Lately, it feels like the world is passive-aggressively telling us that every orifice and pore in your body needs to be constantly slathered or ingesting collagen, lest you shrivel up like a raisin. It’s headlining in every skincare product, your coffee creamer, and every supplement—so what’s the deal with collagen? Let’s get into it.
What is collagen and what does it do?
Collagen is a vital protein found in your body. It’s in connective tissues like tendons, ligaments, bones, and of course your skin. In the skin, collagen plays a crucial role in maintaining elasticity, firmness, and hydration, all of which gives your skin its youthful, bouncy appearance and helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Collagen also helps repair and regenerate damaged tissues on skin like wounds, acne scars, and cuts.
How do we lose collagen in our skin?
As we get older, our body’s ability to produce collagen naturally declines which leads to wrinkles, sagging skin, and overall loss of elasticity. Sun exposure, pollution, smoking, and poor nutrition accelerate collagen depletion in the skin.
What is “collagen banking”?
You might have seen this term being thrown around by beauty and wellness brands to instill fear about aging (surprise), but fear not— “collagen banking” is just referring to the practice of taking proactive measures to preserve and protect your body’s collagen levels.
Four easy collagen banking strategies
- Diet—Eating fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins that are rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and antioxidants can support collagen production
- Collagen supplements — Typically available in powders, capsules, or drinks.
- Sun Protection - Using consistent SPF and avoiding the sun prevent UV damage which can accelerate collagen breakdown
- Skincare - Incorporating skincare products with ingredients proven to stimulate collagen production
Do topical collagen skincare products work?
Yes, but perhaps not in the way you would think it would. Although it hasn’t been shown to boost collagen in your skin, topical collagen helps moisturize and improve skin texture.
Skincare ingredients proven to stimulate collagen:
Retinol, vitamin C, peptides, and growth factors can help hydrate, plump, and increase skin elasticity by telling your cells to produce more collagen.
Our collagen-boosting lineup
- The Total Package moisturizer is packed with 6(!) different peptides including, sh-Polypeptide-121, a bioidentical collagen peptide proven to reduce wrinkles, firm, and improve elasticity.
- Double Feature and Eye Contact feature peptides, time-release retinol, and retinoids to hydrate, target hyperpigmentation, and visibly smooth and plump fine lines for more youthful-looking skin.
- Master Plan serum is made with a unique blend of peptides and human-derived growth factor (we call it Cell Service™️) to promote intrinsic skin repair and boost collagen stores.
Two collagen-stimulating procedures Dr. Jeanniton offers at Brooklyn Face & Eye are microneedling and Sofwave therapy:
Microneedling involves creating tiny punctures on the surface of skin with fine needles, stimulating the body's natural healing process. This process boosts collagen and elastin production, leading to improved skin texture, firmness, and elasticity. Additionally, microneedling enhances the absorption of topical skincare products, further supporting collagen synthesis and skin rejuvenation.
Sofwave therapy utilizes acoustic waves to stimulate collagen production in the middle depth of the skin, enhancing tissue regeneration to promote collagen and elastin, resulting in skin lifting and tightening.
In conclusion, by incorporating these practices into your routine, whether through diet, skincare, or professional procedures—you can promote skin rejuvenation and achieve a healthy, radiant complexion at any age.
