What happens when collagen breaks down?

Collagen, the most abundant protein in our bodies, plays a vital role in maintaining healthy and youthful skin. From providing structure and elasticity to supporting overall skin health, collagen is truly a skin’s best friend. But what actually is it? What happens when it breaks down (which, sadly it does from our mid-twenties onwards)? In this blog, we will delve into what collagen is, why it’s important, and what happens when it breaks down, offering valuable insights into the key to radiant and youthful skin.

What is collagen?

Collagen is crucial for muscle development and cellular repair. This fibrous, elongated protein resembles a sturdy rope and is responsible for providing both strength and elasticity to the skin.

Often described as scaffolding for the skin, collagen acts like a trampoline providing a supportive base structure and giving us the ‘boiiing’ we need for bouncy, plump, healthy-looking skin.

The production of collagen in our skin relies on proteins composed of specific amino acids, namely proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids are present in various tissues throughout the body. Unfortunately, as we age, the natural synthesis of collagen declines. Consequently, this decrease in collagen production is the primary cause of common signs of aging, such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and joint discomfort.

What happens when collagen breaks down?

Your skin makes fresh collagen all the time and then as it gets damaged, it’s taken down and new collagen is produced. But like all good things, the levels we naturally produce don’t stay consistent as we get older. As we age and encounter environmental factors like UV radiation, smoking, and pollution, collagen production gradually decreases. This decrease in collagen synthesis typically begins in your mid -twenties and levels diminish by approximately one percent each year. Women experience a further dramatic reduction in the production of collagen with the onset of menopause, where it declines by a whooping 30% within 5 years.

The appearance of fine lines are the first signs, such as early wrinkles and crepey skin that doesn’t snap back as quickly as it may once have. As the structural support weakens, gravity exerts a greater influence, causing the skin to droop and lose its youthful lift. Additionally, the skin becomes less plump and smooth as collagen fibres, responsible for providing a firm matrix, diminish. The skin may also appear thinner and more fragile as collagen depletion affects its thickness and density. Consequently, the skin’s ability to retain moisture decreases, leading to dryness and a dull complexion.

A more demanding lifestyle can mean that ageing effects could appear sooner, and therefore it’s good to get a head start on increasing our body’s collagen levels. When it comes to boosting your collagen production, starting early has many benefits, particularly when you embark on the next natural step of your journey as a woman with menopause.  You will want to create the strongest skin foundation you possibly can, whilst all your skin cells are functioning at their optimal levels.

What can we do to boost and preserve collagen levels?

There are several different ways you can boost your collagen levels – supplementation, injectable treatments, and energy-based treatments that kick-start fibroblasts into action. Each should be used alongside a healthy lifestyle and daily sunscreen protection – after all, prevention is always better than cure.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a skin rejuvenation treatment that uses tiny needles in an automated pen to puncture the upper layer of skin. By creating these microscopic ‘micro-channels’ in the skin, the dermis is forced to switch to its ‘defence mode’ as it races to heal the wounded skin, which results in greater elastin and collagen production. Over time, this helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and elevates the overall texture. 

Collagen supplements

The brands containing enough of the right sort of collagen can make a significant difference to the skin. Studies have shown that oral intake of collagen peptides can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and have several other beneficial effects on the skin.

Look for hydrolysed collagen formulas – collagen that has been broken up into tiny fragments which the body can absorb and distribute efficiently. Essentially, your body is tricked into thinking that these fragments indicate there has been some trauma to the skin and repair is urgently needed, which then stimulates fibroblasts to produce more collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid – the compounds that give our skin its youthful qualities.

Profhilo

Profhilo is an injectable treatment that works by stimulating collagen and elastin production beneath the skin’s surface, hydrating and boosting the skin, and remodelling ageing and sagging tissue being treated for improved skin quality hydration and collagen production.

HArmonyCa

HArmonyCa is an injectable composed of a gel that combines 70 per cent cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) for immediate plumping and 30 percent calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) microspheres to stimulate collagen synthesis. Additionally, it contains lidocaine, a numbing agent, to minimise discomfort during the injections.

The hyaluronic acid component gives immediate lift and volume, like traditional fillers do. The calcium hydroxyapatite then continues to stimulate collagen and elastin production naturally which will give skin back its firmness and bounce.

Chemical Peels

There are various chemical peels that address mild and more advanced skin concerns such as acne, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. And whilst you’re waiting for the skin cells to turn over and reveal a fresher, more radiant complexion, your skin is at work building more collagen and elastin fibres that increase firmness and youthful bounce.

Skincare

Using sunscreen daily to block or reduce skin exposure to UV radiation is the best thing that you can do for your skin. Antioxidants will minimise collagen degradation by reducing the concentration of free radicals in the tissues. Then incorporate cell regulators into your regimes such as retinol, peptides, and growth factors to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin fibres.

If you’d like to learn more about the options, click here to enquire or book a consultation.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.