Usually, a mild form of acne occurring in most people doesn't leave scars, or if it does, the scars erase naturally over time. But people suffering from severe forms of acne like nodular cystic acne might be left with deep scarring in the skin.

If you have nodules or cyst, rather than trying out any over the counter solution, you better get treated by a dermatologist. This is because for this kind of acne you won't find any alleviation or comfort trying out any over the counter acne solution.

A dermatologist will commonly recommend isotretinoin and a retinoid to alleviate an episode of nodular or cystic acne. With the aid of isotretinoin, the size of oil glands that produce oil is reduced. With this, there is a decrease in the growth of bacteria too. It is commonly recommended once or twice a day, with food, for about 15- 20 weeks.

Isotretinoin is a great choice in helping you cure acne as it literally avoids scarring. And once your treatment has been completed, you will most likely be healed of your acne problem. However if there is a reappearance of acne after your treatment with isotretinoin, the specialist can either prescribe some other drugs or institute another course of isotretinoin.

Even though isotretinoin is effective in controlling acne, it can provoke birth defects in the embryo. This is why it is very important that women in child bearing years take care not to conceive a child while taking isotretinoin.

It is crucial that women use two safe types of birth control for a month before, during, and after stopping medication of isotretinoin. In fact, it is better to consult your doctor when it is considered safe to get pregnant before getting off isotretinoin.

It has also been noted that people on isotretinoin tend to get depressed by the changes of their skin's appearance. In fact, many cases of suicides and suicide attempts have been registered by people on isotretinoin.

Other side effects of isotretinoin are muscle aches, nosebleeds, changes in blood and liver function and hypersensitivity to the sun. Consult your dermatologist if you observe that you are experiencing any of these side effects. The doctor may test blood before actually starting treatment, and during the treatment itself.

Post Inflammatory Acne Spots & Pigmentation

There are also spots and pigmentation related with acne that are not exactly scars but look like them. These disappear eventually but are noticeable enough to cause embarrassment. Macules are such pseudo- scars, which are sometimes left behind by an inflamed acne lesion. A macule is simply a flat, reddish spot that is the final stage of any inflamed lesion. Unlike a scar, a macule can take time to disappear, but once it vanishes, it leaves no trace behind.

Then there is the discoloration of skin after the healing of any inflamed acne lesion. It is more frequent in dark skinned people, but can appear in white skin also. This is called "Post inflammatory pigmentation." It may need treatment by a dermatologist.