ALL ABOUT COLLAGEN
Collagen is a group of proteins that are the building blocks of many body parts, including muscles, blood vessels, skin, hair and tendons. It makes up about 30 percent of the protein in our bodies and plays a key role in making sure that our connective tissues are strong. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and its fibers are more elastic than rubber bands. The word collagen comes from the Greek word ‘kola’ meaning glue.
As you age (as all humans do), your body produces less collagen than it used to. Its formation decreases as people become older and are exposed to things like Ultraviolet radiation. In your mid-twenties, your body start begin to lose collagen. On average, a human body loses about 1% collagen a year. After a few years, the results are obvious. In the first five years after menopause, women can lose up to 30% of their collagen production - and this can make your skin look less firm and smooth.
THE MOST ABUNDANT TYPE OF COLLAGEN FOUND IN OUR BODY IS TYPE I COLLAGEN
Collagen comes in 28 different types, although five are regarded to be the most common.
Collagen type I, is the strongest type of collagen and the most prevalent protein in humans (and in all vertebrates). Our skin, bones, tendons, corneas, blood vessel walls, and other connective tissues are all formed by type I. This collagen type improves skin hydration and suppleness while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It can help rebuild muscles, eyes, bones, and spine, as well as strengthen nails and promote the growth of stronger, glossier, and thicker hair.
Type II is the mostly found in cartilage.
Type III, the second most prevalent type in the body is a fibrillar collagen which is found in abundance in our skin and organs. The digestive system, blood vessels, muscles, bones, and uterus contain most of it. It's mostly found together with type I collagen and is used to aid gut healing as well as skin elasticity and hydration.
The thin layer outside the cells, which gives the cell structure, is composed of type IV collagen. It can also be present in the skin, kidneys, liver, and other organs.
Type V collagen is a small collagen component that, along with type I collagen, forms interstitial collagen fibers and regulates the formation of connective tissue. This type is also involved in the formation of cell surfaces and hair.
Collagen is a versatile molecule: it’s responsible for creating artworks such as Michelangelo’s David or architectural wonders such as The Pyramids at Giza. It also helps keep us comfortable by creating cushiony folds around joints.
Loose Areolar connective tissue under the microscope view - is a cellular connective tissue with thin and relatively sparse collagen fibres.
THE ABILITY TO RESTORE COLLAGEN NATURALLY DECLINES
When we are young, our bodies make more collagen than we break down. With aging, the proportion of collagen types in the skin changes. Collagen type I makes up around 80% of young skin, whereas type III makes up about 15%. The ability to restore collagen naturally declines by roughly 1.0 % to 1.5 % per year as people become older. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes collagen to break down more quickly, causing collagen strands to be damaged.
Reduced collagen type I and III syntheses are a characteristic of chronologically aged skin.
Collagen is a large protein that is found in the body. It is a major component of connective tissues like tendons, ligaments and skin. Collagen helps blood vessels maintain elasticity and regulate inflammation. You can find collagen in joints, bones, muscles and cartilage.
As we age, our body naturally decreases its production of collagen which can result in changes to hair and nail quality, wrinkles and even joint pain. Maintaining a healthy collagen production, may help slow these aging effects on your body.
Collagen is essential to diminish the indications of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines, uneven skin tone, and saggy skin. It also helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots and scars caused by acne or other skin problems, as well as hydrates the skin to keep it smooth, soft, and radiant. Moreover, collagen is useful in the treatment of dry, brittle hair and also reduces hair loss and promotes the growth of longer, thicker hair.
To some extent, free radical damage to the cells that produce hair color may speed up graying. Collagen may be able to counteract this damage and slow graying by acting as an antioxidant.
DAILY HABITS TO INCREASE COLLAGEN PRODUCTION
Antioxidants, such as vitamin C, can help to prevent collagen breakdown by lowering the number of free radicals in the skin, whether taken orally or externally. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is crucial and is needed to transform type III into type I. Maintaining a healthy collagen production, but having an absence of ascorbic acid could be a factor why you are not seeing results in firmer skin or stronger hair and nails.
The use of daily sunscreen is key to slow down the breakdown of collagen. A healthy diet rich in manganese, vitamin C, zinc, and copper is also helpful. Minimum uninterrupted 8-9 hours of sleep every night permits our body to fix broken collagen, which helps to prevent wrinkles.
Plus, eating foods rich in antioxidants can also help protect your body from sun damage—which also contributes to fine lines and wrinkles—and even slow down or reverse signs of aging by boosting your immune system and improving circulation throughout your body, including your face.
Light with 630nm & 660nm (red) and 810-850nm (near-infrared) wavelengths with a min of 50mw/cm2 stimulates the mitochondria in cells and AMPK. Photobiomodulation (or low-level laser therapy LLLT) shows a similar path as the stimulation through Quantum EMS. Red wavelength can in some cases not be ideal for Beauty purposes as it is still absorbed by melanin and can show up as hyperpigmentation. Melanin Absorption is almost completely attenuated after 700nm.
It is still not clear if the body can absorb collagen through supplementing. When taking collagen orally, it is broken down by the body to its amino acid molecules glycine, proline, hydroxyproline and arginine. However, one study found that while taking 10 grams of collagen daily helped improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles in women aged 35–55.
Collagen is not just a protein; it is an entire network of proteins that help to give structure to your body. Spectra Sculpt gives your skin an extra boost, so you can face the world with confidence.
References-
2) Wu M, Crane JS. Biochemistry, Collagen Synthesis. [Updated 2019 Apr 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan.
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