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.)

Since most acne scar treatments take a few weeks to work, you can use these makeup tips from Stapleton while you patiently wait. First, here is what you will need:

1. Concealer. Choose a concealer that's non-comedogenic (look for that term or non-acnegenic on the bottle), and provides full coverage and a matte finish. He recommends M.A.C. Pro Longwear Concealer, $20.

When you're buying concealer, you want to look for a shade that perfectly matches your skin tone. To be safe, go to a makeup counter to find your perfect shade. However, if your scars are indentations in your skin, you can try a concealer that's one shade lighter than your skin tone. Stapleton says this can help balance the natural shadows that happen with depressed areas of skin by "lifting" out the darkness.

2. Color corrector. Steer clear of shades with red undertones in them; there's enough red in those scars already. Instead, buy a green color corrector. If the scars are more of a dark grey or purple color, try a rust-colored corrector to neutralize your skin tone. Check out Physicians Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick in Green, $6.55.

3. Primer. If your scars are more like indentations in your skin, you'll want a primer to smooth the surface, which will help your concealer go on more smoothly. Try Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hr Perfection Primer, $31.

Stapleton lays out the step-by-step makeup application tips you need to cover acne scars, depending on the type.

If you have red and purple/grey marks:
Step 1: Dab on your color corrector with either your finger or a brush and blend well.
Step 2: Pat on a concealer that matches your skin tone, making sure to blend the edges out well (so you don't just have a dot of concealer on your face).
Step 3: Finish with either your regular foundation or a dusting of translucent powder to set your concealer.

If you have concave scarring:
Step 1: Apply a primer to your face to smooth the surface.
Step 2: Apply concealer that's one shade lighter than your skin tone to the depressed area of skin, making sure to blend well.
Step 3: Finish with your regular foundation or a dusting of translucent powder to set.

One last note from Stapleton: "Always remember, textured skin [skin with concave scarring or red marks] looks better matte. It hides imperfections. Think about painting a wall -- high gloss shows off imperfections, while a matte finish will make them less noticeable."

So hold off on the dewy look (for now), and soon you'll have the clear skin capable of that trendy glow.