Collagen is one of the key structures in the skin, and as you age, collagen is one of the most important structures to support not only the skin but also the body. The body naturally makes its own collagen by breaking down dietary protein into amino acids. Without collagen essentially our bodies would not work or function very well.
What role does Collagen play in our skin?
Collagen is one of the key structures in the skin, and as you age, collagen is one of the most important structures to support not only the skin but also the body. The body naturally makes its own collagen by breaking down dietary protein into amino acids. Without collagen essentially our bodies would not work or function very well. Aging results in thinning of all three layers of the skin: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. The top layer of the skin, the epidermis, provides a waterproof barrier and protects the body from external harm. This layer covers the dermis, which contains connective tissue, hair follicles, sweat glands, and collagen. Underneath the dermis is the hypodermis, a layer of subcutaneous tissue made up of adipose (fat) cells and connective tissue. Thinning of these layers is accompanied by a decrease in collagen. Collagen production decreases by approximately 1% with each year of age after maturity (about age 21), leading to a loss in firmness and elasticity of skin.
Here are 10 helpful facts about Collagen:
Proteins make up around 20% of the mass of the human body, collagen makes up around 30% of the protein found in the human body.
There are at least 16 types of collagen, but 80-90% of the collagen in the body consists of types one, two and three.
Type one collagen fibrils are stronger than steel (gram for gram).
Collagen is most commonly found within the bodies skin structure, bones and connective tissues.
The word "collagen" originates from the Greek "kolla," meaning glue.
Collagen gives the skin its strength and structure, and also plays a role in the replacement of dead skin cells.
Collagen production declines with age (as part of intrinsic aging), and is reduced by exposure to ultraviolet light and other environmental factors (extrinsic aging).
Habitual factors that damage the production of collagen include sunlight, smoking and high sugar consumption.
More than 75% of GlyMed Plus products support collagen synthesis.
Collagen production can be stimulated through the use of the GlyMed Plus DermaSound Elite.
Written by The Institute of Skin Science