All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. With many experiencing more breakouts in isolation, the concern around blemishes, and the marks they leave behind, has only grown. If you're wondering how to get rid of acne scars, trust that—while they can be frustratingly stubborn to treat—with time, dedication, and the right arsenal of products and treatments in your stable, you can effectively reduce their appearance. A vital part of treating acne scars is first understanding what they are: small depressions or indentations in the skin that result from moderate to severe acne.

Have you suffered through a severe case of acne that left behind unsightly scars? Long after pimples clear up and the redness and irritation are gone, some of us carry such unwanted reminders. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Whether scars are raised or sunken, there are several good ways to mask or minimize them, says dermatologist Amy Kassouf, MD.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Active breakouts are frustrating enough, but the scars acne can leave behind can feel downright diabolical. The good news is that acne scars can be treated. However, before treatment can start you first have to get rid of any acne once and for all since new breakouts can lead to new acne scars.

While some people are fortunate enough to have blemishes that come and go without leaving a mark, others are left with visual reminders of their past breakouts, which can take a real emotional toll. If you think there's no hope for stubborn scars, think again. The upside is that many treatments can remove or fade these scars, making them less noticeable and helping you regain your self-confidence. The reasons vary, but genetics is one risk factor for scarring. If a blood relative struggles with acne scarring, you might, too, according to the American Academy of Dermatology AAD.