40 Morristown Road, Suite 1A
Bernardsville, NJ
908-758-4373
Treating Scars
By Dr. Komal Pandya, MD
Every one of us has scars. Some are apparent to the eyes, some are not. Both types of scars can have a profound effect on our functioning, be it physical or psychological. Scars are a consequence of our normal healing process overshooting its objective to correct the damage that occurs from trauma. Acne is one such trauma our skin can sustain.
Typically, the more severe the acne, the more prominent the scarring. However, it is not uncommon to have a paradoxical situation where the severity of the scarring does not reflect the severity of the acne. Some individuals may have very few acne bumps at any given time, but they tend to mount an exaggerated scarring response. In some cases, even after the initiating cause is brought under control with proper treatment, the resulting scars can last a lifetime.
At Pandya Dermatology, our philosophy is “skin is more than skin deep,” meaning every part of us is in communication with other parts. What occurs on the skin is intimately connected to the other systems of our body and to our well-being as a whole. Therefore, we take acne and acne scarring very seriously. There’s a plethora of treatment options available for treating acne scarring and often it can become daunting to navigate this sea. Some of the options you may hear about are micro-needling with or without platelet-rich plasma (PRP), various lasers, chemical peels, and dermal fillers, just to name a few.
Based on the extensive experience we have at Pandya Dermatology in treating acne scarring, we have found that there is no magic bullet. Treatment plans have to be individualized. Are the scars red, white, or brown? Are they raised or shallow, broad and indented or are they pinpoint but deep? What is the pigmentation of the skin at baseline of the person being treated? Besides the in-office treatments, there are also certain things one can do at home, such as at-home red light treatment, daily sunscreen use, prescription retinoid cream, and consuming a healthy amount of Vitamin C and protein. All of these factors and many more need to be considered when devising a treatment plan.
Treating acne scarring is an art that carries with it real risks and can require significant financial investment on your part. Therefore, it is essential that you seek the guidance of a Board Certified Dermatologist to help deliver a cohesive plan for you. We at Pandya Dermatology would be honored if you chose us as your guide on this journey.