Collagen: Boosting The Ultimate Anti-Aging Protein
While you have probably heard about collagens’ benefits to the skin you may not be aware of exactly what collagen is and why it’s important for healthy looking and feeling skin. Here’s an overview of collagen: why it’s important, how aging decreases collagen production, and what you can do to raise your collagen levels.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein that is naturally created by the human body. It is the main structural protein found body’s connective tissue and muscle. In fact collagen is thought to make up 25% to 45% of the body’s total protein content (Source). Collagen fibers can be found in many parts of the human body including the skin, tendons, ligaments, bones, blood vessels, and teeth. Collagen supports the functioning of bodily organs, plays a large role in the body’s healing process, and is essential for skin health. To date 29 types of collagen have been identified. Over 90% of the collagen in the body is of type I-IV, with the most abundant being Type 1.
•Collagen Type One: skin, tendon, vascular, ligature, organs, bone
•Collagen Type Two: cartilage
•Collagen Type Three: reticulate fibers
•Collagen Type Four: forms bases of cell basement membrane
How Collagen Effects the Skin
Collagen maintains the integrity of the skin. That is collagen gives the skin its strength and elasticity, two primary components of the plump and youthful appearance of healthy skin. Additionally collagen plays a key role in cellular renewal: the process by which old skin that’s shed from the top layer of the epidermis is replaced by new skin.
Type 1 collagen is the best type of collagen for use in a skin supplement. It is well established that collagen is responsible for skin strength and elasticity, and its degradation leads to wrinkles that accompany aging.
As we get older, our body’s collagen production reduces which can result in an increase of wrinkles and fine lines, and decreasing smoothness and suppleness of the skin. But, these signs of aging can be treated or slowed down if total body collagen levels can be increased.
Normal Aging Decreases Collagen Production
Along with normal aging comes a decrease in collagen production, along with decreases in the production of other proteins related to the metabolic process. For most people collagen production tends to fall drastically by the age of 40.
When collagen production diminishes for any reason, the result can be weaker skin, breaks in the protein fibers, and eventually, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Less collagen production results in a lower cellular turnover rate, meaning newer and fresher looking skin is slower to appear.
The reduction in collagen levels is also responsible for a decrease in elasticity of the skin, the reason for the formation of wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin. Diminished collagen levels can give skin an ashy (dry) and rough appearance.
Collagen is produced by fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are connective tissue cells in the skin, which is responsible not only for the production and organization of collagen, but also for the provision of elastin and hyaluronic acid in skin.
Fibroblasts are sensitive to physical and chemical stimuli that can activate or even multiply them. The activation of fibroblasts results in increased production of collagen.
To put it simply … Fibroblasts play a leading role in the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.
Collagen Boosting treatments and skin care Products
Collagen formation process is rather complex. Getting familiar with the process should make us able to better understand the importance of collagen in our body, but also the multiple benefits of hydrolyzed collagen. Synthesis of new collagen by fibroblasts of our skin is usually done during bedtime from 1:00 a.m. until 4:00 a.m.
Initially, the genetic information is “read” codified in DNA (transcription process) and “translated» (translation process) for the production of single polypeptide chains (a-chains).
Each polypeptide chain has a terminal peptide sequence, known as trimerization domain that results in the synthesis of polypeptide chains to form molecules pro-collagen.
Finally, terminal peptides are cleaved during the curing process for the formation of collagen.
To put it simply… The greater fibroblasts activation we achieve, the more collagen our body produces!
Our body produces collagen every day. But this production declines over time and the available quantity quickly becomes inadequate. The need to strengthen our body’s collagen is imperative. Thus, during sleep, our body burns calories and looses weight as a function of the collagen in our body.
Fortunately there are ways to increase your collagen levels and achieve radiant and youthful looking skin. The following treatments and products can help add collagen back into your skin:
RetiNew A16 Ultimate Refine Cellular Facial. Retinew A16 speeds up skin renewal by activating the skin’s growth factors as well as the fibroblasts, which produce collagen.
Skin Master Rejuvenation with MLM. 10 years of research at the University of Rome that proves it collagen boosting technology!
Imperium Radio Frequency Collagen bio stimulation.
CIT Micro needling – or Medical Skin Needling using Bio-selected collagen and hyaluronic acid for amazing results.
Clinic Way – revolutionary line of skin care products for fibroblasts stimulation using unique transdermal delivery technology LIPO-SPHERE and unique FGF1 LMS fibroblasts growth factors.
Doctor Babor PRO EGF Growth Factor Concentrate to promote youthful skin on all 3 levels.
Doctor Babor Pro EGF & Collagen Boosting Cream. The top seller cosmeceutical product.
Polypeptides are even more powerful than regular amino acids. Polypeptides are chains of bonded amino acids that are also found in some other collagen boosting skincare products.
Retinol and Retinoids stimulate collagen production while thickening the deep layers of the skin. Discover RetiNew A16 – safe and innovative alternative to retinol, which is 16 times more effective.
Hyaluronic Acid is a substance naturally made by the body that gives skin volume. Hyaluronic Acid based dermal fillers like Teosyal, Belotera work to attract and bind water; boosting fullness between the collagen and elastic fibers of the skin. For skin care products enriched with hyaluronic acid please visit our web page.
Lifestyle Changes
Stress Less: Stress has been known to spur the body to produce cortisol, a hormone which breaks down collagen bonds. So if you are constantly stressing your body is literally destroying precious collagen. Find time each day to practice proven stress relief techniques like meditation or yoga. Try to have a positive outlook on life and surround yourself with family and friends. Your skin will thank you!
Exercise Daily: There is a high correlation between maintaining healthy collagen levels and having a healthy metabolism. Indeed, regularly exercising can result in increased collagen production. Shoot for 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily.
Proper Sun Protection: Overexposure to UV rays disrupts collagen production. Make sure to practice proper sun protection like using a broad spectrum sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF), refraining from tanning, and avoiding peak sun hours.
Vitamin C: A diet containing sufficient amounts of vitamin C has been shown to enhance collagen synthesis. Make sure to regularly eat vitamin C rich foods daily, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries, broccoli, dark leafy greens, and peas. Vitamin C skin care products available at Avora Skin Spa, Coquitlam.
Stop Smoking: Heavy smokers are nearly five times more likely to develop wrinkles at an early age compared to non-smokers. Smoking produces collagen destroying enzymes which disrupt collagen production and imitate premature aging. Yet another reason to put down the cigarettes!
SPF isn’t just for avoiding skin cancer
UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays weaken the skin’s support system of collagen and elastin – thereby accelerating the skin’s aging process. Protect your skin and keep your complexion looking its best by using sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection every day to avoid damaging your skin! Avora Skin Spa offers wide selection of effective skin care with SPF
