We’ve all heard the word “collagen” thrown around when talking about skin care and wrinkles. Pricey plastic surgeons offer to inject collagen straight into your skin to plump up everything from lips to wrinkles. But what does it really mean when dermatologists refer to the breakdown of collagen? And, more importantly, is there actually a way to replace or repair collagen to reduce the appearance of wrinkles as we age?

The basics. Collagen is a fibrous protein that experts estimate makes up 25-30% of all proteins in the human body. It is found in tendons, muscles, bones, and skin. Basically, collagen is a connector that strengthens and firms tissues throughout the body. Collagen is found in the dermis or middle layer of the skin and helps give skin form and keep it taut and resilient. A decrease in collagen fibers will leave skin loose and susceptible to wrinkles.

How we lose collagen. As we age, our body naturally produces less and less collagen, allowing the skin to sag and wrinkle over time. Some of this loss of collagen can be attributed to heredity, some to the slowing of cell division and reproduction, and some to changing hormones. The process of collagen loss is accelerated by factors like sun exposure, stress, and smoking. Studies have long linked UV exposure to severe and at times serious skin damage. Sun rays thin the outer layer of skin, the epidermis. This leaves the dermis more susceptible to damage that breaks down existing collagen and also increases the amount of free radicals that disturb the skin’s natural balance. While UV exposure is the top contributor to premature aging, smoking also significantly affects the wrinkling of the skin. Restricted blood flow from continuous exposure to cigarette smoke contributes to a break down of existing collagen while decreasing the amount of collagen the body produces. Smoking is also linked to a significant increase in free radicals. A third factor that impacts premature aging like wrinkles is mental and emotional stress. A 2004 study conducted by the University of California at San Francisco provides evidence that stress accelerates cell division in chromosomes that decreases the length of telomeres (caps at the end of chromosomes) until they are too short to divide any further. As this process is a tell-tale sign of natural aging, it stands to reason that accelerating the process would lead to premature aging, including wrinkles on the skin.

Can we replenish collagen? There are so many products on the market that claim they can replace or stimulate production of collagen. The reality is that a collagen injection is a very expensive and very temporary fix for erasing wrinkles. Just like the collagen found naturally in your skin, injections will break down over time. The best long-term solution to wrinkles is finding an anti-wrinkle cream that can nourish the skin and stimulate production of collagen. Two ingredients that have shown great success in stimulating collagen production are Cynergy TK and Phytessence Wakame. Cynergy TK aids in the skin’s natural repair process and can be used by the skin to produce collagen and elastin. Phytessence Wakame helps bind the collagen and elastin fibers, keeping skin strong and firm.

We all want to keep our skin fresh and youthful. The good news is that there are wrinkle creams on the market that deliver impressive results. If you really want to find products that will improve the health and texture of your skin and take years off your appearance, click here.