Living in Miami Beach means sunshine, Ocean Drive strolls, and beach days year-round. But all that beautiful South Florida sun takes a toll on your skin. If you’re dealing with sun damage, wrinkles, acne scars, or uneven texture, laser skin resurfacing at Manhattan Laser Spa can help you get back that smooth, glowing complexion you’ve been missing.
Our Miami Beach medical spa specializes in advanced laser treatments that actually work. We’re talking real results for people who’ve tried everything else and still aren’t happy with their skin. Whether you’re a South Beach local, work near Lincoln Road, or you’re coming from Sunset Islands, we’re here to help you feel confident in your skin again.
Here’s the simple version: laser skin resurfacing uses concentrated light energy to remove damaged outer layers of skin while heating the deeper layers underneath. This triggers your body’s natural healing response, which kicks collagen production into high gear.
Think of it like hitting reset on your skin. Old, damaged cells get removed, and fresh, healthy skin takes their place. The result? Smoother texture, fewer wrinkles, reduced scarring, and a more even tone.
We don’t use one-size-fits-all treatments at Manhattan Laser Spa. Your skin is unique, and your treatment should be too. That’s why we offer different laser options based on what you’re dealing with and how much downtime you can handle.
This is what most people think of when they hear “laser resurfacing.” Fractional CO2 is the gold standard for a reason. It’s powerful enough to tackle serious concerns like deep wrinkles and acne scars, but the fractional technology means it only treats a fraction of your skin at a time. The untreated areas help speed up healing.
What it treats:
Downtime: About 7-10 days. You’ll look sunburned for the first few days, then your skin will peel and reveal fresh skin underneath.
Erbium lasers are gentler than CO2 but still incredibly effective. They don’t penetrate quite as deep, which means less downtime but you might need a few sessions to get the results you want.
What it treats:
Downtime: About 3-5 days. Less intense redness and peeling compared to CO2.
These lasers don’t break the surface of your skin. Instead, they heat the deeper layers to stimulate collagen without removing the top layer. Results are more gradual, but there’s virtually no downtime.
What it treats:
Downtime: Minimal to none. You might have some redness for a few hours.
Living in Miami Beach, your skin faces unique challenges. Between the intense UV exposure, humidity, and salt air, your complexion works overtime. Here’s what we can help with:
Those brown spots from years of beach time? We see them all day, every day. Laser resurfacing breaks up the excess melanin that’s built up from UV exposure. Your body absorbs those pigmented cells, and new, clear skin takes their place. Most people notice dramatic improvement in brown spots, freckles, and overall tone after treatment.
Lasers work from the inside out to smooth wrinkles. By heating the dermis and triggering collagen production, you get natural-looking improvement over several months. We’re not talking about that frozen, overdone look. This is real skin improvement that lasts.
Common areas we treat:
If you’ve got pitted acne scars, you know how frustrating they can be. Regular skincare products just can’t reach the deeper layers where scarring happens. Laser resurfacing actually removes scar tissue and stimulates new collagen to fill in those indentations. It won’t make scars disappear completely, but most people see major improvement.
Rough patches, large pores, dullness, discoloration. Lasers address all of it by removing damaged surface cells and promoting fresh cell turnover. After treatment, your skin feels smoother and looks more radiant.
While stretch marks are trickier to treat than facial concerns, fractional laser resurfacing can improve their appearance by stimulating collagen in the affected areas.
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You might be a great candidate for laser resurfacing if you:
This is important. Not all lasers work for all skin types. Some lasers (especially aggressive ablative ones) can cause hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones. This happens in about 30% of people with Fitzpatrick types IV-VI.
But here’s the thing: that doesn’t mean laser resurfacing is off the table. We just need to choose the right laser and settings for your skin. During your consultation, we’ll assess your skin type and recommend the safest, most effective option for you. Sometimes that means erbium lasers instead of CO2, or non-ablative treatments combined with other procedures.
Never skip the consultation if you have olive or darker skin. We need to create a treatment plan that works with your complexion, not against it.
We’ll give you detailed prep instructions, but here’s what to expect:
2-4 weeks before:
If you have a history of cold sores: Let us know. We’ll prescribe antiviral medication because laser treatments can trigger outbreaks.
First, we’ll apply numbing cream about 30-60 minutes before your appointment. Most people don’t find the treatment painful with proper numbing, though you might hear snapping sounds and feel some warmth.
Treatment time depends on the area:
Throughout the procedure, we’ll use cold air to keep you comfortable. Our laser technicians are manufacturer-certified and have performed thousands of treatments.
Your skin will look red and feel warm, kind of like a moderate sunburn. We’ll apply healing ointment and give you detailed aftercare instructions. You’ll head home to start the healing process.
Let’s be real about recovery. This isn’t a lunchtime procedure. You’ll need some downtime.
Your skin will be red, swollen, and sensitive. Think of it as having a sunburn. Keep it moisturized with the ointment we give you and stay inside. No sun exposure whatsoever.
This is when things get a bit weird. Your skin will start to peel and flake. It’s totally normal and actually a good sign. Don’t pick at it. Let the old skin come off naturally while you keep everything moisturized.
The peeling stops, but your skin will still be pink and sensitive. Most people can go back to work around this time with makeup if needed.
The pink fades, and you’ll start seeing the real results. Your skin keeps improving as new collagen forms underneath.
This is when you see the full benefit. Collagen continues to build, giving you ongoing improvement in texture, tone, and firmness.
Follow the aftercare plan. This isn’t optional. Your results depend on proper healing.
Protect your skin from the sun. This is huge, especially in Miami Beach. New skin is incredibly sensitive to UV damage. Wear SPF 30+ daily, reapply every 2 hours, wear a hat, seek shade. We’re serious about this.
Keep your skin moisturized. Use the products we recommend. Your skin needs extra hydration during healing.
Don’t rush back to normal activities. Give your skin time to heal before returning to the gym, pool, or beach.
Be patient. You won’t see final results for several months. Trust the process.
Wondering how this stacks up against other options?
vs. Chemical Peels: Lasers are more precise and can target specific depths. They’re generally more effective for deeper concerns like acne scars.
vs. Microneedling: Both stimulate collagen, but lasers typically provide more dramatic results for sun damage and scarring.
vs. IPL/Photofacial: IPL is great for pigmentation and redness but doesn’t resurface skin. Many people do both for comprehensive results.
vs. Dermal Fillers: Fillers add volume. Lasers improve texture and stimulate your own collagen. They address different concerns.
The truth? Sometimes combining treatments gives you the best outcome. We’ll discuss all your options during your consultation.
Licensed Medical Professionals: Our treatments are performed by licensed laser technicians under physician supervision. This is medical-grade aesthetic care, not a spa day.
FDA-Approved Laser Technology: We use only FDA-approved devices that are regularly maintained and calibrated for safety and results.
Customized Treatment Plans: Your skin doesn’t fit a template, and neither should your treatment. We create plans based on your specific concerns, skin type, and goals.
Before and After Documentation: We track your progress with photos so you can see exactly how your skin is improving.
Comprehensive Aftercare Support: Questions during recovery? Call us. We’re here to support you through the entire healing process.
Convenient Miami Beach Location: We’re easy to get to whether you’re in South Beach, Mid-Beach, North Beach, or nearby areas like Bal Harbour and Surfside.
Treatment cost varies based on the type of laser, treatment area, and your specific needs. Generally, you’re looking at $1,200-$3,500 for most treatments. We’ll give you an exact quote during your free consultation.
With numbing cream, most people describe it as tolerable discomfort rather than pain. You’ll feel warmth and maybe some snapping sensations, but it shouldn’t be unbearable. If you’re particularly sensitive, we can discuss additional comfort measures.
It depends on your concerns and the type of laser we use. Aggressive CO2 treatments often give dramatic results in one session, though some people opt for a second treatment 6-12 months later for additional improvement. Gentler treatments like erbium or non-ablative lasers might need 2-4 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
Probably not, unless you’re doing a very gentle non-ablative treatment. Most people need at least a week off for ablative lasers. If you’ve got an important event coming up, plan your treatment at least 6-8 weeks beforehand to allow for complete healing.
Yes, temporarily. Your new skin is extra vulnerable to UV damage during the first few months after treatment. This is especially important in Miami Beach where sun exposure is hard to avoid. Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every single day, reapply frequently, and wear a hat when you’re outside.
In experienced hands with proper laser settings, scarring is extremely rare. That said, if you’re prone to keloid scarring or have a history of abnormal scarring, let us know during your consultation. We might recommend alternative treatments.
This varies, but most people enjoy results for several years. Your skin continues to age naturally, and new sun damage can occur if you’re not careful with sun protection. Many people come back for maintenance treatments every 1-3 years to keep results looking fresh.
If you’re tired of covering up sun damage, acne scars, or wrinkles, laser skin resurfacing might be exactly what you need. At Manhattan Laser Spa in Miami Beach, we’re committed to giving you real results in a safe, comfortable environment.
Your first step is a free consultation where we’ll examine your skin, discuss your concerns, and create a personalized treatment plan. No pressure, no upselling. Just honest advice about what will work for your skin.
Call us or book online to schedule your consultation. Let’s get your skin looking as good as you feel.
