What is collagen and why it needs your skin
Collagen is a protein, and the key: it is the most common Molecular Cell Biology. 4th Edition protein in the human body. This is the basis of connective tissue binding the body into a single whole. Collagen name comes from the Greek word kolla – glue. Tendons, cartilage, vessels, young bone tissue, muscles, leather – precisely this protein is responsible for their structure. For example, in the skin, the content of collagen reaches 70% – it provides her smoothness, elasticity and elasticity.
If collagen and so there is in the body, why should I think about him?
Collagen molecules in most cases hold nearby, forming so-called fibrils – long and thin protein fibers. It is they who, like springs, hold the tissues of the body together, at the same time providing them with a strong connection and not allowing unnecessaries to each other.
But collagen fibers – the thing is unstable. They can be destroyed under the action of various factors:
- Ultraviolet Mechanisms of Photoaging and Cutaneous Photocarcinogenesis, and photoprotective strategies with phytochemicals;
- temperature difference;
- stress;
- hormonal oscillations;
- The diet with high sugar and fast carbohydrates Nutrition and Aging Skin: Sugar and Glycation;
- Smoking Smoking Affects Collagen Synthesis and Extracellular Matrix Turnover in Human Skin .
In his youth, it is not scary. First, harmful factors are smaller: for example, children and young people, as a rule, are experiencing a smaller level of stress. Secondly, the body produces enough collagen in order to fill the destroyed fibril plots on time.
With age, protein production gradually decreases. Fibrils are destroyed, and the body no longer has time to fill damaged areas with new collagen molecules. Over time, this leads to unpleasant consequences for all organs and tissues – problems with bone system, muscles, blood vessels grow up.
The first skin suffers, because it is she who takes on the maximum external factors. Destroyed collagen fibers can no longer support the epidermis smooth and elastic. On the skin appear tiny seizures – wrinkles.
As the fibrils of wrinkles are becoming deeper and more clearly, and skin tissue begins to accomplish under the action of gravity.
Another case when it is worth thinking about additional support for collagen fibers – availability of scars. Sometimes, when cuts, deep scratches and acne are tightened with a connective tissue, the body lacks collagen to correctly restore the skin. As a result, the so-called atrophic scars are formed – as if depressed in the epidermis scars-depressions. This is how it looks in the case of a pedestal:
If you restore the level of collagen in the skin, atrophic scars can be smoothed by making almost imperceptible.
Is it possible to keep or restore collagen in the skin?
In general, yes. Collagen divide COLLAGEN: What is it and what are it uses? on endogenous and exogenous:
- endogenous – natural, the one that is produced by the organism itself;
- Exogenous – the one that falls into the body from the outside.
When endogenous collagen is not enough, the amount of protein can be increased by external revenues. As a rule, exogenous collagen is injected into the body in three ways:
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- in the form of biodeadows to the diet (this is the so-called drinking collagen);

- in the form of cosmetics that are applied directly to the skin of the skin most affected by fibrils;
- Using injections.
Where do synthetic collagen?
There are three main types of synthetic collagen.
1. Nautical
This protein is obtained from leather and shrinking sea fish. By structure, he is closest to natural human collagen.
2. Animal
This option is made from skin and cattle cartilage. This is the most accessible type of synthetic collagen.
3. Hydrolyzed
It does not produce from whole collagen molecules, and on the basis of their fragments – certain amino acids. Due to the crushing of the hydrolyzed collagen particle less in size than the sea or animal, and therefore penetrates deeper into the skin.
As raw materials, not only the cartilage tissue of animals or fish can be used, but also plants – for example, wheat protein, which contains collagen-like fragments.
How drinking collagen works?
The main task of drinking collagen is to help the synthesis of its own, endogenous. For the production of own collagen, our body uses three main components of COLLAGEN – What is it and what is it good for? :
- Glycine and Proline amino acids (they play a key role in the composition of collagen molecules);
- vitamin C;
- copper.
In the digestive system, drinking collagen decomposes to those mentioned amino acids and in the presence of vitamin C and copper can be restored fibrils. Including boost Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications Elasticity and Moisturizing Level.
At the reception of collagen in the form of additives there is a flaw. Having received the necessary protein, the body itself decides where to spend it. No guarantees that collagen will go to the restoration of the fibers in the skin. You can drink a biodox, but the appearance of the skin will not improve – it is necessary to be ready for this.
How collagen works in creams and other cosmetics?
Collagen molecules are too large to penetrate Skin Rejuvenation using Cosmetic Products Containing Growth Factors, Cytokines, and Matrikines: A Review of the Literature to Derma. So, they are not able to restore damaged areas of fibrils.
Nevertheless, creams and serums with collagen still improve the skin condition. This is due to an increase in the level of humidity: the cosmetic agent forms a film on the surface of the skin, which does not allow moisture to evaporate. As a result, the epidermis looks like smooth and trap.
To enhance the “film” effect, hyaluronic acid is often added to cosmetics with collagen: these components work better in a pair.
How do injections with collagen work?
Injection is a more advanced and effective way to deliver the necessary protein into the dermis. Collagen of animal origin made of bovine cartilage and leather, became the first in the history of the filler for subcutaneous injections approved by Efficacy and Safety of Porcine Collagen Filler for Nasolabial Fold Correction in Asians: A Prospective Multicenter, 12 months Follow-Up Study American Sanitary Supervision For the quality of food and medicine (FDA).
By actively directly to the dermis, collagen performs several functions at once:
- restores destroyed protein fibers;
- stimulates the production of its own, endogenous collagen;
- Attracts moisture – it increases the level of humidifier. By the way, this effect can be strengthened if you enter a combined filler with collagen and hyaluronic acid.
In the US, collagen injections are officially used since 1981. Of course, since then new funds have appeared – for example, in the domestic market it is a gel “Collest”. According to the study, the clinical assessment of the effectiveness of collagenotherapy in the correction and prevention of involutive skin changes published in the our journal of clinical dermatology and venereology, its injections make the skin smoother and elastic, reduce the depth of wrinkles, contribute to the synthesis of its own collagen inside the dermis and significantly align the skin relief in atrophic scars.
And injections is safe?
Since collagen is a natural biomaterial for humans, its injections in most cases do not give complications of collagen fillers side effects. However, under the condition of hypersensitivity, individual reactions are possible. Therefore, if you decide to restore the skin using injectable collagen, be sure to contact a specialist – dermatologist or professional cosmetologist with medical education. The doctor will analyze the condition of your body and will provide recommendations that will help reduce the risk of side effects.
