Home Remedies

• There are numerous home-care solutions to help diminish or eliminate acne scars.
  
  Fresh lemon juice applied directly over scars works as a bleaching element. Simply use a cotton ball soaked in the juice and rub over the scars twice a day. Wash with warm water after 15 minutes.
  
  Cucumbers and strawberries also have a bleaching effect, so they can be mashed and applied directly over the scars. There's no need to wash afterward; just remove the excess.
  
  Vitamin E can help repair damaged tissue and over time can lessen the appearance of scars. You can buy vitamin E oil capsules at pharmacies and health food stores. Open them and apply the oil directly over the acne scars. Do not rinse off afterward.
  
  Aloe vera is also touted as a scar treatment and can be used over old acne scars to help soften the tissue and lighten the appearance.
  
  It's important to note that home remedies can take a long time -- sometimes several months -- to show an effect. Stick with it, even if no obvious changes are seen during the first few weeks.
  
  

Professional Treatments

• Dermatologists offer several treatments to get rid of scars, some of which can be administered in a single visit.
  
  Chemical peels and microdermabrasion help by removing the upper layer of the skin and inducing new, healthy skin to grow. These treatments are better for superficial scars and are somewhat painful.
  
  Laser treatments, including the new, less-invasive fractional laser treatment, are good for deeper scars, as they penetrate the skin and can break down underlying scar tissue, allowing it to heal and flatten.
  
  Some doctors offer injections (to fill out the scars) and creams containing Retin-A and alpha hydroxy acid to improve the look of the skin.