The Tamesis
Collagen makes up a staggering 75% of skin’s dry weight. In layman’s terms, it’s the scaffolding that holds everything securely in place. As we age, our collagen levels begin to deplete, which can cause visible changes in our skin. In fact, once we reach the age of 25, we lose about 1% of our collagen stores every year. As the skin becomes less elastic, pores and wrinkles begin to appear.
“Collagen is an abundant structural protein in the body that plays a central role in maintaining the integrity, firmness and elasticity of the skin,” cosmetic physician Sophie Shotter, MD, previously stated Fashion.
“Over time, the activity of the cells responsible for collagen synthesis decreases,” explains Mercedes Abarquero Cerezo, pharmacist and scientific medical manager at L’Oréal. “Factors that speed up its degradation include sun exposure, diet, stress and hormonal changes – especially in women going through menopause.”
5 signs of skin collagen loss
While collagen loss is natural, there are many products and treatments that can help increase collagen levels and enhance skin elasticity. First, you need to identify the signs of collagen loss in your skin before discussing a treatment plan with a dermatologist or skin specialist. Here, experts break down the main things to look out for.
Loss of firmness and increased sagging
The first sign that your skin is losing collagen is usually noticing changes in its firmness. “Your skin starts to feel less elastic, pores appear more prominent because their supporting structure weakens, and the skin gradually thins,” explains cosmetic dermatologist and brand founder Sam Bunting, MD.
Skin appears dry
Acting as a scaffold to support the skin, collagen contributes to its water-holding ability. When collagen levels drop, your skin may appear drier because its ability to retain moisture decreases. This can be addressed through dietary changes as well as topical products and application techniques.
Expression lines and wrinkles are more visible
As skin becomes less firm due to lower collagen levels, you may find that fine lines stop disappearing and wrinkles become more noticeable when your face is in a neutral position.
Skin appears less plump and plump
When collagen is lost, your skin appears visibly thinner, softer, and less elastic. You may notice that after gentle pressure, it doesn’t bounce back like it did when you were younger.
Your face shape changes
Other signs of collagen loss include skin appearing thinner, the area around the eyes appearing more sunken, changes in face shape such as narrowing of the temples, brittle nails and hair, and even joint pain and muscle weakness. Collagen really affects everything.
Collagen and menopause
According to Bunting, collagen levels are severely affected by menopause. The loss of estrogen is the culprit. “Estrogen directly supports collagen synthesis, so as levels drop during perimenopause and menopause, collagen production declines dramatically,” she explains. “This is why many women notice significant changes in the firmness, thickness and elasticity of their skin during this period.”
