Your skin shows every year you’ve spent in South Florida. Sun spots, uneven tone, broken capillaries, dullness. You’ve tried expensive creams and regular facials. They don’t fix the real damage sitting in your skin’s deeper layers.
Laser facials do. They use light energy to target and eliminate the pigment, redness, and damage that ages your complexion. Within weeks, you’ll see brighter, clearer, more even skin.
At Manhattan Laser Spa in Hollywood, FL, we offer medical-grade laser facial treatments including IPL photofacials and BBL therapy. These aren’t relaxing spa facials. They’re clinical treatments that actually reverse sun damage, reduce pigmentation, and stimulate collagen for long-term improvement.
A laser facial uses targeted light energy to treat specific chromophores (color targets) in your skin. Different wavelengths target different issues.
For brown spots and sun damage, the light targets melanin. The pigmented cells absorb this energy, heat up, darken temporarily, then flake off over the next week. The spot is gone.
For redness, broken capillaries, and rosacea, the light targets hemoglobin (red blood cells) in visible vessels. The heat causes these vessels to collapse and be reabsorbed by your body. Redness fades dramatically.
For aging and texture, certain laser wavelengths penetrate deeper to heat the dermis. This controlled heating stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin. Over months, your skin gets firmer, smoother, and more youthful.
The key word is “selective.” Modern laser systems target problem areas while leaving surrounding healthy skin alone. That’s why you get results without serious damage or long recovery times.
Both are intense pulsed light treatments, but BBL (BroadBand Light) is the newer, more advanced technology.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) uses broad-spectrum light filtered to specific wavelengths. It works well for general sun damage, age spots, and mild redness. Results are good, downtime is minimal (few days of darkened spots that flake off).
BBL (BroadBand Light) delivers more precise wavelengths with better penetration and more consistent energy distribution. The technology allows us to treat a wider range of concerns more effectively. BBL also has the Forever Young protocol, which has actual scientific studies showing it can reverse signs of aging at a genetic level.
Both treatments take about 20-30 minutes. You’ll feel warm pulses like a rubber band snap, but it’s tolerable. Most people don’t need numbing cream.
We’ll recommend the best option during your consultation based on your specific concerns and skin type.
Living in Hollywood means your skin battles intense UV exposure year-round. Even with sunscreen, damage accumulates. Here’s what laser facials treat:
Sun damage and photoaging. Brown spots, age spots, freckles, overall uneven tone. This is the most common concern we see. After years of beach time, pool days, and outdoor life, almost everyone in South Florida has sun damage. Laser facials excel at reversing this.
Redness and rosacea. Broken capillaries, diffuse redness, visible blood vessels. If your face looks flushed all the time or you have spider veins on your cheeks and nose, laser treatments can dramatically reduce these.
Uneven skin tone and texture. Rough patches, dullness, loss of radiance. The collagen stimulation from laser facials improves texture over time.
Fine lines and mild wrinkles. Not as dramatic as laser resurfacing, but laser facials do stimulate enough collagen production to soften fine lines, especially around eyes and mouth.
Enlarged pores. By improving skin texture and stimulating collagen, laser facials can make pores look smaller.
Acne and post-inflammatory pigmentation. Some laser wavelengths kill acne-causing bacteria while also fading dark marks left behind from old breakouts.
What laser facials won’t do: erase deep wrinkles (you need more aggressive treatments), remove significant scarring completely, or stop aging (nothing does that).
You arrive at Manhattan Laser Spa in Hollywood. We take you to a private treatment room.
First, we cleanse your face thoroughly and might apply cooling gel. You’ll wear protective eyewear (the bright flashes are intense and we need to protect your eyes).
Treatment starts. The handpiece glides across your face while delivering pulses of light. You’ll feel each pulse as a warm snap. Some areas are more sensitive than others. Upper lip and near your nose usually feel stronger. Most people tolerate it fine for the 20-30 minutes it takes.
Your skin looks pink right after treatment, like mild sunburn. We apply soothing products and sunscreen. You’re done.
Over the next few hours, the pinkness fades. Brown spots darken over the next 2-3 days (this is normal and expected). These darkened spots flake off like coffee grounds over the following week.
You can wear makeup the next day. Go back to work immediately. This isn’t the kind of treatment where you hide at home for a week.
Here’s what happens after your laser facial:
Hours 1-24: Your skin looks pink to red, like you spent too much time in the sun. This fades quickly. Some people are back to normal within a few hours.
Days 2-3: Brown spots get darker and more obvious. Don’t panic. This means the treatment worked. The pigment is rising to the surface to shed off.
Days 4-10: Darkened spots start flaking off. They look like tiny coffee grounds or pepper flakes. Don’t pick at them. Let them come off naturally.
Weeks 2-4: Your skin looks clearer, brighter, more even. Spots that flaked off are gone. Redness is reduced.
Months 2-3: Continued improvement as collagen production ramps up. Texture gets smoother, pores look smaller, overall skin quality improves.
One treatment makes a noticeable difference. But most people need a series of 3-5 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart for optimal results. Sun damage doesn’t happen overnight, and reversing it takes multiple sessions.
Annual maintenance treatments keep your skin looking its best long-term.
Laser facials work well for most people, but there are considerations.
You’re a great candidate if:
You have fair to medium skin tone (Fitzpatrick I-IV). Lighter skin responds best because there’s less melanin to compete with the targeted pigment.
You’re dealing with sun damage, brown spots, or redness issues. These are ideal concerns for laser facials.
You want results without significant downtime. If you can’t take a week off work, laser facials fit your schedule.
You’re committed to sun protection after treatment. Your results depend on protecting your skin.
You might need different treatment if:
You have very dark skin (Fitzpatrick V-VI). Traditional IPL/BBL isn’t safe for very dark skin because the laser can’t distinguish between natural melanin and targeted pigment. We have other options like Nd:YAG lasers or alternative treatments we’ll discuss.
You’re very tan right now. We need your skin at its natural tone for safe treatment. Wait until your tan fades.
You’re pregnant or nursing. We postpone until afterward.
You have active skin infections or open wounds. Let those heal first.
You take photosensitizing medications. Some antibiotics and other drugs make your skin more sensitive to light. We’ll review your medications during consultation.
Skin type matters significantly with laser facials. We assess every patient using the Fitzpatrick scale, which classifies skin from Type I (very fair, always burns) to Type VI (very dark, never burns).
Fair skin (Types I-II) responds beautifully to laser facials. Less natural melanin means we can use appropriate settings without risk of affecting your skin’s baseline color.
Medium skin (Types III-IV) also responds well with properly adjusted settings. We use slightly more conservative energy levels and monitor closely.
Olive to darker skin (Types V-VI) requires extreme caution with IPL/BBL. The risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is high if settings aren’t perfect. For darker skin tones, we often recommend alternative treatments like Nd:YAG lasers or other modalities that are specifically safe for high melanin content.
Hollywood’s diverse population means we treat all skin types regularly. Experience with diverse complexions matters. We know which wavelengths and energy levels work for each skin type.
People always ask how laser facials compare to other options they’ve heard about.
Laser Facials vs. Regular Spa Facials: Traditional facials cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize. They’re relaxing and your skin feels nice temporarily. But they don’t fix structural problems like sun damage or broken capillaries. Laser facials are medical treatments that create actual change in your skin.
Laser Facials vs. Chemical Peels: Peels remove surface layers through chemical exfoliation. They’re great for texture and mild pigmentation. But they don’t target redness or vessels like lasers do. Many people do both, alternating treatments.
Laser Facials vs. Laser Resurfacing: Laser resurfacing (fractional CO2 or erbium) is much more aggressive. It vaporizes skin layers and requires serious recovery time (5-10 days). Results are more dramatic for wrinkles and texture. Laser facials are gentler with minimal downtime but more subtle results.
Laser Facials vs. Microneedling: Microneedling excels at collagen stimulation and texture improvement. Laser facials are better for pigmentation and redness. They complement each other nicely in comprehensive skin plans.
Proper preparation improves results and reduces complication risk.
4-6 weeks before:
Avoid sun exposure as much as possible. Use SPF 50 daily. No tanning beds. Let any tan fade completely.
Stop self-tanners at least 2 weeks before treatment. The DHA in self-tanner can interfere with laser absorption.
2 weeks before:
Discontinue retinoids and prescription retinols. Your skin needs to calm down before treatment.
Avoid other harsh treatments like chemical peels or microdermabrasion.
1 week before:
No waxing, threading, or depilatory creams on treatment areas.
Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen if possible (they can increase bruising, though this is rare with laser facials).
Day of treatment:
Come with clean skin, no makeup or skincare products.
Avoid caffeine if you’re sensitive to discomfort (it can make you more reactive).
Aftercare determines how well you heal and how good your results look.
First 24 hours:
Expect pinkness like mild sunburn. Apply cool compresses if you’re uncomfortable.
Use only gentle cleanser and moisturizer. Nothing harsh.
Absolutely no sun exposure. Stay inside if possible.
First week:
Spots will darken then start flaking off. Don’t pick at them. Let them shed naturally.
Keep skin well-moisturized. Dry skin makes flaking more noticeable and uncomfortable.
No makeup on spots that are actively flaking (makeup gets caught in the flakes and looks bad).
Still no sun exposure. Wear SPF 50 if you must go outside, plus a wide-brimmed hat.
No hot yoga, intense exercise, saunas, or steam rooms. Heat and sweating can increase inflammation.
Weeks 2-4:
Continue religious sun protection. Your treated skin is vulnerable to new sun damage.
You can resume your normal skincare routine after about 10 days, but introduce active ingredients gradually.
Long-term:
Daily SPF is non-negotiable. Sun exposure can undo your results and create new damage.
Use quality skincare to maintain improvement.
Come back for maintenance treatments as recommended.
Laser facials work well alone or as part of a comprehensive skincare plan.
Laser Facial + HydraFacial: Many people do HydraFacial for deep cleansing and hydration, then laser facial for pigmentation and redness. They complement each other nicely and can be done on the same day or spaced a week apart.
Laser Facial + Botox/Fillers: Botox and fillers address different aging signs (volume loss, dynamic wrinkles) than laser facials (texture, tone, pigmentation). Together, they provide complete facial rejuvenation. Usually we do injectables first, then laser treatments a week or two later.
Laser Facial + Chemical Peels: Some patients alternate between these treatments monthly. Peels for texture, lasers for pigmentation and redness. Both stimulate collagen from different angles.
Laser Facial + Microneedling: Similar approach. Alternate treatments for comprehensive skin improvement. Both boost collagen, but through different mechanisms.
We’ll create a customized plan during your consultation based on your specific concerns and goals.
South Florida has no shortage of places offering laser treatments. Medical spas, dermatology offices, even some salons have bought IPL devices.
Here’s what makes us different.
We’re a licensed medical spa with a board-certified medical director. Laser treatments are medical procedures, not spa services. We approach them with appropriate expertise and caution.
We use FDA-approved, medical-grade laser systems. Not cheap IPL knockoffs. The technology matters for both safety and results.
Our laser specialists are trained, licensed, and experienced specifically in laser facial treatments. They understand the Fitzpatrick scale, proper settings for different skin types, and how to customize treatments.
We’re realistic about what lasers can and can’t do. If a different treatment would serve you better, we’ll tell you. Building trust matters more than making a quick sale.
We’re located in Hollywood, easily accessible from Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, Dania Beach, and throughout Broward County. Close to Hollywood Beach Broadwalk and Downtown Hollywood.
Pricing varies based on treatment area and specific laser type. Full face treatments cost more than spot treatments. BBL typically costs slightly more than standard IPL.
Single sessions start at competitive rates for the Hollywood area. Most people need 3-5 treatments for optimal results. We offer series pricing that reduces your per-treatment cost.
Here’s how to think about value. Add up what you spend yearly on skincare products that don’t really work. Most people drop hundreds on serums and creams with minimal results. Laser facials actually fix the problems you’re trying to cover up.
We accept CareCredit for financing if you prefer monthly payments.
During your free consultation, we’ll examine your skin and give you exact pricing for your customized treatment plan. No surprises, no pressure.
Let’s be real about life in Hollywood. You’re surrounded by beaches, pools, and outdoor activities year-round. Sun damage is almost inevitable, even with good sun protection habits.
That’s not your fault. It’s geography.
Laser facials give you a way to reset your skin. Undo years of accumulated damage. Start fresh with clearer, more even tone.
Then you maintain with good sun protection and occasional touch-up treatments. Think of it like maintaining your car. Regular oil changes keep the engine healthy. Regular laser maintenance keeps your skin healthy.
Most of our clients do an intensive series initially, then come back once or twice a year for maintenance. This approach keeps South Florida sun damage under control long-term.
Most people describe it as warm rubber band snaps against your skin. It’s not comfortable, but it’s tolerable for the 20-30 minutes treatment takes. Some areas are more sensitive, especially upper lip and near your nose. We don’t usually use numbing cream for laser facials because the discomfort is brief and manageable. If you’re particularly sensitive or anxious, we can apply numbing cream 30 minutes before treatment. After your first session, you’ll know exactly what to expect and most people don’t request numbing for subsequent treatments.
Results are long-term but not permanent because aging and sun exposure continue. The spots you remove stay gone, but you can develop new sun damage over time if you’re not protecting your skin. Most clients maintain results with treatments once or twice yearly. If you’re religious about sun protection, your results last longer and you need fewer maintenance treatments. Think of it like going to the dentist. One cleaning doesn’t mean you never need another one. Regular maintenance keeps things optimal.
Melasma is tricky and laser facials can help but aren’t guaranteed. Some people’s melasma improves significantly with IPL or BBL treatments. Others see temporary improvement that returns. Melasma is hormonally driven and notoriously stubborn. We often combine laser treatments with medical-grade skincare (hydroquinone, tretinoin) for better results. During consultation, we’ll assess your melasma and give honest expectations. For some people, different treatments like chemical peels or specific melasma lasers work better than standard laser facials.
You can go back to work immediately. The main “downtime” is that brown spots darken for a few days before flaking off. If you have a lot of sun damage, your face might look temporarily worse (more spotted) for about 3-5 days. Most people just wear makeup and go about their normal routine. You’re not hiding at home with a red, peeling face like you would after laser resurfacing. Just avoid important events or photo shoots for about 10 days after treatment to let everything flake off and settle.
They can, but it requires the right laser type and proper settings. Traditional IPL/BBL systems work by targeting dark pigment (melanin). If your skin naturally has a lot of melanin, the laser can’t distinguish between your natural skin color and the spots you want removed. This can cause burns or permanent light patches. For darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick V-VI), we use different lasers like Nd:YAG that are specifically safe for high melanin content. Never let anyone talk you into a treatment that’s not appropriate for your skin type. If a provider says they can treat very dark skin with standard IPL, walk away. They don’t know what they’re doing.
Completely different treatments using different laser types. Laser hair removal targets melanin in hair follicles to prevent regrowth. Laser facials target melanin in pigmented spots, hemoglobin in red vessels, or heat the dermis to stimulate collagen. The wavelengths, energy levels, and cooling systems are all different. Some facilities offer both services but they’re entirely separate treatments addressing different concerns. You can safely do both, just not on the same day in the same area.
It depends on severity. A few pimples here and there are fine. Active cystic acne or significant inflammation means we should wait. Some laser wavelengths help acne by killing bacteria, so mild acne might actually improve with treatment. But treating severely inflamed skin increases complication risk. During consultation, we’ll assess your acne and determine if laser facials make sense now or if we should treat your acne first. We might recommend acne-focused treatments initially, then laser facials once your skin is calmer.
If you’re tired of dull, uneven, spotty skin and you want real improvement that people notice, laser facials might be exactly what you need.
Your next step is a free consultation at Manhattan Laser Spa in Hollywood. We’ll examine your skin, discuss what’s bothering you most, explain which laser treatment would work best, and create a plan that fits your schedule and goals.
Call us or book your consultation online. People throughout Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, and Broward County trust us with their laser facial treatments.
Let’s get you the clear, glowing, even-toned skin you deserve.
