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Request An AppointmentExpert Acne Scar Treatments in NYC and Manhattan
Say goodbye to acne scars with advanced acne scar treatments in NYC performed by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. As a nationally recognized acne scar specialist in New York City with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Jaliman offers personalized, cutting-edge solutions to smooth your skin, fade discoloration, and boost your confidence.
Expert Care for All Types of Acne Scars
At her Manhattan dermatology practice, Dr. Jaliman combines medical expertise with aesthetic precision to treat all types of acne scars using proven techniques such as:
- Laser resurfacing for deep or textured scars
- Microneedling and PRP therapy for collagen stimulation
- Chemical peels to smooth and brighten skin
- Dermal fillers to lift depressed scars
Each acne scar treatment plan is customized for your skin type, scar severity, and goals–delivering visible, lasting results.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Jaliman for Acne Scar Removal in NYC
If you’re looking for the best acne scar treatment in NYC, trust Dr. Jaliman’s combination of advanced technology, artistry, and individualized care to help you achieve smoother, more even, and radiant skin.
Acne Scar Causes in NYC – Why They Form and How to Prevent Them
Acne scars develop when deep breakouts damage your skin and underlying tissue. During the natural healing process, your skin may produce too much or too little collagen, resulting in visible scarring. Certain factors increase the likelihood of acne scars, including:
- Picking or squeezing pimples
- Experiencing deep cystic acne
- Leaving acne untreated for prolonged periods
- A family history of scarring
Some marks may look like scars but are actually post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation–dark spots that fade over time, especially with targeted skincare and professional treatments.
Preventing Acne Scars in NYC
The best way to minimize scarring is early intervention. Preventive steps include:
- Avoid picking or squeezing pimples
- Treat active acne promptly with a board-certified NYC dermatologist
- Maintain a consistent, professional skincare routine to support skin healing
- Protect your skin from excessive sun exposure
Customized Acne Scar Treatments with Dr. Debra Jaliman
At her Upper East Side dermatology office in NYC, Dr. Debra Jaliman provides personalized acne scar treatments tailored to your skin type and scarring severity. During your consultation, she will explain the latest treatments, including:
- Dermal fillers such as Juvederm
- Light chemical peels to improve texture
- Fraxel laser for smooth, even skin
- Microneedling to stimulate collagen
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma) derived from your own blood
Dr. Jaliman will review benefits, risks, downtime, and expected discomfort for each procedure, helping you select the most effective treatment plan for long-lasting results.
Personalized Acne Scar Consultation with Dr. Debra Jaliman
During your consultation at her Upper East Side NYC dermatology office, Dr. Jaliman and her expert team will:
- Review your complete medical history
- Assess your skin and type of scarring
- Answer all questions about acne scar treatments and aftercare
- Develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your skin type, scar severity, and cosmetic goals
Dr. Jaliman combines her extensive experience and knowledge of the latest dermatology research to recommend the most effective acne scar solutions. She evaluates the underlying causes of your acne–hormonal, genetic, or product-related–to ensure your treatment plan addresses both existing scars and future prevention.
A Comprehensive Approach to Acne Scar Improvement
The most effective results often come from a customized combination of therapies, designed to restore smooth, clear, and radiant skin. Dr. Jaliman will guide you through the benefits, expected outcomes, and recovery process for each option, providing a clear understanding of the procedure, downtime, and costs.
With her board-certified expertise, Dr. Jaliman ensures that every patient receives a safe, effective, and individualized acne scar treatment in NYC.
Why Do Acne Scars and Skin Depressions Form?
Acne scars develop when inflammation from a breakout damages the underlying skin tissue. During the body’s natural wound-healing process, collagen is produced to repair the area. If too little collagen is formed, the result is a depression or “pitted” acne scar. If too much collagen is produced, the scar may become raised.
Dark spots that remain after an acne breakout—known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—are not true scars. These pigmented marks can fade naturally over time, but with the right in-office treatments and dermatologist-recommended skincare products, they can improve more quickly.
Some people are more prone to acne scarring due to genetics, family history, or the severity of their breakouts. Cystic acne, in particular, carries a higher risk of permanent scarring, which is why it is essential to treat acne promptly to prevent long-term skin damage.
What Are the Different Types of Acne Scars?
Acne scars generally fall into two main categories: atrophic scars and hypertrophic scars. Atrophic scars are characterized by a loss of collagen and elasticity, resulting in depressions or indentations in the skin. Hypertrophic scars, on the other hand, are raised scars caused by excess collagen buildup forming thick nodules.
Among atrophic scars, there are several common subtypes:
- Ice pick scars: Deep, narrow, and pitted scars that resemble small holes.
- Boxcar scars: Broad, round or oval depressions with sharp edges.
- Rolling scars: Wide depressions with a wave-like, uneven skin surface.
In addition to visible scars, some patients experience overall skin texture concerns such as enlarged pores, roughness, and uneven skin tone. Advanced laser treatments can help improve these issues along with scar appearance.
Is Acne Scar Removal Permanent?
Many types of acne scars can be significantly improved or even eliminated with the right treatments over time. However, deeper scars—such as ice pick and boxcar scars—often require multiple sessions and a combination of therapies like laser resurfacing, microneedling, and dermal fillers to achieve the best results.
While acne scar removal can provide long-lasting improvements, no treatment can guarantee complete or permanent elimination of all scars. Early intervention and consistent skincare can greatly enhance outcomes and prevent new scars from forming.
Are Acne Scars Treatable?
Yes, acne scars can be effectively treated using a variety of safe and proven methods. Dr. Debra Jaliman will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique skin type and scar severity. With numerous options available—such as laser therapy, microneedling, chemical peels, fillers, and PRP—she can help you achieve smoother, clearer skin.
Can You Achieve Flawless Skin After Acne Scarring?
While acne scar treatments can lead to significant improvements in skin texture and appearance, it’s important to maintain realistic expectations. Complete “flawless” or picture-perfect skin is rarely achievable once scarring has occurred. However, many patients are very satisfied with the visible reduction in scars and overall skin rejuvenation.
Non-ablative laser treatments offer ongoing improvements in skin texture and tone, with minimal downtime, and are safe for all skin types and colors. Additionally, techniques like the electric needle method can help reduce enlarged oil glands and smooth rough skin when performed carefully by an experienced physician.
How Are Acne Scars Treated?
Treatment for acne scars depends on the scar type and severity. For example, ice-pick scars respond best to punch excision, a minor in-office surgical procedure. During this, the skin is numbed with a local anesthetic (lidocaine), and the scar is removed and closed with sutures. This leaves a linear scar, which can then be improved with silicone scar bandages or laser treatments.
For shallower scars, microdermabrasion and various laser therapies help stimulate collagen and elastin production, reducing pore size, enhancing skin radiance, and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles—beneficial for both acne scars and aging skin. Sometimes, antibiotics are prescribed before aggressive laser treatments to minimize infection risk.
What Is the Best Way to Treat Acne Scars?
There is no one-size-fits-all best treatment for acne scars. Because scars vary widely in type and severity, a personalized approach by a specialist is essential. A dermatologist will evaluate your skin and recommend a customized treatment plan using the most effective options for your scars.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acne Scar Treatment
Causes and Prevention of Acne Scars
Why do acne scars form?
Acne scars form when deep breakouts damage the skin and underlying tissue. Excess or insufficient collagen during healing can leave behind visible scars. Picking or squeezing pimples, untreated cystic acne, or a family history of scarring increases the risk.
How can I prevent acne scars from forming?
Preventive steps include avoiding picking pimples, treating acne promptly, following a dermatologist-approved skincare routine, and using sun protection to reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Treatment Options for Acne Scars
Are acne scars treatable?
Yes. Dr. Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC offer personalized treatments, including laser therapy, microneedling, chemical peels, and PRP, to improve skin texture, tone, and overall appearance.
Is acne scar removal permanent?
While treatments significantly improve scar appearance, results vary depending on scar type and severity. Some treatments may require maintenance sessions for long-lasting results.
Can I achieve smoother, clearer skin after acne scarring?
Yes. Combining personalized therapies with professional skincare and sun protection can dramatically enhance skin clarity, tone, and texture.
Injectables and Injections
Can dermal fillers or cortisone injections improve acne scars?
Yes. Fillers can lift depressed scars, while cortisone injections can reduce raised scars, helping restore smoother skin.
Can Botox help with acne scars?
Botox is generally not used for acne scars but may help with secondary wrinkles caused by scarring in certain cases.
Laser and Light-Based Treatments
What types of lasers are used for acne scars in NYC?
Dermatologists commonly use Fraxel®, Laser Genesis, and other resurfacing lasers tailored to scar depth and skin type.
Do laser treatments require downtime?
Downtime depends on the laser type. Some treatments, like Laser Genesis, no downtime, while deeper resurfacing may require 3–7 days for optimal healing.
Can laser treatments cause skin damage or increase cancer risk?
When performed by a board-certified dermatologist, laser treatments are safe and do not increase cancer risk. Precision and proper technique minimize side effects.
Microneedling, Peels, and Skin Resurfacing
Can microneedling or chemical peels reduce acne scars?
Yes. Microneedling stimulates collagen production to improve texture, while chemical peels exfoliate and renew the skin, reducing discoloration and fine lines.
How do these treatments improve skin texture and pigmentation?
By promoting skin regeneration and collagen remodeling, these procedures smooth scarred areas and reduce residual redness or hyperpigmentation.
Post-Treatment Care
What should I do after acne scar treatments?
Follow Dr.Jaliman’s guidance, including avoiding sun exposure, using gentle skincare, and applying any prescribed topical products to optimize healing and results.
Can silicone scar bandages or other products help with healing?
Yes. Silicone sheets or gels can improve the appearance of hypertrophic or thickened scars and support smoother skin during the recovery process.
Treatment Combinations and Efficacy
Can treatments be combined for better results?
Yes. Many patients achieve optimal results through a customized combination of therapies, including lasers, microneedling, chemical peels, PRP, and fillers.
How do dermatologists determine the best treatment plan for my acne scars?
Dr. Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist evaluates scar type, severity, skin type, and cosmetic goals to create a personalized plan for maximum improvement.
Personalized Acne Scar Treatment in NYC for Clear, Smooth Skin
Every patient’s skin is unique, and so is every acne scar treatment plan at our Upper East Side NYC dermatology office. Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist, carefully assesses your skin type, scar depth, and discoloration to design a customized treatment strategy that improves texture, tone, and redness for smoother, more even skin.
Advanced Laser Treatments for Acne Scars
We offer Fraxel® laser and Laser Genesis, allowing treatments to be tailored to your acne scars:
- Laser Genesis: Ideal for mild scars and red discoloration; stimulates collagen and improves skin tone with no downtime.
- Fraxel Laser: Recommended for deeper acne scars; resurfaces skin, rebuilds collagen, and refines texture.
- Combination Therapy: Some patients benefit from combining both lasers for comprehensive results.
Customized Skincare for Redness and Pigmentation
Products for Brown and Red Discoloration
Our medical-grade skincare products reduce brown and red discoloration after acne. These formulations enhance laser results, promote healing, and maintain long-term skin clarity. Each regimen is tailored to your skin tone and response.
PRP and Fillers to Enhance Results
Boost Collagen and Restore Smooth Texture
For deeper acne scars, we may recommend PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) or dermal fillers:
- PRP: Uses your body’s growth factors to stimulate collagen, accelerate healing, and enhance laser results.
- Fillers: Lift depressed scars and restore a smoother skin surface while collagen continues to rebuild.
Schedule Your Personalized Acne Scar Consultation in NYC
Start your journey to smoother, clearer, and more radiant skin with a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
Call or book your consultation online to create your personalized acne scar treatment plan featuring Fraxel laser, Laser Genesis, custom skincare, PRP, and fillers.
Content reviewed by:
Debra Jaliman, M.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist, New York City
Last updated: 2025
Expert Acne Scar Treatment | Upper East Side, NYC
