Scar Wars: Strategies for Minimizing Every Type of Scar

By Beth Janes

Think you're marked for life? No matter what type of scar you have there are ways to make it less noticeable -- and in some cases help it virtually disappear. Follow our guide to find complexion perfection.

Fernando Milani

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Acne Scars: Simple Fixes

Those dreaded zit "pits" (more flatteringly known as atrophic scars) occur when an inflamed pimple damages your skin's collagen layer.

Simple Fixes
Topical fillers and primers: Wrinkle fillers that contain hyaluronic acid, such as Lancome High Resolution Refill-3X Cream, $75, pull water to the skin's surface, giving the illusion of a smoother complexion. Makeup primers help temporarily fill depressions with ingredients like silicone or dimethicone; try Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel, $58.
Prescription tretinoin: Creams such as Renova help build collagen and jump start cell turnover, evening out your skin. However, topicals are best for fading flat, red acne scars, since they usually don't produce enough collagen to treat deeply pitted ones.

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