Is Collagen The Best Treatment For Acne Scars

Acne is among the most common skin conditions around the world. Though it is often most closely associated with adolescence, it can affect people of all ages. Some of you may have heard about the collagen, acne scars relationship and want to more about it. Before we do, let's take a moment to explain a bit about how acne is formed in the first place. Typically, as the acne cyst is formed the neck around the sebaceous gland opens, and then gets filled with material that can't escape through the pores. When this happens, the built up pressure causes the cyst to erupt, spreading the contaminants into the skin. In turn, the body calls on the white blood cells to battle these "invaders" and acne results.

After this happens, tissue loss (specifically in the form of collagen) follows. Once these cells are gone, the cells on top layer of skin do not get the nourishment they need from the internal mechanism. This is what ultimately leads to a slight collapse of the skin as a scar. When it comes to collagen acne scars take a few different forms. Pock marks (soft-edged and shaped like a saucer) or ice pick scars (narrow and deep) are two common forms. These affect men and women equally, and often appear on the face.

There is another factor that you be aware of as it relates to collagen and acne scars. The level of collagen the body produces changes as we get older, and that can have an effect on how visible scars are. The rule of thumb is that you lose 1% of your collagen each year after turning 40. This, along with less tone in the skin, leads to scars being more visible.

Okay, that brings us up to speed on most of what you need to know about the collagen acne scars connection. Knowing this, it comes as no surprise that collagen can also be used in treating scarring caused by acne. Acne scars typically come form long-lasting inflammation and infection of glands in the skin. This is noticeable as skin that is no longer smooth. If there are a lot of "craters" left by acne, then filling them in, possibly with collagen, may make the most sense. These fillers help to make the craters more even, which leads to smoother skin and scars being less noticeable.

While it would seem as though collagen fillers are an ideal solution, there is a catch: they are not permanent. Now, the good news is that they can last up to six months, so it's not like you have to get the procedure done every few weeks. Whether or not collagen is the right choice will depend on what type of acne scars you have, as well as other factors. Other fillers are available, however, so be sure to discuss your various options with a qualified medical professional. In fact, anything you read here shouldn't be thought of as medical advice, but rather as information to help you have a better discussion with your doctor.