It’s all about the collagen…

It’s all about the collagen, stupid!...

as Bill Clinton coulda/shoulda said. Collagen is the main structural protein within the body, including in our largest organ, the skin (type 1 collagen). Collagen is in fact about 30% of our total protein. Like all proteins it is made of small building blocks called amino acids.

Collagen influences the condition of our skin, assisting in keeping it hydrated, strong and supple. As we age, we lose more and produce less collagen. In the skin, from our early 20s, we produce about 1% less collagen year on year resulting in a whopping 75% or more reduction in skin thickness as we age! As a result, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile. This is called ‘intrinsic aging’. In addition, there is ‘extrinsic aging’ as a result of sun exposure and environmental damage (e.g., smoking and exposure to pollutions). 

Combined, intrinsic and extrinsic aging makes the skin appear rough, uneven in tone and pigmentation, with development of brown patches, sunspots and wrinkles. The skin can also appear thin and crepe like.

As the skin thins and loses strength, it no longer provides adequate support against the effects of gravity. Allowing the skin to develop fresh collagen can help to both reduce looseness (by thickening and hydrating the skin) and prevent it from getting worse (by strengthening the skin).

So, how to get this miraculous boost of collagen? 

For the best results aim to stay ahead of the game (preservation). Happily though, even once damage has set in, we can (almost) always improve things (rejuvenation). 

Collagen is a large molecule and cannot be absorbed through the skin or gut. The amino acid building blocks can however. That said, unless the body is inclined to build these back in to type 1 collagen in the skin (which it isn’t), there is no reason for it to do so. 

Luckily, although the skin reduces production of collagen as we age, it does not lose the ability. All we have to do is give it the correct instruction. Whilst the instruction might start at the mild end initially, we can add in further commands as required. Think of it as being a bit like treating pain, you might start with Panadol and add in Ibuprofen if required. You may then be prescribed something stronger to be taken in addition to these (this is the ‘analgesic ladder’) if necessary. 

We, on the other hand will climb the collagen ladder, usually starting with the PicoSure Pro laser as it is incredibly effective, non-invasive and with no downtime. Sidesteps on the ladder can be the addition of wrinkle relaxers and fillers to the mix but increased collagen should be the primary aim (100% natural as you are making it after all!) to give longer lasting and natural  results