In the last couple of years, the conversations surrounding collagen have started to increase, and for good reason. Collagen is a protein that plays a crucial role in the structure and function of your skin. It is what maintains your skin’s elasticity and firmness, keeping it looking healthy and young. It is primarily found in the dermis of the skin and is produced by skin cells known as fibroblasts. As collagen begins to decline, signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles begin to show up. Why does that happen? Understanding why your skin’s natural collagen levels decline can help you fight it and prevent your skin’s premature aging.
There are many factors that can reduce your collagen – some are in your control and others aren’t. Read on to know they are.
-
Smoking
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that smoking isn’t good for your health. In fact, it is one of the biggest reasons for the decline in the collagen levels of your skin and the consequent premature aging. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches your tissues, which causes them to get damaged and die because they aren’t able to regenerate. It also contributes to free radical damage.
-
UV exposure
Here is another reason to double up on sun protection: UV exposure is responsible for the loss of collagen. Studies have found a direct link between UV exposure and collagen decline as the rays negatively impact the protein. It causes changes in the DNA of the cells that produce collagen. It also produces free radicals, which damage the collagen through oxidative stress.
-
Aging
Collagen levels in your body will begin to go down when you enter your 20s – decreasing about 1% each year. This, however, is beyond your control because aging is inevitable. As you age, the collagen producing cells age, too, which means they produce less collagen. With proper skincare and treatments, you can combat its effects and maintain your skin’s youthful appearance.
-
Menopause
Menopause aggravates the collagen decline in your skin. It has been found that women lose as much as 30% of their collagen in just the first five years of menopause. This is another factor that you cannot control because it is a part of life.
-
Stress
Research has found that stress can also affect your collagen levels. It doesn’t just reduce your body’s ability to produce this protein but also stimulates the production of cortisol and other hormones, which have been found to decrease collagen. Moreover, chronic stress results in more free radicals and DNA damage, which speed up the rate at which your collagen levels dip.
If you feel like your skin is beginning to lose its radiance and youthfulness, making you look older, chances are your collagen levels are beginning to go down due to one or more of these reasons. Therefore, skin care products and treatments that help promote healthy collagen levels in your body are crucial.
UltraSlim® is a noninvasive facial skin treatment, which can take 10 to 15 years off your face in only two weeks! It significantly improves your skin and neckline and maintains your youthful appearance with monthly touch-ups. It increases the production of collagen and elastin, helping to tighten skin and reduce the appearance of aging. One of the best things about this procedure is that there are zero side effects.
Get in touch with us to know more.