Seven reasons why your body’s collagen breaks down

Collagen is a structural element of the skin. It forms a frame that supports it, responsible for elasticity, elasticity, strength, and beautiful appearance. With age and for other reasons, its concentration in the skin decreases. This leads to the formation of fine lines and wrinkles; it loses its natural volume.

But if you know how and why collagen production decreases, you can prolong youth!

“Magic” collagen: what you need to know

MD, dermatologist Cynthia Bailey says that the content of collagen in healthy young skin is about 75%. Most of it is located in the middle layer – the dermis and is produced by skin cells called fibroblasts.

The loss of collagen in the skin leads not only to the appearance of wrinkles and a decrease in firmness and elasticity. The skin becomes dull, painful in appearance, and rough in texture.

Loss of collagen is usually accompanied by loss of elastin. This element is responsible for the skin’s elasticity; without it, it begins to sag.

It is important to know and understand why the amount of collagen and elastin in the skin is reduced to learn how to resist this process.

Seven reasons why collagen “melts.”

Reason 1: Skin aging

“Loss of collagen as a result of age-related changes in the skin is called intrinsic skin aging. All other causes are called extrinsic skin aging,” says dermatologist Cynthia Bailey.

Internal aging is inevitable. Skin cells that synthesize collagen produce less protein with age. At the same time, hyaluronic acid synthesis is reduced, and now the skin becomes lethargic and does not retain water as well as before.

Antioxidant creams and serums with hyaluronic acid and collagen can partially cope with this. They need to be applied regularly.

Did you know?

Scientists estimate that only 3% of skin aging is due to age. The remaining 97% are related to external factors that you can influence!

Cause 2: UV Damage

Today, even golden tan and swarthy, tanned skin are in fashion. Unfortunately, many underestimate the damaging effects of ultraviolet light, for which they later have to pay the price.

“UV damage is responsible for 80-90% of the signs of skin aging. It reduces the production of collagen in the skin and destroys existing structural fibers,” explains dermatologist Cynthia Bailey.

Regular use of broad-spectrum sunscreen and wearing a wide-brimmed hat and clothing that covers exposed areas of the body when you are in direct sunlight can prevent the breakdown of collagen for this reason.

Reason 3: Smoking

Smoking has long been associated with skin damage and accelerated aging. Experts have calculated that this habit reduces collagen synthesis within the skin by 20%! In addition, it increases free radicals’ activity, further damaging the skin.

It’s always possible to quit smoking. Getting rid of a bad habit improves health and prolongs life.

Reason 4: Unhealthy Diet

A diet that lacks nutrients and is dominated by unhealthy foods high in fats, refined sugars, and synthetics contributes to inflammation within the body.

“The mechanisms of how chronic metabolic inflammation of the whole body leads to long-term skin damage are very complex. But the simplest explanation is that it involves damage to the skin’s collagen and elastin,” says dermatologist Cynthia Bailey.

In addition to the fact that you need to abandon the “harmful” in the diet, you need to make the food menu balanced.

Fact!

“The diet should include more fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates (whole grains, nuts, legumes), and healthy fats (olive oil, fish, nuts). Such a diet helps fight chronic inflammation in the body and the skin in particular,” adds dermatologist Cynthia Bailey.

Reason 5: Drinking alcohol

Frequent or excessive alcohol consumption leads to the phenomenon of glycation. This is the process by which collagen fibers stick together and break down. Such data were presented by scientists who published the results of their study in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism.

Alcohol abuse also leads to thinning of tissues and loss of skin elasticity, speeding up the aging process.

Reason 6: Stress

Studies have confirmed that the skin, the human body’s largest organ, is highly dependent on stress. Experienced shocks increase the number of free radicals in the body and reduce the concentration of antioxidants.

And chronic stress disrupts the body’s immune functions and even contributes to damage to the DNA of cells, speeding up aging.

Scientists have shown that reducing stress can slow down the body’s aging rate and the loss of elastin and collagen. Outdoor walks, yoga, relaxation, hobbies, and swimming have proven themselves well.

Reason 7: Menopause in women

“The onset of menopause in women is another reason for the loss of collagen in the skin. Up to 30% of the collagen in the dermis is lost in the first five years of menopause and about 2% per year over the next 20 years,” says dermatologist Cynthia Bailey.

It is impossible to resist this, but it is possible to smooth out the losses by leading an active lifestyle and leaning on foods and nutritional supplements with collagen. Limited studies are proving that oral collagen supplementation is associated with increased collagen density in the skin and an increase in its levels of hydration and elasticity. But before taking them, you should consult your doctor.

But healthy foods with collagen can be included on the menu daily. A lot of collagen in the broth on the bone, in gelatin. Egg yolk contains amino acids that promote collagen production – glycine and proline. And salmon contains zinc, which also favors collagen synthesis.