Acne is ordinarily a temporary problem, but it can leave permanent acne scars. The American Academy of Dermatology Association estimates that acne affects up to 50 million people in the United States, annually.
Gendler Dermatology, understands that acne scars not only affect patients’ physical appearance but also negatively impact self-esteem and overall emotional wellbeing.
What causes acne scars?
Acne scars form as a result of inflamed lesions or blemishes. Often the inflammation is due to skin pores engorged with:
Excess oil
Dead skin cells
Bacteria
The skin may attempt to repair the inflamed lesions by forming new collagen fibers. These repairs, however, are not as smooth as the original skin and create raised tissue on the skin, acne scars.
Do’s and Don’ts for acne scars
Do stay out of the sun as overexposure can darken the scars and make them look more prominent.
Do consult a board-certified dermatologist for the best treatment options.
Don’t irritate the inflamed skin or pick at the scars as this can lead to the transfer of bacteria that may worsen infection and scarring.
Type of acne scars
There are two categories of acne scars. Atrophic scars are caused by loss of tissue, and hypertrophic scars are caused by excess tissue. Both categories have four main types of acne scars.
Ice Pick
These acne scars are deep, narrow, and extend to the dermis. They are the hardest to treat.
Boxcar
These acne scars are round or oval depressions with steep vertical sides and give the skin an uneven and pitted appearance.
Rolling
These acne scars cause a rolling wave-like depression across the skin.
Keloid
These acne scars grow larger than the original wound and can continue to grow long after the wound has healed.
What are the treatment options for acne scars?
Treatment options are unique to each patient’s skin condition and require medical consultation with a board-certified dermatologist.
Treatment options include:
A course of antibiotics, a skin cleansing routine, and a skincare regimen.
Vbeam laser sessions with a maintenance treatment every few years thereafter.
RF Microneedling.
When is RF Microneedling the best treatment for acne scars?
In most cases, our doctor can diminish the appearance of acne scars, such as rolling scars, using fillers and lasers. In a few cases, our doctor can puncture the skin, remove the scar and suture the skin.
Like RF Microneedling, lasers create micro-injuries to the skin that prompts the body to heal itself.
There are two types of resurfacing lasers, based on the severity of the scar.
Ablative Lasers (CO2): For deeper scarring, ablative laser treatment is typically considered the gold standard. After treatment, patients can expect 5-7 days of downtime.
Non-ablative Lasers: Non-ablative lasers require less downtime and are suitable for less severe scars.
However, unlike RF Microneedling, laser treatment is not appropriate for all skin tones. Our doctor’s expert understanding of all skin types ensures that your scar removal treatment will take advantage of the most sophisticated approaches. She will review the pros and cons of the different available treatments.
Why consult a board certified dermatologist for acne scars?
The board-certified dermatologists at Gendler Dermatology have completed advanced medical training and passed rigorous exams. They are committed to keeping up with the most recent advances in dermatology.
If you are ready to start your journey to better skin and greater self-confidence, our expert doctors can help.
Contact Gendler Dermatology, situated on the Upper Eastside, New York, today at (212) 288-8222, and schedule your consultation to discuss best treatment options.
FAQ
Treatment options depend on the type of acne scars that you have. This can only be identified during a thorough medical consultation with one of our board-certified dermatologists. Contact us to book an appointment or to find out more.
Your acne scar removal treatment plan is unique to your skin. Treatment may include a selection of procedures, each with its own pros and cons. This will be discussed with you during medical consultation.
This depends on the type of acne scar treatment recommendations. We may not be able to confirm how long it will take to see results, but we can confirm that results are noticeable after consistent treatment.
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Make your skin a priority with our leading Upper East Side Medical and Cosmetic Board-Certified Dermatologists.
Acne is ordinarily a temporary problem, but it can leave permanent acne scars. The American Academy of Dermatology Association estimates that acne affects up to 50 million people in the United States, annually.
Gendler Dermatology, understands that acne scars not only affect patients’ physical appearance but also negatively impact self-esteem and overall emotional wellbeing.
In most cases, our doctor can diminish the appearance of acne scars, such as rolling scars, using fillers and lasers. In a few cases, our doctor can puncture the skin, remove the scar and suture the skin.
Like RF Microneedling, lasers create micro-injuries to the skin that prompts the body to heal itself.
There are two types of resurfacing lasers, based on the severity of the scar.
