Acne Treatment
Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Florham Park, NJ and Somerville, NJ
Manage Pimples and More in New Jersey
From scattered pimples and blackheads to deep and painful cysts, millions of men and women in all age groups and demographics will be affected by acne every year. While the common skin condition is not contagious or physically dangerous, acne can take a mental toll and even cause scars if the lesions become severe. Fortunately, certain medications, devices, and other treatments have been found to be successful for clearing the skin and improving self-image and self-confidence. The most effective acne treatment at New Jersey’s The Peer Group depends on how severe and persistent a patient’s acne is.
What is Acne?
Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that pretty much everyone deals with at some point during their lifetime. It starts when pores, which are small openings in the skin attached to oil glands, become clogged with an oily liquid called sebum, dead skin cells, and hair. The plugged pores can then become infected with bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), which is always present on the skin.
Symptoms include blemishes, pimples, oily skin, swelling, and skin that may be hot or uncomfortable to touch in some areas.
Acne breakouts can be brought on by several triggers, including hormonal changes, menstruation, emotional stress, greasy cosmetics, hot and humid climates, squeezing the skin, and certain medications.
The most common areas for breakouts to occur are the face, back, and chest, but pimples may also flare up on the neck, shoulders, and upper arms as well. If you have moderate to severe acne, it may be best to see a skin care professional for acne treatment.
What Does Acne Treatment Involve?
There’s no one-size-fits-all method of acne treatment, as each patient will need to be evaluated to find a personalized solution.
Acne treatment options from The Peer Group include cosmetic procedures such as light and laser therapy and chemical peels. Patients who have discovered that over-the-counter products or prescription creams and medications aren’t helping to reduce their symptoms of stubborn and persistent acne can try office-based acne treatments.
Several types of topical and oral treatments can be prescribed as an acne treatment, including topical products containing benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, azelaic acid, and antibiotics, or oral antibiotics, isotretinoin, and hormone therapy. Drainage and extraction with special instruments can be used to clean out blackheads, cysts, and other blemishes.
IPL® photofacial, laser scar revision, and laser skin resurfacing help to minimize the appearance of acne scars. IPL (intense pulsed light) gives off multiple short flashes that prompt healing. Resurfacing removes the outer damaged layers of skin while encouraging the growth of new collagen to enhance the skin’s appearance.
Acne Treatment: How to Prevent and Manage Acne
Aside from professional acne treatments, patients can take other steps to care for acne-prone skin at home. Try cleansing (not scrubbing) the face no more than twice every day with warm water and mild soap that’s formulated for acne, wash your hands often (especially when applying products on the face), avoid too much sun exposure, and reduce anxiety and stress levels as much as possible. Also, refrain from scratching or “popping” pimples, as this can make the blocking, swelling, redness, and infection worse while also increasing the risk of scarring.
About Dr. Isaac Starker
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon · The Peer Group for Plastic Surgery
- Board certification
- American Board of Plastic Surgery (verify)
- Education and training
- Undergraduate: New York University, 1977, B.A
- Medical School: New York University School of Medicine, June 1981, M.D
- Residency: Montefiore Medical Center – Albert Einstein College of Medicine, July 1986 – June 1988, Plastic Surgery, Chief Resident, July 1987 – June 1988
- Fellowship: The Roosevelt Hospital, Drs. J.W. Littler and R.G. Eaton, January 1989 – December 1989, Hand Surgery
- MD, NYU School of Medicine
- Plastic surgery training, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Doctor of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine (1981)
- Internship, General Surgery, The Roosevelt Hospital (1981–1982)
- Residency, General Surgery, The Roosevelt Hospital, Chief Resident (1982–1986)
- Hospital affiliations
- Morristown Medical Center
- Attending, Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown, NJ
- Attending, St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ
- Attending, St. Luke's/Roosevelt Emergency Department (1988–1989)
- Memberships
- American Medical Association
- Medical Society of New Jersey
- Morris County Medical Society
- American College of Surgeons
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
- Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons
- New York Regional Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons
- President, New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons (2005)
- President of the medical staff, Morristown Memorial Hospital (2008-2009)
- Board of Trustees, Atlantic Health System (2008-2010)
- Chief, Plastic Surgery Section, Morristown Medical Center (most recently 2014 and 2015)
- Served on his local Board of Health for many years
- Lipoplasty Society of North America (1998–2000)
- Leo M. Davidoff Society
- Beta Lambda Sigma Honor Society
- Caducean Premed Honor Society
- Secretary/Treasurer, Morristown Memorial Hospital Medical Staff (2004–2005)
- Vice President, Morristown Memorial Hospital Medical Staff (2006–2007)
- Chairman, Atlantic Health Leadership Committee (2010)
- Vice-Chairman, Department of Surgery, Morristown Medical Center (Dec. 2010 – present)
- Section Chief, Plastic Surgery, Morristown Medical Center (2014–2016)
- Member, Board of Health, Madison, NJ (1996–2007)
- Member, Executive Committee, New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons (1998–2007)
- President, New Jersey Society of Plastic Surgeons (2006–2007)
- Trustee, Peer Foundation for Plastic Surgery and Rehabilitation (2005-present)
- Awards
- Castle Connolly Top Doctors, Women's Health, 2024
- Top Doctors, Morris & Essex Magazine, 2025
- Top Doctors 2024: Plastic Surgery, Castle Connolly
- Top Doctor, NJ Monthly 2006-2019
- Top Doctors, Millburn-Short Hills Magazine 2016
- Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd., Top Docs NY Metro Area 2007-2012, 2016, 2019-2022
- Castle Connolly, Regional Top Doctor 2012, 2013
- NJ Savvy Living, 2006-2009
- NJ Savvy Living, New Jersey’s Best Beauty Doctor, Feb. 2010 Issue, Jan. 2011 Issue
- America’s Cosmetic Doctors, 1st Edition, 2004
- Top Doctors, Inside Jersey, A Star Ledger Magazine, 2010-2018
- Top Doctors for Women’s Health, Inside Jersey, A Star Ledger Magazine, 2015 and 2016
- Top Doctors for Cancer, Inside Jersey, A Star Ledger Magazine, 2014-2016
- Best Doctors, Inc., Best Doctors in America, Listed consecutively since 1996-2016
- Consumers’ Research Council of America, Guide to America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, 2010-2012
- Voted Best Cosmetic Surgeon, The Daily Record Reader’s Choice, 2009-2010
- 2013 Vitals Patient Choice Award
- 2014 Vitals Top 10 Doctor
- NJ Top Docs
- America’s Best Plastic Surgeons, Newsweek, 2024
- Top Doc, New Jersey Monthly magazine (1996, 1998, 2006–2018)
- Best Dr.'s In America, Northeast Region, Woodward/White (1996–1997)
- Best Dr.'s in NY Metro Area, Castle/Connolly (1999–2021)
- Best Doctors, Best Doctors, Inc. (2001–2014)
- America's Cosmetic Doctors and Dentists Consumer Guide (2003, 2006)
- Top Doctors, Inside Jersey magazine (2011–2021)
- New Jersey Best Beauty Doctor, NJSavvy Living (February 2010)
- Cum Laude, New York University
- Founder's Day Award, New York University
- Dean's List, New York University
- Glover C. Arnold Award for excellence in Surgery, New York University School of Medicine
- Certificate of Distinction as Outstanding House Officer, Leo M. Davidoff Society, Montefiore Medical Center
- NPI
- 1932175536
- Offices
- Florham Park · Somerville
