Having acne as a teenager is uncomfortable enough, but the scars acne often leaves behind can continue to haunt you as an adult. Acne scars are quite common, but if they interfere with the way you feel about yourself, it’s time to look into treatment options.

How does an acne scar occur?

Simply put, scars are the result of injury to the tissue. In the case of acne, a build up of bacteria and sebum in the sebaceous follicle causes the injury. The body responds by rushing white blood cells and inflammatory molecules to the damaged cells, which can remain at the acne breakout site for weeks in order to heal the area and prevent infection. After the infection heals the damaged tissue sometimes does not return to its former state. In severe cases of nodular acne where a larger infection occurs in the deeper layers of skin, there can be tissue loss and permanent scarring. There are two types of acne scars: depressed and raised. Depressed acne scars are the ones that look like pits or depressions on your skin. Raised acne scars, on the other hand, appear above the skin’s surface.

The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce the appearance of acne scars. From topical treatments to injections, and from surgery to lasers, you can try a variety of treatment options. If you’re wondering how to get rid of acne scars, check out these home made tips for preventing and treating this very common problem:

1. Apply fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice has natural skin bleaching properties, and can help to effectively lighten your acne scars. Simply combine equal parts of lemon juice and water and apply this liquid directly onto your scars, avoiding the surrounding skin. Wash off the lemon juice after 15 to 20 minutes or you could put the the lemon juice on overnight as a mask.

2. Exfoliate with baking soda. Baking soda can be used to exfoliate the skin and minimize the appearance of acne scars. All you need to do is mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of water to form a liquid paste. Apply this paste all over your face and use gentle circular motions to rub the baking soda into the skin, concentrating on the scarred areas, for about two minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat the skin dry.

3. Use honey. Honey is a great natural solution for clearing up pimples and reducing the red marks they leave behind. This is because honey contains antibacterial properties and helps to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. Raw or manuka honey is the most effective. It can be dabbed directly onto the scarred area, using a q-tip.

4. Experiment with aloe vera. The sap of the aloe vera plant is a soothing natural substance which can be used to relieve many ailments, from burns to wounds to acne scars. Aloe vera helps to rejuvenate and moisturize the skin, encouraging acne scars to fade. It is possible to buy aloe vera products in the drug store, but the best thing to do is buy an aloe vera plant and use the sap from a broken leaf. This gel-like sap can be applied directly on the scarring, and there is no need to wash off.

5. Use an ice cube. Ice is an extremely simple home remedy which can help to fade acne scars by soothing the inflamed skin and reducing redness. To use, just wrap an ice cube in a clean cloth or piece of paper towel and hold it against the scarred skin for a minute or two, til the area starts to feel numb.

6. Make sandalwood paste. Sandalwood is known for its skin healing properties, and is easy to prepare at home. Just mix one tablespoon of sandalwood powder with a few drops of rosewater or milk to form a paste. Apply this paste to the affected area and leave it on for at least 30 minutes before rinsing. Repeat this process daily until your scars have vanished.

7. Try apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar helps manage the pH of your skin, improving its appearance over time and helping to reduce the appearance of red marks and scars. Dilute the vinegar to half its strength with water and apply it to the affected area every day with a cotton ball until the scars begin to fade.

Last but not the least, resist the urge to pop, scratch, prick or otherwise put your hands on your face — it’ll only make your skin worse for the long haul. Instead, resolve that you’ll touch your face twice a day, when you wash it morning and night, and leave it alone for the rest of the day.