A guide to collagen - Everything you need to know
by Dr Ros DebenhamThere is so much hype around the importance of collagen and here at Radiance, we’re armed with everything you need to know! We’re always on the hunt to find new ways to boost the collagen production in our skin, and you probably are too. Because let’s face it, there’s nothing better than glowing skin.
What is collagen and what benefits does it have?
If you think about your skin like a mattress the coils can be compared to collagen. It is a type of protein that is produced by the body and is largely responsible for the structure of the skin - it keeps it supple and allows it to bounce back. It also keeps the skin hydrated, so someone with dry skin may have lower levels of collagen. When we are young our skin bounces straight back from facial expressions, however, this changes as we get older resulting in creases and wrinkles. These lines can eventually become permanent and some people are interested in reversing these effects or knowing how they can be avoided.
After the age of 25, we lose about 1-2% of collagen each year and when women hit menopause it significantly declines even further. It’s really important to address collagen loss by taking action at an early age. That way, we can get ahead of the skin ageing process.
Collagen really is magic and there’s no wonder it’s widely spoken about in the beauty industry!
How to increase collagen in the face
Most of us will experience a loss of collagen in the face and neck as we get older. It’s a natural process. So what can we do about it?
Give collagen treatments a try -
At Radiance, we have lots of different stimulating treatments that can improve your skin elasticity. So many of them are designed to trick your skin into acting younger to produce collagen. Examples of these treatments include Microneedling, Hydrafacial and Radio Frequency. When you come in for a consultation, we can discuss the best options for you - factoring in your budget, time scale and availability.
Try using ZO Skin Health products -
Skincare products can also help - Retinol is a super popular one. This skincare ingredient can reach the deeper layers of the skin and actively stimulate. Most high street products that claim to contain active ingredients often have such a small amount in them that you won't notice a difference. At Radiance, we use the ZO Skin Health range which provides comprehensive solutions to restore, repair and improve the health and appearance of the skin.
Sip on Skinade collagen drinks -
If you’re asking your body to produce more of something, you need to provide it with the building blocks it needs - this is why we love Skinade. It is scientifically proven that your body absorbs roughly 95% of the collagen in a bottle of Skinade compared to other drinks you can buy on the high street. This lack of absorption from products bought off the shelf means that they are far less effective and won’t deliver long term results.