If you’re dealing with stubborn sun damage, acne scars, or wrinkles that won’t budge with over-the-counter products, you’re not alone. Living in Hallandale Beach means year-round sunshine, which is great until you start noticing the toll it takes on your skin. Dark spots, rough texture, and fine lines can make you look older than you feel.
Laser skin resurfacing offers a proven way to address these concerns. At Manhattan Laser Spa, we use medical-grade fractional laser technology to help Hallandale Beach residents improve their skin texture, reduce scarring, and turn back the clock on sun damage. This isn’t about quick fixes or temporary results. It’s about triggering your skin’s natural healing response to create real, lasting change.
Laser skin resurfacing uses concentrated light energy to remove damaged outer layers of skin while heating the deeper layers. This process kickstarts your body’s collagen production, which is what gives skin its firm, smooth appearance.
Think of it like sanding down a piece of weathered wood to reveal fresh material underneath. The laser creates thousands of microscopic treatment zones in your skin. Your body responds by producing new collagen and fresh skin cells, gradually replacing damaged tissue with healthier skin.
There are two main types of laser resurfacing:
Ablative lasers remove thin layers of skin. CO2 and Erbium YAG lasers fall into this category. They’re more aggressive and work well for deeper wrinkles, significant sun damage, and pronounced scars. You’ll see dramatic results, but expect more downtime.
Non-ablative lasers heat the skin without removing layers. These fractional treatments are gentler with less recovery time, making them popular for people with busy schedules. Results build gradually over several sessions.
South Florida’s intense UV exposure does a number on your skin. Between beach days, outdoor dining near Gulfstream Park, and simply walking around the Hallandale Beach Boulevard District, your skin takes constant sun exposure. Even with sunscreen (and let’s be honest, most people don’t reapply as often as they should), damage accumulates over time.
Here’s what we see most often in our Hallandale Beach patients:
Sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Those brown spots and uneven skin tone aren’t just cosmetic issues. They’re signs of photodamage that can worsen without intervention. Laser resurfacing targets melanin deposits and encourages even skin cell turnover.
Acne scars. Humid Florida weather can make acne worse, and the scars stick around long after breakouts clear. Fractional laser treatments break down scar tissue and stimulate collagen remodeling to smooth out indented scars.
Fine lines and wrinkles. Crow’s feet, forehead lines, and those vertical lines around your mouth (perioral lines) respond well to laser treatments. The collagen boost from laser energy helps plump the skin from within.
Rough, uneven texture. If your skin feels rough or looks dull despite good skincare, laser resurfacing can help. It removes the damaged surface layer and reveals smoother skin underneath.
Enlarged pores. While you can’t change your pore size permanently, laser treatments tighten the skin around pores, making them appear smaller. The collagen production helps maintain this effect over time.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatments. Your skin type, concerns, and lifestyle all factor into which laser technology we recommend.
During your consultation, we evaluate your skin using the Fitzpatrick scale to determine your skin type. This matters because different skin tones respond differently to laser energy. We’ll also review your medical history, current skincare routine, and what you hope to achieve.
Be upfront about sun exposure, recent chemical peels, or retinoid use. These factors affect treatment planning and timing.
Most laser resurfacing sessions take 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the treatment area. We apply a topical anesthetic about 30 minutes before your appointment to keep you comfortable.
During treatment, you’ll feel warmth and slight prickling sensations. Some people describe it as a sunburn feeling or tiny rubber bands snapping against the skin. It’s not painless, but it’s manageable with numbing cream.
For full face resurfacing, we treat your entire face in a systematic pattern. If you’re targeting specific areas like acne scars on your cheeks or wrinkles around your eyes, we focus the laser energy there.
Your skin will look red and feel warm, similar to a moderate sunburn. This is normal and shows the treatment is working.
Days 1-3: Expect significant redness and some swelling, especially around the eyes if we treated that area. Your skin may feel tight and dry. Use gentle cleansers and apply healing ointments as directed. No makeup during this phase.
Days 4-7: Your skin will start to peel or flake. Don’t pick at it. Let it shed naturally. Continue with gentle skincare and religious sunscreen use. Many people return to work after about a week, depending on their job and comfort level.
Weeks 2-4: Redness fades to pink. You can usually wear makeup again. Your skin might feel sensitive, so stick with non-irritating products.
Months 1-6: This is when you’ll see progressive improvement. New collagen takes time to form. Your skin continues getting smoother and more even as neocollagenesis continues beneath the surface.
Fractional CO2 lasers are our workhorses for significant sun damage and deeper wrinkles. These ablative lasers create microthermal treatment zones that reach into the dermal layer where collagen lives. You’ll get impressive results but need to plan for about a week of downtime.
Erbium YAG lasers offer precision with less heat damage to surrounding tissue. They’re excellent for treating the delicate skin around your eyes and mouth. Recovery tends to be faster than with CO2 lasers.
Fractionated laser systems deliver laser energy in a scattered pattern, leaving healthy skin between treatment zones. This speeds healing and reduces complications. Pearl Fractional and Halo Hybrid Fractional lasers fall into this category.
We choose the right technology based on your specific concerns, skin type, and how much downtime you can handle.
If you’ve tried everything else for acne scars without success, laser resurfacing might be your answer. Fractional lasers break down the fibrous tissue holding scars in place while stimulating new collagen production. Depressed scars gradually fill in as your skin remodels itself.
Most people need three to five sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Improvement is progressive, with final results visible six months after your last treatment.
Those brown spots on your face, chest, and hands respond well to laser treatment. The laser energy targets melanin deposits, breaking them apart so your body can eliminate them naturally.
We see this constantly in Hallandale Beach. Years of sun exposure catch up with you, usually in your 40s and 50s when accumulated damage becomes visible. Laser resurfacing addresses current damage while improving your skin’s overall quality.
Laser resurfacing works from the inside out for wrinkles. The thermal energy triggers collagen remodeling in the deeper skin layers. As new collagen forms over several months, skin becomes firmer and plumper, reducing wrinkle depth.
Deep wrinkles benefit most from ablative CO2 laser treatments. Fine lines respond well to gentler fractional treatments with less downtime.
If your skin feels rough or bumpy, laser resurfacing smooths things out by removing the damaged surface layer and encouraging healthy cell turnover. The result is softer, more even skin texture that actually feels as good as it looks.
While laser treatments can’t permanently shrink pores, they do make them less noticeable. The collagen production triggered by laser energy tightens skin around pores, making them appear smaller. Regular treatments help maintain this effect.
Laser skin resurfacing works for most people, but some factors make you a better candidate than others.
You’re a good candidate if:
You might need to wait if:
If you’re pregnant or nursing, we recommend postponing treatment. While there’s no evidence that laser treatments harm babies, it’s better to wait.
This depends on what you’re treating and how aggressive you want to be.
For mild sun damage or fine lines, you might see improvement after one fractional treatment. Most people do a series of three to five sessions spaced four to six weeks apart for optimal results.
More aggressive ablative treatments (like full-face CO2 resurfacing) often deliver dramatic improvement in one session, though some people do a second treatment six to 12 months later.
Think of it like this: gentler treatments with less downtime require more sessions. More aggressive treatments with longer recovery deliver faster results in fewer visits.
Honestly? Most people wish they’d done it sooner.
You won’t wake up the day after treatment with perfect skin. Results develop gradually as your skin heals and new collagen forms. But around the three-month mark, most patients notice significant improvement in texture, tone, and overall skin quality.
Acne scars become less noticeable. Sun spots fade. Fine lines soften. Your skin looks fresher and more even.
Results can last several years, especially if you protect your skin from sun damage and maintain a good skincare routine. Some aging is inevitable (we’re all human), but most people find their results hold up well over time.
Many of our Hallandale Beach patients do maintenance treatments every one to two years to keep their results looking fresh.
Laser skin resurfacing isn’t cheap, and insurance doesn’t cover it since it’s considered cosmetic. Prices vary based on treatment area, laser type, and how many sessions you need.
Full-face ablative CO2 resurfacing typically costs more than targeted fractional treatments. But you’re paying for medical-grade technology, a licensed medical professional’s expertise, and results that actually last.
During your consultation, we’ll give you specific pricing based on your treatment plan. We also offer financing options if you prefer to spread payments out.
We’re not the only medical spa in Broward County, so why come to us?
Medical-grade technology. We use FDA-approved laser systems proven to deliver safe, effective results. No knockoff equipment or outdated technology.
Licensed medical professionals. Every treatment is performed by trained professionals working under the supervision of our board-certified medical director. We follow Florida Board of Medicine regulations and maintain the highest safety standards.
Customized treatment plans. We don’t push cookie-cutter protocols. Your treatment plan reflects your specific skin concerns, type, and goals.
Transparent communication. We tell you what to expect, including potential side effects and realistic timelines. No overselling or false promises.
Local expertise. We understand South Florida skin. The sun damage, humidity, and lifestyle factors that affect Hallandale Beach residents are part of our daily practice.
A few weeks before your appointment:
Avoid retinoids and exfoliating products for at least five to seven days before treatment. These can make your skin more sensitive.
Stay out of the sun. No tanning (real or fake) for at least two weeks before your session. Sun exposure right before treatment increases complication risks.
Stop certain medications if your provider advises it. Some blood thinners and supplements can increase bruising.
Treat cold sores proactively. If you get cold sores, we’ll prescribe antiviral medication to prevent an outbreak triggered by treatment.
Arrange help for treatment day. Depending on the treatment intensity, you might want someone to drive you home.
Your post-treatment routine makes a huge difference in your results and recovery.
Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every single day. Reapply every two hours when you’re outside. This isn’t negotiable in Hallandale Beach’s intense sun.
Gentle skincare only. Skip active ingredients (retinoids, acids, vitamin C) until your provider gives you the all-clear. Use mild cleansers and rich moisturizers to support healing.
Keep follow-up appointments. We want to see how you’re healing and address any concerns quickly.
Protect your investment. Medical-grade skincare, consistent sun protection, and occasional maintenance treatments help your results last.
We’re conveniently located to serve Hallandale Beach residents, as well as patients from nearby Aventura, Hollywood, Sunny Isles Beach, and North Miami Beach. Whether you’re coming from the Golden Isles neighborhood, near Gulfstream Park, or from anywhere along Hallandale Beach Boulevard, we’re easy to reach.
We won’t lie—there’s some discomfort involved. We use topical anesthetic to minimize pain during treatment. Most people describe the sensation as warmth and tingling, like a sunburn feeling combined with tiny pinpricks. After treatment, your skin will feel tender for a few days, similar to a moderate sunburn. Over-the-counter pain relievers usually handle any discomfort.
This depends on the treatment intensity. For gentler fractional treatments, you might wear mineral makeup after three to four days once any flaking subsides. After more aggressive ablative treatments, plan on waiting seven to ten days. We’ll let you know your specific timeline based on how you’re healing. Use only non-irritating, mineral-based makeup when you do start wearing it again.
When performed by experienced professionals using appropriate laser settings for your skin type, complications are rare. The most common side effects are temporary redness, swelling, and peeling—all part of the normal healing process. More serious complications like scarring, infection, or pigmentation changes can occur but are uncommon with proper technique and aftercare. This is why choosing a licensed medical facility matters. We take every precaution to minimize risks.
Yes, but it requires extra care. Darker skin tones have more melanin, which can absorb laser energy and potentially cause hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation if settings aren’t adjusted correctly. We use specific laser wavelengths and energy levels appropriate for your Fitzpatrick skin type. Non-ablative fractional lasers often work better for darker skin with lower complication risks. During your consultation, we’ll assess your skin and recommend the safest, most effective approach.
Both stimulate collagen production, but they work differently. Laser resurfacing uses light energy to remove damaged skin and heat deeper layers. Microneedling creates tiny punctures in the skin with fine needles. Laser resurfacing typically delivers more dramatic results for sun damage and wrinkles but involves more downtime. Microneedling is gentler with faster recovery but may require more sessions. Sometimes we combine treatments for optimal results. Your skin concerns determine which approach makes the most sense.
During the healing phase? Probably. Your skin will be noticeably red and may peel for several days to a week. If you need to be somewhere important, plan your treatment accordingly. Once healing completes, though, results look natural—like you simply have really good skin. People might ask if you’ve been on vacation or changed your skincare routine, but they won’t be able to pinpoint that you had a procedure done.
Sun protection is the number one factor in maintaining your results. Wear SPF 30+ daily and reapply regularly, especially living in Hallandale Beach. Use medical-grade skincare products with ingredients like retinoids, antioxidants, and peptides to support collagen production. Consider maintenance treatments every 12 to 24 months. Healthy lifestyle habits (staying hydrated, not smoking, eating well) also help your skin stay in good condition. We’ll create a personalized maintenance plan during your follow-up appointments.
Living in Hallandale Beach shouldn’t mean accepting sun damage and premature aging as inevitable. Laser skin resurfacing offers a proven way to address these concerns and restore smoother, more even skin.
Schedule a consultation at Manhattan Laser Spa to learn which laser treatment is right for you. We’ll evaluate your skin, discuss your goals, and create a treatment plan designed for your specific needs. No pressure, no hard sell—just honest answers and expert guidance.
Call us today or book your consultation online. Your skin has been through a lot under the South Florida sun. Let’s help it recover.
