You may have heard that collagen is an important part of your skin, but what exactly is collagen, and what does it do?
Collagen is a protein found throughout the body. It is an important part of connective tissue, which is one type of tissue in your body. It supports, connects, and separates things in your body.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and it can be found in tendons, ligaments, bones, blood vessels, muscles, cartilage, hair, skin, and many other places.
Because it is so abundant, it plays an important role throughout the body. One of collagen’s jobs is to support your skin. Collagen helps your skin stay firm and maintain elasticity. It also plays a role in tissue development.
When people age, collagen production is reduced. This is one reason that wrinkles become more prominent. Less collagen means that your skin is thinner and more fragile. Wrinkles will be more noticeable, and your skin may be more susceptible to other damage.
While you can’t completely avoid the loss of collagen when you get older, you can protect your skin for as long as possible by avoiding UV radiation and toxins. Don’t smoke or use tobacco products, stay inside on bad air days, wear sunscreen whenever you go outside, don’t use tanning beds, and choose clothing that covers your skin. UV radiation and toxins speed up the aging process and result in less collagen production, so avoiding UV rays and harmful chemicals will help you stay looking younger for longer.
Cosmetic treatments can also partly counteract the effects of reduced collagen production. Some treatments, like Botox injections, eliminate the appearance of wrinkles. Others, like Juvederm, restore lost volume and fill in creases. Some dermal fillers, like Radiesse and Sculptra Aesthetic, actually stimulate the body’s production of collagen. This can result in the gradual improvement of the skin, which brings long-lasting results.
If you’d like to learn more about protecting your skin and stimulating collagen production, schedule a consultation at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery.
