There’s a good chance you’ve heard the word ‘collagen’ tossed around, or even been encouraged to purchase a product that contained it- either skincare, supplements or drink mixes. But, what is collagen anyways? Collagen is one of the most important substances in your body. As a protein, collagen acts as glue to help the body maintain its shape and structure by binding tissues and cells. Collagen comprises almost ¾ of the total dry skin mass. Collagen fibers create the infrastructure for elastin and hyaluronic acid responsible for the skin’s elasticity and hydration. As we age, collagen production begins to slow, and cell structures weaken. The decrease in collagen production results in volume loss and is one of the main contributing factors to the outward appearance of aging. After the age of 20, a person produces about 1% less collagen in their skin each year. While this number doesn’t sound drastic, this means that by the time someone is 45 years old they have lost about 25% total collagen (ie facial volume loss). Without substantial collagen amounts, our skin becomes thinner, drier and less elastic. All of the above in a nutshell? The loss of collagen as we age leads to wrinkle formation.
THE QUICK TAKEAWAYS
COLLAGEN, A PROTEIN, ACTS AS GLUE THAT HELPS THE BODY MAINTAIN SHAPE & STRUCTURE BY BINDING TISSUES AND CELLS TOGETHER
THE DECREASE IN COLLAGEN PRODUCTION, A DIRECT RESULT OF AGING, IS ONE OF THE MAIN CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE OF AGING
THE EARILER YOU START TO REPLENISH COLLAGEN, THE MORE YOU CAN DO TO SEE POSITIVE RESULTS
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A BLUR NURSE INJECTOR TO TALK ABOUT COLLAGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPIES LIKE SKINCARE, MICRONEEDLING AND SCULPTA
This process aims to improve the appearance of fine lines, visible pores, acne scars, skin discoloration or melasma, tone and texture. At BLUR we use the first FDA approved microneedling device, Skinpen by Bellus Medical. Each single use sterile Skinpen tip contains 14 needles, with depth adjusting capabilities to personalize treatment specific to you. Microneedling is effective used with hyaluronic acid, but it can be amplified with the addition of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) PRP. PRP is a component in your body’s own blood, is a leader in skin and hair rejuvenation as it stimulates collagen production. This process can help heal scars and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When using PRP as an addition to your microneedling treatments, it may speed up the healing process and stimulate skin renewal that has been shown to produce better results than microneedling alone.
That leaves us with intrinsic aging focused treatment options. Advancements in aesthetics treatments allow us to boost collagen and elastin production to help skin regain lost volume and firmness- from the inside out! This is where the magic of Sculptra comes into play. Sculptra is a unique form of dermal injections (think filler) made of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). And although it’s often categorized with dermal filler, it’s different from other dermal products on the market.
Dermal fillers: consist of hyaluronic acid, and are placed specifically to address particular areas of the face such as cheeks, chin, jawline, lips or under the eyes. Effects are instant, but results are limited to 6-24 months (depending on filler, metabolism and location).
Sculptra: consists of PLLA, and can be placed more wide spread and in areas unable to be treated with hyaluronic acid filler such as temples, hairline, high cheek, mid cheek, in front of ears, jawline, around the nose and mouth and superficially in fine lines and expression wrinkles.
When Sculptra (a biodegradable synthetic substance) is injected, its main ingredient PLLA is metabolized by the body and this process aids in restructuring and stimulating new collagen production. This process allows facial tissues to gain their original volume that has been depleted with the natural aging process.
Since the Sculptra process is essentially telling your body to do the collagen regrowth it takes years to accomplish naturally- although expedited, results are not instant. Results can be seen in as early as 2 months and can last 24+ months. The improvement is desirable as it’s a more natural, gradual improvement. It’s said that roughly 1 vial of Sculptra may equate to 3 syringes of HA filler in volume regrowth over time. Younger patients with more readily available collagen will likely require less product to produce more results. Mature patients will likely require more product since there is greater collagen/volume loss needing to be replaced.
A comprehensive treatment plan designed to address collagen regrowth would include all of the above options, however your future self will thank you for starting with any one of them. The sooner a client is able to incorporate collagen focused therapies into their treatment plan the more effective it will be. Schedule an appointment with one of BLUR’s nurse injectors to discuss what your collagen dedicated treatment plan would look like! We can’t wait to see you.
You survived the holidays, the travel is over, school has restarted, yet you’re still stuck in the dismal days that mark a classic Wisconsin winter. Let’s bring a little love and color into this world! February marks the time to celebrate our semi-annual Galentine’s week at BLUR Aesthetics! Celebrated the entire week of February 6th through the 10th, take advantage of festive deals, fun giveaways and an excuse to hang with your gal-(or guy)-entine.
The Details: