But if you're looking to prevent acne scars from happening in the first place, the best way is to treat acne lesions as soon as they appear. Over-the-counter treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are a great place to start, but if acne persists, ask your dermatologist about prescription medications like retinol, Aczone, or spironolactone.
Munavalli likes to treat acne with a topical prescription-strength vitamin A (retinol) cream to clear clogged pores and decrease inflammation. He also recommends topical benzoyl peroxide washes at four percent strength or higher which decreases bacterial growth.