Ensure you always have surplus in your collagen bank!
Have you tried the viral #TikTok #agedfilter, which uses A.I. to dramatically accelerate the ageing of your face by decades, generating a glimpse of your future-self? No cap!
Many have claimed how eerily realistic and accurate it is, after using this filter on celebrities when they were younger to compare how they have aged today.
This filter has successfully raised awareness of the potential development of wrinkles, sagginess and loss of volume due to the depletion of collagen in your skin. In other words, how well you age is dominantly determined by how effectively you can preserve collagen in your skin.
So, if you don’t like what you’re seeing in this filter, read this blog to discover the risk factors that could potentially sabotage your collagen levels, and learn what you can do to sustain or generate more collagen, allowing you to remain youthful-looking for as long as possible.
First, defining collagen!
Collagen is a tough, structural protein molecule made up of amino acids and serves as the primary building block for your skin. Think of it as the Lego blocks of your skin!
It accounts for one-third of the protein in your body and can also be found in muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues.
Why are they important?
If you’re coveting that #jelloskin which bounces back like jelly, it’s all thanks to a copious amount of healthy collagen.
Collagen in the skin plays a crucial role in supporting the fibroblasts in the skin’s dermis, aiding in collagen synthesis and the production of new, healthy skin cells. It also plays a vital role in replacing dead skin cells, which is essential for wound healing and regeneration. Alongside elastin, it helps maintain your skin’s structure and elasticity.
The natural depleting phases of collagen
Unfortunately and inevitably, our bodies begin to produce less collagen as part of the intrinsic ageing process. This decline typically starts in our 20s, with an average loss of about 1%-1.5% of collagen per year.
Changes in skin elasticity start becoming noticeable between your 30s and 40s when the existing collagen degrades at an accelerated rate, leading to a more brittle and fragile skin structure. During this phase, even the collagen produced is of lower quality compared to our younger years.
Think of how a withered flower goes wheeeewww!
Ladies may experience a substantial loss of approximately 30% of their skin collagen during the first 5 years of menopause, with a gradual decline thereafter. While gents don’t experience that much of a loss initially, it won’t be for much longer. It’s inescapable that everyone will eventually experience a decline in collagen after the age of 60.
Risk factors that could potentially sabotage your collagen
Although the rate of natural collagen loss varies based on factors like ethnicity, gender, and genetics, the last thing we want to do is hasten this process through poor lifestyle choices that exacerbate the issue.
So, let’s identify these potential culprits:
1) Smoking
Smoking can deteriorate both your collagen and elastin, resulting in wrinkled skin and slower wound healing. Additionally, nicotine in cigarettes constricts blood vessels near your skin’s surface, reducing optimal oxygen and nutrition delivery.
Unfortunately, second-hand smoke has the same consequences…
2) Overexposure to Ultraviolet (UV) Light
Excessive sunlight exposure can damage your skin by affecting the DNA in skin cells and generating free radicals, which accelerates collagen breakdown and contributes to photo-ageing.
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!
3) Excessive Sugar and Refined Carbohydrate Intake
Sugar can attach to proteins in your body, forming advanced glycation end products. These molecules can damage nearby proteins, including collagen, causing it to disintegrate.
Get your hands off that cupcake!
4) Airborne Pollution
Environmental pollutants have the potential to disrupt normal skin functions through oxidative damage, leading to extrinsic skin ageing, inflammation, or allergic reactions.
Turn on that air purifier now!
5) Stress
Chronic stress can be detrimental in multiple ways. It increases inflammation in the body and weakens the immune system. Additionally, it triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone known to degrade collagen and reduce collagen production.
Breathe in, breathe out…
Skincare that preserves or increases your collagen bank?
Here are 3 skincare GOATs you can never go wrong with if you want to ensure your collagen bank is always in surplus:
Sunscreen
To sustain your current collagen, it’s all about prevention. Protect your skin from UV damage with the no.1 skincare rule — sunscreen.
Put up your defense with ést.lab’s SunShield SPF50*** which offers an almost complete UVA and UVB protection at 98%. It contains Vitamins C and E, and even doubles up as a tinted moisturiser for brightening, anti-ageing and antioxidant benefits.
P.S.: Don’t forget to reapply after 2-3 hours if you’re outdoors, especially after swimming or perspiring.
Vitamin A
If you’re looking to delay early signs of ageing, Vitamin A (Retinol/ Retinoids) is recommended as early as mid-20s. It stimulates fibroblasts to increase the synthesis of collagen fibres, improve skin elasticity, antagonise decreased cell growth and further enhance the production of elastin fibres.
Meet Heure’s Ageless Night Treatment that not only contains Retinol, but is also powered by groundbreaking SPHR™ technology with a transdermal delivery system to safely encapsulate high efficacy anti-ageing actives and deliver them deep into the dermis where the collagen and elastin reside.
Your skin will thank you in years to come!
Peptides
For optimal results, incorporate Peptides into your skincare routine to effectively increase collagen production. They are a string of amino acids, which are what’s needed to form collagen and elastin. In essence, it fuels your collagen and elastin so your skin can produce more of it.
Enter ést.lab’s VitaLift A+ Intensive Restoring Capsules which is enhanced with a unique blend of Fullerene (250x more powerful than Vitamin C), a holy trinity of Peptides, Squalane and Ceramides.
We call this the age-defying elixir.
Professional treatments that preserve or increase your collagen bank?
Consider adding on these treatments during your salon visits:
Intense Pulse Light (IPL)
IPL devices use non-laser high intensity light sources to transmit a broad wavelength of light that passes through the superficial layer (without harming the skin) and targets the dermis.
Estetica’s Intense Pulse Light (IPL) Therapy boosts collagen production in 3 different ways:
1) It directly stimulates the fibroblast to induce more collagen production.
2) It encourages blood flow to treated areas by generating excess heat, which is absorbed by the surrounding tissue and causes the blood vessels to expand. This increased blood flow ensures that collagen can be produced at an accelerated rate.
3) It initiates the body’s repair process to remove older collagen structures and triggers the creation of new tissue. This gradual improvement leads to enhanced skin firmness and texture over time.
However, do take note that it’s not suitable for those with darker skin tones due to the risk of hyperpigmentation.
Radio Frequency (RF)
RF devices use safe levels of low-frequency electromagnetic waves to generate heat that passes through the superficial layer (without harming the skin) and goes deeper into the dermis.
Estetica’s TriPollar RF Therapy employs a third-generation RF modality. This treatment enhances the dermis in the safest and most effective manner. With the use of high power density, immediate results become visible from the first session, and it has been clinically proven to have long-lasting effects.
It delivers targeted and optimal RF energy painlessly. The deep heating effect directly stimulates fibroblast metabolism, leading to increased collagen production for tighter and more youthful skin with long-term skin remodeling results.
It’s even safe to use around the lips and eyes, and it’s suitable for all skin types and colours!
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
HIFU devices is the next gen technology for collagen regeneration. It utilises ultrasound energy that converts into sound waves that’s able to penetrate past the superficial layer (without harming the skin) and reach the Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) where collagen and elastin reside.
Estetica’s Ultight Lift & Firm Treatment serves as a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgical facelift procedures. This cutting-edge technology can stimulate collagen production at up to 4 different layers of the skin, resulting in immediate skin tightening and long-lasting effects to achieve a firmer and more lifted facial contour with no pain and downtime.
Who still needs plastic surgery after this?
This is your sign to take a screenshot of your Tiktok #agedfilter results now. If you start your skin-vestment today to build up your collagen reserves, you could experience a reverse ageing process in time to come!
In good hands,
Estetica
