Should you take collagen for your skin?
You know that your skin needs collagen to stay youthful-looking and firm, but do you need to take a supplement? Before investing in a new regimen, it is important to consider the evidence and how other factors, like your lifestyle, impact your skin health. Below, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby explains.
Collagen in our bodies
Collagen is a vital protein that makes up a significant portion of our bodies—about one-third of our body’s protein content. It is considered the body’s “scaffolding” because of its role in providing structure and strength in skin, muscles, tendons, and bones. Our bodies break down the food we eat into amino acids in order to make collagen.
How we lose collagen in our skin
Even with a healthy lifestyle, our bodies naturally produce less collagen each year beginning in our twenties, leading to wrinkles and other visible signs of aging. Beyond this natural collagen depletion that comes with age, several external factors can reduce collagen levels in the skin:
- Unprotected sun exposure
- Smoking, vaping, or using any nicotine products
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- A high-sugar diet
What we know about collagen supplements
Sold in the form of collagen peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, or collagen hydrolysate, collagen supplements are increasingly popular. Options include powder supplements, capsules, and liquids.
Some studies have supported their ability to improve skin moisture, elasticity, and even wrinkles, and the manufacturers claim benefits for improving skin health, reducing joint pain, and enhancing overall wellbeing.
However, supplements are not FDA-regulated, and there is no guarantee that the powders and pills you find on store shelves provide the results they promise. More studies are needed to make sure that collagen supplements do not have unintended side effects, as well.
There is no evidence that supplements work better than a healthy diet and lifestyle, and your body also requires vitamins and minerals such as copper, zinc, and Vitamin C to produce collagen. We know that sufficient, complete nutrition promotes skin’s overall health, as well.
If you are concerned you may not be getting the building blocks of collagen proteins from your diet, first talk with your doctor about whether starting a collagen supplement regimen may be right for you and then search for a reputable, lab-tested supplement.
You may want to consider collagen supplements if your lifestyle makes it difficult to eat foods that support collagen production.
Proven ways to support collagen & improve skin texture
Nutritious diet
A diet rich in protein and certain vitamins and minerals can help maximize your body’s ability to produce collagen. Eat a diet full of vegetables, healthy protein sources (choose lean white meats), bone broth, nuts, and seeds—and limit your sugar intake, as sugar depletes collagen in the skin.
Regular exercise
Recent research also suggests that exercise can boost collagen production in the skin.
Manage your stress
We know that stress depletes skin collagen, so making sure that your lifestyle includes activities that help you to manage stress is extremely important to keeping skin looking youthful and healthy.
Quit smoking
If you smoke or use other nicotine products, these are well known to prematurely age the skin, among many other negative effects.
Avoid sun exposure
Protect your skin from the sun with daily use of a mineral-based SPF 30 or higher, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and seek shade when outdoors.
Collagen-boosting skin treatments
If you would like to improve your skin’s appearance with treatments that are proven to optimize your skin, Kalos Medical Spa at Kirby Plastic Surgery offers treatments that directly boost collagen, including laser skin resurfacing, microneedling, Ultherapy, and dermal fillers like Sculptra. Starting these treatments in your 20s, 30s, or 40s can help to slow the aging process over time.
We invite you to meet with one of our expert injectors, aestheticians, or Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kirby herself to learn about your anti-aging options. Call 817-292-4200 or schedule a consultation online today!
