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Ron Shelton M.D.

#317 East 34th Street,
11th Floor, New York, NY 10016. 

Visit your NY Dermatologist for Acne Scar Treatment

Acne may haunt you years after your last breakout, due to scars. Since there are many types of acne scars, you can benefit from turning to NY Dermatologist, Dr. Ron Shelton, for acne scar treatment.

As an experienced specialist, Dr. Shelton offers many types of treatments tailored to the specific size, texture, color, shape, depth, and thickness of the scar.

Treatments are also customized to specific patient needs and characteristics, and may have the added benefit of preventing more acne breakouts if this is an ongoing concern.

Risks of scarring

Not every person with acne will have scars. Acne that deeply penetrates the skin can cause lasting damage. The scar is actually the body’s way of repairing itself. As the body produces collagen in response to the damage, too much or too little can result in a scar.

Certain types of acne are associated with deep penetration of the skin. You are at greater risk of damage and scarring if:

    • You have had inflammatory acne, often accompanied with swelling, red discoloration and pain.
    • Inflammatory acne has gone untreated for some time.
    • You have aggravated existing acne by picking, squeezing, or popping pimples.
    • Your parents (or another blood relative) have acne scars.

Types of scars

If your body makes too little collagen during the healing process, pits or depressed scars (such as ice pick or atrophic scars) will form. Raised or elevated scars (such as hypertrophic or keloid scars) are associated with excess collagen as the skin and underlying tissue heals.

Acne can also leave behind discoloration, known as post-inflammatory pigmentation. You may see pink, purple, brown, or white marks.

Treatment by type

Generally, depressed acne scars may be treated with surgery, laser and mechanical resurfacing, and fillers and tightening techniques to smooth uneven surfaces.

Patients with raised acne scars may benefit from medications, surgery, and laser therapy. While inflammatory hyperpigmentation can fade on its own, Dr. Shelton may suggest prescription medications to improve the appearance of discoloration.

Dr. Shelton offers a minor procedure called punch grafting to remove each scar and repair the excision site. Mechanical resurfacing includes dermabrasion and chemical peels to stimulate the regeneration of skin cells and to reduce the appearance of acne scars. Laser resurfacing options include Clear + Brilliant®, and Fraxel® Dual and Fraxel® Repair fractional therapies.

Ready to find out more?

Of course, the best scar never happens in the first place. Dr. Shelton can also offer in-office and at-home skin care treatment options to prevent the acne and inflammation that causes scarring. Schedule an evaluation by calling (212) 593-1818.