Acne is not a small problem. In fact, a whopping 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 are estimated to have experienced acne at least once in their lives, and it affects up to 50 million Americans alone every single year. No matter how common the problem, though, it's still shrouded in negativity and is usually a shameful experience for those suffering through it.

Anyone who has ever experienced acne knows the effects are not just physical, but mental as well. Those who have dealt with the sever inflammation to the skin of the face, neck and shoulders know that the embarrassment can also lead to sever mental stress — and that has lasting affects.

And the worst part is, even when you think it's over, it's not. It's hard enough to clear up acne, but even when the sores are gone, you're often left with scarring that can be just as depressing. It's just one hurdle after another, right? Luckily, most of those scars don't have to be permanent. I spoke with a few skincare experts who were more than happy to share their best tips on how to send those acne scars packing, for good. 

It's completely understandable that anyone suffering from acne scars would want to start steps to get rid of them right away, but that's not the best way to approach it. The first step is to clear up the acne, and then to make sure it isn't going to make a comeback.

"In my dermatology practice, I advise clients to make sure their acne is under control for at least 2 months before seeking treatment for acne scars. This ensures any inflammation in the skin caused by acne has reduced and the skin is calm and ready for scar treatment," said dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Anjali Butani, MD. "This is also the perfect time window to start scar treatment. The skin is actively producing new collagen, trying to correct scars. The longer the scar is left untreated, the harder it is to treat."

Dr. Michael Rains, board-certified dermatologist with Westlake Dermatology, said the first step in getting acne under control is setting up a visit with a dermatologist. "A dermatologist can devise an effective acne regimen. Once the acne is under control, then there are multiple treatments, from topicals to lasers, that can be effective in reducing the appearance and severity of acne scarring," he said.

Thousands of tiny needle holes in your skin doesn't exactly sound like a walk in the park, but this process, called micro-needling, is quickly picking up steam as en effective way to treat acne scars. The procedure uses a wand-type tool with 11 very small needles at the tip. Your dermatologist can adjust the height of the needles according to your skin and scarring levels, and will use the tool to create tiny punctures in the top-most layer of your skin.

"I perform a lot of micro-needling. It's a simple concept with huge benefits," said dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Anjali Butani, MD. "We're making thousands of microscopic fine wounds in the skin in order to induce collagen formation. Just like when you cut yourself accidentally in the kitchen sometimes, the skin is smart. It recognizes the injury and rushes nutrients and fibroblasts (new skin cells) to heal the area." These micro-needling tools are often used together with medical-grade products containing growth factors to speed healing.

Dr. Jack Zamora, MD, a Denver-based oculo-facial plastic surgeon, says micro-needling is not as painful as it sounds. "A micro-needling treatment is safe and effective for scars on the face and body. A series of five to six treatments is recommended and more may be needed depending on the area being treated and desired result. Patients are numbed prior to treatment and then the wand is passed over the treatment area several times," he said. "Most patients don't experience any discomfort. The treatment takes about an hour including numbing time. Micro-needling is ideal for all skin tones as well as those who are sensitive to heat (from laser treatments) and prone to melasma and rosacea. Downtime is minimal — patients may be red and slightly swollen post treatment but this subsides within 24-hours."

Another popular way to deal with acne scars is through chemical peels, the method of using chemicals to remove the top layer of skin to reveal the smoother, less-scarred layer underneath.

"Chemical peels can be used for residual hyper-pigmentation, redness, or to help reduce depth of acne scars," said Dr. Michael Rains, board-certified dermatologist with Westlake Dermatology. "One technique, called the CROSS method, uses a strong concentration of trichloroactic acid (TCA) that stimulates inflammation with resulting collagen synthesis to aid with acne scarring remodeling. There is minimal downtime with small scabs that typically fall off after four to seven days. On average three to four treatments are required with treatments performed every three to six weeks."

According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, there is some pain associated with chemical peels, mostly described as a short-term burning feeling during the process, followed by a less intense stinging sensation. Ice or cold compresses can sometimes help, as well as pain medication after deeper peels.

Soft tissue fillers are a fasting-acting option for filling depressed acne scars, but they're also less permanent than other options. Using this technique, fillers are injected directly into the scar, raising the surface and helping it blend in with the surrounding area.

"Soft tissue fillers can reduce the visible appearance of deep scars; however, it typically requires repeated treatments every four to eight months, as the fillers reabsorb into the skin," said Dr. Michael Rains, board-certified dermatologist with Westlake Dermatology.