Aging is a complex and multi-faceted process that affects individuals in a series of different ways. From experiencing aches and pains to developing new health concerns, the deterioration can be overwhelming to say the least. But nothing quite sends home the idea of aging like seeing a new wrinkle appearing on your face each day. With collagen being one of the first things to go during this period of our lives, a lot of people find themselves wondering how this process works. This is why collagen decreases with age and a few things you can do to slow down this change.

How the Body Generates Collagen

From the time we’re born, collagen is naturally generated within the body to help build many of our primary systems. Bones, veins, ligaments, and, yes, our skin, are all comprised of some amount of collagen. This substance is what supplies these parts with durability and elasticity—keeping them healthy enough to withstand damage and heal properly afterward. To create collagen, the body will use many different nutrients such as vitamin C, protein, zinc, and copper that are all obtained through a balanced diet. This is part of the reason why eating healthy is such a crucial part of growing up.

It’s also important to mention that collagen doesn’t just collect within the body; it also breaks down like any other protein. So, as it’s being generated and used, it’s also being broken down into other materials and recycled throughout the biological system. It’s just that when we were younger, the breakdown process was much slower. As such, we were never without the necessary collagen to keep our complexions looking youthful and healthy.

Collagen Production and Age

But when we age, it’s a bit of a different story. This is because as the body gets older, these primary building processes start slowing down and sometimes even stop altogether. Substances begin to decompose at a faster rate and the respective organs can no longer keep up when creating new proteins. It’s at this point where we see a significant dip in how much collagen our bodies are producing and, as a result, how much of it we’re retaining. Therefore, in order to understand why collagen decreases with age, it’s important that you recognize when your body enters this phase of its lifecycle.

Typically, this deterioration process will begin around the age of 25—though it will depend on each person’s genetic makeup and overall health. Some might lose their collagen sooner, while others might hold onto it a bit longer into their lives. If those in your family have suffered from signs of premature aging, then you may be predisposed to experience them yourself. Collagen breakdown can also increase if you aren’t eating properly or if you aren’t taking the necessary steps to look after your wellbeing.

Other Factors Hindering Collagen Production

There are a lot of other factors as well that can contribute to a decline in collagen as you age. Fortunately, many of them have to do with your lifestyle and can be mitigated if you make the right changes. These are some of those influencing things to be on the lookout for.

Accumulated UV Damage

One of the most prominent reasons why collagen deterioration starts is the amount of sun damage your skin has sustained over the years. Believe it or not, there’s more to a sunburn than just what you feel on the surface. In fact, these injuries can penetrate deeper into the flesh and start causing irreparable harm to the cells themselves. So, when repeatedly exposed to UV rays, this damage will build up and collagen will break down. This is why it’s highly recommended that you limit your time in direct sunlight and never leave home without properly protecting your skin.

Smoking or Drinking Alcohol

Consuming substances that aren’t good for the body can also have an effect on your collagen levels. This is due to the fact that they tend to block the body from receiving essential nutrients. Smoking can inhibit oxygen absorption—which can severely damage tissues over time. Alcohol releases free radicals into the body that can further damage cells and stop the collagen creation process. For these reasons, it’s vital that you cut back on, or eliminate, these consumables from your routine if you want to keep your skin looking young.

Access Skin Inflammation

Inflammation can cause damage to accumulate similarly to UV rays. This is because it can interfere with wound healing and leave certain areas of tissue weaker than they were before. As such, with these sections weaker, it’s much harder for them to maintain collagen and moisture. It’s for this reason that those suffering from frequent acne breakouts will often experience scarring and more dull-looking skin afterward. Therefore, putting in the effort to manage your acne and prevent inflammation from taking over can be greatly beneficial to preserving your collagen.

Stress and Anxiety

The stress and anxiety you feel on a daily basis could be working against you as well. Stress has a multitude of effects on the body, but some of the most troubling is what it does to the brain. In large amounts, stress causes the brain to produce more hormones that make the body more sensitive to irritants. This reaction can be linked to a series of reactions including the development of hives, acne, and flareups of eczema. When this happens, it can affect your collagen levels similarly to how general inflammation does. For this reason, you should adopt methods to help control your stressful feelings—and reduce your chances of triggering this chemical reaction.

Collagen is one of the most important components to healthy, young, and supple-looking skin. As such, we at Flawless Beauty and Skin work hard to make products that will help maintain this substance along with treating your most persistent blemishes. Our whitening beauty creams, for instance, are specially formulated to target hyperpigmented cells and even out your skin tone. However, they’re also full of the nutrients that are essential for promoting healthier skin—and, therefore, preserving your collagen. For more information about our products and what they can do to reduce signs of aging, give us a call or visit our website.