Fractional laser skin resurfacing
What is fractional laser skin resurfacing?
Fractional laser resurfacing heats thousands of tiny columns of skin while leaving the skin around them intact, so it heals fast and remakes collagen. Non-ablative lasers at 1550 nm target deeper wrinkles and texture, and 1927 nm lasers target surface pigment and sun damage. They are cleared by the FDA for skin resurfacing.
Listed here because well-known people have tried it on themselves. Trying something is not recommending it; each entry says whether the person tells others to do it.
Who has tried it
Tried by 1 person we can source: 1 kept.
Kept
Bryan JohnsonEntrepreneur, founder of BlueprintBlueprint (Bryan Johnson)
Dates not stated · Does not recommend it to others
Gets 1927 nm and 1550 nm laser treatments about every 6 months as part of his advanced skin therapies, alongside the Sofwave and Everesse devices.
“1927 nm laser (1x every 6 months, can do more or less depending on your status and goals)”
Bryan Johnson, Bryan's Protocol (checked November 2026) · Status checked November 1, 2026 · Suggest a correction
What the evidence shows
Fractional lasers rest on small human studies. The first study of the method showed that the tiny wounds healed within a day and wrinkle scores improved 18% after 3 months [1]. Three sessions of a 1927 nm laser improved pigment, elasticity and wrinkles in 27 adults [2], and up to 4 sessions cleared most actinic keratoses, a precancer, in 24 people at 6 months [3]. In a split-face study, three 1540 nm sessions improved photoaging about as much as one ablative session [4].
Most studies are small, short and without a sham control, and many are run with device makers. In 961 treatments with a 1550 nm laser, 7.6% led to a complication, mostly acne flares and cold sores [5].
The devices are cleared for resurfacing and sun damage. Whether repeated treatments keep skin younger over decades is unknown.
Safety
- Fractional lasers are FDA-cleared devices for skin resurfacing and should be used by a trained clinician.
- Redness, swelling and peeling for several days are expected; acne flares, cold sore outbreaks and darker or lighter patches can follow, more so in darker skin.
- People with a history of cold sores often need antiviral pills first. Recent isotretinoin, active skin infection, pregnancy or a tendency to scar are reasons to wait or avoid it.
- Sun protection is needed for weeks after treatment.
Common questions
What lasers does Bryan Johnson use?
As of November 2026 his skin protocol lists a 1927 nm laser and a 1550 nm laser, each about once every 6 months, plus two other energy devices, Sofwave (ultrasound) and Everesse (radiofrequency).
Does fractional laser reduce wrinkles?
What are the risks of fractional laser treatment?
In a review of 961 treatments, 7.6% led to a complication, mostly acne flares and cold sore outbreaks [5]. Pigment changes are more likely in darker skin.
Sources
- 1.Manstein D, Herron GS, Sink RK, et al. Fractional photothermolysis: a new concept for cutaneous remodeling using microscopic patterns of thermal injury. Lasers Surg Med, 2004. doi:10.1002/lsm.20048
- 2.Li X, Qin S, Shi S, et al. Prospective study of efficacy and safety of non-ablative 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser in Asian skin photoaging. Front Surg, 2023. doi:10.3389/fsurg.2023.1076848
- 3.Weiss ET, Brauer JA, Anolik R, et al. 1927-nm fractional resurfacing of facial actinic keratoses: a promising new therapeutic option. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2013. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2012.05.033
- 4.Borges J, Cuzzi T, Mandarim-de-Lacerda CA, et al. Fractional Erbium laser in the treatment of photoaging: randomized comparative, clinical and histopathological study of ablative (2940nm) vs. non-ablative (1540nm) methods after 3 months. An Bras Dermatol, 2014. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142370
- 5.Graber EM, Tanzi EL, Alster TS. Side effects and complications of fractional laser photothermolysis: experience with 961 treatments. Dermatol Surg, 2008. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.34062.x