Acne Scar Treatment in NYCAcne Scar Treatment in NYC

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• Last Updated: September 3, 2026
• Julia Tzu, MD FAAD

Triple board-certified cosmetic and surgical dermatologist · Manhattan's Financial District

Trained at Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Penn & NYU

Dr. Julia Tzu has spent over 15 years specializing in acne scar treatment, and she matches the treatment to the scar type rather than forcing one technique. Depending on scar type that can mean subcision, laser, microneedling, or surgical and punch excision, often combined for a 50–70% improvement in appearance. Having suffered from acne earlier in life, she understands how much acne scarring can weigh on a patient.

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Unveil smoother, more radiant skin with innovative acne scar treatments and a personalized treatment plan tailored just for you. Under the guidance of Dr. Julia Tzu, a triple board-certified dermatologist, Wall Street Dermatology stands out for its personalized approach and state-of-the-art acne scar treatment in NYC.

From laser treatments and minimally invasive procedures like subcision, punch excision, microneedling, to surgical scar removal, each method is chosen to fit your specific type of acne scars and skin goals. These carefully curated treatments aim to enhance the skin’s texture and appearance, focusing on delivering transformative outcomes. Book an appointment at Wall Street Dermatology today to regain confidence in your skin with our acne scar treatment in New York City.

Acne scars occur when damage from acne breakouts spans from the deeper dermis to the surface of the skin. 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.

• 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
• Icepick scars: Sharp indentations that go deep into the skin

• Grade 1 : This is the most minor form of acne scarring. Grade 1 scars are characterized by flat, pigmented marks that may appear red, brown, or white. These scars do not cause any indentation or elevation on the skin but can be noticeable due to their color difference from the surrounding skin. They are typically the easiest to treat, often responding well to topical and laser treatments.
• Grade 2 : Grade 2 acne scars are characterized by moderately deep depressions or indentations in the skin, often accompanied by some discoloration. These scars can significantly affect skin texture and smoothness, prompting individuals to seek treatment options. Dermatological interventions like subcision, microneedling, and laser are commonly recommended for addressing Grade 2 acne scars.
• Grade 3 : Grade 3 are deeper and more noticeable than mild scars. Atrophic scars at this level may be broader and require more intensive treatments such as subcision combined with microneedling to stimulate collagen production and skin remodeling. Hypertrophic scars may extend beyond the original acne wound area and could benefit from steroid injections.
• Grade 4 : Severe Grade 4 scars often manifest as deep, narrow pits or wide depressions with steep sides, commonly referred to as “ice pick” or “boxcar” scars. Hypertrophic or keloid scars are thick, puckered, and extend significantly above the skin surface. These types of scars might require a combination of surgical excision, advanced laser treatments, steroid injections, and possibly silicone sheets to flatten and soften the scar tissue.

Acne-scar treatment accounts for most of Dr. Tzu’s cosmetic appointments and is where much of her cosmetic surgical work is concentrated.

That matters because acne scarring rarely responds to a single technique. Subcision and surgical excision are both part of the approach here, chosen according to the scar’s structure, severity, and location, and often used alongside microneedling rather than instead of it.

“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

Raised scars call for a different approach than indented ones. Dr. Tzu adjusts the concentration of the medication and places small amounts at specific points within the scar rather than treating it as one uniform area. Where the medication goes matters as much as what it is.

For some indented scars, filler is placed after subcision has released the tethered tissue underneath. Used this way, filler is addressing a depression left by scarring rather than restoring age-related volume loss.

In general, the cost of acne scar revision in NYC typically ranges from $700-$2,700 per session. Acne scar treatment costs vary depending on the specific procedure performed, the surface area treated, and the severity of acne scarring. Multiple sessions are usually required for optimum outcomes.

★★★★★

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

As the founder and Medical Director of Wall Street Dermatology, Dr. Julia Tzu is a triple-board certified dermatologist specializing in surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She has trained at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, New York University Hospital, University of Pennsylvania Hospital, and the University of Miami Hospital, completing all educational programs with some of the highest scores nationwide.

Dr. Tzu has spent the last 15 years providing comprehensive skin and acne scar treatments in NYC to hundreds of patients. She understands the psychological weight acne scars have on patients and tailors each patient’s treatment to their unique skin type needs. Her goal is to use the latest minimally invasive techniques to revise your acne scars so you can feel confident in your skin again.

The best way to determine which acne scar treatment in NYC is right for you is to have a thorough conversation with our 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 surgical excision. A full cosmetic consultation is the first step towards getting the treatment that best suits your needs.

The healing process for acne scar treatment in NYC is not extensive, taking between 4 and 14 days on average. Though, this time period may vary based on the specific acne scar treatment that is best for you. During this time, individuals should avoid wearing makeup, using irritating skincare products, engaging in activities that may cause skin irritation, and exposure to the sun.

Acne scar treatment can be an effective solution to scarring and dermal irregularities. Most treatments yield permanent results in the sense that they induce 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.

Generally speaking, the earlier one treats acne scarring, the easier it is to reverse the appearance of the scars. Older acne scars are more stubborn to treatment and require many more treatment sessions compared to early-stage acne scars. Also, as people continue to age, acne scarring becomes more noticeable. Early intervention to treat acne scars will prevent the scars from becoming more visible with 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.

Acne scars are broadly classified as atrophic (depressed) or hypertrophic (raised). Atrophic scars include three subtypes: ice pick scars, which are narrow and deep; boxcar scars, which have defined vertical edges and a wider base; and rolling scars, which create broad, wave-like undulations in the skin. Each type responds differently to treatment, which is why a thorough evaluation by a dermatologist is important for developing an effective treatment plan.

Most patients require a series of 3-6 treatment sessions spaced 4-8 weeks apart, though the exact number depends on scar severity, scar types present, and the specific treatments used. Improvement is gradual and cumulative, with each session building on the results of the previous one. Some patients with extensive or deep scarring may benefit from additional sessions or ongoing maintenance treatments.

While modern dermatologic treatments can significantly improve the appearance of acne scars, complete removal is generally not achievable. Most patients can expect 50-70% improvement in scar appearance with a comprehensive treatment plan. The goal is to reduce scar visibility and improve skin texture to the point where scars are far less noticeable. Setting realistic expectations with your dermatologist is an important part of the treatment process.

Skin type and tone significantly influence treatment selection. Patients with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick types IV-VI) are at higher risk for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation with certain laser and chemical peel treatments. Sometimes lasers are avoided in darker skin tones. Dermatologists adjust treatment parameters and may incorporate skin-lightening agents to minimize this risk. Effective acne scar treatment is available for all skin types when performed by an experienced dermatologist.

Indented scars are usually tethered underneath and are addressed by releasing that tethering, sometimes with filler afterward. Raised scars are treated by placing small, precisely positioned amounts of medication within the scar itself.

Active acne should be well controlled before beginning scar treatment procedures. Ongoing breakouts can create new scars, interfere with the healing process, and increase the risk of complications such as infection or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Topical or oral acne medications may be prescribed first to achieve adequate control before initiating scar treatment.

Related: Acne scar treatment for Brooklyn patients