How the sun affects your skin's collagen?
Dull, dehydrated skin or more expression lines after the holidays despite using sunscreen? This happens because the sun weakens collagen below the surface. We explain how this process, photoageing, works and how to create a complete shield of protection from within.
The internal process: How does solar radiation influence your collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in our skin, acting as the scaffold or support network that keeps it firm, elastic, and in place.
When we are exposed to ultraviolet radiation (especially UVA rays, which penetrate to the deepest layers of the dermis), a chain reaction is triggered that wears down this structure:
- Activation of destructive enzymes: The sun activates enzymes in our skin whose natural function is to remove damaged collagen. The problem is that, under summer sun exposure, these enzymes go out of control and also break down healthy collagen and elastin fibres.
- Generation of free radicals: UV radiation generates massive oxidative stress in the cells. These free radicals directly attack existing collagen molecules and slow down the skin's natural ability to produce new fibres.
This internal degradation process is responsible for up to 80% of premature skin ageing. Conventional sunscreen effectively stops sunburn and damage on the outer layer (epidermis), but it cannot 100% prevent this internal alteration of structural fibres from continuing beneath the surface.
Is there any point in applying cosmetic creams with collagen in summer?
This is one of the most common questions when we start to notice dry or dull skin from the sun and chlorine. However, the dermatological response is that they do not work to regenerate the internal structure of the skin.
The collagen molecule commonly used in cosmetic creams and serums has a molecular weight and size that are too large. Because of this, it is physically unable to cross the skin barrier to reach the dermis (the deep layer where real collagen is made).
When you apply a cream with collagen, it remains on the outermost layer of the skin. It provides fantastic surface hydration and temporary softness, but it does not repair or replace the internal support weakened by the sun. To truly restructure and replenish collagen, nourishment must come from the inside through the intake of specific nutrients.
How to prepare your skin for the sun from within
To counteract the effects of the sun and actively stimulate the production of new collagen during the warm months, we must provide our body with the exact building blocks it needs to synthesise it.
To achieve this internal nourishment directly and effectively, the best option is to turn to supplementation. Make sure its formula meets these three key requirements:
- Must be Hydrolysed Collagen (Type I): Collagen in its natural state is barely absorbed. Being hydrolysed (broken down into very small peptides), your body assimilates it quickly and transports it via the bloodstream directly to the dermis to reactivate your own collagen production. Type I is the specific and most abundant type in the skin.
- Enriched with Vitamin C: Without it, your body is unable to join amino acids to form new stable and long-lasting collagen fibres. Additionally, this vitamin acts as a powerful essential antioxidant to even out skin tone and help prevent sunspots.
- Hyaluronic Acid and Coenzyme Q10: These are the best allies to multiply the effect in summer. Hyaluronic acid retains water in the cells to avoid that "cardboard" look caused by chlorine and salt, while Coenzyme Q10 acts as a powerful antioxidant that stops free radicals before they damage your skin.
info@indesmed.com
Add suggested products