The function of Collagen in your skin
If you’ve ever looked for an anti-aging skincare product, you’ve probably come across collagen at some point. Many skin care products claim to “enhance collagen” or “increase collagen production.” While collagen plays an important role in skin care, some of the marketing claims made about it can sometimes be misleading.
Collagen is the primary structural protein in the skin’s middle layer under the epidermis. The dermis’ connective tissue provides skin strength and elasticity from an extracellular matrix made up of collagen and elastin fibres embedded in hyaluronan and proteoglycans. In fact, it is the main component for providing 25-35% of the protein in our entire bodies!
Collagen production slows with age
The epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis all thin out with age. The epidermis, or top layer of the skin, serves as a waterproof shield which protects the body from damage from the outside environment. Connective tissue, hair follicles, sweat glands, and collagen are also found in the dermis, which is covered by this sheet. The hypodermis, a layer of subcutaneous tissue made up of adipose (fat) cells and connective tissue, lies beneath the dermis. The loss of collagen is accompanied by the thinning of these layers. After reaching maturity (around age 21), collagen production declines by about 1% per year, resulting in a loss of skin firmness and elasticity.
So does applying Collagen creams actually work?
Despite the importance of collagen in the skin, including it in a topical product provides no anti-aging benefits. Collagen can moisturise the skin when applied topically, but that’s about all it can do. Collagen has never been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis or growth when applied topically. Collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the top layer of skin due to their molecular weights. Only molecules with a size of 500 Daltons or less can effectively pass through the skin barrier.
What can you do to rebuild collagen?
What can you do to rebuild collagen now that you know topical collagen products aren’t very effective in terms of anti-aging treatments? Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options available.
Topical vitamin C
Even if adding collagen to a topical skincare product is ineffective, that doesn’t rule out the possibility of finding a topical product that can boost collagen production. Topical vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid, at concentrations of 5 to 15%, has been shown to have an anti-aging effect on the skin by inducing collagen production.
Retinoids
Vitamin A (retinol) and its natural derivatives such as retinaldehyde, retinoic acid, and retinyl esters, as well as a large number of synthetic derivatives, make up the retinoid family. Tretinoin (brand name Retin-A) is the most researched and prescribed retinoid synthetic derivative. By stimulating new collagen production in the dermal layer of the skin, tretinoin can improve the appearance of photoaged skin. While there are a number of over-the-counter retinol products available, tretinoin and other prescription retinoids have been shown to be more potent and effective in the treatment of photoaged skin. As a result, it’s best to talk to your dermatologist about which retinoid is right for you.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peeling is a more rapid form of facial exfoliation that uses acids to cause a controlled skin injury. Chemical peels stimulate collagen remodelling, which helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other skin concerns. In a few days, the epidermis heals, giving the skin a better appearance, smoother texture, and fewer pigmentary irregularities.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments, like chemical peels, can stimulate collagen production by causing a controlled injury to the skin. The Clear + Brilliant laser, which has been clinically proven to help the skin look and feel younger by promoting collagen production to smooth away the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone and texture, is one example of an effective laser treatment.
Conclusion
Collagen plays an important role in skin care from both a functional and a cosmetic standpoint. The normal ageing process causes the skin’s collagen production to decrease, resulting in a variety of aesthetic skin concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. THIS NEEDS TO BE REFERRED BACK TO US AND OUR PRODUCT OFFERING IN SOME WAY!