Does collagen reduce wrinkles? Wrinkles, with their inherent sign of ageing, are not a pretty sight. They bring with them a host of emotional feelings, from the usual ones of discomfort to the more severe ones of humiliation and embarrassment. And though you can’t always avoid getting wrinkles – after all, we all age, and wrinkles are a part of that process – you can take steps to reduce their appearance and severity with proper skincare and lifestyle choices. One such choice is taking collagen supplements, which have been proven to support natural collagen production for healthier, more resilient skin and bodies. But is collagen the secret to youthful skin? Or is it just a waste of money? To answer these questions and more, we’ve put together an in-depth guide on the many benefits of collagen and how it can help you look and feel younger.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen (a.k.a. the “glue” that keeps your skin looking young and refreshed) is the raw material of rejuvenation. In its natural form, collagen makes up 25% of our body weight, with 75% residing in our muscles and bones, while the remaining 5% is dispersed throughout other organs and tissues. And as important and central a role as it plays within our bodies, collagen production decreases naturally over time, causing wrinkles to appear and sagging skin. But with proper care, you can help keep your skin smooth and youthful by supporting collagen production through supplements or healthy lifestyle choices like consuming plenty of vitamin C, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep.
How Does Collagen Work?
Your skin is not just one large entity; rather, it’s a combination of many different layers all packed together tightly for optimal performance. And what holds those layers together? You guessed it – collagen! First, our topmost layer of cells (our stratum corneum) secrete amino acids that then combine with other organic compounds like sugars to create two molecules called procollagen I and II. These molecules are then converted into fibrillar-collagen by enzymes called procollagen N-proteinases, which results in higher quality fibrillar-collagen fibers that our bodies use as essential building blocks for healthy skin. As you can see, it’s important that we keep adequate levels of collagen in our bodies if we want our skin to remain young and fresh-looking throughout time.
Four Essential Types of Collagens
The human body is comprised of 16 different types of collagens, some more essential than others. Here are four main types that you need to know about if you want healthier, firmer skin.
Type I
This type makes up 90% of our whole-body collagen content. It’s found everywhere in our bodies, from our muscles and bones down to organs like kidneys and heart. Type I is responsible for providing strength and structure for our most vital parts; indeed, it’s a part of every bone and tooth throughout your body.
Type II
This type makes up 8% of our body’s collagen content. You can find it all over your body, from joints to ligaments. It also forms a large part of cartilage, which gives structure and strength to your knees, elbows, hands, feet, and even the spinal cord.
Type III
Necessary for building the core structure of your skin, type III collagen makes up about 1% of your body’s total collagen content. This type is also essential for keeping your bones strong; in fact, bone density peaks at around 25 years old before decreasing as we age. But studies have shown that by consuming enough vitamin C – an essential component for healthy cartilage production – you can slow down or even reverse osteoporosis.
Type IV
Found on the different layers of skin, type IV collagen helps keep your skin hydrated, smooth, and protected from external elements that can cause damage to your epidermis. The best way to support healthy type IV collagen production is through proper hydration; drink plenty of water every day!
How Collagen Helps Get Rid of Wrinkles
Collagen is a peptide— that is, a chain of amino acids—that makes up the connective tissue in your body. It forms the supportive structure of your skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. But beyond that, collagen has amazing anti-ageing properties! As we age, our bodies lose vital levels of both type I and III collagen, causing our skin to lose elasticity. This can result in wrinkles and other permanent damage, but by replenishing your body’s depleted levels of collagen, you can greatly reduce unwanted signs of ageing like fine lines or deep wrinkles (but keep in mind that proper sun protection is always necessary). And what better way to get more collagen than through natural food sources! Luckily, there are plenty of foods high in collagen that you can eat daily if you want to stay young and manage your wrinkle effectively.
Take Advantage of Collagen Supplement to Get Youthful Skin
Considering that collagen is naturally found in our skin, it’s no surprise that we can get adequate levels through healthy eating. But, as you know, all foods aren’t created equal. It’s important that you consume a diet rich in protein, especially from lean sources like chicken or fish. You should also up your intake of fruits and vegetables; these are full of antioxidants, which keep your cells healthy so they can make more collagen for longer-lasting results. But for more efficient absorption of collagen from food, taking supplements is essential! Collagen supplements boasting naturally sourced ingredients, high protein content, and low calories have been shown to be some of the most effective ways to increase collagen production in your body and reduce wrinkles effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, collagen is one of your best allies if you want to get rid of wrinkles. Your diet, however, plays a large role in collagen production. In particular, you should make sure you eat foods high in vitamin C like berries or oranges for healthy cartilage production. If supplements are what you need to ramp up your collagen levels quickly and efficiently, look for products boasting high protein content from naturally sourced ingredients.
