Blog #9: Collagen
Collagen is the most common and abundant form of protein in the body. You can find it in your hair, nails, muscles, bones, and more. In the skin, it presents in form of fibers. It is responsible for skin firmness, turgor, and youthful-looking skin texture. If you remove all water from the skin, collagen will be 70%.
Collagen is produced by specialized cells called fibroblasts. As we grow older, however, our body's collagen factories slow production. Cream that contains collagen can’t replace damaged dermal collagen. So we can only stimulate fibroblast can be stimulated to produce more collagen by certain ingredients such as:
- Tretinoids
- Long-term use of Alpha Hydroxy acids
- Ascorbic Acid/ Vitamin C
- Peptides
- Royal jelly
- Botanical extracts as Centella Asiatica and Echinacea Angustifolia
If we talk about treatments, it can be
- Microneedeling- increases the production of collagen and other healing factors by causing trauma to the skin
- Light Devices – Red light at LED devices stimulate collagen production
- Lasers can also stimulate collagen production
Others:
- Daily use of SPF is the most effective treatment for maintaining the quality of collagen.
- Correct and healthy diet. Like egg whites and meat, vitamin C in oranges and berries, beans and etc.
- Less sugar and refined carbs intake. Sugar causes cross-linking of collagen, resulting in stiffening and loss of elasticity of our skin
- Less tress
Collagen Supplements
Collagen supplements, often referred to as collagen peptides, can come from a variety of animal sources. You can find it in different forms like raw, gelatine, or hydrolyzed.
Now I will tell you my personal opinion
I spend quite some time finding scientific evidence showing that ingestion of collagen supplements increases the amount of collagen on the skin. Yes, there are articles indicating that it is increasing, but researches are made by companies of production of that supplements, or very little amount of people participate. Can we trust them? don't know
There is one thing that is clear that hydration level increases in your skin.
So in my opinion, that supplements can be beneficial, but there is no pure evidence of collagen boost, but your hydration level may increase. So if you want to take them, yes please, but if you take any medication, please consult with your home doctor that there are no contradictions.
