Have you ever wondered if you could freeze time on your skin’s ageing process? I’m in my early twenties, so I haven’t but my mom talks about it enough for the both of us. A new term has been making rounds in the beauty industry – collagen banking and it aims to do slow down (if not stop) the process of ageing.
What Is A Collagen Bank?
Collagen banking is part of a proactive skincare approach popularly known as “prejuvenation”. These types of procedures are aimed at stalling the onset of the dreaded wrinkles, and sagging skin (aka normal parts of growing old). The main idea is to boost collagen – the protein responsible for giving skin its firmness and elasticity, while you’re still young (in your early 20s) and your body can produce it efficiently. For comparison, your body decreases its collagen production around the time you hit 25.
Dermatologists propagating collagen banking ask you to think of it “as making deposits into a beauty bank so you can withdraw a youthful complexion for years to come”.
What Procedures Help With This?
Collagen banking treatments are not your average spa day – they are high-tech and can be quite costly. Here’s a quick look at some popular methods:
- Ultherapy: This technique uses ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen production deep within the skin, targeting areas like the chin, neck, and eyebrows. Usually used to lift and tighten the skin.
- RF Microneedling: Combining microneedling with radiofrequency, this method heats the skin’s outer layer to boost collagen and elastin levels, helping treat sagging skin and wrinkles.
- Chemical Peels: By causing controlled damage to the skin, chemical peels promote the growth of new skin and collagen.
- Profhilo: An injectable treatment that targets four types of collagen to rejuvenate and hydrate the skin.
- LED Light Therapy: Red LED light is used to protect existing collagen and encourage new growth.
The Debate: Is Collagen Banking Effective?
Opinions on the efficacy of collagen banking are split. In a HuffPost piece, Dr. Chris G. Adigun, states that it’s “..like a glass of water with a leak. If you keep refilling it you always have some water.”
However, skeptics caution against the premature use of intensive treatments like Ultherapy, particularly in very young individuals without significant signs of ageing. They raise concerns about potential long-term consequences, such as increased scar tissue from overstimulating collagen production in young skin, which could potentially lead to a worse outcome over time.
Should You Consider Collagen Banking? We Asked A Dermatologist
The decision to start collagen banking treatments should be a well-considered one. While the allure of holding onto youth is strong, it’s important to weigh the benefits against the risks and costs involved. So we asked Dr. Neha Khuraana, MD, a Board-certified Dermatologist and Founder of House of Aesthetics, what she think about this science and if it’s pseudo.
“Collagen banking, or the practice of preserving collagen for later use, is not a recognised or established concept in skincare. The concept of collagen banking is a marketing term used to describe the proactive approach of maintaining and enhancing collagen levels in the skin to delay signs of ageing. While it’s true that collagen production decreases as we age, the idea of “banking” collagen for later use is not scientifically supported yet. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and other signs of ageing. While there is no magic solution to completely stop or reverse the ageing process, there are ways to support collagen production and maintain skin health.”
Dr. Shaurya Thakran, MD , Dermatologist & esteemed founder of Rakshaa Aesthetics highlights a few ways to do so.
- Using Sun Protection: UV exposure significantly speeds up the aging process. Make sure to use sunscreen to protect the skin from photoaging.
- Including Antioxidants: Incorporating antioxidants in your skincare routine can combat oxidative damage from free radicals. Vitamin C, for example, not only combats damage but also stimulates collagen production.
- Add Ingredients Like Retinoids In Your Routine: These are among the most proven topical treatments to increase collagen production and decrease visible aging signs.
As with any investment, collagen banking comes with its share of risks and rewards. So whether you decide to bank on collagen or not, informed decisions and expert advice are your best tools in the ever-evolving world of beauty and anti-ageing treatments.
In the end, whether collagen banking will be hailed as a beauty revolution or just another trend on the anti-ageing horizon remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure, the quest for the fountain of youth continues – just maybe don’t bank on collagen.
Featured Image: Unsplash
