What are the benefits of collagen? Collagen treatments in South Woodford and Wanstead

What is collagen?

Collagen is a major protein that acts like the glue holding your body together. It's most abundant in your skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. There are five main of collagen found within the body with type I being the most abundant, and crucial to maintaining youthful skin.

How does collagen keep skin smooth, plump and glowy?

Collagen forms a framework in the deep dermis providing strength and support for your skin. Additionally it plays a role in encouraging new skin cell growth in the outer layers of the dermis. This constant cell renewal and structure keeps skin looking younger and fresher. What’s more, collagen helps attract and retain moisture in the skin keeping it hydrated and supple. Think of it as hyaluronic acids best friend!

Unfortunately as we age collagen production naturally decreases starting in our mid 20s, losing 1-2% a year. This contributes to the visible signs of ageing such as wrinkles, fine lines and looser skin.

Can you stimulate collagen production naturally?

Did you know, the more collagen you have, the more your body is able to produce and maintain? Clever!

Unfortunately you cannot directly control collagen levels naturally but there are some things that can be incorporated into your diet (and some lifestyle factors to avoid) to help maintain that synthesis. Time and consistency here are key.

Have plenty of protein in your diet. Amino acids are the building blocks of collagen (and everything else in your body!) lean protein sources such as fish, chicken, beans, and lentils are great.

Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis too. Reach for citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes and peppers.

Antioxidants - the more colour you can incorporate into your diet the better. Antioxidants help fight free radicals which damage collagen. Some research demonstrates that algae and aloe vera are effective options here too.

Collagen supplements. With so many supplements now available on the market it can be hard to choose. The evidence looks great though. Supplements can improve skin elasticity, firmness, and hydration and reduce skin wrinkling and roughness. Remember the long game is key - a week of supps won’t get you glowing!

This list would be incomplete if I didn’t mention avoiding harmful sun exposure, smoking, alcohol, stress and dehydration. These are the major cluprits for collagen degradation (the basics are always the toughest right?)

Tretinoin and collagen production

The jury is still out on whether the vast majority of topical products (i.e. things we put on the skin) promote collagen synthesis at all. There just isn’t enough (or any) research to show that they help increase your collagen levels.

One exception is tretinoin. The prescription version of retinol has been shown to induce collagen synthesis and reduce its breakdown. It has many other benefits such as increasing skin cell turnover, improving skin texture and fading hyperpigmentation. Tretinoin should be introduced under the guidance of a trained medical professional like myself, as irritation can occur.

Profhilo, Seventy-Hyal and collagen synthesis

Injectable skin boosters are an in-clinic favourite. Interestingly, they don’t directly deliver collagen into the skin. Delivering HA under the skin creates a hydrating ‘scaffolding’ in the skin which signals cells to synthesise collagen and elastin.

Profhilo and Seventy-Hyal are two hyaluronic acid (HA) skin boosters. HA being the natural molecule in the skin responsible for hydration. Profhilo consists of both high and low molecular weight HA and packs a lot HA in each treatment to boot. Profhilo is slow-release therefore allowing the collagen and elastin production to occur gradually over a period of weeks, giving lasting results.

Seventy-Hyal contains less HA but is still a very viable Profhilo ‘dupe’. I personally have a treatment every 3-4 months with my anti-wrinkle and I love it.

The benefits of collagen synthesising skin boosters include:

Enhanced hydration

Improved skin texture and tone

Increased radiance

Stimulated collagen production

Reduced appearance of wrinkles and fine lines

Suitable for various skin types

Subtle and natural-looking results

Consultations are important to determine whether these treatments are right for you. Mine are always free.

Click the booking link above to arrange yours, drop me a quick email at hello@nursehannahclinics.com or call into clinic on 0208 989 2841

Until next time,

Hannah xo