In case you’ve ever looked for an anti-aging skincare product, there’s little doubt you’ve heard of collagen. Many merchandise declare to “replenish collagen” or “boost collagen production” within the pores and skin. Whereas collagen does have a vital position in skincare, a few of these advertising claims might be deceptive. With a view to show you how to select one of the best product or therapy to deal with considerations resembling wrinkles, fantastic strains, or sagging pores and skin, this text will present a full clarification of the position of collagen in skincare.
Collagen: structural element of pores and skin
Collagen is the primary structural protein of the extracellular house in varied connective tissues, together with the dermis, the center layer of pores and skin that lies beneath the dermis. The connective tissue of the dermis gives energy and elasticity to the pores and skin by an extracellular matrix composed of collagen and elastin fibers, that are embedded in hyaluronan and proteoglycans.
In actual fact, collagen is essentially the most considerable protein within the human physique, making up from 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content material. Thus far, 29 forms of collagen have been described, nevertheless, over 90% of collagen all through the physique is of varieties 1 by 5, with sort 1 being essentially the most considerable. Beneath are the tissues and organs the place collagen varieties 1 by 5 might be discovered.
Collagen sort I: pores and skin, tendon, vascular, ligature, organs, bone
Collagen sort II: cartilage
Collagen sort III: reticulate fibers
Collagen sort IV: types foundation of cell basement membrane
Collagen sort V: present in tissues containing sort I
Of the 5 forms of collagen, sort I collagen is essentially the most considerable. This is sensible since this sort is discovered within the pores and skin, the biggest organ of the human physique. Along with offering energy and elasticity collagen additionally helps to exchange useless pores and skin cells.
Collagen manufacturing slows with age
Ageing ends in thinning of all three layers of the pores and skin: the dermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. The highest layer of the pores and skin, the dermis, gives a water-resistant barrier and protects the physique from exterior hurt. This layer covers the dermis, which comprises connective tissue, hair follicles, sweat glands, and collagen. Beneath the dermis is the hypodermis, a layer of subcutaneous tissue made up of adipose (fats) cells and connective tissue. Thinning of those layers is accompanied by a lower in collagen. Collagen manufacturing decreases by roughly 1% with every year of age after maturity (about age 21), resulting in a loss in firmness and elasticity of pores and skin. (Beauty Dermatology)
Collagen in a topical product is nugatory
Regardless of the necessary position of collagen in pores and skin, including collagen in a topical product is nugatory by way of anti-aging advantages. Whereas topically utilized collagen will moisturize the pores and skin, that’s in regards to the extent of what it might probably do. Making use of collagen topically has by no means been proven to stimulate collagen synthesis or development. It’s because collagens have molecular weights making them too giant to penetrate the highest layer of pores and skin. Usually solely molecules of measurement 500 Daltons or much less can successfully cross the pores and skin barrier.
What are you able to do to rebuild collagen?
Because you now perceive that utilizing topical collagen merchandise isn’t very efficient by way of anti-aging therapies, what are you able to do to rebuild collagen? Fortunately, there are fairly a number of therapy choices.
Topical vitamin C
Despite the fact that including collagen to a topical skincare product could also be ineffective, that doesn’t imply there aren’t topical merchandise that may enhance collagen manufacturing. For instance, topical vitamin C within the type of L-ascorbic acid with concentrations between 5 and 15% was confirmed to have a pores and skin anti-aging impact by inducing the manufacturing of collagen varieties I and III. (Dermatoendocrinol. 2012 )
Retinoids
The retinoid household includes vitamin A (retinol) and its pure derivatives resembling retinaldehyde, retinoic acid, and retinyl esters, in addition to numerous artificial derivatives (Antille et al 2004). Tretinoin (model identify Retin-A) is essentially the most studied and prescribed artificial spinoff of the retinoid household. Topical software of tretinoin can enhance the looks of photoaged pores and skin by stimulating new collagen manufacturing within the dermal layer of pores and skin. (Clin Interv Ageing. 2006) Whereas there are a number of over-the-counter merchandise formulated with retinol, tretinoin and different prescription retinoids have confirmed to be stronger and efficient when treating photoaged pores and skin. Thus, it’s best to seek the advice of together with your dermatologist to find out which retinoid is finest for you.
Chemical peels
Chemical peeling is an accelerated type of facial exfoliation created by acids that produce a managed damage to the pores and skin. Chemical peels can scale back the looks of wrinkles, fantastic strains, and lots of different pores and skin considerations by stimulating collagen transforming. The dermis heals in a number of days leading to an improved look of the pores and skin, smoother texture and decreased pigmentary irregularities.
Laser therapies
Just like chemical peels, laser therapies can stimulate collagen manufacturing by producing a managed damage to the pores and skin. One instance of an efficient laser therapy is the Clear + Good laser, which has been clinically confirmed to assist the pores and skin appear and feel youthful by selling collagen manufacturing to easy away the looks of fantastic strains, wrinkles, and uneven pores and skin tone and texture. Along with the Clear + Good laser, Dr. Jessica Krant at Artwork of Dermatology in New York Metropolis presents various laser and IPL therapies that can assist you obtain the graceful, youthful look you need.
In conclusion
It’s clear that the position of collagen in skincare is necessary from each a useful and beauty standpoint. The conventional getting older course of causes a lower within the pores and skin’s collagen manufacturing, giving rise to various widespread aesthetic pores and skin considerations, together with fantastic strains, wrinkles, and sagging pores and skin. Regardless of advertising claims, topically utilized collagen isn’t going to get you the outcomes you need by way of anti-aging and enhancing the firmness and elasticity of your pores and skin. To regain the supple, youthful look of your pores and skin, schedule a session with Dr. Jessica Krant to debate which therapy choice can be finest for you.