Enhancing Collagen Production: Supplements vs. injectables

A lot of my patients have been asking me if they should be taking collagen supplements. Are they worth the money? Are they effective? How do they differ from injectable treatments that boost collagen?

What is collagen?

Let’s start with a quick lesson on collagen. It’s the protein responsible for maintaining the skin’s structure and elasticity and plays a crucial role in maintaining a youthful and radiant appearance. As we age, collagen production naturally declines, leading to wrinkles, sagging skin, and a loss of volume. Factors such as sun exposure, lifestyle choices, and genetics can further accelerate collagen degradation, leading to wrinkles, volume loss, and a dull complexion.

Supplements vs. injectables

While collagen supplements have gained popularity as a means to enhance collagen levels, aesthetics treatments can provide advanced solutions using dermal fillers and skin boosters that can effectively stimulate collagen production with superior results. My approach is all about helping your skin regenerate and revive itself and this is exactly what skin boosters and dermal fillers do. For this reason they are much more advantageous than collagen supplements.

The disadvantages of collagen supplements

The efficacy of collagen supplements are questionable. I’ll explain four reasons why:

1. Collagen supplements, whether they come in powder or liquid form, are not easily metabolised by your digestive system. When you ingest a collagen supplement the large complex protein that is collage gets digested into smaller protein fragments and amino acids that provide little benefit to your skin

2. Some of these amino acids may have some benefit for your skin but there’s no guarantee that they will reach the areas you want to target – they will get distributed around your body as your internal systems see fit!

3. There’s no industry standardisation and a lack of reliable data on the benefits to skin. Plus, the scientific studies into the efficacy of the supplements are mostly funded by the supplement companies themselves, so there is bias in the outcome of the studies.

The best way to boost collagen

Aesthetics practitioners have developed innovative treatments that are proven to boost collagen. I would recommend treatments that target the area and to use methods that promote the body’s own collagen production. Alongside this there are topical skincare products that will also have an effect. This way you’re more likely to get long-lasting and natural results. The four best ways to boost collagen are:

1. Dermal Fillers  for Collagen Stimulation: Dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid (HA) are commonly used by aesthetics practitioners to enhance facial volume and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Beyond their immediate plumping effects, certain HA fillers also have the ability to stimulate collagen production. When injected into the skin, these fillers trigger the body’s natural collagen-building process, leading to long-term improvements in skin texture, firmness, and elasticity. This collagen stimulation helps rejuvenate the skin from within, resulting in a more youthful and radiant complexion over time.

2. Skin Boosters to Revitalize Collagen: These treatments involve injecting microdroplets of hyaluronic acid into the skin. Unlike dermal fillers, skin boosters are designed to hydrate the skin and improve its overall quality by stimulating collagen production. The gradual release of HA and the subsequent collagen synthesis provide long-lasting rejuvenation, enhancing skin elasticity, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Microneedling for natural collagen production: Microneedling and cosmetic acupuncture triggers your body to produce more collagen. The pinpricks from the procedure cause slight injury to the skin and the skin responds by making new collagen-rich tissue. This new skin tissue is more even in tone and texture.

4. Some Skincare products: While there are a lot of skincare products that contain collagen, applying it topically to your skin isn’t effective as their molecules are too large to penetrate the dermis. The only real effect they will have is to replenish hydration, which will give a temporary plumping effect of having moisturised skin. However, certain vitamins will stimulate the skin to generate collagen and these are the kinds of skin creams and serums we want to focus on. Vitamin A+C stimulate new collagen production in the dermal layer of the skin. Vitamin A is the bedrock of Envion’s highly effective skincare range and is one that I often prescribe my patients. There is a huge amount of products out there that vary in quality, effectiveness and to suit a wide range of skin concerns and types. I would highly recommend you seek a consultation with a skincare professional before you embark on a new skincare routine.

Advantages of Aesthetics Over Collagen Supplements

While collagen supplements are widely available and marketed as a means to enhance collagen levels, there are several advantages to seeking collagen stimulation treatments from aesthetics practitioners:

1. Targeted Approach: I can assess your unique skin needs and tailor treatments to target specific areas or concerns. This personalized approach ensures that collagen stimulation is focused on the areas that require rejuvenation the most, leading to more effective and noticeable results.

2. Precise Application: I have a deep understanding of facial anatomy, which enables me to strategically inject the products into the deeper layers of the skin, precisely targeting areas where collagen production has declined. This precise application maximizes the effectiveness of the treatment.

3. Immediate results: Unlike collagen supplements, which primarily focus on collagen intake through digestion, collagen stimulation treatments offer a combination of benefits. They not only enhance collagen production but also provide immediate volumizing and rejuvenating effects, addressing multiple signs of ageing simultaneously.

4. Scientifically Proven Results: The effectiveness of dermal fillers and skin boosters in stimulating collagen production has been supported by scientific studies and clinical evidence. The results are well-documented, providing a higher level of confidence in their ability to promote collagen synthesis and deliver desired outcomes.

So if my patients ask me if they should be taking a collagen supplement, my answer is always a resounding “No”!

I would prefer you didn’t waste your time and money. My approach is to stimulate the skin’s natural collagen production using a method that I’ve identified is right for your particular situation.

So if you are worried about sagging skin, wrinkles or loss of volume, the first thing to know is that there is so much you can do to replenish your skin. The best first step is to book a consultation with me and we can find the right solution for your unique and beautiful skin.

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