What Is Collagen and Why Is It So Important?

Maybe you’ve read that collagen is one of the building blocks of healthy skin, but what does that mean? And how can you keep your skin healthy and youthful when aging causes collagen levels to drop?

The team at Vivash Medspa understands the importance of collagen and how to improve collagen production as we age. They offer an array of collagen-boosting therapies, such as laser treatment, Morpheus8® therapy, and intense pulsed light (IPL) facial treatments. Here, you can learn collagen's role in skin health and how we can help you maintain optimal collagen levels and more beautiful skin.

Collagen 101

Collagen is the primary protein that makes up skin, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues, such as bone and blood vessels. It’s extremely common, comprising about 25% of all protein in the body. 

One of the primary roles of collagen is to provide support both within those tissues and in the space between cells. In your skin this support is what helps your skin stay firm, resilient, and smooth. Collagen also plays a crucial role in healing internal and external skin damage (like cuts and abrasions).

Collagen fibers bind together in densely packed bundles in your tissues. These bundles join together and link to form a strong supportive network for your skin and other tissues.

Collagen and aging

As we age, collagen undergoes some significant changes. First, our bodies produce less collagen, which means collagen bundles and networks tend to become weaker. Healing can also slow down.

Other factors, like years of sun exposure, also damage collagen’s production and structure and lead to a loss of skin tone and firmness. Over time, these changes cause lines and wrinkles, a sagging jawline, and a loss of cheek volume.

Ramp up collagen production

Fortunately, some therapies target collagen, ramping production so your skin looks healthier and more youthful. Most of these treatments focus on collagen's healing role and its propensity to form new, strong networks in the presence of skin damage.

Laser and IPL therapies

Both laser therapy and IPL use the power of light to penetrate skin noninvasively, targeting deeper layers of tissue where collagen is produced. While laser treatment uses highly focused beams of single-wavelength energy, IPL uses broadband light incorporating a broader spectrum of wavelengths.

During treatment, both types of light energy create tiny micro-injuries that stimulate natural healing responses, including collagen production. Both therapies are completely customizable and repeatable, helping you enjoy maximum benefits and maintain your results over time.

Morpheus8

Morpheus8 combined two techniques: microneedling and radiofrequency energy (RF) therapy. Microneedling uses a device studded with very tiny needles. When passed over your skin, these needles create tiny micro-injuries that stimulate collagen production and other natural healing responses.

In Morpheus8 treatment, those tiny needles also act as transporters for RF energy, enabling energy to reach deeper layers of tissue. Each micro-burst of energy stimulates collagen development and cell growth for skin that looks and feels smoother and healthier. Like laser and IPL treatments, Morpheus8 therapy is also repeatable so that we can tailor your treatment to your specific goals and skin type.

Keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful

Don’t let wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin affect your complexion or your self-confidence. To learn more about treatments to help rebuild your skin’s collagen support network, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Vivash Medspa in Mahopac and Cold Spring, New York, today.