Collagen Banking: Investing in Your Skin's Future
Collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and youthful appearance of our skin.
As we age, our collagen production naturally decreases. It starts to dwindle in our mid-to-late 20s and early 30s. We typically lose 1% a year in our 30s onwards. Women then hit menopause, and collagen production drops further.
Collagen loss (along with UV-induced skin damage) is the primary reason we see signs of skin ageing, like wrinkles, dryness, dullness and sagging.
In recent years, a concept known as "collagen banking" has gained popularity among those who are keen to keep the signs of ageing from their faces!
What is Collagen Banking?
Collagen banking is a proactive skincare strategy aimed at:
Preserving and protecting existing collagen
Stimulating the production of new collagen
The basic idea behind this concept is that by boosting collagen production and preventing its degradation early on, you can slow down the ageing process and enjoy more youthful, healthy looking skin for longer.
How Can You Bank Collagen?
There are number of ways you can boost the levels of collagen in your skin. Both at home, and with in-clinic treatments.
At Home:
Eating a collagen-rich diet: Consuming foods like bone broth, fish, lean meats, and collagen-boosting supplements can provide the body with essential nutrients for collagen synthesis.
Vitamin C: This essential vitamin plays a crucial role in collagen production. Ensure your diet includes vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens. Including a Vitamin C serum in your skincare regime can help protect your existing collagen from damaging free radicals.
Sun protection: UV rays from the sun actively accelerate collagen degradation. Using an SPF 30+ every day, regardless of the weather, and avoiding UV exposure are the easiest, and perhaps most effective ways, to preserve your collagen.
Retinol/Tretinoin: This Vitamin A derivative has been clinically proven to increase skin cell proliferation. It helps increase collagen production which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving skin a fresh, plump appearance.
In Clinic:
Microneedling: This minimally invasive procedure involves creating tiny injuries in the skin, which triggers the body's natural healing response and stimulates collagen production.
Skinboosters: These are injectable treatments containing hyaluronic acid, which instantly hydrates and has longer term collagen sythesis boosting properties.
Polynucleotides: Another injectable treatment, but these contain DNA and RNA fragments that kick-start the skin cells which make collagen.
Can Collagen Banking Really Prevent Aging?
Collagen banking can certainly slow down the ageing process and help you maintain a more youthful appearance for a longer period.
However, it's essential to understand that ageing is a complex process influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Whilst it cannot entirely prevent ageing, collagen banking definitely helps to preserve and maintain skin collagen to help your skin stay healthier, clearer, plumper and more youthful for longer.
Can Anyone Collagen Bank?
Collagen banking is a safe and beneficial approach to maintaining and improving skin health for most people, especially those in their mid-20s and older.
If you’re not sure where to invest in your collagen banking efforts, book a bespoke skin consultation at Lyon Aesthetics. We can assess your current routine, recommend the best at home products to suit your lifestyle and budget, and suggest in-clinic treatments to create a personalised plan that will ensure your skin is cared for and collagen-rich for years to come! Your future face will thank you for it!
Here’s what our patient has to say about our bespoke skin consultation:
Where to start;
Charlotte is not only the most beautiful soul there is, but she is the most knowledgeable skincare professional I have been to!
She has transformed my skin from dull and dreary to bright and light! I’ve been a face wipe user for 20 years (SORRY) but now with my new skincare regime from Charlotte a face wipe has not been touched in 5 months, and my skin, WOW what a difference! (Don’t forget that SPF!)
If you want in-depth medical skin advice, Charlotte Lyon must be your GO TOO!