Atlanta (Buckhead)
3833 Roswell Rd NE, Tuxedo Atrium, Suite 108Atlanta, GA 30342
Floor 1 of the Tuxedo Atrium
Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 5 PM; Saturday 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Skin quality
Acne Scar Treatment in Buckhead and Cumming
Acne scar treatment makes indented scars shallower and skin texture smoother, but it rarely erases a scar. Microneedling, chemical peels, laser resurfacing and filler each suit different scar types, and plans often combine two or more over several months. Treatment usually begins once acne is under control. Derm Clinic MD treats the scars; active acne itself needs a dermatologist.
- 608 Google reviews, rated 4.9 and 5.0
- Board-certified physician who treats every patient herself
Treated by Dr. PaymanBuckhead and Cumming
What it treats
What can acne scar treatment do, and what can it not do?
Treatment can make indented acne scars shallower and smooth rough texture, and many people see clear improvement over a series of visits. It rarely removes a scar completely. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says some treatments make scars look less noticeable while others smooth wavy texture.
Microneedling uses tiny needles to puncture the skin, and the body answers by making new collagen. A peel helps the body produce collagen and elastin, and the AAD says a mild peel may need 3 to 5 treatments given every 2 to 4 weeks. Laser resurfacing also works through healing, but the AAD cautions that a laser cannot get rid of a scar, only replace it with a less noticeable one. Derm Clinic MD offers microneedling, chemical peels and laser resurfacing.
Filler adds volume under a depressed scar and may prompt some collagen, but the AAD says most filler results are temporary, lasting 3 months to 2 years, and need touch-ups. The FDA says non-absorbable fillers are approved for only nasolabial folds and cheek acne scars, so ask which filler would be used and whether that use is approved or off-label. See dermal fillers for the filler families the office offers.
Results
How many sessions will I need, and when do results show?
Most plans are a series, not one visit. For acne scars the AAD says microneedling often takes 3 to 5 treatments spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, and results appear gradually, with full results usually taking several months. Expect improvement, not erasure.
The evidence in detail
Studies favor combined plans, though they disagree on which combination leads. A 2024 network meta-analysis of 24 randomized trials ranked microneedling plus a chemical peel ahead of microneedling alone, peels alone and laser. A 2026 network meta-analysis of 56 trials (1,488 patients) found combinations generally outperformed single treatments, with laser plus subcision or PRP the most consistent. In a 2022 trial of 60 people with Fitzpatrick types IV to VI, 73% of the microneedling group improved by more than one scar grade, against 33% with glycolic acid peels. Rankings across trials are a hint, not a promise.
The AAD says a yearly maintenance microneedling session may be advised. For a week-by-week view, see the microneedling results timeline. Ready to talk it through? Book a consultation at either office.
Is it right for you?
Who should wait or choose something else?
Wait if you have active breakouts, a skin infection, a cold sore outbreak, a tan or sunburn, or plan to be in the sun in the next two weeks. The FDA also lists bleeding disorders, a weakened immune system, pregnancy and breastfeeding as reasons microneedling may not suit you. Treating active acne is medical dermatology, which Derm Clinic MD does not offer.
The AAD says scar treatment typically begins once acne is under control. It also says to report every acne treatment used in the last two years, because starting some scar treatments while using, or soon after stopping, certain acne medicines can cause unwanted side effects.
Isotretinoin, a prescription acne pill, is the clearest case, and sources give different waits. For microneedling, the AAD says at least one month must pass after the last pill, while the FDA lists use in the past 6 months as a reason it may not suit you. The isotretinoin drug label says to avoid skin-smoothing procedures such as dermabrasion and laser during treatment and for at least 6 months after, and the 2010 review describes waits of 6 months to a year before peels and ablative laser. Tell the office your last dose date; the physician sets any wait, and your prescriber decides your acne medicine.
The FDA list also includes keloid history, eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, autoimmune disease, blood thinners, uncontrolled diabetes and steroid, chemotherapy or radiation treatment. It names darker skin type too, citing a risk of darkening or lightening. The AAD advises people with skin of color to seek peel expertise with darker tones, since pigment problems can become permanent, and a 2026 meta-analysis found fractional CO2 laser carried about three times the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of standard microneedling.
608
Google reviews across both officesWho treats you
Arshia Payman, MD
Board-certified physician with 13+ years in aesthetic medicine. Dr. Payman is the only provider at Derm Clinic MD, and she personally treats every patient. Every plan starts with a consultation, so it is made around your face and your goals.
- Medical schoolGeorge Washington University, Washington, D.C., where she also earned her undergraduate degree summa cum laude and was accepted to the early selection medical program in her sophomore year
- Hospital trainingFour hospitals in the Washington, D.C. area, including the National Institutes of Health and George Washington University Hospital
- ResidencyCompleted in 2008 at George Washington University
- Academic medicineOutpatient internal medicine at Emory University in Atlanta, as an instructor in clinical medicine who taught medical students
Georgia medical license 61513 (NPI registry).
Read Dr. Payman's full bioYour visit
What happens at an acne scar consultation and treatment visit?
Every treatment starts with an in-person consultation. Dr. Payman examines your scars, asks about your acne history, skin and medicines, and builds a plan around scar type, skin tone, downtime and goals. Treatment then runs over several visits.
- ConsultationYour scars are examined and photographed, and your health history, medicines and past acne treatment are reviewed.
- PlanScar types, skin tone, downtime and your goals decide which treatments come first.
- ConsentYou review the risks and may receive a skin care and sun protection routine to follow first.
- TreatmentThe first planned procedure is done at either office.
- AftercareYou leave with written instructions, then return for the next session in the series.
Preparation can start weeks early: the AAD describes a 2 to 4 week skin care routine before microneedling and 'pre-peel priming' before a peel. Follow only your written plan, and do not start or stop a prescription on your own. If breakouts are active, see a dermatologist for the acne first. See medical-grade skincare and aftercare.
Cost
How much does acne scar treatment cost?
Cost depends on your scar types, how much skin is involved, the treatments in your plan and how many sessions it takes. Derm Clinic MD quotes your cost at the consultation, after the plan is made. The AAD notes that medical insurance does not cover the cost of acne scar treatment.
Because scar plans run across several visits, ask for the total for the series rather than one session, and what maintenance involves. See pricing for how the office prices treatment and membership for member savings on other services and skincare.
Your exact cost
Your total depends on your plan: the areas, the product and how many visits you need. Dr. Payman gives you the full cost at your consultation, before anything is done.
Gold members get 10% off other services and skincare. About the membership.
Compare
Which treatment fits which scar type?
The right treatment depends on the scar type, and many people have more than one type. Reviews describe acid applied to single ice pick scars, laser for boxcar and rolling scars, and minor surgery such as punch excision for some deep scars, so combined plans are common.
| Scar type | Options described | Honest limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ice pick | Acid on single scars, punch excision, repeated peels | Peels cannot clear them completely; the 2010 review says TCA peels are not indicated for dark skin |
| Boxcar | Acid on single scars, laser resurfacing | Isolated scars can improve significantly with acid (2010 review) |
| Rolling | Laser resurfacing, often in combined plans | Peels cannot clear them completely (2010 review) |
| Any indented scar | Microneedling, peels, laser, filler, often combined (AAD) | Rarely erased |
| Raised | Laser, injected or prescription medicine (AAD) | Keloids can return |
More on how they compare
The table draws on the 2001 classification paper, the 2010 review and the AAD. Punch excision and similar scar surgery are not offered at Derm Clinic MD. If your scars call for that, a dermatologist or dermatologic surgeon is the next step.
Good to know
What are ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars?
These are the three common shapes of indented (atrophic) acne scars. Ice pick scars are narrow (under 2 mm) and deep, boxcar scars are round or oval with sharp vertical edges, and rolling scars are broad dips, usually wider than 4 to 5 mm, with a wavy look. The AAD says ice pick scars need different treatment than rolling scars, so naming your mix comes first.
Not every scar is an indent. The AAD notes a scar can be a depression or a raised scar, often with some discoloration. Raised scars form when the body makes too much collagen, so they need different treatment.
Safety
What are the risks and side effects?
After microneedling, common effects are redness, dryness, tightness, itching and peeling, which usually settle within days. Less common are pigment changes, cold sore flare-ups and infection, and the FDA says some side effects may be permanent. Sun on freshly treated skin raises the risk of discoloration and, after laser, another scar.
Full safety details
The FDA's microneedling page lists dryness, rough skin, tightness, redness, itching, peeling, burning, bruising, bleeding and crusting as common, and pigment changes, cold sore reactivation and infection as less common. It says most side effects occur shortly after treatment and resolve, some may be permanent, and a procedure may not give the result you want.
With peels, the AAD lists redness that can last for months, temporary darkening, lighter skin color after medium and deep peels and scarring, which it calls very rare when a dermatologist performs the peel. With lasers, it warns that sun on treated skin can cause another scar. If filler is part of your plan, the FDA calls injection into a blood vessel the most concerning filler risk, with complications that include tissue death, blindness and stroke. Get immediate medical attention for vision changes, unusual pain or white, gray or blue skin after filler. Call the office for spreading redness, pus, fever, blistering or a cold sore outbreak.
Patient reviews
In patients’ words
“Once I met with Dr Arshia Paymen I never felt rushed, she took the time to listen to all my concerns and explained it all in a way that was easy to understand.”
“Dr. Payman was very friendly and explained everything thoroughly.”
“She takes time to truly listen to you and explains her treatment plan with great clarity.”
Excerpts are quoted word for word from public Google reviews of Derm Clinic MD. Individual results vary.
Questions
Questions patients ask about acne scar treatment
Short answers here. Your own plan, product and cost are set with Dr. Payman at your consultation.
Ask at a consultationCan acne scars be removed completely?
Usually not. A 2010 review (Fabbrocini et al.) says peeling cannot completely clear ice pick and rolling scars, and the American Academy of Dermatology says laser treatment cannot get rid of a scar. A realistic goal is shallower scars and smoother texture, and some respond more than others.
What works for ice pick scars?
Ice pick scars are narrow and deep, so surface treatments reach them less well. Reviews describe acid on single scars, punch techniques and repeated peels. Punch excision is minor surgery, which this office does not offer, so a deep ice pick pattern may need a dermatologist.
Does microneedling work on dark skin?
The American Academy of Dermatology calls microneedling suitable for all skin tones, and a 2022 trial (Ishfaq et al.) enrolled Fitzpatrick types IV to VI. The FDA still lists darker skin as a caution because skin can darken or lighten. Mention past dark marks or keloids.
How much downtime should I plan for?
Microneedling redness and a sunburn-like feeling usually fade in a few days to a week, and the AAD advises waiting 24 hours before makeup. Peels and lasers vary with depth. Plan around sun for the following two weeks.
Is at-home microneedling a substitute?
No. The AAD says at-home and non-medical spa products are not meant to puncture skin, so results are less noticeable, and at-home use can spread warts and herpes. Pressing too hard can leave scars or color changes.
Does adding PRP help acne scars?
The AAD says studies show PRP used with another treatment like microneedling can lead to less visible scarring. But the FDA says microneedling devices are not approved for delivering blood products such as PRP into the skin, and the risks of such combinations are not known. Ask what is planned. See the PRP and PRF facial page.
Two offices
Two offices. One physician.
Atlanta, GA 30342
Floor 1 of the Tuxedo Atrium
Cumming
425 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 345Cumming, GA 30041
In The Shoppes at Brannon Crossing
Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 5 PM; Saturday 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Maps © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Your first step
Ready to talk about acne scar treatment?
Book a consultation in Buckhead or Cumming and leave with a plan that fits your face, your goals and your budget.
Sources (14)
- Acne scars: Consultation and treatment. American Academy of Dermatology, updated 12/8/23. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/scars/treatment
- Acne scars: Overview. American Academy of Dermatology, updated 12/8/23. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/scars
- Microneedling can fade scars, uneven skin tone, and more. American Academy of Dermatology, updated 7/17/23. https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/scars-stretch-marks/microneedling-fade-scars
- Microneedling devices. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, current as of 10/15/2025. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/aesthetic-cosmetic-devices/microneedling-devices
- Dermal fillers (soft tissue fillers). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, current as of 07/06/2023. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/aesthetic-cosmetic-devices/dermal-fillers-soft-tissue-fillers
- Acne scars: pathogenesis, classification and treatment (Fabbrocini et al.). Dermatology Research and Practice, 2010. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2958495/
- Acne scarring: a classification system and review of treatment options (Jacob et al.). Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2001. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11423843/
- Comparing the efficacy and safety of microneedling and its combination with other treatments in patients with acne scars: a network meta-analysis (Li et al.). Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39110247/
- Laser, microneedling, and combination therapies for moderate to severe acne atrophic scars: a systematic review and network meta-analysis (Ou et al.). Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42429955/
- Comparing fractional CO2 laser and needling-based modalities in facial acne scar treatment (Batool et al.). Lasers in Medical Science, 2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42334669/
- A comparison of microneedling versus glycolic acid chemical peel for the treatment of acne scarring (Ishfaq et al.). Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35783564/
- Chemical peels: FAQs. American Academy of Dermatology, accessed 2026. https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/younger-looking/chemical-peels-faqs
- 10 things to know before having laser treatment for your scar. American Academy of Dermatology, accessed 2026. https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/scars-stretch-marks/laser-treatment-scar
- Isotretinoin capsules: prescribing information and medication guide. DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), label published Oct 2, 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4e8516dc-a3c6-4d8f-aa14-2c37c6c8f6e6
This page is general education and is not medical advice. It does not replace an in-person consultation. Whether a treatment suits you, and what result is realistic, depends on your health history and an examination. Results vary from person to person.
Derm Clinic MD · Last updated October 2026.