We hear a lot of people talking about it but What is Collagen?
It is one of the building blocks of the human body. It is a long fibrous protein molecule that is extremely strong and elastic. In much the same way that a bungee cable protects and holds furniture in a moving truck, collagen molecules support cells and even organs within the body. It stabilizes and connects tissues with enough elasticity that movement does not damage tissue. Without this protein molecule, blood vessels would tear, lungs would collapse and muscles would atrophy.
As people age the ability to produce collagen diminishes. Much attention is paid to the affect this has on appearance. Skin loses its flexibility and begins to sag. The loss of elasticity means that skin is stretched and thinned, contributing to an aged appearance. A poor diet or skin care regime can increase the effect of aging. Stress and fatigue also increase the onset of aged skin.
The quick answer to “what is collagen” is; the answer to keeping youthful looking skin and people recognize this and go to extraordinary lengths to maintain levels in their aging skin.
Many people try to improve their appearance with collagen injections. But while collagen is a perfectly natural component of healthy tissues, collagen injections are not. Supporters of the plastic surgery industry portray the injections as safe and benign. However injections are an invasive procedure with risks and side effects that can negatively impact appearance. Many people come to regret the decision to undergo this procedure.
The immediate effect of injections is pain, swelling and bruising. The skin tissue is broken as the needle passes through and under it. This needlessly damages healthy skin tissue. The skin cells are damaged by the pressure of the solution as it is pushed out of the syringe. There is swelling around the site of the injection as cells react to the injury. The puncture site is prone to infection and scarring. The injection wounds may be visible for a week after the procedure. Cosmetics should not be used until the puncture wounds have healed. Applying make-up before the skin has healed can lead to serious infection and increases the potential for scarring.
Collagen injections can also distort and stretch skin. The procedure creates high concentrations of solution around the injection site but has no effect on areas of the skin that are not treated. This can lead to a lumpy or unnatural appearance. This is most recognizable when people have had injections in their lips, causing the lips to swell. In profile these women are often said to have “fish lips”.Puffiness around the eyes and cheeks can also occur because of this procedure.
Collagen injections offer only a temporary solution. Eventually the injected molecules will break down and disappear from the area. When this happens, the skin may appear more aged because of the stretching and damage from the injections.
Skin can receive the benefits of supplemental collagen without the negative side effects of collagen injections. A cream such as Kollagen Intensiv can be applied evenly over the face and be absorbed naturally into the skin. This safely and naturally supports and firms the skin to reduce the appearance of aging. The cream can be applied daily for long term benefits.