What is Collagen?

In this blog we will explore what collagen is and how you can boost Collagen production and protect the collagen you already have.

Collagen accounts for around 30% of our body’s protein.  It is a structural protein that serves as the building block of our skin, hair, nails, and connective tissues. Think of it as the scaffolding that provides strength, elasticity, and firmness to our skin.  As we age, however, the natural production of collagen decreases, leading to the formation of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.

Collagens primary function is to maintain the skin’s integrity by ensuring it remains plump, hydrated, and resilient. Collagen is responsible for promoting cell turnover, healing wounds, and maintaining the overall health of our skin.

As we age, external factors such as sun exposure, pollution, and lifestyle choices can accelerate collagen depletion. This depletion contributes to the visible signs of aging.  In fact, we lose around 1% of our collagen every year after the age of 30. Stress, lack of sleep and pollution can all accelerate this decline.

What are the Benefits to protecting our Collagen Synthesis?

1. Boost Hydration: One of collagen’s key roles is retaining moisture in the skin. Its molecular structure allows it to act as a natural moisturiser, preventing dryness and promoting a radiant complexion. Regular use of collagen-infused products can result in a visibly plumper and well-hydrated skin.
2. Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Lines:  By restoring the skin’s elasticity and hydration levels, collagen minimizes the signs of aging, leaving you with smoother and more youthful-looking skin.
3. Improve Skin Elasticity: Collagen is the secret behind skin elasticity. As we age, our skin loses its ability to bounce back, leading to sagging and laxity. Collagen helps restore and maintain the skin’s elasticity, giving it a firmer and more lifted appearance.
4. Promote Wound Healing: Collagen is not just about aesthetics; it plays a crucial role in the skin’s healing process. Whether you have acne scars or minor wounds, collagen aids in tissue regeneration, contributing to faster and more effective healing.
5. Enhance Skin Texture: Uneven skin texture can be a concern for many individuals. Collagen helps smooth out the skin’s surface by promoting the production of new skin cells. This results in a refined and more even complexion.

Incorporating Collagen into Your Skincare Routine

Now that we’ve explored the myriad benefits of collagen, the next question is: How can you incorporate it into your skincare routine? Fortunately, there are various options available, catering to different preferences and lifestyles.

1. Collagen-Infused Creams and Serums: Topical applications such as collagen-infused creams and serums are a popular choice. These products are designed to be applied directly to the skin, delivering a concentrated dose of collagen to target specific concerns.
2. Collagen Boosting Creams and Serums:  Dermalogica’s latest serum, Pro Collagen Banking serum is quite unique in that it helps to preserve the collagen your skin has now. Check it out in our shop, here.
3. Collagen Supplements: For a holistic approach, consider incorporating collagen supplements into your daily routine. These can come in the form of powders, capsules, or liquids and are often packed with additional nutrients to support overall skin health.
4. Collagen-Boosting Foods: Don’t forget the role of nutrition in skincare. Include collagen-boosting foods in your diet, such as bone broth, fish, and fruits rich in vitamin C, which is essential for collagen synthesis.

Demalogica Pro-Collagen Banking serum:

Pro-Collagen Banking Serum is packed with amino acids which are the building blocks of collagen. Key ingredients are delivered to where your skin needs them, preserving the collagen your skin already has, resulting in a more radiant, plumper and more luminous skin, not just now but in the future.

Active Ingredients:

1. Pro-collagen Preservation Complex: Collagen Amino Acids and Carnosine Dipeptide helps save collagen
2. Jojoba Ester and Polyglutamic Acid: Nourish and plump for a firmer appearance
3. Wild Indigo Extract and Argenine PCA:  Help restore skins luminosity
4. Pink Carnation Flower Extract: Helps improve skins softness and resilience

What professional treatments can help to boost collagen?

Here at Beauty By Davinia, we offer a range of facial treatments that can help to boost collagen production.  If you are unsure which one is the best for you, please drop me an email or give me a call and I will be happy to help.

1. Microneedling and LED Light Therapy: Microneedling activates the skins repair process by stimulating the fibroblast cells, those responsible for collagen production, while red LED light can be added to this treatment to reduce inflammation and boost collagen formation.
2. Radio-Frequency Collagen lift: Radiofrequency waves stimulate collagen and elastin production with no downtime, to firm, plump and tighten the skin.

Collagen Supplements

While topical applications of collagen are renowned for their skin-rejuvenating properties, supplements can also be of great benefit to the skin. Collagen supplements, available in various forms like powders, capsules, and liquids, offer a holistic approach to skincare by nourishing your skin from the inside out.

One of the key benefits of taking collagen as a supplement is its ability to promote skin elasticity and hydration. As we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, leading to a decline in skin firmness and the onset of fine lines. Collagen supplements provide the necessary building blocks for the body to maintain its collagen levels, resulting in visibly plumper and more supple skin.

Conclusion

Understanding collagen and its pivotal role in skin health and aging is essential for devising an effective skincare strategy. As the primary structural protein in the body, collagen provides the foundation for skin elasticity, hydration, and firmness. Protecting collagen synthesis through various means, such as topical applications like Dermalogica’s Pro-Collagen Banking serum, collagen-boosting supplements, and professional treatments like microneedling and radio-frequency collagen lift, is crucial for maintaining youthful and radiant skin. By preserving existing collagen and promoting its production, we can mitigate the visible signs of aging, including wrinkles and fine lines, and achieve a smoother, more resilient complexion that defies the passage of time.