Acne Scar Treatment NYC
Explore Long-Term Treatments to Improve the Beauty of Your Natural Skin
- Last Updated: July 12, 2022
- Julia Tzu, MD FAAD
Acne Scar Treatment at Wall Street Dermatology
Your skin represents your own unique history and story, and acne scars may be a painful reminder of past acne issues and the heightened self-consciousness associated with them. While makeup can cover up some acne scars, the skin’s uneven texture can still be apparent under certain overhead lighting. In the bright lights and big city of NYC, you may decide that acne scar treatment by an expertly trained dermatologist aimed at long-term reduction of your acne scarring is right for you.
The results of an acne scar treatment in NYC heavily depends on whom you choose for diagnosis and treatment and their expertise and experience with specific treatments and skin types. It also depends on your physician’s aesthetic attention to detail.
At Wall Street Dermatology, acne scar treatment is one of the most common cosmetic services we provide. We consider ourselves one of the leading specialists in Manhattan across many different varieties of acne scar treatments, as seen in our before-and-after photos and satisfied patient testimonials.
DERMATOLOGIST DR. JULIA TZU ON ACNE SCAR TREATMENT
“Acne scarring is one of the most satisfying treatments that I provide to my patients. It makes a huge difference in the way they look at themselves and the self confidence they are able to finally project to the world. People often do not realize that there are so many treatments that can safely and effectively improve the appearance of acne scars.”- Dr. Julia Tzu, MD, FAAD
What Causes Acne Scars?
Acne scars occur when damage from acne breakouts spans from the skin’s surface to the deeper dermis. This damage can come from various sources, from picking at acne to the point where it can’t properly heal to certain types of acne, such as cystic acne, that are inherently more likely to cause acne scarring. Even after the acne itself has resolved, the discoloration, contour, and textural irregularities of the skin remain.
Types of Acne Scars
Acne scars can take many forms, each of them clinically categorized by severity to make identification and treatment direction simple. The types of acne scars that can form on the skin are as follows:
- Acne erythema: Red discoloration from early-stage acne scarring
- Hypertrophic (or raised) scars: Firm, pink scars that often feel bumpy
- Rolling scars: Scars with a sweeping, depressed contour
- Boxcar scars: Scars with an abrupt dropoff depression
Acne Scar Treatment Options
Just as there are many types of acne scars, there are multiple treatments to reduce their appearance and achieve smooth, clear skin. Dr. Tzu, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC at Wall Street Dermatology, is trained in multiple forms of acne scar treatment so you can get help no matter your type of acne scar.
Below are the cosmetic treatments available for acne scars.
Acne Scar Subcision
Acne scar subcision is a cosmetic procedure that addresses skin indentation and will often be combined with dermal fillers to create smoother skin. The procedure involves inserting a small needle into the skin to release the acne scar from the underlying tissue and allow the skin to rise. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are injected to help fill in the gap after the skin is lifted from its initial bound-down state. This treatment can be done multiple times over multiple procedures depending on the severity of the acne scars, and recovery will often take between 1 and 2 weeks.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a treatment that addresses mild superficial scarring and textural irregularities on the skin. Dr. Tzu pokes tiny needles into the skin to cause “micro” wounds, which stimulate collagen production. This helps create smooth, glowing skin. The average microneedling session costs ranges between $700-1200, and recovery from initial redness or swelling should only take four to five days.
Laser Scar Treatment
The cost of Laser scar treatment in NYC can have a wide range, going as low as $500 and as high as $3,500 depending on the extent of treatment. Laser treatments can reduce discoloration and the appearance of mild superficial scarring and textural irregularities using focused light to remove fine blood vessels and stimulate collagen remodeling.
Punch Excision
Punch excision is a procedure that is ideal for ice-pick scarring. This procedure involves cutting out deep acne scars and suturing the resulting wound so that the skin can heal smoothly. Recovery for this cosmetic procedure may take longer than some other acne scar treatments, and patients should take care not to disturb their sutures to avoid worsening their scarring.
Acne Scar Treatment Cost in NYC
In general, the cost of acne scar revision in NYC typically ranges from $600-$2,200 per session. Acne scar treatment costs vary depending on the specific procedure performed, surface area treated, and severity of acne scarring. Multiple sessions are usually required for optimum outcomes.
Acne Scar Treatment FAQ
The best way to determine which acne scar treatment in NYC is right for you is to have a thorough conversation with your dermatologist about your specific concerns, medical history, past acne scar treatments, and any possible limitations. Superficial acne scars can be treated with microneedling, acne erythema often can be treated with laser acne scar treatment, while deeper scars are better treated via multiple modalities that include subcision, microneedling, or sometimes surgery. A full cosmetic consultation is the first step towards getting the treatment that best suits your needs.
The healing process for acne scar treatment is not extensive, taking between 4 and 12 days on average. During this time, an individual should avoid wearing makeup or engaging in activities that might cause skin irritation.
Acne scar treatment can be an effective solution to scarring and dermal irregularities. Aside from hyaluronic acid filler injections to treat acne scars, most treatments yield permanent results, in the sense that it is inducing natural collagen production by the body. However, it is important to keep in mind that our body’s own collagen also naturally degrades with time, so occasional touch-ups over time may be required. All of these procedures, with the exception of punch excision, typically require multiple treatments for significant scarring to fade.
Extra care should be taken with punch excision as some light scarring may remain as a result of the initial scar removal process.
If you are seeking acne scar treatment in NYC, it’s best to completely treat existing acne breakouts before starting acne scar treatments. While acne scar treatment can reduce the appearance of pre-existing scars, future scarring cannot be prevented if your acne is still active. However, there are some laser treatments that can be performed to treat both acne breakouts and acne scarring at the same time.
Acne scar treatment can be an effective way to eliminate the appearance of discoloration, superficial scarring, and irregularities of the skin. If you’ve spent a considerable amount of time trying to reduce the appearance of your acne scars, acne scar treatment can provide the relief you’ve been seeking and the beautiful complexion you desire.
ACTUAL REVIEWS FROM OUR ACNE SCAR TREATMENT NYC PATIENTS
★★★★★
Dr Tzu is truly an acne scar treatment specialist. I received a subscision with filler treatment on the moderate rolling scars and overall bad texture on both cheeks and sides of my chin. I have combined this treatment with regular derma rolling and TCA peels and have results I never in a million years would have dreamed possible.
Real Self, 2017
★★★★★
If you are suffering from acne scars please look no further!!
After being fed up with the noticeable rolling scars on both my cheeks from a bad cystic acne breakout, I made a consultation. Dr. Tzu was extremely thorough and explained all my options to me, why certain options would work better than others, how much improvement I should expect, etc. I decided to go with one round of pulse dye laser to treat my discoloration, followed by subcision.
I had an immediate, noticeable improvement in the look of my acne scars from just one round of subcision. Even my partner commented how much better my skin looked! I will need a few more rounds to achieve optimal results, but I’m really optimistic given how my skin looks just after one.
I also had a round of microneedling done to smooth out my skin and it was a completely painless and pleasant experience overall.
Office is professional and clean and everyone is very friendly. They take every COVID-19 precaution so I feel safe. Very easy to make an appointment.
Highly recommended!!!
Yelp, November 2021
★★★★★
I was referred to Dr. Tzu by my dermatologist and cannot be happier with the service and results. I have significant acne scarring and have tried everything from chemical peels to laser treatment, but none of these approaches have been effective. I had subcision with fillers with Dr. Tzu yesterday, and I’m so happy with the results already. Even more, Dr. Tzu took time to get to know me and my concerns and answer questions. I feel she is emphatic and genuinely cares about my well being. I’m looking forward to my follow-up appointments and continuing with her practice. Dr. Tzu is really the best of the best, and I highly recommend her.
Yelp, Sept. 2020
★★★★★
Dr Tzu is the best! I struggled with severe cystic acne for over 10 years with no results. It tried many topicals accutane- the works- and still struggled. Dr Tzu listened to my concerned and history and came up with a treatment plan of laser and topicals. I now have clear skin and couldn’t be happier! She’s kind and caring. She’s truly the best dermatologist!
Yelp, Jan 2022