For tighter, firmer skin: how to increase collagen production

It is the most abundant structural protein in the body. Structural protein contains molecules that provide structure to various tissues in the body. Examples of such tissues include skin, bone, tendons and ligaments. As a person ages, the body produces less collagen. This can lead to problems such as wrinkles, loose skin and stiff joints.

Some foods contain proteins and nutrients the body needs to produce collagen. These proteins and nutrients are also available in the form of collagen supplements.

What is collagen?

According to an early review, collagen makes up one-third of all protein in the human body. Collagen forms connective fibers that provide structure and support to numerous tissues and organs in the body, including:

• skin
• blood vessel walls
• bones and teeth
• ligaments and cartilage
• internal organs

Collagen and elastin are important structural components of the skin. They help maintain skin smoothness and elasticity. As a person ages, these proteins decrease. This is one of the reasons why a person's skin begins to become looser and wrinkled with age.

In addition to maintaining youthful skin, people also need collagen for the following:

• wound healing
• recovery after bone fractures
• maintaining a healthy digestive tract

Factors influencing the renewal of collagen fibers

Protein synthesis depends on natural biological phenomena and individual living conditions.

What affects the renewal of collagen molecules:

• Age is a key factor in the activity of protein synthesis. Over the years, the process of collagen renewal slows down, causing the appearance of wrinkles and senile fragility of bones and joints.
• Congenital diseases of connective tissues and the immune system.
• Nutrition. A deficiency of vitamins and microelements obtained from food threatens normal collagen synthesis.
• Bad habits. Excessive alcohol consumption dries out the body. It interferes with one of the main functions of collagen - water metabolism. Smoking slows blood circulation, impairing the nutrition of collagen fibers. Tobacco has a destructive effect on animal protein.
• Lifestyle. Psychological stress and poor quality sleep disrupt the overall balance of the body's systems. Addiction to sunbathing increases the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin, threatening its protective functions.

Scientifically Proven Benefits of Collagen Supplements

Connective tissue health

Amino acids help boost collagen synthesis, and this can improve the health and function of connective tissues. A 2019 study examined blood amino acid concentrations after consuming various collagen and milk proteins and collagen-rich bone broth. The authors suggested that the release of amino acids promotes collagen formation in ligaments and tendons during exercise. The results showed that consumption of collagen proteins increased glycine content, and consumption of milk proteins increased leucine content. Bone broth resulted in a slower and longer-lasting release of amino acids compared to supplements.

One criticism of collagen supplements is that they are broken down and destroyed by acids and enzymes in the intestines. However, hydrolyzed collagen is chemically processed collagen that is easier for the intestines to digest. This means that it can remain in its intact form until blood carries it to the skin and joints.

Skin health

A 2020 study examined the effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplements on skin health and appearance in postmenopausal women. The supplements contained additional anti-aging ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, vitamins and minerals. The scientists concluded that the oral supplement significantly reduced the depth of wrinkles and resulted in a noticeable improvement in skin elasticity and skin hydration.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. Gelatin.
2. Glycerol.
3. Fresh liquid honey.
4. 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.

Collagen Rich Foods vs Supplements

Collagen supplements are a convenient way for a person to increase their collagen levels. However, different supplements may contain different amounts of collagen. People should also consider that collagen supplements are usually obtained from the skin and bones of animals such as cows and pigs. As such, they are not suitable for vegans, vegetarians or people of certain religions.

Increasing your collagen levels by consuming a healthy and varied diet is likely to be safer and healthier. When a person consumes a healthy diet, they receive a variety of nutrients that provide a wide range of health benefits.

How to compensate for collagen deficiency

The aging of the body cannot be stopped, but it can be slowed down.

3 ways to keep your collagen levels at an acceptable level:

1. Cosmetology procedures.
2. Hardware rejuvenation techniques.
3. Enriching the diet with microelements that ensure normal collagen synthesis.

Cosmetic procedures involve saturating tissues with additional collagen.

Professional rejuvenation techniques using special equipment activate the synthesis of your own collagen synthesis. Anti-aging nutrition involves eating foods rich in valuable substances and introducing special collagen supplements into the diet.

Hardware techniques for collagen synthesis

Rejuvenating procedures using special devices stimulate metabolic processes in the body. Partial destruction of the skin becomes a kind of shock therapy for collagen molecules. Protein particles mobilize all forces to restore the protective framework of the skin.

Hardware techniques are used as an independent rejuvenating procedure or in conjunction with collagen injections. The complex effect of technology and injections promises maximum rejuvenating effect.

Examples of hardware cosmetic procedures to accelerate collagen synthesis:

• Microdermabrasion – skin resurfacing. The operation gets rid of dead cells and facilitates the construction of new collagen fibers.
• Ultrasonic phonophoresis is a complex technique. It involves treating the face with a cosmetic preparation, the effect of which is enhanced by the use of ultrasonic waves.
• Collagen therapy is the use of light radiation to activate collagen synthesis in the body. For the patient, the procedure is similar to visiting a solarium.

Which collagen products are more effective for facial skin?

Today, injection-based techniques are recognized as the most effective in terms of facial rejuvenation. They ensure deep penetration of collagen into the layers of the skin and its successful inclusion in the construction of an elastic protein frame.

Directed impact with a needle allows you to eliminate specific defects in appearance.

Current approaches to the creation of collagen preparations for injection make anti-aging procedures safe. Innovative equipment increases the effectiveness of skin lifting techniques.

Collagen cream: principle of action and effectiveness

Collagen for facial skin care products is valuable due to its ability to give elasticity to tissues and retain moisture. The product creates a film on the skin that does not allow the liquid to evaporate.

Maintaining skin hydration is the main benefit of collagen in anti-aging creams. Animal protein from cosmetics will not compensate for the lack of its own protein due to its weak penetrating ability. Collagen activates the skin's absorption of other beneficial components of cosmetics.

Active ingredients of creams that deserve trust:

• Elastin is an animal protein related to collagen. It maintains normal skin oil levels and provides a slight rejuvenating effect.
• Panthenol is a drug created on the basis of vitamin B5. It accelerates tissue restoration, soothes and moisturizes the skin. Vitamin B5 gives strength to the collagen framework.
• Antioxidants – retinol, vitamins A, C, E. They increase the body’s protective functions. Antioxidants neutralize inflammation and activate the renewal of collagen fibers.
• Hyaluronic acid maintains tissue hydration, thereby improving the process of collagen synthesis.