Here Comes The Sun: Does Sun Exposure Reduce Collagen?

We’re throwing it back to September 1969, with the theme tune of ‘Here Comes The Sun’ by The Beatles, as we discuss how your clients can stay golden this Summer, without premature ageing. As we enter Spring and leave our Winter skincare routine in the past, how can you help your clients embark on a summer glow-up with aesPlla®? Let’s delve into the conversation of collagen, and how the sun affects collagen production in the skin.

First of All: What is Collagen and How do We Lose it?

Collagen is a type of protein that is produced  naturally  in the body, which is unlike most of other skincare ingredients. Although our body naturally harnesses this protein, it decreases over time; as we lose collagen, it leads to ageing effects on the skin such as fine lines.  

Collagen is composed mainly of the amino acids glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which are bound together tightly, and are what give healthy skin it’s plumpness. Collagen is the main part of our dermis and it is responsible for our skin’s barrier function. In this way, it encourages skin regeneration through restoring dead skin cells.  

There are several factors that accelerates our loss of collagen over time. These are things like smoking, intake of sugar, aging, and sun exposure. Whilst these are the main causes of collagen loss, there are ways to restore collagen as we age, to maintain a youthful, healthy-looking complexion.

Why is Collagen Important For Skin? 

Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies, which helps towards strengthening hair and nails, as well as healthier skin. If your clients feel that their volume loss is hindering their summer glow, then aesPlla® is the perfect bio-stimulatory PLLA injectable. This PLLA product offers intelligent rejuvenation, harnessing the skin’s natural collagen production to gently volumise skin.

How Does Sun Exposure Reduce Collagen?

Unprotected sun exposure is the main cause of premature skin aging. So, how does the sunshine affect our skin? UV rays from the sun can penetrate the skin dermis, which is made up of collagen, elastin, and other fibres that supports the skin’s structure. These UV rays damage the collagen fibres, leading to loss of collagen over time. Collagen is a protein which retains the firmness of skin, and elastin is the support fibre which allows skin to bounce back; the degradation of both collagen and elastin is what leads to premature signs of aging in the skin.

Topical Collagen in Skincare  

Topical collagen  isn’t the same as the collagen our bodies produce, in the sense that it is a synthetic version that isn’t absorbed by our skin. Surprisingly, collagen in skincare products are not often vegan, because (historically) collagen has been derived from fish. However, there are more vegan collagen formulas now popping up on the market.  

There are various types of skincare ingredients which can help to boost collagen production and aid cell turnover, such as retinols. Whilst there are claims that topical collagen improves the production of collagen for firmness of skin, there are no substantial studies that prove this.  The molecules in topical skincare formulations are too large to penetrate below the surface of the skin, as only molecules of 500 Daltons or less can effectively cross the skin barrier.  

Topical collagen tends to only offer hydrating benefits as opposed to firming. Essentially, topical collagen will moisturise the skin and reduce dryness. An alternative to topical collagen in skincare, that you can offer to your clients with aging concerns, is Poly-L-Lactic Acid products.  

aesPlla®: Liquid Sunshine For Your Skin

Restore your client’s natural radiance through an aesPlla® treatment and encourage a renewed glow that lasts up to 3 years. This treatment is perfect for mature clients who have concerns that they might have spent a bit too long on the sun lounger over the years…

Offer aesPlla® in your clinic as we enter Spring, so that your clients will see the effects as we approach Summer. Initial results are visible from four-weeks post-treatment. The Future of Restorative Injectables, aesPlla® provides superior longevity in comparison to other treatments, with no top-up needed for years after the course of treatment. Patients will need three to four treatment sessions, spaced four weeks apart, to achieve optimal results.

aesPlla® is ideal for clients aged 30 and over, who have concerns of natural volume loss because of UV ray exposure from the sun or other factors, such as ageing or weight loss. The Future of Restorative Injectables stimulates the natural production of new collagen, which therefore replenishes collagen lost through sun exposure, to smooth and volumise the skin.

So, what is aesPlla® and how is it different to other hyaluronic acid filers? PLLA and collagen stimulators offer a softer look and subtly volumise the skin, to specifically improve the appearance of fine lines and facial harmony. This is a treatment that clients can feel the benefits of in time for the sunshine and beach holidays when they have a longer exposure to UV rays!

Thanks to aesPlla®, clients can enjoy a youthful-looking complexion this Summer. Whilst paying attention to sun protection through SPF and necessary care in the sun, aesPlla® is liquid sunshine, creating a plumped, healthy-looking glow without the effects of sun exposure.