Ever wondered why, as you age, your skin loses its glow and those pesky fine lines and wrinkles start to creep in? The loss of our skin’s youthful radiance and firmness is due to a decline in collagen production.
Collagen is a protein that plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure and elasticity of our skin. As it makes about 80% of our skin, it’s responsible for keeping it plump, lustrous and bright.
So, can collagen lighten skin? The answer is yes! This vital protein is essential for maintaining our skin's appearance and health, helping it stay radiant and resilient over time. Next time you’re marveling at your skin, you know what to thank.
Let's discuss how collagen works and what other benefits it might have on your skin.
What Is Collagen and How Does It Brighten Skin?
Collagen isn't just skin deep — it makes up for approximately 30% of all the protein in humans, making it the most abundant protein (with many essential amino acids) in the body. It’s found in our:
- bones
- cartilage
- ligaments
- tendons
- joints
- nails
- hair
- teeth
keeping us feeling young and flexible.
However, as you age (we're talking 20+ — sorry!), your skin loses structural integrity by nearly 1% each year and this can be aggravated by your lifestyle, such as having a high-carb diet or spending a lot of time in the sunlight. By the time you're 30, your skin has lost about 10% of its collagen.
So, how does it actually work? Collagen has a skin-lightening effect by reducing melanin production. It inhibits the activity of tyrosinase enzymes, which are responsible for producing melanin. Melanin is a pigment that gives the skin its color. Too much of it can lead to darker skin, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and dark spots. As collagen synthesis reduces melanin production, skin appears lighter and brighter.
Now that we know how can collagen lighten skin, you may want to know:
Where to Get Collagen from?
Since your body is reducing collagen production by the year, what do you need to boost it? There are many forms in which to take collagen, following are the most beneficial.
DermForge LED Mask
Though they may look a little futuristic, these light-emitting diode masks are the latest science-backed skincare solution, offering a spa-like experience at home.
Not only do they improve your skin's glow, but they also help you combat acne and reduce age-related fine lines. All you need to do is set the mask on your face and let it do its magic.
It’s the combination of red and infrared lights that boosts collagen production, giving your skin that much-needed supple bounce.
Supplements
A daily dose of collagen might just be the thing you need for a glow-up.
Whether you opt for Skin Vitals Full Spectrum Collagen Capsules (I, II, III, V, X) or Skin Rehab High Dosage Collagen, these supplements distribute active ingredients such as collagen peptides into your bloodstream, slowing down the body’s loss of collagen. This provides you with the glow and strength you need from the inside out.
Formulated with a blend of ingredients to enhance skin health, these multisource collagen supplements are better absorbed by the body, less inflammatory, and conveniently available in powder form.
Habits to Avoid While Using Collagen-Boosting Products
To ensure you fully benefit from your LED Mask or Collage supplements, it's important to avoid the following:
- Direct UV Exposure: It can harm collagen production and cause it to degrade faster. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your hands, neck, arms, chest, and face.
- High Sugar Diet: It hinders your body’s ability to repair itself and deteriorates collagen reserves.
- Smoking: Undeniably, smoking is bad for every part of the human body and this includes collagen. So, if you want your collagen to work as you hope, you better quit smoking.
- Alcohol: It’s very dehydrating for the body and causes collagen fibers to crack, causing dry and dull skin. Excessive drinking can hinder the progress of your collagen intake or production.
- Lack of Sleep: Focus on getting at least 8 hours of sleep, as enough sleep allows your collagen to repair damage. This can lead to sensitive skin in the long term.
Skin Benefits of Collagen
When it comes to your skin, collagen is key to boosting your confidence. Let's explore what makes it a worthwhile asset to your skincare routine.
Anti-aging Properties
What differentiates someone who appears aged compared to someone young? Their skin elasticity. As collagen production ceases with age, an older person's skin is most likely to appear saggy, however, with collagen, your skin holds its shape and appears smoother.
Collagen also keeps wrinkles and dark spots at bay. It helps shed old skin cells at a rapid rate, replacing them with newer ones, and keeping the effects of aging in check.
Hydrates and Moisturizes
Have you ever slathered lotion onto your skin and still felt dryness? Sometimes, even the highest quality topical products and moisturizers don't resolve dryness because they stem from deep tissues lacking the ability to retain water. Collagen plays a pivotal role in restoring these skin hydration tissues, allowing the body to stay nourished and hydrated, naturally!
Reduces Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are a sign of hard work, love, and growth. However, they can also cause self-esteem issues and impact your confidence. This is where collagen comes in to ease your worries. Typically, stretch marks happen due to rapid weight changes, puberty, or pregnancy. They’re caused by tears in the middle skin layer known as the dermis, and as collagen improves the elasticity of the skin, it also helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Reduces Acne and Breakouts
While genetics and lifestyle play a huge role in causing acne and breakouts, collagen's anti-inflammatory properties minimize their impact. Collagen also acts against inflammation caused by pollutants and dirt, while also promoting the renewal of damaged cells and elastin. These benefits make collagen a valuable asset in your skincare to support against environmental stressors.
Other Health Benefits of Collagen
As mentioned earlier, collagen not only brightens your skin but also serves as one of the building blocks for hair, nails, teeth, and bones. Let's see how collagen results in positive health results.
Enhances Bone Density
When combined with calcium supplements, collagen supplements are ideal for those suffering from osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. How this works is that collagen binds the calcium to make the bones stronger. Therefore, when used in combination, they control the weakening of bones and increase flexibility.
Fortifies Teeth & Gums
Oral health might not be the first thing that you may think of when it comes to collagen, but lack of it can lead to loss of teeth. Collagen can help keep your teeth firmly placed on the gums and strengthen them.
Enriches Hair & Nails
If you have weak and brittle nails and wish for them to grow longer without breaking, collagen is what you might just need. On top of that, it can also help your hair grow longer and stronger. The way it gets the job done is by boosting the body’s natural hair-growing proteins. Besides that, its anti-aging properties can also reduce the rapid gray hair growth and hair loss due to aging.
Relieves Joint Pain
Tired of your knees hurting all the time? With collagen supplements, it’s likely to grow extra cells which could help you with joint mobility, and reduce overall arthritis pain.
Healing Scars and Injuries
In case of an injury, particularly a sports injury, collagen is needed to repair and rebuild connective tissues. This helps promote stronger muscles, joints, and skin. With its tendency to strengthen tendons, cartilage, and ligaments, collagen is also an ideal choice to help heal injuries and regenerate muscle mass.
FAQs
Does Collagen Change Face Shape?
Low collagen levels may cause your facial skin to sag and your cheeks may appear sunken. With the use of collagen, you can restore and maintain healthy skin.
When to Start Using Collagen-Enhancing Products?
It's never too late to start collagen! You can start using it as early as your late 20s, or according to when you think your body may need it.
Can Collagen Products Alone Restore Collagen Levels?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to using these products. By avoiding unhealthy habits and regularly using collagen-boosting treatments, you can accelerate the collagen regeneration process.
Ready to Brighten Your Skin from Within?
Our skin often takes a toll on us due to our hectic lives, which means dull skin is inevitable. However, just as you wear a statement piece, glowing skin can turn heads and boost your confidence. This makes it all the more important to take care of your skin and work towards making it glow.
Still wondering, "Can collagen lighten skin?” That’s where DermForge steps in.
By using our top-tier selection of collagen supplements and LED light masks, you can significantly boost your collagen production, and attain flawless skin without the need of endless spa visits. Opt for DermForge, and let your skin brighten just as much as you do!
