Is it possible to restore collagen in the skin?
Collagen molecules are shaped like triple springs that are embedded in the tissue. This property ensures the density and elasticity of the skin, in which it returns to its original state even with strong stretching.
Over time, collagen springs become weaker and do not return to their twisted shape well. Because of this, the former elasticity of the skin and its turgor are lost. It recovers worse and becomes flabby.
The main peak of collagen fiber destruction occurs during the period of decreased sexual activity. This is due to a decrease in hormone production. Estrogen levels in menopausal women rapidly decrease, which leads to rapid aging and the appearance of wrinkles. In men, testosterone production decreases gradually, so they develop wrinkles more slowly.
A reduced amount of collagen leads to more than just cosmetic problems. Its consequence, along with wrinkles, sagging skin, and increased dryness, are the following manifestations:
- Poor mobility of joints, pain in them, crunching caused by wear and destruction of cartilage.
- Reduced bone density and strength, susceptibility to fractures, which heal with great difficulty.
- Low strength of blood vessel walls.
- Brittle hair and nails.
All these signs have a negative impact on both health and appearance. Modern women, even during menopause, remain highly active and energetic, so they want to maintain their attractiveness and thick, smooth skin. This requires restoring collagen production and using the right cosmetics.
Collagen and elastin
In order for the skin to remain young and beautiful for a long time, collagen alone is not enough. It’s not for nothing that when it comes to elasticity and firmness, we immediately remember another protein called elastin.
Two proteins, collagen and elastin, are present in the dermis and are produced by fibroblasts, connective tissue cells. Coming out of the fibroblast, elastin forms flexible threads. This process occurs in the intercellular space. Proteins form the basis of the skin: thanks to elastin, the skin can stretch, and collagen serves as support for the epidermis.
As for the amino acid composition of elastin, it contains proline, alanine, valine, glycine, isodesmosine, desmosine. This protein promotes rapid cell recovery. With enough of it, wounds, cuts, and burns heal faster.
When thinking about how to prolong the youth of our skin, we often focus all our attention on collagen, and elastin plays a secondary role. This is unfair, since it has unique properties, the main one of which is the ability to stretch, changing its original dimensions several times. It also perfectly absorbs moisture, thanks to which the tissues are guaranteed maximum hydration.
Elastin and collagen work in close tandem and are the key to the beauty and youth of the skin.
Use of collagen for cosmetic purposes
In order to make the skin more youthful and elastic, the following methods are used:
- Stimulating the body's own production of collagen.
- Application of collagen externally – internally and externally.
There are three types of collagen depending on its origin:
- Animal is the cheapest and most accessible type, produced from the tissues of cattle as a hydrolysate. This substance has a number of disadvantages. Due to its large molecules, it does not penetrate the skin well and can provoke allergic reactions. Due to mad cow disease, bovine collagen is not in great demand. This type of substance can also be obtained from pig or donated human tissue.
- Plant collagen is obtained from wheat proteins, it is much less likely to become a source of allergies, and is perfectly absorbed by humans. But the method of obtaining it is complex and expensive, moreover, in the full sense of the word this substance cannot be called collagen, since it is present exclusively in the tissues of living beings: birds, fish, animals.
- Marine collagen is obtained from fish skin. It is highly digestible, but easily provokes allergic reactions. To reduce negative manifestations, a component is used that is obtained from freshwater fish specially bred under controlled conditions.
Ways to restore collagen
The synthesis of collagen by the body is associated with the presence of the proper amount of vitamins, especially vitamin C. An equally significant role is played by the presence of other important substances - vitamins A, E and D, as well as components for the formation of proteins - amino acids.
The main ways to restore high collagen levels:
- Proper, balanced and enriched nutrition with vitamins and minerals. The diet should be varied and nutritious, rich in foods containing collagen.
- Use of dietary supplements. Dietary supplements are present on the market in huge quantities. The question of choice is only to identify the safest and most proven, effective product from a well-known one. Various collagen preparations from Japanese companies have proven themselves to be excellent.
Cosmetics containing collagen
There are many different products containing collagen on the market. These are tonics, lotions, serums, creams and masks from many manufacturers from around the world. When using them, you need to take into account the possibility of an individual reaction to the composition.
Masks are most often used. They can be fabric, impregnated with special active serums with this substance, as well as powder, which must be diluted immediately before use. All these means are convenient and effective, but only with long-term use in courses, and not once.
Making masks at home
The basis for such products is most often food gelatin. It acts as the basis of a mask or cream, which may include many auxiliary components.
Gelatin is diluted as written on the package. The composition includes mashed ripe banana. Kefir or yogurt and a teaspoon of wheat flour are added to the mask for oily skin; oatmeal and fresh fat milk are added to the composition for dry skin. The mixture is mixed and applied in a thick layer. The dried mask is soaked using a sponge dipped in milk or fermented milk products, then washed off. The mask not only rejuvenates, but also perfectly nourishes aging skin.
To obtain the product, take the following components:
- Gelatin.
- Glycerol.
- Fresh liquid honey.
- Pure water.
All components are measured out into a teaspoon, mixed, applied to the face for 20 - 30 minutes, and washed off carefully with warm water.
This product is intended for lifting and is suitable for different skin types, depending on what will complement the main mass. For the base, gelatin is prepared as described on the package.
Any fermented milk product is added to the finished gelatin, for example, natural yogurt without fillers and sugar, kefir, yogurt. This mask cleanses and tightens the skin well, moisturizes it, lightens pigmentation and blackheads. To obtain a thicker mass, add flour or black bread crumb to the mixture. The latter option is ideal for very oily, porous and rough skin with enlarged pores and poor complexion.
This type of skin requires more nutrition, so high-fat milk or cream, as well as ground oatmeal, are added to the product to thicken and enhance its properties.
When applying gelatin masks, it is important to be at rest, lie relaxed, not talk or grimace.
- Brightening mask
Mashed vegetables are added to the prepared gelatin, for example, cucumber crushed into pulp. The mask has another useful property - it not only lightens pigmentation, but also perfectly moisturizes the epidermis.
The effect of cosmetics with collagen
The use of collagen in different forms, especially the combination of oral intake in the form of dietary supplements and in the form of masks, creams and serums externally helps maintain dense, elastic skin, prevents sagging tissues and changes in the oval of the face, and the early appearance of wrinkles.
At the same time, homemade masks are no less effective and help with different skin types. With their help you can achieve the following results:
- Activation of cell renewal processes.
- Strengthening tissue regeneration.
- Improving blood supply to all layers of the skin.
- Restoring tissue firmness and elasticity.
- Pronounced improvements in facial contours, reduction of sagging and wrinkles.
- Changing the oval of the face.
- Removing toxins.
- Reduces signs of aging.
In order to get pronounced and long-term results, you need to make masks with collagen, use creams and essences, as well as dietary supplements with this important component regularly, over a long period of time.
Cost of collagen preparations
The price of collagen-based products is almost always high. Some drugs are affordable, but many are quite expensive, which prevents patients from taking long courses.
A drug | Cost of the product |
Solarey | The price of the product starts from 3000 rubles. per package and depends on the quantity of the product and the region of its distribution. |
Doctor's Best | The cost of the supplement is approximately 2300-3500 rubles. |
Kolagen Activ Plus | The price of the package starts from 840 rubles. On the manufacturer's official website it is usually lower than in pharmacies and specialty stores. |
Youtheory | The cost of the supplement starts from 1500 rubles. |
Now Foods UC-II Undenatured Collagen | An expensive drug, the price of which starts at 3,000 rubles. |
The high cost of the funds is fully justified by their effectiveness.
Collagen is an essential substance for maintaining youth and elasticity of the skin of the body and face. With its deficiency, various complications develop, which are manifested not only by external symptoms. Taking the product in tablets helps to compensate for the deficiency and prevent various disorders, as well as premature aging of the skin.
How does drinking collagen work?
The main task of drinking collagen is to help the synthesis of its own, endogenous collagen. To produce its own collagen, our body uses three main components of Collagen - What Is It and What Is It Good For? :
- amino acids glycine and proline (they play a key role in the composition of collagen molecules);
- vitamin C;
- copper.
In the digestive system, drinking collagen decomposes into the mentioned amino acids and, in the presence of vitamin C and copper, can serve to restore fibrils. Including increasing Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications elasticity and hydration level of aging skin.
There is a downside to taking collagen in supplement form. Having received the necessary protein, the body decides where to spend it. There is no guarantee that collagen will be used to restore fibers in the skin. You can take a dietary supplement, but the appearance of your skin will not improve - you need to be prepared for this.
Causes of skin aging
Aging of the body is a natural process that is influenced by internal and external factors. Internal factors include:
- heredity;
- level of sex hormones;
- features of metabolism in the body.
External environmental factors that can lead to skin aging:
- eating food containing low amounts of beneficial vitamins and microelements for the skin;
- prolonged exposure of the skin to solar radiation;
- smoking destroys collagen in the body, and the production of new proteins slows down;
- Chronic stress slows down the formation of new proteins.
Prevention of protein destruction in the epidermis
It is important not only to restore Collagen, but also to prevent the breakdown of the substance. Its fibers in the skin are damaged by ultraviolet radiation, alcohol, carcinogens, nicotine, as well as in the presence of collagen-dependent diseases. The most effective prevention of loss of this protein is to eliminate the causes of its damage.
The first step is to give up bad habits and begin to do exercises every day, take a contrast shower, and use other methods of healing the body. If collagen deficiency is caused by a disease, you must undergo a course of treatment. The skin must be treated with sunscreen to protect against ultraviolet radiation. To remove nutritional factors, you need to give up unhealthy food and alcohol abuse.