Pico Fraxel: How It Differs from Pico Toning and Erbium Fraxel, What the Downtime Is Like, and Who It Suits

I'm Dr. Hyunji Kim, director and lead physician at Delphic Clinic in Gangnam, one minute from Sinnonhyeon Station. I trained at Korea University Medical Center and I am a member of the Korean Society for Laser Dermatology & Hair and the Korean Academy of Aesthetic Surgery & Laser Medicine, with my daily work in lifting, laser and anti-ageing care. Pico Fraxel is one of our signature laser treatments, and one I plan myself.

Patients ask about Pico Fraxel most weeks, usually after seeing it next to pico toning and erbium Fraxel on our menu and wondering which one they need. The names are confusing, because two of them share a laser and two share the word Fraxel. This post untangles them: what each does, what the days after feel like, real prices, and who should skip Pico Fraxel.

Same pico laser, two different jobs

A 755nm picosecond laser delivers energy in pulses lasting trillionths of a second. Used as toning, the beam is spread evenly across the skin to break up pigment and even out tone, with very little visible after-effect.

Used as Pico Fraxel, the energy is concentrated in a fractional pattern. It works below the surface to encourage renewal from the deeper skin layer, without physically breaking the surface. That is why it is used for acne scars, enlarged pores and rough texture rather than brown spots. The wider map of which laser fits which concern is in my guide to Korean laser treatment by concern.

Pico Fraxel, pico toning, erbium Fraxel side by side

If you are deciding between a pigment laser and a texture laser more broadly, my comparison of PicoSure and Fraxel goes deeper into the two mechanisms.

The 72 hours after Pico Fraxel

1. 1

   Right after

   Redness and a warm, slightly tight feeling are common. A soothing pack is part of the session.

2. 2

   That evening

   Most people go about their day. Use a gentle cleanser and moisturiser, and skip active ingredients.

3. 3

   Days 1 to 3

   Redness usually fades. Avoid saunas, intense workouts and scrubbing, and use sunscreen every day.

4. 4

   Following weeks

   Texture changes build gradually. Judge the result over weeks, not the next morning.

Acne scars and pores: how many Pico Fraxel sessions?

Scars and pores rarely change much after one session. Most plans are a series spaced a few weeks apart, but I do not give a number before seeing your skin, because rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars respond differently. I explain more about acne-related laser choices in my guide to acne laser treatment in Seoul.

For international patients, that usually means one session per trip with a realistic expectation, rather than trying to compress a series into a single week.

I choose the laser for the scar in front of me, not for the name on the menu.— Dr. Hyunji Kim, Delphic Clinic

Skin I would not treat with Pico Fraxel

• Active, inflamed acne that needs to be calmed first.
• A fresh sunburn or a beach holiday straight after treatment.
• Main concern is brown spots or melasma, where toning or another approach fits better.
• Very deep scars that need a different or combined plan.
• Recent irritation from strong peels or retinoids that has not settled.

Before your laser trip: a short checklist

• Stop strong exfoliating products a few days before, unless told otherwise.
• Avoid tanning in the week before your appointment.
• Bring a mineral sunscreen and a hat for the days after.
• Leave at least a day between Pico Fraxel and any beach or pool plans.
• Bring close-up photos of your scars in daylight to compare later.

Pico Fraxel and erbium Fraxel prices at Delphic

Both full-face Fraxel options include a soothing pack. These are our real prices, the same for Korean and international patients.

If you want to know which laser your skin actually needs, book a free 1:1 consultation with me. English and Chinese interpreters are with us every day, international patients pay the same price as Korean patients, and we are one minute from Sinnonhyeon Station, Exit 3.