 |
| Image by BELEN LOPEZ from Pixabay |
Acne Scars Treatment Options Could Be Collagen
What is the relationship between collagen acne scars? Let's start by explaining some of the acne formation processes. Basically, when an acne cyst forms, the neck of the sebaceous glands opens and fills with bacteria, cells, and sebum that cannot pass through the surface of the skin. Eventually the cyst explodes, projecting material into the dermis and, recognized as "foreign," it is attacked by infection-fighting white blood cells.
The most common is tissue loss as collagen is destroyed in the dermis. When these cells are eliminated, the cells above at the surface level of the skin do not receive support from below. And that's when that area of skin collapses, resulting in a soft plate-shaped depression (what many people refer to as a pockmark) or jagged icebreaker scars (deep and narrow). Unfortunately, this kind of scarring often occurs on the face and affects both men and women.
Another important fact to consider in the association of collagen acne scars is that aging can affect your collagen levels and hence, the visibility of the scars. After you are 40 years old, 1% of your skin collagen is lost every year. This loss of extra collagen along with diminished skin tone with age can make scars clearer.
So, those are some of the ways collagen is linked to acne and scarring. Collagen is also used in the treatment of acne scars. Acne scars are often the result of a long-term infection and swollen skin glands. This condition results in an uneven skin surface with peaks and valleys. There are a variety of treatments for acne scars, and filler injections, such as collagen, may make the most sense for you. The filler helps raise the valley so that there are no indentations around the summit. This leads to a smoother appearance of the skin surface.
Collagen fillers are just one type of filler. Others include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylase, and polymethylmethacrylate beads. While collagen fillers typically last from 3 to 6 months, other types can last from 6 months and longer - some are permanent. The type you can use depends on your skin and your scars. If you have very few acne scars and are relatively shallow, collagen may be a good fit. There is a way to quickly evaluate whether this is an option for you (although of course you will talk to a professional about possible treatments) - stretch the area of the scar. If it gets flat as you stretch it, collagen is a useful consideration. Many people prefer collagen because it is cheaper than other options.
However, if you have deep icing scars, you may want to do other procedures such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, skin grafting, etc.
The above information about collagen acne scars does not replace the medical advice provided by health professionals.
