skin issues and desired outcomes.

To help give us a sense of what a typical treatment plan might look like, Dr. Green walked us through a generic example. She says that most patients begin with a short series of deep treatments, like Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, or eMatrix, scheduled about one month apart. After that, Dr. Green says many of her patients opt for maintenance sessions every six months to one year. In between that, some patients might benefit from lasers like IPL, Vbeam, and Erbium every few months to correct skin texture or redness.

“Laser treatments can also be complemented with chemical peels, microneedling, or dermal fillers to address a wide range of skin concerns and achieve pan-facial rejuvenation,” Dr. Green shares with us. “Additionally, the most effective anti-aging plans should contain a targeted skincare protocol to complement and enhance the results from cosmetic treatments.”

How Much Do Laser Treatments Cost?

Lasers can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand dollars, depending on the type used and the treatment area’s size (e.g. full face vs. spot treatments). Machines that use newer, more advanced technology will typically cost more per session. Outside of the actual lasers, factors like clinic location or provider expertise will also impact cost. Overall, Dr. Kennedy estimates an annual investment of $3,000-$8,000 with an expectation to pay the higher end if looking to address additional issues, like redness or texture.

Laser Pricing Breakdown by Treatment Type

Note: Costs are approximate and can vary based on individual needs and provider.

How to Maximize Laser Results at Home

As we established, laser treatments aren’t inexpensive. So, to optimize your session, you’ll want to avoid sun exposure and aggressive exfoliation for the following week or two. Post-treatment, the skin is extra sensitive and more susceptible to sun damage and pigmentation issues. You’ll also want to give your skin a little extra TLC after each session. This includes applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 50+ (this one is Dr. Kennedy’s favorite), rehydrating the skin with hyaluronic acid, and repairing the skin barrier with ceramides. If retinols or growth factors are a part of your skincare routine, Dr. Kennedy says you should wait one week before reintroducing them.