Try: Brightening products

Good for: Speeding up the fading process

Even if you have old acne scars from years ago, the fight isn't lost -- there are still acne scar treatments that can help you get a clear, even complexion. Dermatologists agree that exfoliating and brightening skin care products can help fade old red or brown spots.

Johnson recommends a lightly exfoliating ingredient like rice extract, a superstar spot-fader like vitamin C and a skin regenerator like vitamin A (found in over-the-counter retinol products) to help diminish acne scars. Board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD, recommends using all three together for best results.

We recommend: A retinol like Jouer Daily Repair Treatment Oil, $48, or Roc Multi Correxion Skin Renewing Serum, $28.99; a vitamin C serum like Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Serum, $27.99; and a rice extract cleanser like Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser, $10 to help get rid of acne scars.

Try: Regular exfoliation

Good for: Slight craters and uneven skin texture

Don't get us wrong -- the most effective way to treat deep acne scar depressions is in the doctor's office (more on that next), but you can help raise depressions and even out skin texture yourself with regular exfoliation. Use a gentle product, like a chemical exfoliator, so you don't further aggravate the scar. Chemical exfoliators include beta hydroxyl acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid and alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) like lactic, glycolic and citric acid. In the right concentration, these acids exfoliate just the right amount, meaning your skin is left glowing rather than peeling. If you aren't seeing a difference after exfoliating once a day for several weeks, another option is an in-office dermatologist treatment.

We recommend: Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $28, First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, $15, or Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Peel Original Formula, $16 to help even out your skin's texture.

Try: Prescribed retinoids

Good for:Superficial scarring and discoloration

If you are suffering from stubborn acne scars and exfoliating just isn't cutting it, set up an appointment with your dermatologist. A doctor can prescribe retinoids, like Retin-A Micro, which will build dermal collagen and improve the scar's appearance over time, says Dr. Vic Narurkar from the Bay Area Laser Institute in San Francisco.

Try: Fraxel laser therapy, fillers or microneedling

Good for: Ice pick, boxcar or rolling acne scars

For deep acne scars, an in-office procedure is your best bet for getting clear, smooth skin.

Lasers: Narurkar calls Fraxel laser therapy "the gold standard to treat acne scars." Lasers work by causing damage to the dermis, the second layer of skin, which stimulates collagen formation to retexturize the skin. The drawback? Lasers usually require some downtime. Talk to your dermatologist about which one is best for your skin, as not all lasers are approved for every skin type.

Fillers: If you've got concave scarring, a filler can plump up the sunken skin. A product like Bellafill, a collagen-based filler that contains tiny suspended microspheres, creates a structure underneath skin to raise the scar. The results are immediate, there's no downtime and it can be used on any skin color. Bellafill has only been tested for around five years, but Shamban says results have lasted at least a year.

Microneedling: The needles-on-a-stick trend the skin-care community has been buzzing about in recent years has made its way to the dermatologist office. Microneedling works by gently rolling several tiny needles over the skin to promote circulation and improve collagen. It's safest in a dermatologist office, where you can be sure the procedure and needles are sterile.

EndyMed Intensif, a new device that uses tiny, gold-plated, super sharp needles to deliver heat into the dermis, rejuvenates collagen and elastin production. It sounds a little scary, but patients say it's only mildly uncomfortable -- plus, there's no downtime. "There's nothing like it for acne scars, and I've used everything from microdermabrasion to Fraxel," says Dr. Gregory Keller, co-director of the UCLA facial plastic surgery fellowship program.

If that's all a bit much to take in, just use this quick and dirty cheat sheet on how to get rid of acne scars:

1. First, don't pick existing pimples. If you do, treat immediately with a mild exfoliant containing salicylic acid, like Clean & Clear Advantage Mark Treatment, $7.99.

2. For new and old acne scars, use brightening ingredients like vitamin C, hydroquinone or kojic acid to fade marks fast. Try Murad Post-Acne Spot Lightening Gel, $60, or Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum, $45.

3. Treat acne scars with retinol, which speeds up skin cell turnover to even out skin tone and improve its texture. Because the two ingredients can cancel each other out, use vitamin C in the a.m. and retinol at night (We recommend Proactiv+ Clarifying Night Cream, $60). Always wear sunscreen when using retinol.

4. Consider Fraxel laser therapy, microneedling and fillers for stubborn acne scars that won't go away. (See our story on at-home microneedling here.)