Can you turn back the clock with collagen supplements?
While there are many collagen supplements promising the fountain of youth in the form of pills, powders, and drinks, have we finally found a supplement that can turn back the clock – not just by plumping up lines for a few hours or days – but by allowing the body to rebuild collagen from within?
Collagen, the structure in the tissue that connects our organs, keeps skin resilient and soft and helps joints work smoothly, is required for all cell functions and healthy cell membranes. Unfortunately, after the age of 30, collagen begins to break down at the rate of 1% each year.
Some researchers say it’s “impossible,” for collagen fragments to be ingested, travel through the highly acidic digestive tract, and accumulate in the dermis, but clinical studies indicate it may not be that far off. In a 2014 large double-blind, placebo-controlled study, women took 2.5 g of a particular hydrolyzed collagen peptide once a day; after 8 weeks, researchers measured a 20% reduction in wrinkle depth around the women’s eyes.
Even more interesting was the fact that the women in the study’s own procollagen (the precursor to collagen) were significantly elevated, with production up over 65%. It seems that the pills used in the study caused the women’s skin to behave younger than they actually were.
Not everyone is convinced the fountain of youth can be found in a bottle. Some dermatologists consider the study something of a fluke. Their argument is that all proteins, whether bio-available collagen peptides or bone broth, are processed by stomach enzymes and end up as tiny amino acids, which means they specific organs such as the skin cannot be targeted.
Should you add a collagen supplement to your routine?
This is all new science. While the studies show that the minced collagen peptides seem to work very well, we think any product with strong clinical results are worth considering as part of a anti-aging regimen. Every skincare routine is better when supported with a healthy diet, sun protection, and an anti-aging moisturizer.
Future studies will prove whether the data holds up on the power of collagen supplements, but one thing we DO know does work is medical microneedling, the most powerful way to boost collagen production with no downtime. Medical microneedling creates micro-channels by puncturing through the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. This temporarily makes micro-wounds the skin, which in turn stimulates the body’s natural mechanism to heal itself, resulting in a stimulation of growth factors that generate natural collagen and elastin production. This aids with fine lines, firming, and pigmentation. It has been shown to improve skin thickness and elasticity. This results in what is referred to as Collagen Induction Therapy.
Find the right Microneedling technician
Not everyone is qualified to do medical microneedling, so do your research. Ask your technician if they are certified in Collagen Induction Therapy, and make sure they are able to answer any concerns you have about the procedure with confidence.