If you’ve been dealing with acne scars, you know how frustrating it can be. You’ve tried creams, watched countless YouTube videos, maybe even avoided certain lighting because it makes the scarring more visible. The good news? Modern acne scar treatment can actually make a real difference, and you don’t have to travel far to get it.
Manhattan Laser Spa brings advanced acne scar solutions right here to Sunny Isles Beach. We’re a medical spa that focuses on results you can see, using treatments backed by science and performed by licensed professionals who actually know what they’re doing.
Here’s the thing about acne scars—they’re not like regular acne that eventually fades. When your skin experiences deep inflammation from cystic acne or severe breakouts, it damages the collagen underneath. Your body tries to repair this damage, but sometimes it produces too much collagen (creating raised scars) or too little (creating indented scars).
Most people in Sunny Isles Beach and the greater Miami area deal with atrophic scars, which are the indented kind. These break down into three main types:
Ice pick scars look like small, deep holes in your skin. They’re narrow but go deep into the dermis, making them one of the trickier types to treat.
Rolling scars create a wave-like appearance across your skin. They happen when fibrous bands pull the skin down, creating those rolling valleys.
Boxcar scars are wider depressions with sharp, defined edges. Think of them as small craters on your skin’s surface.
Then there are hypertrophic and keloid scars, which are raised. These are less common with acne but can happen, especially if you’re prone to this type of scarring.
Why Professional Treatment Actually WorksOver-the-counter products can help with dark spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, but they won’t fix structural damage to your skin. That’s just the reality. True acne scars involve changes in your skin’s architecture, and you need treatments that can trigger real collagen remodeling.
That’s where medical-grade procedures come in. At our Sunny Isles Beach location, we use FDA-cleared devices that work at the deeper layers of your skin, where the actual scarring exists.
Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy
This is one of the most effective treatments for moderate to severe acne scarring. The fractional CO2 laser creates thousands of microscopic treatment zones in your skin, removing damaged tissue while triggering your body’s natural healing response.
What makes it “fractional” is that it treats a fraction of your skin at a time, leaving healthy tissue between treatment zones. This speeds up healing and reduces downtime compared to older ablative lasers.
Most people see significant improvement after 2-3 sessions. Yes, there’s some recovery time—usually about a week of redness and peeling—but the results are worth it for people with deep scarring.
Microneedling and RF Microneedling
Microneedling uses a medical-grade device with fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in your skin. This stimulates collagen production without removing the top layer of skin, which means less downtime.
RF microneedling takes this further by adding radiofrequency energy through the needles. This heats the deeper layers of your skin, creating even more collagen remodeling. It works especially well for rolling scars and overall skin texture improvement.
The treatment itself takes about 30-45 minutes. We use topical numbing cream, so while you’ll feel some pressure, it’s not painful. Your skin will be red for a day or two, kind of like a sunburn, but you can usually get back to your normal routine pretty quickly.
Laser Skin Resurfacing with Erbium Laser
For people who want effective results with a gentler approach, erbium laser resurfacing is a good option. It’s less aggressive than CO2 laser but still delivers noticeable improvement for mild to moderate scarring.
This treatment works well for shallow boxcar scars and overall skin texture issues. Recovery is typically 3-5 days, making it popular with our clients from Aventura and North Miami Beach who have busy schedules.
Chemical Peels for Acne Scars
Medical-grade chemical peels can help with superficial scarring and post-acne discoloration. We’re not talking about the peels you get at a regular spa—these are stronger formulations that penetrate deeper.
TCA peels work particularly well for smoothing out uneven skin texture. For very deep ice pick scars, we sometimes use the TCA CROSS method, which involves applying high-concentration TCA directly into the scar. It’s a targeted approach that works when other treatments haven’t.
Dermal Fillers for Immediate Improvement
Some rolling and boxcar scars respond well to dermal fillers with hyaluronic acid. This isn’t a permanent solution, but it can lift depressed scars and give you smoother-looking skin while you’re working through a longer treatment plan.
The results last anywhere from 6-18 months, depending on the filler used and your individual metabolism.
Subcision and Advanced Techniques
For stubborn rolling scars, subcision can be really effective. This technique involves releasing the fibrous bands that tether the scar down. We use a small needle to carefully break these attachments, allowing the skin to lift naturally.
We often combine subcision with other treatments like microneedling or fillers for the best results.
Creating Your Personalized Treatment PlanNot everyone’s scars are the same, which is why cookie-cutter approaches don’t work well. When you come to Manhattan Laser Spa in Sunny Isles Beach, we start with a thorough skin consultation and assessment.
We’ll look at your Fitzpatrick skin type, the types of scars you have, your skin’s overall condition, and your goals. We’ll also talk about your schedule because downtime matters, especially if you’re heading to the beach or have important events coming up.
For many people, combining treatments gives the best results. For example, we might use fractional laser therapy for deep scars, followed by microneedling sessions to continue building collagen. Or we might start with subcision for rolling scars, then add RF microneedling to improve overall texture.
The point is, we customize everything based on what your skin actually needs.
Before Your Appointment
We’ll give you specific prep instructions, but generally, you’ll need to avoid sun exposure and certain skincare products (like retinoids) for about a week before treatment. If you’re prone to cold sores, we might prescribe preventive medication since some treatments can trigger outbreaks.
During Your Session
Most treatments take 30-60 minutes. We use topical numbing cream for your comfort, and our treatment rooms are private and comfortable. Our licensed medical professionals walk you through everything that’s happening, so there are no surprises.
After Your Treatment
Recovery depends on which treatment you have. Microneedling might leave you red for a day or two. Fractional CO2 laser requires about a week of healing time. We’ll send you home with medical-grade skincare products and clear instructions on how to care for your skin.
You’ll need to be diligent about sun protection—this is Florida, after all, and that sunshine can interfere with healing and cause hyperpigmentation.
Why Choose Manhattan Laser Spa in Sunny Isles BeachWe’re not just about having fancy equipment (though we do invest in the latest FDA-cleared devices). What sets us apart is the experience and expertise of our team.
Our medical director is board-certified, and all our treatments are performed under medical supervision. Our aestheticians are licensed and continuously trained on the latest techniques. We’re members of the American Med Spa Association and follow strict safety protocols.
We’ve treated countless clients from Sunny Isles Beach, Aventura, Hallandale Beach, and throughout North Miami Beach. Many of our patients come from recommendations because word gets around when treatments actually work.
We also believe in transparency. During your free consultation, we’ll give you realistic expectations about what’s possible. Some scars respond better than others, and we’re upfront about that. We’d rather underpromise and overdeliver than tell you what you want to hear.
Cost varies depending on which treatments you need and how many sessions are recommended. During your consultation, we’ll give you a clear breakdown of pricing and help you understand what you’re paying for.
Most people need multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart for optimal results. Think of it as a process, not a one-time fix. But when you see the improvement in before and after photos, most of our clients tell us it’s absolutely worth it.
Serving Sunny Isles Beach and BeyondOur location on Collins Avenue makes us easily accessible whether you’re coming from nearby Gateway Park, heading over from Golden Beach, or driving up from the Bal Harbour area. We also serve clients throughout the greater Miami area, including Hollywood and parts of Fort Lauderdale.
Sunny Isles Beach has that beautiful coastal environment, but all that sun exposure can be tough on skin that’s healing from acne or dealing with scarring. That’s why having a local medical spa that understands the climate and lifestyle here matters.
We track treatment outcomes carefully and maintain extensive before and after galleries. Our patient testimonials and reviews speak to the results we deliver. Many clients mention not just the improvement in their scars, but how much more confident they feel.
One client from Aventura told us she finally felt comfortable going to the beach without makeup. Another from North Miami Beach said he wished he’d done this years ago instead of just living with the scars.
These stories matter to us because this work is about more than just improving skin texture. It’s about helping people feel good about themselves.
If you’re ready to do something about your acne scars, the first step is a consultation. We offer free consultations where we’ll examine your skin, answer all your questions, and create a customized treatment plan.
No pressure, no sales pitch. Just honest information about what we can realistically achieve and how we’ll get there.
You can call us, book online, or stop by our Sunny Isles Beach location. We’ll work with your schedule and make the process as straightforward as possible.
This depends on which treatment you have and the severity of your scarring. With treatments like dermal fillers, you’ll see immediate improvement, though it’s temporary. For collagen-building treatments like microneedling or laser therapy, you’ll notice gradual improvement over 4-12 weeks as your skin produces new collagen. Most people see the best results after completing their full treatment series, which might span 3-6 months. Deep scarring requires patience because you’re literally rebuilding your skin’s structure, but the results continue improving for several months after your last session.
Honestly, there’s some discomfort, but we do everything possible to keep you comfortable. We use topical numbing cream before most treatments, which makes a huge difference. Most people describe microneedling as feeling like light scratching or vibration. Laser treatments might feel like small rubber band snaps. The TCA CROSS method can sting a bit, but it’s quick. After treatment, your skin might feel tender or tight for a day or two, similar to a sunburn. If you’re anxious about pain, let us know during your consultation and we’ll talk through what to expect with your specific treatment plan.
Different scar types respond to different treatments, and some are easier to improve than others. Ice pick scars are the trickiest because they’re so deep and narrow. We often need to use targeted techniques like TCA CROSS or punch excision for these. Rolling scars and boxcar scars generally respond really well to laser resurfacing, microneedling, and subcision. Hypertrophic scars need different approaches, sometimes including steroid injections. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your specific scarring and be honest about what’s realistic. Most scars can be significantly improved, even if they can’t be completely erased.
It varies quite a bit. Microneedling usually means 1-2 days of redness. RF microneedling might add another day. Chemical peels can range from a few days of light peeling to a week of more noticeable flaking, depending on the strength. Fractional CO2 laser is the most intensive, with about 5-7 days of downtime where your skin is red and peeling. You’ll need to stay out of the sun and skip makeup during initial healing. Some people from Sunny Isles Beach schedule treatments before they have a week where they can lie low. Others opt for treatments with less downtime and accept that it might take more sessions. We’ll help you find the right balance for your lifestyle.
Treatment costs vary based on the type of procedure, the size of the treatment area, and how many sessions you need. A single microneedling session might run a few hundred dollars, while fractional CO2 laser treatment is more of an investment because it’s more intensive. Most people need 3-6 sessions for optimal results, though some see significant improvement after just 2-3. During your free consultation, we’ll create a customized treatment plan with clear pricing so you know exactly what to expect. We’re transparent about costs because we want you to make an informed decision. Many clients tell us the investment was worth it when they see how much their skin has improved.
Absolutely, and we often recommend it. Many of our Sunny Isles Beach clients combine acne scar treatment with other services like hyperpigmentation treatment for post-acne marks, medical-grade facials for overall skin health, or even facial rejuvenation treatments. The key is timing and making sure treatments complement each other rather than causing too much stress on your skin. Some treatments work great together in the same session, while others need to be spaced out. We’ll design a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all your skin concerns while keeping your skin healthy throughout the process.
Once we successfully remodel the collagen in your skin and improve the scar structure, those specific scars won’t come back. The improvement is permanent. However, if you continue to get severe acne breakouts, new scars can form. That’s why we often recommend getting active acne under control first, or treating it alongside scar treatment. We’ll also set you up with a good skincare routine and maintenance plan to keep your skin looking its best long-term. Some treatments, like certain fillers, do require touch-ups since the filler itself is temporary, but the overall improvement to your skin’s texture from collagen-stimulating treatments lasts.
Contact Manhattan Laser Spa in Sunny Isles Beach today to schedule your free consultation. Let’s create a treatment plan that works for your skin, your schedule, and your goals. You don’t have to keep living with acne scars when effective solutions are right here in your community.
Manhattan Laser Spa serves Sunny Isles Beach, Aventura, North Miami Beach, Hallandale Beach, Golden Beach, Bal Harbour, and the greater Miami area with professional acne scar treatment solutions backed by medical expertise and advanced technology.
