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In the second of three articles introducing TriPollar, the second is here to explain the need for collagen and how the TriPollar devices can aid collagen production.
Powered by revolutionary radio frequency technology, TriPollar devices focus four low power beams deep into the dermis layer of your skin. This targeted treatment heats the cells to increase and accelerate your body's natural production of collagen. The result? Skin that feels tighter and more supple with improved contours. This all sounds great right? But what actually is collagen, how does it change as we age and how can we aid its production with lifestyle choices and beauty devices. Don't hold your breath as we're here to explain all and answer your collagen queries.
What is Collagen
Collagen is the crucial ingredient to supple skin. The wrinkle-preventing protein that occurs naturally in our bodies keeps skin plump and youthful. In fact it makes up over 80% of our skin, the other two major components being elastin and glycosaminoglycans (GAGS). It is what provides the tissues and organs with necessary strength, with the elastin providing the stretching abilities and GAGS keeping the skin hydrated. Collagen is responsible for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, it's the skin's structural net, which makes it resilient, strong and elastic. It's safe to say we like collagen and we want to hold onto it for as long as possible. What we don't like hearing is that collagen starts to deplete after the age of 20. You heard that right, twenty. We hope you were sat down for that bombshell.
How Collagen Changes As We Age
After the age of 20, a person produces about 1 percent less collagen in the skin each year. As a result the skin becomes thinner and drier, whilst sagging and developing wrinkles due to the collagen and elastin becoming disconnected. The growth of new skin cells also slows down dramatically, which contributes to dull-coloured skin as the dead cells do not shed themselves as quickly. This is known as intrinsic ageing, where the natural process of ageing takes place over the years regardless of outside influences.
Lifestyle Choices That Affect Collagen Production
Extrinsic ageing occurs in addition to intrinsic ageing, but as a result of external and environmental damage, such as tobacco use, exposure to the sun and pollution for example. Smoking ages the skin by eating away at collagen proteins, thereby restricting blood flow, resulting in wrinkled skin. Excessive sugar consumption also has the same effect as sugar can permanently attach to collagen. When collagen is weighed down by glucose it becomes rigid and inflexible, resulting in dull, dry and ageing skin. Making sure you are well hydrated is also a key factor in collagen reduction. The more hydrated your skin is, the better environment it gives for collagen and elastin to thrive. Vitamin C and sulphur rich foods are also crucial in supporting the process of collagen formation such as broccoli, spinach, kiwis, cabbage and garlic, just not all in one go! The effects of extrinsic ageing exaggerate the loss of collagen, elastin, and GAGs. With the lack of these processes in place the skin has the visible appearance of roughness, uneven tone, brown patches, thin skin and deep wrinkles.
Prevention is key to minimising wrinkles and keeping hold of the all important collagen. The most important thing is to take care of your skin before all these changes start to take place. Follow these tips for easy ways to naturally boost collagen:
- Year round sun protection
- Cut out tobacco and processed sugar
- Stay hydrated with water
- Eat your way to collagen production with vitamin c and sulphur rich foods
Beauty Devices to Aid Collagen Production
If you're looking for long term, manageable results however, a beauty device may be the way forward. The TriPollar system gives you instant results, that get better with continues use. The TriPollar Stop is for use on the face and neck, whilst the TriPollar Pose is for use on the body. Powered by TriPollar Radio Frequency technology, the device gently stimulates dermal activity and kick-starts the natural production of collagen to improve your skin's contours and overall condition. A full facial treatment takes around 20 minutes per session, and the device also offers a range of shorter treatment times to target specific areas of concern. Read more about the technology of TriPollar here.
