Collagen

COLLAGEN IS WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT, SO WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT

In this article I will try and explain a little bit about collagen, what it is and why we need it, what happens as we get older and most importantly what we can do about it.

Collagen is responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity. It is found in connective tissue, skin, tendons, bones and cartilage. There are 28 known types of collagen with type 1 accounting for 90% of the collagen in the human body.  Type 1 and 3 collagen are key components of skin. They make up around 80% of the dry weight of our skin which in simple terms means that if you discount the weight of all the water in your skin, 80% of what is left is collagen.

Collagen is one of the most important proteins in the body and is particularly important when we start to consider the ageing process and the affect the ever-reducing levels of healthy collagen has on our skin and bones.

When considering the effect of collagen in our skin it might help to understand a little background science. Within the skin, we mainly find collagen in the dermis, where it is made by fibroblast cells. The fibroblasts are responsible for producing and maintaining collagen. Collagen fibres form a structural framework within the dermis which gives the skin strength, flexibility, and elasticity. They attach to the basement membrane of the epidermis, anchoring it in place, increasing skin resilience and preventing sagging. These properties plus many others make healthy, strong collagen essential for younger-looking bouncy and resilient skin. 

Healthy collagen is also essential for wound healing, whether this is a large cut or smaller wounds from facial treatments such as Microneedling. In fact, having healthy collagen can maximise the efficacy of professional treatments, as the skins healing response is more effective leading to improved results.

As we age our bones become less dense and brittle, breaking more easily and taking longer to heal. Studies have shown that daily collagen supplements can help make your bones denser, slowing the ageing process and helping your body to produce new bone. Some studies have shown that collagen supplements might even act as a mild pain reliever and may improve joint function. It might take 4-5 months of regular treatment to see results.

Now here are some scary facts about collagen…

1: As we get older, fibroblasts become less active, producing less collagen that is often poor quality. The amount of collagen that we have starts decreasing by 1% every year from our 20’s, well before we start to notice wrinkles. (Now that is scary) We also lose around 30% of our collagen in the first 5 years after menopause, accelerating sagging and wrinkle formation.

2: Extrinsically, UV exposure leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which damages collagen and accelerates ageing.

3: Smokers will experience damage to skin, as many chemicals in cigarette smoke damage collagen and elastin. Nicotine also narrows blood vessels which decreases the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin.

4: Collagen can also be damaged when blood sugar is continuously high. Glucose attaches to proteins in the skin (such as collagen and elastin) in a process known as glycation, this reaction damages the collagen leading to weak fragile collagen.

5: Lastly chronic stress increases levels of the hormone cortisol, which decreases the production of collagen, as well as increased abnormal, weak collagen.

So, what can we do? While we can’t do anything about getting older, we can minimise the factors that damage our collagen, keeping it healthy and as strong as possible. Avoiding excess sugar, stopping smoking, protecting ourselves from UV damage and engaging with ways to reduce and manage stress are all vital components of a holistic care routine. Pairing these lifestyle factors with smart ingredients and treatments is essential for thoroughly safeguarding collagen. 

In last month’s magazine I discussed anti-ageing treatments and not surprisingly, many of these treatments rely on stimulating our lazy fibroblasts in order to produce new stronger and more efficient collagen. I discussed skin peels, laser treatments, phototherapy using the LED light (Dermalux), dermal fillers and botulinum toxin injections and microneedling. 

Over the last few years there has been considerable research undertaken to assess the effect of collagen supplements, not only the possible health benefits but also to assess any potential side effects, i.e., the safety profile. Well, the good news… there is now substantial evidence that collagen supplements are associated with many health benefits with very few known side effects. Supplements may increase muscle mass, prevent bone loss, relieve joint pain and improve skin health by reducing wrinkles and dryness. There is also evidence there is a positive effect on hair and nails.

It is very important if you decide to embark on collagen supplements that you buy “the right ones” as the market is becoming swamped with “the best collagen supplements ever”. 

In our clinics we recommend ZENii Skin Fusion.  It is an incredible blend of high strength marine collagen, (10,000mg), hyaluronic acid, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in a highly bioavailable liquid form. It is ultimate in anti-ageing and skin health support and is ideal for anyone who wants to press the pause button on the ageing process and to boost the strength, quality and quantity of their collagen. Combine this with one or more of our in-clinic treatments and you really are going to see the effects.

Please give the clinics a call or send us an email, message or Instagram and we can answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon.