How Do You Prevent Acne Scarring?

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.