What is Collagen? Do you need it?
Learn about collagen, what it is exactly, its role in reverse aging, and what we can do about the inevitable loss of collagen with age.
We all hear about how collagen decreases with age, and as a result, our skin becomes more prone to wrinkles…but what is collagen exactly and what can we do about its loss?
Aging is an inevitable fact of life, and with it comes wrinkles and fine lines. But what exactly causes our skin to age? Why does it age? How can we prevent the look of aging? The simple answer to all of these questions is… collagen!
A deeper look into how collagen impacts the skin
Collagen, in the simplest of terms, can be described as the main ingredient or protein that holds the structure in our joints, tissues and skin together. Collagen is a protein naturally found in the skin, bones, muscles, cartilage, and tendons. Contrary to popular belief, we have a tonne of collagen in our bodies. About 25 percent to 35 percent of the protein in our bodies is made up of collagen, making it the most abundant protein in our bodies. It is the main ingredient of connective tissue found in our skin, which is why it is termed as holding everything together or keeping everything tight. It is the reason your skin has elasticity and buoyancy.
And then it changes…
When does collagen production stop?
From the age of 25, the amount of collagen your body has, and the rate it gets produced starts to decrease. Over time, more and more collagen is lost. This is why, as you age, you see wrinkles in the skin, increased joint issues, and so forth. Most women experience a drastic change in their skin during menopause, and after 60 years old it is normal to have a considerable decline in collagen production. As you age, collagen production slows leading to sagging or tired-looking skin. Researchers suggest you experience approximately 1 percent of collagen loss per year.
Types of collagen
There are various types of collagen found in the body, main types being 1, 2 and 3. However, for the purposes of aesthetics, let’s group them into two main groups:
- endogenous collagen: the natural collagen found in our bodies that develops naturally but decreases in production over time.
- exogenous collagen: synthetic and is used to treat a number of cosmetic and medical procedures.
Treatments that help improve collagen production (anti-aging or reverse aging)
So now that we understand what collagen is, and the fact it decreases with age, and thus plays a major role in the aging of the skin, what can we do about it?
Many people are turning to collagen supplements or topical applications.
However, beauty and skin experts may argue that the best treatment is collagen induction through laser treatments and skin rejuvenation.
Sublime Skin Tightening
At Magic Laser and Aesthetics, here in Toronto, we use the power of the eTwo from Syneron Candela to tighten skin and shorten old collagen fibres to improve the production of new collagen cells.
Sublime Skin Tightening combines both bi-polar RF energy and deep infrared heat to target the dermis layer of the skin, and the controlled deep dermal heating shortens aged collagen fibres and leads to the production of new collagen fibres. This helps reduce the look of wrinkles, fine lines, and improves the look of skin laxity and texture.
Although Sublime Skin Tightening may be used on other parts of the body, the face and neck are by far the most common target areas. The head of the machine carefully glides over the skin and releases heat.
- Each session is approximately 20 minutes and you may return to your normal daily routine immediately after the treatment.
- Treatments will need to be spaced at least two weeks apart. It is not a painful procedure and most patients describe the feeling as a deep tissue massage.
Sublative Skin Rejuvenation
Sublative Skin Rejuvenation or Laser Skin Resurfacing is a non-invasive skin treatment that works to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production, to reveal smoother, clearer and more even skin. The sublative technology reaches deep into the dermis and encourages the production of collagen and elastin which resurfaces the skin from the inside out. Using electrode pins, the energy is sent deep into the layers to induce wound healing, in turn inducing collagen production. Sublative does not disrupt the epidermal layer of skin, allowing you to get back to your regular daily schedule immediately post-treatment.
Sublative Skin Resurfacing helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and even acne scars.
- Depending on your skin type, the number of sessions needed varies from patient to patient.
- Appointments are scheduled about six weeks apart, and the appearance of the patient’s skin will look better and better over time as the technology helps the skin improve from the inside out.
Want to learn more?
Contact us directly and book a consultation, we would be happy to walk you through the use of laser technology to turn back time and increase your collagen production…on the road to healthier, more youthful skin.
Click here to book a consultation.
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At Magic Laser and Aesthetics, we specialize in facial treatments and skin care. We are able to review your skin and suggest the treatments and products best suited for your skin health, skin goals, including anti-aging.
