Thankfully, there are now many affordable options for getting rid of acne scars.

Assuming that your scarring doesn't respond to acne skin care creams (which is the case with all but the most superficial scars) you'll probably need medical treatment. But with several options out there, which is the most effective?

Nlite laser treatment

One of the most effective, and least invasive, procedures is laser treatment. Some practices will offer Nlite, a safe and powerful acne laser treatment that was described by world renowned dermatologist Dr. Tony Chu as the "first major advance in acne treatment in 30 years". While Nlite is very effective at reducing acne, the yellow light delivered by the laser also stimulates collagen growth - a substance that heals and repairs scarred tissue.

Hyaluronic Acid injections

Sometimes called "fillers" or "dermal fillers", hyaluronic acid (hyaluronic acid -based) injections are very good at targeting less aggressive or more superficial scarring. Although hyaluronic acid is probably the most popular form of injection, other substances can be used - including cosmoderm and cymetra.

Chemical peels

Chemical peeling is another quick and painless procedure that can usually be completed in under half an hour. Treatment involves gently removing the top layer of skin (which is often clogged with dead cells and impurities) with a specialised acid. This can be effective at reducing the appearance of light acne scarring. The effect may only be temporary, depending on the severity of the tissue damage.

Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion

With microdermabrasion, your skin is sprayed with thousands of tiny crystals which remove a layer of dead cells. You can usually expect to see some benefit for very light scarring as the dead skin and damaged tissue disappears. However, with the more complicated procedure of dermabrasion, more of your skin surface is removed, helping to eradicate or reshape problem scars. Dermabrasion usually requires anaesthetic and has a longer recovery time.

Skin surgery and grafts

Serious scarring, or deep "ice-pick" scars may require surgical treatment. Skin surgery often involves procedures called "punching" - which is not as scary as it sounds! In this case, some scars are erased by removing the scarred tissue itself and the skin repaired using sutures or a small graft. In areas of extensive scarring, larger skin grafts may be needed. This is where a section of skin is taken from another part of the body and attached to the damaged area.

Which is right for you?

Of course, people react in different ways to different acne scar removal treatments - depending on your skin type, the extent of the scarring, the position of the scars and your overall health. The best practices and dermatologists will consult with you fully before undertaking any treatment, no matter how straightforward.