According to Medical News Today, Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, found in the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons. It is the substance that holds the body together. Collagen forms a scaffold to provide strength and structure.

Most commonly, we hear about Collagen when we speak of our skin and how it relates to the aging process. Collagen supports the skin’s structure and suppleness, making it integral for a youthful appearance. After our twenties, our production of Collagen starts to dramatically decrease and we start noticing the initial signs of aging; laxity, lines and wrinkles and loss of structure.There are various products and treatments available that claim to support the production and retention of this protein, so how do we determine what works and what doesn’t?

Let’s discuss diet and supplements.

There are so many products available that claim to support healthy skin, hair and nails with Collagen. The Collagen used comes from various sources and it comes in various forms; powders, pills and topical products. While some of these supplements come with benefits, actually being able to utilize them for your skin and the anti-aging effects is highly unlikely. Much like dieting and weight loss, you do not get to choose where you see the results. Since Collagen is used throughout your entire body; blood vessels, muscles, bones, tendons and skin, the probability that you will see a change, specifically targeting the skin on your face, is low. That is not to say that there aren’t benefits associated with these products, you just may not see them in the way you wish to. The same goes for increasing your dietary intake of Collagen supporting foods such as blueberries, green tea and other sources high in Vitamin C. All of these foods are beneficial but not a way to target any single concern or specific location.

 How can you specifically address the Collagen responsible for a youthful appearance? You target the area of need with cosmetic medical treatments such as micro-needling, laser resurfacing and Hyaluronic acid based injectables.

 Micro-needling is a treatment that utilizes tiny needles to penetrate the surface layer of skin, causing micro injuries to the tissue. By doing so, it triggers a healing response in the body to repair those channels, including new Collagen. The result is a smoother, tighter appearance of the surface of the skin.

 Similarly, laser resurfacing treatments cause areas of damage to the epidermis and dermis (depending on which laser treatment is used and how deep it goes) in order to activate the body’s healing response to regenerate new skin. Laser treatments can go deeper than micro-needling, so the healing process can be a bit longer but the results tend to be more dramatic and long-lasting.

 Finally, the use of fillers, which contain Hyaluronic acid can also stimulate Collagen production. Hyaluronic acid is an important compound for Collagen synthesis. By injecting the areas such as the nasal labial folds, marionette lines, Zygomatic arches etc., you will not only see the immediate benefit of the filler itself but you will also be stimulating your body to produce more collagen near the injection site.

 Even less invasive treatments, such as facial massage, can have benefits. By massaging and manipulating the skin, you will increase blood flow and circulation to the area, causing stimulation and a slight tightening of the tissue.

 Along with what you should be doing, are the things you should not be. Some of the biggest enemies to your skin’s health and its overall appearance are the sun and its damaging rays, smoking, excessive alcohol and exposure to free radicals. As much as you are trying to find options to add to your routine, you should be equally concerned about what to avoid or eliminate.

 As always, for best results, we would advise a combination of various therapies and a consultation with a skin care expert to put together a comprehensive and custom treatment plan. This plan will also include at home skin care recommendations and lifestyle tips to get the most out of your treatments.