How Collagen Can Give You A Plumped, Younger Look

Wondering what does collagen do for your skin? Well, quite a lot actually! Results have shown that collagen is a great way to restore and rebuild the skin and reduce the signs of ageing.

As time goes on, many factors take a toll on the skin. Your face will lose its elasticity and begin to droop, while fat loss can also affect your appearance over time. But help is at hand.

So what does collagen do for the skin, exactly?

Collagen is a naturally-occurring wonder protein that gives your face an overall volumised and fresh look. But like most things, it diminishes as the years go on. Once collagen is lost, the skin will see the effects of aging, line, wrinkles, and loss of plumpness.

While you cannot prevent the loss of collagen altogether, you can try to slow the process down by understanding what causes its disappearance. You can also add it back to your skin by way of cosmetic injectables (more on that below).

what does collagen do for your skin

How to restore collagen?

An infusion of collagen can do wonders in restoring sagging skin to a thicker and firmer state. There’s no doubt that collagen is the best way to add more volume and plumpness to your face to give it a more youthful look. This restorative solution has been used for well over 20 years by plastic surgeons.

Here are the ways collagen is used to help build facial plumpness and a more youthful appearance:

Oral collagen – While this method is commonly used and many people report positive results, there is no real data to show its true effectiveness. There is a lot of controversy over the efficacy of oral collagen supplements because the reviews are mixed.

Injectable collagen – This is by and large the most effective way to get collagen into the skin. There is plenty of verifiable data to show that these injections do help activate the natural collagen.

There are many types of injectable collagens like Sculptra, Juvederm, Aquamid, Perlane, and Radiesse. In addition to supporting facial plumpness, you can also expect help with crows feet, frown lines, and even deep smile lines.

What does collagen do for your skin as an injectable?

This is how collagen helps in restoration of skin. In summary though, collagen fillers often have several ingredients to promote volume, plumpness, and a more youthful appearance, such as:

Hyaluronic Acid – This is by and far the most common ingredient in collagen injectables. This acid occurs in the body naturally. It dissolves easily into the body so it works hand in hand with the body’s 15 grams that it already contains.
Hydroxylapatite – This enzyme is often used for severe facial wrinkling. But studies show that it can plump the face for up to 18 months.
Poly-L-lactic Acid – This is very user-friendly and can last up to 18 months in the system. It also produces noticeable results in a short amount of time.
Polymethylmethacrylate – This is another protein that works to promote facial plumpness. It works fast and produces results almost immediately.
Vitamin C – Some injectables contain some vitamin C, which strengthens the skin and promotes a more plump, supple look.

How long do collagen injections last?

About 90% of the people who receive collagen injections are satisfied with the overall results. But how long do the injections last? You will start seeing peak results of the collagen within about one to two weeks.

After that, you should expect to come back for “touch-ups” every three to 12 months. However, there are some cases when the skin is stimulated enough where the time between touch-ups can be extended.

The bottom line is, collagen is the number one method to restore a more youthful appearance to your face. While some still debate how peptides and other factors play a role, the results of collagen cannot be denied.

Simply browsing online for before and after pictures of people who have used collagen and it’s easy to significant results. There is little doubt that the the faces of these individuals have a more fresh and plumped look.

If you want more information about the pros and cons of collagen, reach out to a plastic surgeon. Most reputable surgeons will offer you a free consultation to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure.

What causes collagen to breakdown?

Sunlight – UV radiation has free radicals that can cause the skin to break down at an alarmingly high rate. The aging process speeds up and visible wrinkling, fat loss, and volume become noticeable.
Smoking – Tobacco can cause the degradation of the skin’s collagen due to reactive oxygen. People who smoke and vape often have tell-tale signs around the mouth and face that show the reduction in collagen.
Alcohol – Excessive alcohol will eventually break down the mucus membrane. It also causes the skin to dehydrate. On the flip side, inflammation can also be a problem. Alcohol can cause redness and flushness to the skin. This process can easily add 10-15 years to the skin’s appearance.
Aging – This is just the normal process that skin goes through. Regardless of how well you take care of your skin, it will age.
Stress – If you are under stress, it can lead to the breakdown of collagen and increase skin inflammation. So, eliminating the amount of stress you have in your life can go a long way in slowing the aging process.
Pollution – Environmental factors and pollutants go directly through the pores and into the skin. This causes a breakdown in collagen and elasticity. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do if you live in an area that is heavily affected by pollution. Developing a routine that includes exfoliating, washing and moisturising your face daily will help though.