Collagen 101: Your guide to collagen for skin health
Collagen 101: Your guide to collagen for skin health
In this article, we're going back to basics to answer some collagen FAQs and explore some of the ways it can be stimulated to help maintain healthy skin.
People often refer to collagen as one of the essential building blocks of healthy, youthful skin. Indeed, it’s so important that many aesthetic treatments focus on collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, add volume, create lift and generally slow down the skin’s ageing process.
In this article, we're going back to basics to answer some collagen FAQs and explore some of the ways it can be stimulated to help maintain healthy skin.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a type of protein made from amino acids that is found throughout the body, but is particularly abundant in the skin, bones, and connective tissue. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the strength, structure, elasticity and flexibility of these tissues and is often referred to as the "glue" that holds the body together.
How are collagen and elastin produced in the skin?
Collagen and elastin are both produced by cells called fibroblasts, which are found in the skin's dermis layer (the layer below the surface). These cells are responsible for producing the extracellular matrix, which is made up of collagen, elastin, and other proteins. The extracellular matrix helps to provide structure and support to the skin and is essential for maintaining its elasticity and firmness.
Why is collagen important to healthy skin?
Collagen is important to healthy skin for several reasons. As we’ve mentioned already, it helps to maintain the skin's strength and structure, which is essential for preventing wrinkles and sagging. Collagen also helps to improve the skin's hydration, elasticity and firmness, making it look more youthful and radiant. In addition, collagen plays a crucial role in the skin's natural healing process, helping to repair damage caused by environmental stressors and ageing.
At what age do collagen levels start to decline in our skin?
Collagen levels in the body start to decline naturally at the rate of around 1-1.5% per year from the time we reach early adulthood. This decline increases as we get older and can be exacerbated by lifestyle factors such as smoking, poor nutrition or sun exposure.
It’s estimated that your body’s ability to produce collagen will have dropped by 25% by the time you reach your 40th birthday and 50% by age 60.
What are the signs that you’re losing collagen?
At first, the signs that you’re losing collagen can be quite subtle. Eventually, you will start to notice that your skin doesn’t look as plump as it once did. You may also notice fine lines and wrinkles and sagging skin – the latter is common around the jawline, for example.
Collagen depletion can also cause issues such as weight gain, joint pains, changes to your hair such as thinning or texture changes, broken veins or sensitive teeth. Of course, many of these issues can have other medical causes, so it’s vital to consult your GP if you are concerned about any of the above.
Is it really possible to stimulate fresh collagen production?
Yes, there are several ways to stimulate collagen production in the body. One of the most effective ways is through the use of certain skincare products and treatments. For example, products that contain retinoids or vitamin C have been shown to help stimulate collagen production in the skin. Other treatments, such as skin needling, can also trigger your body to make more collagen to strengthen the skin.
Is there an optimal age to start incorporating collagen-boosting treatments into a skincare routine?
While collagen production naturally declines as we get older, there is no specific age at which it’s best to start incorporating collagen-boosting treatments into a skincare routine. Ideally, everyone should begin focusing on skin health in early adulthood and be proactive about protecting and nourishing their skin throughout their life.
Are there any side effects or risks associated with collagen treatments?
Like any medical or cosmetic treatment, collagen-boosting procedures can carry some risks and potential side effects. Depending on the treatment concerned, these may include redness, swelling, and bruising at the treatment site, as well as infection or scarring in rare cases. It’s important to discuss any potential risks with a qualified healthcare provider or skincare professional before undergoing any treatment.
Can collagen be taken orally as a supplement?
Yes, collagen supplements are becoming increasingly popular as a way to support skin, joint, and bone health. These supplements are typically made from collagen derived from animal sources, such as cows or fish, and are available in a variety of forms, including powders, capsules, and gummies. Some vegan collagen-supporting supplements are now available too.
What foods can help boost collagen production in the body?
Foods that are high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers, can help support collagen production in the body. Other foods that may help boost collagen production include bone broth, salmon, and leafy greens.
Tempeh, tofu, soy protein, black beans, kidney beans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, pistachios, peanuts and cashews can help to support collagen production too.
Which aesthetic treatments are good for creating more collagen?
Here at Medikaur, we offer a number of different non-surgical aesthetic treatments designed to help stimulate collagen production in the skin.
These include:
These drinks contain active ingredients that stimulate your body’s production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. The liquid formula means that Skinade is more easily absorbed by the body than supplements in tablet form.
Skinade promises to improve your skin health in just 30 days. You should notice better hydration, a more radiant complexion, a reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increased skin suppleness and healthier-looking hair and nails.
Skin needling (sometimes also referred to as microneedling) works by creating microscopic injuries in your skin using a special handheld device containing microscopic needles. Each tiny injury triggers your body’s natural healing response, causing it to create more collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid in the treatment area. This can help to tighten your skin, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation or acne scars.
The Radara system combines a specially formulated hyaluronic acid serum with micro-channelling patches that you can use at home for five minutes a day over four weeks. These patches mimic the effects of skin needling (as explained above) but can be used as part of your at-home skincare regime.
This is a gentle treatment designed for daily use that can help to stimulate fresh collagen and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The Zo® Red Carpet Peel is a gentle medical skin peel that can stimulate fresh collagen production, as well as exfoliating and nourishing your skin to look noticeably softer, brighter, and smoother post-treatment.
Profhilo is an exciting injectable skin remodelling treatment that instantly boosts your skin’s hydration but also stimulates fresh collagen and elastin production over a period of weeks post-treatment. This can enhance your skin quality for up to six months at a time, creating skin tightening, a clearer complexion, firmer skin and youthful hydration.
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Collagen plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin. By understanding how it’s produced and how it can be stimulated, we can take steps to help maintain our skin's strength, elasticity, and radiance throughout our lives.
If you like the sound of the treatments above or you want to discuss specific skin issues or goals, book a consultation for a thorough skin assessment and tailored treatment plan.