New techniques are emerging for acne treatment, and they seem to ensure better outcome for the sufferers.

Professor Harryono Judodihardjo, medical director of the Cellite Clinic in Cardiff, Wales cites treatments such as fractional C02 lasering and says they also mean less discomfort and downtime as well.

Modern techniques have come a long way in terms of creating a satisfactory outcome for patients – one that enables them to face the world with renewed self-confidence, he believes.

Despite the success of new procedures, prevention remains better than cure.

There’s a tendency to see teenage acne as “normal”, something the young person will grow out of.

But acne is a disease that needs medical attention, and the sooner it’s treated, the less chance there is of scarring.

And those people who suffer from acne later in life should also seek prompt medical help.

Even though 98% of us will experience acne to some degree, at some juncture in our lives, we don’t have to put up with it.

Many factors can trigger an acne outbreak – stress, sleeplessness, pollution, a reaction to certain cosmetics – and this can cause embarrassment, especially in men who are the most reluctant to see a doctor.

New treatments that are having a positive impact when applied to acne scars include:

Dermaroller scar treatment therapy. This is suitable for all skin types and skin tones and works by producing thousands of microscopic needle columns in the dermis of the skin. These stimulate the skin to regenerate and repair itself naturally and safely.