Living with acne scars can feel like you’re still dealing with breakouts, even years after your skin has cleared. Every time you look in the mirror, those ice pick scars, boxcar indentations, or uneven texture remind you of battles your skin has already fought. If you’re tired of covering up marks that makeup can’t quite hide, you’re not alone. Many people in North Miami struggle with the same frustration.
At Manhattan Laser Spa, we specialize in acne scar treatment that actually works. Our North Miami medical spa combines FDA-approved technology with treatments customized to your skin type and scar pattern. Whether you’re dealing with deep pitted scars, rolling texture issues, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, we have multiple proven approaches to help smooth and rejuvenate your skin.
Acne scars form when inflammatory acne damages the skin’s collagen structure during healing. Not everyone who gets breakouts ends up with scars, but if you’ve had severe acne, picked at blemishes, or experienced cystic acne, scarring becomes much more likely.
Here’s the thing: not all acne scars are the same. The type of scarring you have determines which treatment will work best for you.
Atrophic scars (the most common type) create depressions in your skin:
Hypertrophic scars and keloids are raised above the skin surface. These are less common with acne but require different treatment approaches than depressed scars.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) isn’t technically scarring, but those dark marks left behind after acne heals are often lumped together with scar treatment. The good news? PIH usually responds well to treatment.
Understanding which type of scarring you have helps us create the most effective treatment plan. That’s why every patient at our North Miami location starts with a thorough skin consultation and analysis.
How We Treat Acne Scars at Manhattan Laser SpaMost people think there’s just one laser treatment for acne scars. Actually, different scar types respond better to different technologies. We use a combination approach, selecting from multiple proven treatments based on your specific needs.
Fractional CO2 lasers are considered the gold standard for treating moderate to severe acne scarring. This technology creates thousands of microscopic treatment zones in your skin, triggering your body’s natural healing response and stimulating fresh collagen production.
The process resurfaces damaged skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact, which means faster healing than older full-ablative lasers. Most patients see significant improvement in texture, depth, and overall skin appearance. While there’s some downtime involved (usually 5-7 days of redness and peeling), the results are worth it for deeper scarring.
We also offer erbium laser treatments for patients who want effective results with less downtime. Erbium lasers work similarly to CO2 but are gentler, making them ideal for sensitive skin types or those who can’t take a full week off for recovery.
Radiofrequency microneedling combines two powerful scar-fighting technologies: tiny needles that create controlled micro-injuries in your skin, plus radiofrequency energy that heats the deeper layers. This dual approach triggers intense collagen remodeling, which gradually fills in depressed scars from underneath.
What makes RF microneedling special? It works on all skin types and tones, including darker skin where some lasers carry higher risk. The treatment is particularly effective for rolling scars and overall texture improvement. Most patients need 3-4 sessions spaced about a month apart, with minimal downtime between treatments.
For patients who want a gentler approach or have very sensitive skin, we offer medical-grade microneedling enhanced with platelet-rich plasma therapy. Your own blood is processed to concentrate growth factors, which are then applied during microneedling to supercharge your skin’s healing response.
This combination stimulates collagen production and improves skin texture without the intensity of laser treatments. It’s excellent for mild to moderate scarring and can be combined with other treatments for comprehensive results.
Chemical peels work by removing damaged outer layers of skin, revealing fresher, smoother skin underneath. For acne scarring, we typically use medium-depth peels containing trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or a combination of acids tailored to your skin type.
Peels are particularly effective for superficial boxcar scars, overall texture issues, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. They’re often used alongside other treatments to enhance overall results. The recovery is relatively quick (3-5 days of peeling), making them a popular option for busy North Miami residents.
Some deep, tethered scars respond beautifully to dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid. By strategically filling depressed areas, we can immediately improve the appearance of deep boxcar or ice pick scars while stimulating your own collagen production over time.
Filler results are immediate but temporary (lasting 6-12 months), so they’re often combined with longer-term collagen-building treatments like laser therapy or microneedling. Think of fillers as the “now” solution while your other treatments work their magic over several months.
Why Multiple Treatments Usually Work BestHere’s what most people don’t realize: combination therapy almost always outperforms single treatments for acne scars. Why? Because you likely have multiple scar types, and your skin needs both surface improvement and deeper collagen remodeling.
A typical treatment plan at Manhattan Laser Spa might include:
We space treatments appropriately to allow proper healing and collagen development. Most comprehensive scar treatment programs take 6-12 months to complete, with results continuing to improve for months after your final session.
Your Initial Consultation
Every successful scar treatment starts with understanding your unique skin. During your free consultation at our North Miami location, we’ll examine your scarring pattern, assess your skin type using the Fitzpatrick scale, discuss your goals and timeline, and create a customized treatment plan.
This is also when we’ll talk honestly about what results you can expect. While modern acne scar treatments can dramatically improve appearance, the goal is significant reduction, not complete erasure. We’ll show you before-and-after photos of similar cases so you know what’s realistic.
Pre-Treatment Preparation
Depending on which treatments we recommend, you might need to prep your skin for 2-4 weeks beforehand. This often includes medical-grade skincare products, avoiding sun exposure, stopping certain medications that affect healing, and sometimes using prescription retinoids to optimize results.
Following pre-treatment protocols seriously makes a real difference in your outcomes and reduces complication risk.
During Your Treatment
Most of our acne scar treatments are performed right in our comfortable North Miami facility. We apply topical numbing cream 30-45 minutes before treatment, so discomfort is minimal. The actual procedure time varies (20 minutes to an hour, depending on treatment type and area size).
Patients often describe the sensation as mild heat or tingling. Our licensed medical professionals monitor your comfort throughout and adjust as needed.
Post-Treatment Care
Your skin needs proper care to heal correctly and produce the best results. We provide detailed post-treatment instructions, which typically include gentle cleansing with specific products, applying prescribed healing ointments, avoiding sun exposure completely for several weeks, skipping makeup for a few days (treatment-dependent), and staying hydrated.
Most patients experience redness, mild swelling, and sensitivity for several days after treatment. More aggressive treatments like fractional CO2 lasers involve about a week of social downtime, while gentler options like microneedling might only need 1-2 days.
Results Timeline
This part requires patience. While some improvements appear within weeks, significant scar reduction takes months. Your skin is rebuilding collagen and remodeling tissue, which happens gradually.
Most patients notice continuous improvement for 3-6 months after their final treatment. This progressive enhancement is one reason we take progress photos at each visit so you can see the changes that happen slowly over time.
Who Makes a Good Candidate?Acne scar treatment works well for most people, but ideal candidates include those with realistic expectations about results, no active acne breakouts (controlled acne is fine), overall good health without healing complications, ability to avoid sun exposure during treatment, and commitment to following pre- and post-treatment protocols.
Certain conditions require special consideration. If you have active infections, keloid tendency, recent isotretinoin use (Accutane), or certain autoimmune conditions, we’ll discuss timing and safety during your consultation.
The good news? We successfully treat all skin types and tones at Manhattan Laser Spa. Our range of technologies means we can find safe, effective options regardless of your Fitzpatrick skin type.
Our medical spa has built a reputation throughout North Miami, Aventura, Miami Beach, and surrounding areas for delivering real results with advanced aesthetic treatments. What sets us apart?
Medical Expertise You Can Trust
Our treatments are performed by licensed medical professionals with extensive training in laser technology and aesthetic procedures. We use FDA-approved devices and follow strict safety protocols in our sterile treatment environment.
Customized Treatment Approach
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Your scar pattern, skin type, lifestyle, and goals all influence your personalized treatment plan. Two patients with similar scarring might receive different recommendations based on these factors.
Advanced Technology
We invest in the latest proven technologies for scar treatment, including fractional CO2 and erbium lasers, radiofrequency microneedling devices, medical-grade microneedling equipment, and professional-grade chemical peels. All treatments are performed with medical-grade equipment and products.
Comprehensive Skin Health Focus
While you’re coming to us for scar treatment, we look at your overall skin health. We often recommend medical-grade skincare products to enhance and maintain your results, including vitamin C serums for brightness and healing, retinol treatments for continued collagen stimulation, SPF sunscreen products (essential for protecting healing skin), and growth factor serums for ongoing improvement.
Convenient North Miami Location
Our facility is easily accessible from throughout the North Miami area, including nearby Biscayne Boulevard, Aventura, Miami Shores, and Sunny Isles Beach. We understand you have a busy schedule and work to accommodate appointment times that fit your life.
Treatment cost varies based on several factors: scar severity and coverage area, which technologies you need, how many sessions your plan requires, and whether you’re combining multiple treatment types.
During your consultation, we provide transparent pricing for your recommended treatment plan. Many patients find that investing in professional scar treatment is more cost-effective long-term than years of trying over-the-counter products that don’t address the structural damage causing visible scarring.
We’re happy to discuss payment options and answer questions about treatment investment during your visit.
Serving North Miami and Surrounding CommunitiesManhattan Laser Spa proudly serves patients throughout North Miami and the greater Miami area. Whether you’re coming from downtown North Miami, the Museum of Contemporary Art area, near Oleta River State Park, or from neighboring communities like Miami Gardens, Biscayne Park, Bal Harbour, or Surfside, our location is conveniently accessible.
We understand the unique skincare challenges of living in South Florida, where sun exposure and humidity can affect both acne and scar treatment. Our protocols are designed with our local climate in mind, and we provide specific guidance for protecting your healing skin in our sunny environment.
You’ll notice some improvement within a few weeks, but significant scar reduction takes time. Most patients see gradual improvement over 3-6 months as new collagen develops and skin remodels. Because changes happen slowly, we take progress photos at each visit so you can see the difference. For comprehensive treatment plans involving multiple sessions, your final results become apparent about 6 months after completing all treatments. The wait is worth it because the improvements are long-lasting and continue to enhance over time.
Acne scar treatment is typically considered cosmetic, so most insurance plans don’t provide coverage. However, we believe improving your skin confidence is a worthwhile investment. During your consultation, we discuss pricing transparently and can explore payment options that work with your budget. Some patients use health savings accounts (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA) to cover treatment costs, which can offer tax advantages. We’re always happy to answer questions about the financial aspect of your treatment plan.
Most patients tolerate treatment very well. We apply topical numbing cream 30-45 minutes before your procedure, which minimizes discomfort significantly. During treatment, you might feel warmth, tingling, or mild pressure depending on which technology we’re using. Fractional laser treatments can feel more intense than microneedling, but the numbing keeps things manageable. After treatment, your skin might feel sunburned for a day or two. We provide guidance on managing any discomfort during healing, though most people find it milder than expected.
Absolutely. We treat all skin types successfully at Manhattan Laser Spa. The key is selecting appropriate technologies and settings for your specific skin tone. RF microneedling, for example, works beautifully on darker skin because it doesn’t rely on targeting pigment the way some lasers do. During your consultation, we’ll assess your Fitzpatrick skin type and recommend treatments that provide excellent results with minimal risk of hyperpigmentation or other complications. Our experience with diverse skin types throughout the North Miami community means we understand how to treat everyone safely and effectively.
You’ll need to avoid makeup for a few days immediately after each treatment session to allow proper healing. The exact timeframe depends on which treatment you receive. After fractional laser treatments, we typically recommend waiting 5-7 days before applying makeup. With gentler treatments like chemical peels or microneedling, you might be able to resume makeup within 2-3 days. We’ll give you specific instructions based on your treatment plan. Many patients schedule their appointments before a weekend or when they can work from home, so the no-makeup period doesn’t disrupt their routine.
Active acne needs to be controlled before starting scar treatment. If you get occasional breakouts during your treatment series, don’t worry. We can adjust timing between sessions if needed. However, if you’re experiencing frequent active acne, we’ll recommend managing that first. Sometimes we work with your dermatologist or adjust your skincare routine before proceeding with scar treatment. The good news is that many of our treatments (especially chemical peels and certain laser therapies) actually help prevent future breakouts while treating existing scars. We take a comprehensive approach to both clearing current acne and addressing the scars left behind.
Your scar improvement is long-lasting, but maintaining great skin requires ongoing care. We recommend continuing with medical-grade skincare products including retinol treatments for collagen maintenance, vitamin C serums for brightness and protection, daily SPF sunscreen (this is non-negotiable in South Florida), and quality moisturizers appropriate for your skin type. Depending on your results and goals, some patients benefit from maintenance treatments every 6-12 months. Sun protection is especially critical. UV damage can darken treated areas and counteract your improvements, so proper sunscreen use needs to become a daily habit.
You don’t have to live with reminders of past breakouts. Modern acne scar treatments can dramatically improve your skin’s texture and appearance, giving you the confidence that comes with clearer, smoother skin.
At Manhattan Laser Spa in North Miami, we combine advanced technology with personalized care to deliver results that make a real difference. Our experienced team will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your goals, your skin type, and your lifestyle.
Ready to take the first step? Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll evaluate your scarring, answer all your questions, and show you what’s possible. Let’s create a treatment plan that helps you feel confident in your skin again.
Manhattan Laser Spa serves patients throughout North Miami, Aventura, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Shores, and surrounding South Florida communities. Call us or visit our website to book your consultation and start your journey toward clearer, smoother skin.
