Acne affects 95% of people at some point during their life – from adult, and post-partum to menopausal acne, this skin condition can take a huge toll on someone’s confidence and wellbeing. With June marking Acne Awareness Month, we’ll be delving into the causes of acne and the potential benefits of collagen in assisting to reduce acne breakouts.
Acne is a common skin condition, which is caused by overall clogged pores, inflamed oil glands, or even, an increase of pimple-causing bacteria present on your skin. Acne can come in many different forms, such as whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts. Acne breakouts can seem like a constant battle - and trying to find the correct treatment or a good skincare routine which suits you, can be even harder. There is so much information out there about what you can do to either prevent breakouts or scars from happening and reduce the appearance of scars you may already have. But what truly works? In this article, we will be taking a deeper look into what acne scarring is, the different types of liquid collage that could be your answer for acne scarring, and whether, if left untreated, acne scarring can fade on its own.
What is Acne Scarring?
Broadly speaking, acne scarring can be used to describe any form of scar which has been left behind due to spots or blemishes. These marks can appear on any part of the body, including the face. Acne scarring can happen if the body produces too little collagen or even too much. This can cause depressions or pits in the skin as it heals, which can lead to scarring. Any acne breakout can penetrate the skin deeply, which in turn can cause damage.
There are a few different types of acne scars, including:
- Boxcar scars - these are typically on the lower cheeks or sometimes on the jaw, where our skin is more likely to be thick. You can usually tell a boxcar scar apart, as they are broader and will have sharp, defined edges in comparison to others.
- Atrophic scars - These present themselves as being flat, thin scars, or depressed / pitted scars
- Hypertrophic or keloid scars - Typically described as scars that are thicker or even lumpy to the touch.
- Rolling scars - Unlike a boxcar scar, a rolling scar will have a sloping edge and will appear more wavy or uneven on the skin.
- Ice pick scars - As the name suggests, these are usually thinner or more narrow and will most likely be present on cheeks.
You may also see these types of scars, which are dependent on how much collagen your body makes:
- Depressed acne scars - These typically form when your body produces too little collagen. After your acne has gone, you will find that it has left behind depressions or pits. These will be formed in order to help the skin heal.
- Raised acne scars - Whilst depressed acne scars come from the body having too little collagen, raised acne scars can be from the opposite. As our bodies fight to help the skin heal, it can begin to produce too much collagen in an effort to support the underlying tissue.
Can Liquid Collagen Help With Acne Scarring?
Acne scarring can be permanent, and the indentation on the skin is caused by bacteria that have been produced by the acne. Through acne occurring on the skin, it will have weakened or damaged the skin tissue and the overall structure of the cells, and the lower layers of the skin. This can mean that acne scarring can be difficult, if not impossible to shift.
However, adding liquid collagen to your regular routine can be extremely beneficial to the healing process. Once an acne breakout has ceased or calmed down and the skin is looking to heal, it will require some much-needed nourishment. Scars don’t appear straight away, and in fact, it can even take up to 4 weeks, as new blood vessels will be moving to the damaged area to help repair it. After, collagen will start to form in the injured places and proceed to form a new skin to make up for the lost volume. By taking a sachet of Revive Liquid Collagen regularly, you will may be able to help speed up this healing process, as well as support it in the overall recovery process. Not only that, but drinking collagen daily can also help to even out your skin tone, hydrate your skin, and even make it look more youthful and bright. For example, in our Revive Collagen Enhanced Plus product, we have added retinol. This key ingredient helps to promote skin regeneration, by enhancing your collagen production. This directly gives your skin a brighter, more healthy-looking complexion.
Not only can liquid collagen help with acne scarring, but it can also assist in preventing breakouts. Chloe S, a regular Revive Collagen user has said “It’s life-changing. Since using Revive Collagen I see a huge change in my skin, my acne has cleared and my overall complexion is glowing! You can see such a difference. I am in love with Revive Collagen.”
Does Acne Scarring Fade Over Time?
Untreated, acne scarring is unlikely to fade on its own. This is because it causes permanent damage to the skin. Whilst scars may not disappear completely, you may find that they lighten over time. When a scar first develops, it will usually be pink or red, depending on what skin tone you have. Over time, the pinkish colouring will become slightly darker or lighter against your natural skin. With darker complexions, these scars could also appear as dark spots. If you are looking to reduce acne scarring, or if you are prone to it and are looking for preventive measures, then taking liquid collagen regularly could be a good way to try and combat it early on.