Collagen helps the skin’s cells to repair and renew. When collagen levels are high, the skin tends to be soft, smooth and plump. After the age of 20, the dermis layer produces 1% less collagen each year, which causes a decrease in elasticity leading to wrinkles and sagging. at skn bar rx, we are passionate about rejuvenating the skin by boosting collagen production through medical aesthetic treatments and products.
What is collagen & why is it important?
Collagen is your body’s most abundant and strongest protein. It is responsible for maintaining healthy joints and skin elasticity, or stretchiness. Collagen fibers are formed by the cross-linking and winding together of amino acids. It accounts for approximately 75% of the weight of your skin and approximately 30% of your total body protein mass. It is structurally made up of long protein fibers that provide strength to the skin and hold it together. Collagen aids in the repair and renewal of skin cells while also keeping the skin moist.
Collagen exists in at least 16 different forms in your body, including connective tissue, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, teeth, bones, heart valves, and even the cornea of your eyes. Although your skin contains a large amount of collagen when you’re young, as you age, the supply diminishes. Which is why the skin starts to look thinner and wrinkled.
What causes collagen depletion?
UV exposure
UV exposure can cause collagen to degrade faster than normal aging. It accomplishes this by penetrating the dermis, causing an abnormal buildup of elastin.
Smoking
As you may be aware, smoking is harmful to your health. Tobacco smoke contains a mix of chemicals that damage collagen and elastin. Tobacco use can reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to tissues. As a result, tissue is unable to regenerate and is more likely to become damaged and die.
Sugar and Refined Carbs
Sugar degrades collagen by breaking it down and rendering it. Glycation occurs when digested sugar bonds to the collagen in your skin. As a result, our skin loses elasticity and signs of aging such as wrinkles, lines, and discoloration emerge. Glycation also causes inflammation, which hastens the aging process.
Stress
Stress that isn’t relieved over time might harm your skin and other body systems. For instance, too much cortisol might hasten the loss of the proteins that give young skin its texture, collagen and elastin. This can cause drooping skin and early wrinkles.
Genetics and Age
How much collagen your body produces and breaks down depends in large part on genetics. The likelihood that your skin will continue to look excellent as you age is high if your parents and grandparents have had healthy skin for years. Since you have no control over this, it’s crucial to regulate your nutrition, your stress, and wear sunscreen. As you start aging your body starts producing less collagen. The skin becomes thinner, drier, and less elastic. The loss of collagen leads to wrinkle formation. Your body begins to lose collagen when you turn 30. The effects become noticeable after several years.
How to tell if you are lacking collagen
Indicators of collagen loss include stiff joints and wrinkled skin from elasticity loss. Additionally, less of the protein, which causes ulcers and digestive issues, is directly linked to gut health by collagen. Poor diet is the main factor, other than aging, in why people don’t have enough collagen.
Important nutrients that increase your body’s production of collagen include:
- Vitamin C
- Proline
- Glycine
- Zinc
Additionally, zinc supports collagen function by signaling bones to create collagen. Include as much of the following foods in your diet as possible: bone broth, citrus fruits, berries, green tea, yerba mate, cinnamon, extracts of licorice, mulberry or pomegranate, and the essential oils of basil, oregano, and thyme.
HOW TO PROTECT AND INCREASE COLLAGEN
There are many ways to boost collagens through diet and supplementation. These are some of the ways you can boost and protect collagen:
PEPTIDES AND ANTIOXIDANTS
Lab-created peptides have demonstrated potential as a component of skin creams that can promote skin growth and repair, and antioxidants protect skin against free radical damage. The Alto Advanced Serum and the Daily Power Defense are our favorite antioxidants to boost collagen and rejuvenate the skin.
RETINOL
Retinoids promote a rapid rate of cell turnover and increase collagen production. Popular for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, fading age spots and pigmentation, and creating a brighter and smoother complexion. Try AlphaRet Overnight Cream for a light proprietary blend that’s great for sensitive skin, or the Retinol Skin Brightener .25% for something a little more powerful.
CHEMICAL PEELS
Chemical peels involve the application of a type of “chemical agent” to the skin in order to exfoliate sun-damaged, thickened surface skin while stimulating collagen production for firmer skin. Peels performed on a regular basis (every 6-8 weeks) stimulate collagen, which improves the appearance of wrinkles. For a light (superficial) peel, try our Brightening Peel or our Renewal Peel. For dramatic results, try a medium-depth peel like our ZO 3-Step Peel.
MICRONEEDLING
Microneedling increases the production of collagen and other healing factors by causing trauma to the skin. Microneedling works by encouraging your skin to make more collagen. The procedure’s pinpricks causes little skin damage, and the skin responds by producing new collagen-rich tissue. This new skin tissue is more even in tone and texture. For a major boost in collagen production, try Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) added on to your next Microneedling treatment.
resurfacing lasers
The laser beam used in Resurfacing Lasers destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis). At the same time, the laser heats the underlying skin (dermis), which stimulates collagen production over time, resulting in dramatically better skin tone and texture. View our laser aesthetic treatments here.
SUN PROTECTANT
Unprotected sun exposure causes a variety of early aging signs in the skin, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging, uneven skin. One of the reasons is that UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, affecting the deeper layers. This can cause collagen fibers, which support the skin’s structure, to be damaged. While we are accustomed to think about sunscreen on hot summer days, those in the know understand the importance of wearing sunscreen all year round. Most skin care experts agree that wearing sunscreen every day is the most important thing you can do for your skin. It is never too late to begin a good habit. Because sun damage accumulates, a good broad-spectrum sunscreen can help protect newly formed skin cells and slow down collagen degradation. See our Top SPF Products for 2022 here!
