Everything you need to know about ‘collagen banking’, according to an expert

Exploring the collagen craze.

When it comes to skincare, it pays to be one step ahead. But have you ever thought about keeping a ‘reserve’ of your body’s most abundant protein as an anti-ageing measure? Following in the steps of ‘baby botox’ and vampire facials, the new skincare niche seems to be collagen banking.

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Essentially, it’s the practice of maintaining and growing your collagen supply while your body is still making it in copious quantities. It’s said that as we age, our collagen supply depletes, meaning we have less of that skin-loving protein to help slow signs of ageing. So does it really work? To find out, I spoke to Laser Clinics Australia’s Dr Michael Freeman.

What is collagen and what does it do?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It’s the building block for your skin, bones, muscles, tendons and cartilage. Think of it as the reinforcing fibres that hold everything together. It provides structure, strength and some elasticity. Collagen is crucial for youthful-looking skin, keeping your joints mobile and giving your hair and nails strength. As we age, collagen production naturally slows down.

When do we stop naturally producing collagen?

By our mid-to-late twenties, collagen production starts to decline. When we enter our fifties, up to half of our natural collagen stores are gone. Certain lifestyle habits can impact collagen production too, like what we eat and whether we smoke.

When it comes to diet, sugary and processed foods can damage collagen. Aim for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean protein to support collagen synthesis. Vaping and smoking are both detrimental to collagen health. They constrict blood vessels, reducing nutrient flow to the skin and generating free radicals that break down collagen.

What is ‘collagen banking’?

There’s definitely been a rise in the interest in collagen over the past few years. This ‘collagen craze’ is likely due to increased awareness of its role in skin health and anti-ageing, along with the growing market for collagen supplements and topical products.

The term ‘collagen banking’ is used in the beauty industry to describe taking steps to preserve your existing collagen and stimulate your body’s natural production. The idea is to build up a reserve of collagen while you’re young and efficiently producing it.

How can we build up a ‘bank’ of collagen in our bodies while we’re still efficient at making it?

There are a few ways in which people can look to build up a collagen bank and boost collagen production.

• Diet: Focus on foods rich in vitamin C, zinc and glycine, an amino acid important for collagen synthesis. Think citrus fruits, berries and fish.
• Sun protection: Daily sunscreen use is essential to prevent collagen breakdown from UV rays.
• Supplements: Consider collagen peptides or specific nutrients like vitamin C.
• Early intervention for youthful looks: Taking care of your skin early on is key. This includes maintaining a good skincare routine with gentle cleansing and sunscreen.
• Healthy sleep: Aim for seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night. During sleep, your body repairs and renews itself, including collagen production.
• Manage stress: Chronic stress can break down collagen. Find healthy ways to manage stress, like yoga or meditation.

What else might help with ‘banking’ collagen?

Several non-invasive aesthetic treatments can promote collagen production. Three worth noting are microneedling, broadband light (BBL) skin treatments and peptide cosmetics.

Microneedling creates tiny, controlled injuries in the skin, triggering the body’s healing response and collagen production, while BBL treatments can target collagen-producing cells, promoting new collagen synthesis.

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