Human aging is first reflected in the skin's condition, so much so that when retouching photos, skin smoothing is the most commonly used method. Hyaluronic acid injections have become a popular cosmetic procedure to combat wrinkles and improve skin texture. However, one aspect you might overlook is collagen. As one of the two major foreign injection fillers in the medical beauty market (the other being hyaluronic acid), collagen acts like a "spring," determining the skin's elasticity and firmness; it also serves as a "reservoir," determining the skin's hydration and water retention capacity. The aging process of the skin is the process of collagen loss. It's essential to utilize these two primary tools effectively to reverse aging and enhance beauty. Due to the confusion between their relationship and functions or due to misinformation leading to the use of unregulated products, many people are jeopardizing their safety. So, how can hyaluronic acid and collagen be appropriately selected and safely applied to the body to achieve anti-aging and skincare effects?
What is Hyaluronic Acid &Collagen
Collagen is a biopolymer primarily extracted from chicken feet, pig trotters, or pigskin. Additionally, it can be found in edible fungi like wood ear mushrooms and tremella mushrooms.
Collagen is an indispensable protein in the human body. Supplementing it can make the skin smoother, and a moderate collagen intake in daily life can also slow down skin aging. As age increases, the collagen content in the body gradually diminishes, reducing moisture in the skin and muscles. This can result in skin sagging, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity, making one appear older. In such cases, collagen can be injected at reputable hospitals.
Collagen can effectively reduce wrinkles. This is mainly achieved by injecting collagen into areas of skin depression or defects using a syringe. Through collagen injections, tissue fibers can gradually regenerate, improving skin depression and making the skin smoother and more elastic.
In daily life, it's advisable to consume foods rich in collagen and maintain proper skincare routines.
Chemically, hyaluronic acid is an acidic mucopolysaccharide. Due to its unique hydrating properties, hyaluronic acid is currently the best moisturizing substance, often called the ideal natural moisturizing factor. Additionally, the human body contains a significant amount of hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is a lubricant in various joints of the body and is found abundantly in the dermis of human skin. However, this type of hyaluronic acid has a low molecular weight, meaning it is quickly metabolized and has a short duration of action. Factors such as aging and frequent late nights can accelerate the body's metabolism and breakdown of hyaluronic acid, leading to its depletion. It can be synthesized through methods such as artificial synthesis or microbial fermentation to replenish external hyaluronic acid.
Synthetic hyaluronic acid can be modified by adding collagen agents to prolong the duration of hyaluronic acid maintenance, thereby extending its retention time. Consequently, various types of hyaluronic acid are available in the market, including low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, medium molecular weight hyaluronic acid, and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. Each type has different application methods and target areas.
Effect of Hyaluronic Acid &Collagen
The functions of collagen include the following:
Moisturizing: Collagen, due to its unique amino acid structure, can lock in moisture, maintaining the skin's delicacy and elasticity.
Spot reduction: Collagen promotes skin metabolism while inhibiting melanin formation, thereby achieving the effect of spot reduction and beautification.
Anti-aging: Collagen promotes cellular metabolism, mitigating cellular aging and smoothing fine lines.
Oil regulation: Collagen can regulate the skin's oil secretion, making the skin tighter.
The functions and efficacy of hyaluronic acid are as follows:
1.Hyaluronic acid effectively addresses skin aging issues, smoothing out wrinkles on the skin's surface and demonstrating good results for facial aging.
2. Hyaluronic acid primarily exists in gel form in the dermal tissues of the skin, responsible for storing moisture and increasing skin volume, resulting in a plump, complete, and elastic appearance. Therefore, hyaluronic acid has excellent moisturizing properties.
3. For facial structural shaping, hyaluronic acid can be used for non-invasive procedures such as nose augmentation, lip enhancement, chin augmentation, forehead augmentation, and brow bone enhancement without surgery. It shows quick results and high safety. Hyaluronic acid used for shaping typically has larger particles, and injections should penetrate at least into the deep dermis layer.
4. Collagen in hyaluronic acid effectively fills and smoothes out wrinkles in the skin, thus demonstrating a certain degree of reduction in facial wrinkles such as crow's feet and nasolabial folds.
5. Hyaluronic acid can alleviate skin sagging by moisturizing cells, promoting protein regeneration and connection, resulting in tighter, smoother skin and a more youthful appearance.
How to select collagen and hyaluronic acid:
1. Research Quality: Look for reputable brands or manufacturers with a record of producing high-quality collagen and hyaluronic acid products.
2. Check Ingredients: Ensure the product contains pure collagen or hyaluronic acid without unnecessary additives or fillers.
3. Consider Source: Opt for collagen sourced from reliable animal or plant-based sources, and choose hyaluronic acid produced through safe and controlled methods such as microbial fermentation.
4. Consult Professionals: Seek advice from dermatologists or skincare experts to determine the most suitable type and concentration of collagen or hyaluronic acid for your skin concerns.
5. Read Reviews: Look for customer reviews and testimonials to gauge the effectiveness and safety of the product.
6. Patch Test: Before applying to your entire face, conduct a patch test to check for any adverse reactions or allergies.
7. Follow Instructions: Adhere to the recommended usage instructions provided by the manufacturer for optimal results and safety.
