Collagen Banking: How to Invest in Your Skin’s Future

Collagen Banking: How to Invest in Your Skin’s Future

Collagen is the unsung hero of youthful, healthy skin. Often referred to as the “building block” of our skin, collagen is a structural protein that provides firmness, elasticity, and strength. However, starting in our mid-20s, our body’s natural collagen production begins to decline, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and a loss of that coveted youthful glow. This is where the concept of collagen banking comes in—a proactive approach to preserving and boosting collagen levels to keep your skin looking its best for years to come.

In this blog, I’ll explore three key strategies to “bank” collagen effectively: skincare, treatments, and lifestyle.

1. Skincare: Building Your Collagen Portfolio

Your daily skincare routine plays a foundational role in collagen preservation and production. Here are some essential steps and products to include:

a. Sunscreen: Your Anti-Collagen Loss Shield

UV radiation is the leading cause of collagen degradation. Wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day—yes, even on cloudy days or indoors near windows—protects your skin from collagen-damaging UVA and UVB rays.

b. Topical Retinols: Collagen Stimulators

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that stimulate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen production. Over time, regular use of retinol can improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and boost elasticity.

c. Vitamin C: The Collagen Guardian

Vitamin C serums are powerful antioxidants that not only protect existing collagen from oxidative damage but also play a critical role in collagen synthesis. Apply it in the morning for added protection against environmental stressors.

d. Peptides: Collagen Boosters

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that signal your skin to produce more collagen. Incorporating peptide-rich creams or serums can be a game-changer for maintaining skin resilience.

e. Hydration: Supportive Care

Proper hydration, through hyaluronic acid serums and moisturisers, supports the collagen matrix, preventing the skin from looking thin or dehydrated.

2. Treatments: Supercharging Your Collagen Reserves

Professional treatments can provide a more targeted and intensive boost to your collagen levels. These procedures work by stimulating the skin’s natural repair processes or delivering active ingredients deep into the dermis. Here are some of the most effective collagen-enhancing treatments:

a. Microneedling

Microneedling involves the use of tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, triggering the body’s natural wound-healing process and stimulating collagen production. When combined with serums like growth factors or PRP (platelet-rich plasma), the results can be even more impressive.

b. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

While primarily known for targeting pigmentation and redness, IPL treatments also stimulate collagen production by heating the deeper layers of the skin. The result is smoother, firmer skin with improved texture and tone over time.

c. Radiofrequency

Treatments like Radiofrequency use heat to tighten the skin and stimulate collagen production deep within the dermis. These are particularly effective for lifting and firming sagging areas.

d. Exosomes

Exosomes are tiny, cell-derived messengers packed with growth factors and regenerative molecules. When applied with treatments such as microneedling, they supercharge the skins healing process and significantly boost collagen production, leading to faster, more dramatic results.

3. Lifestyle: Daily Habits for Long-Term Gains

What you do outside the treatment room is just as important as the skincare products you use or the treatments you undergo. Your lifestyle choices can significantly influence your body’s ability to produce and maintain collagen.

a. Nutrition: Feeding Your Collagen Factory
• Protein-Rich Foods: Collagen is made of amino acids like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which you can find in lean meats, fish, eggs, and bone broth.
• Vitamin C-Rich Foods: Citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries help boost collagen synthesis.
• Zinc and Copper: Found in shellfish, nuts, and seeds, these minerals are crucial for collagen production.
• Antioxidants: Leafy greens, berries, and green tea combat oxidative stress, protecting collagen stores.

b. Supplements: Bridging the Gap

Hydrolyzed collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin elasticity and hydration while supporting the body’s natural collagen synthesis. Look for products with added vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for maximum benefit.

c. Stress Management: Protect Your Collagen Reserves

Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can break down collagen over time. Practices like mindfulness, yoga, and regular exercise help keep stress in check.

d. Avoid Smoking and Excess Alcohol

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption accelerate collagen breakdown by increasing oxidative stress and reducing blood flow to the skin.

e. Sleep: Repair and Replenish

Collagen production peaks during deep sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night, and consider using a silk pillowcase to minimize friction and prevent skin creasing.

Why Start Collagen Banking Early?

Think of collagen banking as an investment in your future skin health. The earlier you start, the more reserves you’ll have to draw on as natural production slows with age. Even if you’re already seeing signs of aging, it’s never too late to adopt these strategies and boost your collagen levels.

Conclusion

Collagen banking is a holistic approach that combines skincare, professional treatments, and healthy lifestyle choices to preserve and enhance your skin’s natural strength and elasticity. By incorporating these strategies into your routine, you’re not just fighting the visible signs of aging—you’re proactively ensuring that your skin remains vibrant, youthful, and resilient for years to come.

Ready to start your collagen banking journey? Contact us today for a personalised consultation, and let’s build your skin’s future together! Book your consultation here

The Ultimate Guide to Teen Skincare: Expert tips for Healthy, Confident Skin

The Ultimate Guide to Teen Skincare: Expert tips for Healthy, Confident Skin

The obsession with skincare amongst teens definitely signifies a shift where self-care and appearance are being valued higher than ever before. Social media platforms have a lot to play in this with influencers constantly promoting skincare making it seem more and more accessible.
There is both a positive and negative impact of this trend, the increased awareness about skincare is great, as getting into good habits early will really future-proof the skin. However, there seems to be a pressure to have the ‘perfect’ skin, and thus teen are adopting complex skincare regimes with a view to achieve the unachievable, and very often damaging their skin in the process.

What a Teens skincare routine should look like
A teens skincare routine should be simple yet effective, there are many teenagers now being led by social media and introducing multiple unnecessary products into their regime.

The focus should be skin health maintenance, and preventing issues like acne without overloading or striping the skin.

Generally a teens skincare regime should consist of a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. All formulated for their specific skin type and condition. If they are dealing with a skin condition such as acne then a specific treatment product may be introduced, but always get advice. It’s when the teens start guessing or following TikTok trends that things can get messy.

A skincare routine should be followed both morning and night, to both remove any impurities, pollution, and makeup from the day, and to remove sweat and waste products that are secreted from the skin at night.

Managing Oily or Acne-prone skin
Oily and acne skins need to firstly ascertain their skin type, acne can affect dry skins also, so using products that are designed for an acne skin can very often dry the skin out, exacerbating the condition.
If the skin is oily then look for a gentle salicylic cleanser that can be alternated with a normal cleanser so not to over treat the skin. Non-comedogenic products will help reduce the potential of breakouts from a certain product. Clay masks are also great for absorbing excess oil and purifying the skin.

What Products Should Teenagers Avoid
Products teenagers should avoid are the high-concentration retinoids, especially the prescription strength as these can be far too harsh for their skins. Physical exfoliants are also a no-no, these are very often used too aggressively and can really damage the skin causing micro-tears in the epidermis. A mild chemical exfoliant, like lactic acid and salicylic are better.
Alcohol based toners, can give that squeaky clean feel to the skin I know many teens are looking for, however this is just an indication that the skin has been stripped of its natural oils, and this can lead to further breakouts.

Must-Have School Skincare Staples
Some school staples in terms of skincare are, a good compact SPF to reapply throughout those bright sunny days, even in winter. Blotting papers are great for absorbing excess oils and taking the shine away, as well as a spot treatment that can be applied to any blemishes whilst at school. If a teen is dealing with dry skin, then a moisturising or hydrating mist to give a little relief through the day is also beneficial.

What Should Parents do if Their Teen Has Severe Acne
For any parents dealing with a teenager with severe acne it’s imperative to seek professional advice. Severe acne not only a medical condition, but can very often be treated differently on different people. In many cases it’s a case of management rather than clearing it up altogether.
Taking a proactive but supportive approach to help their teen manage the condition, can improve both their skin and emotional well-being.

Here at re/skin we see many Teens, we focus on educating them on why their skin is behaving this way, put them on a simple but effective skincare regime and if necessary see them regularly for treatments to further manage their skin.

If you have or are a Teen looking for help with your skin, our Teen facials are for you. Your first treatment will last around 1.5 hour and you will receive a full size cleanser to take away with you to get you on the road to healthier skin. You can book your appointment here or drop us an email with any questions you may have, we are dedicated to ‘changing lives one skin at a time’ and would love to help you with yours!

Skin Diagnostics – A Balanced Perspective

Skin Diagnostics – A Balanced Perspective

 

In the ever evolving world of skincare, staying ahead with innovative solutions is crucial. Boots, a leading pharmacy chain, has recently launched a skin condition diagnostic app that promises to revolutionise how we approach skin health. Although this app offers some advantages in terms of ease and accessibility, it also comes with some drawbacks.

Our founder Rebecca explores both sides to give a balanced perspective on whether this is right for you and your skin concerns.

Benefits

Quick and convenient. This first thing that does stand out about the app is its efficiency. Users can quickly assess their skin condition with convenience, great for those with busy schedules.

User-Friendly. Deigned with simplicity in mind, it is user friendly and easy to navigate.

Affordable. Cost can very often be a barrier to seeking professional advice. This is a cheap alternative to traditional dermatological consultations making it accessible to everyone.

Professional collaboration. A strong point is its partnership with medical professionals. This ensures the advice and guidance is based on medical knowledge and protocols.

Discreet and private. For many discussing their skin conditions can be an uncomfortable experience. The app offers a discreet way to seek advice, which can be beneficial for those that feel embarrassed about their skin issues.

The Drawbacks

A lack of comprehensive questioning. While the app provides quick assessments, it falls short of gathering detailed information about the users family history, diet, and lifestyle factors. These elements are all crucial in understanding and diagnosing skin conditions accurately, and this omission can lead to incomplete assessments that can be the key to treating a condition successfully.

A focus on medication. Another significant limitation is the app’s apparent focus on prescriptive medication as the primary treatment option. While medication can be effective, it’ not suitable for everyone and for all conditions. Not all individuals want to go down the medical route, by not offering a broader range of treatment suggestions the app may alienate users would would rather seek alternatives.

Conclusion

Here at re/skin our consultations last around 1 hour, this allows a comprehensive approach, taking into account all factors that can impact the skin. By spending this time with our clients at the beginning allows us to not only get to know our clients and how they feel about their skin, but to build a trusting relationship that really is the foundation of getting great results.

In the world of skincare, no single solution works for everyone, it’s not a one size fits all. We need the time to navigate the whole picture when it comes to skin health, this can’t be done with just a photo and a few generalised questions.

It’s about finding the right tools and resources that suit your individual needs, and yes, this app will be right for some people that are seeking a quick, convenient and affordable way to get professional advice. However, it is important to be aware of its limitations and seek other professional services when necessary, especially as the evidence for a holistic approach to skin health becomes more and more apparent in this fast paced industry.

As always, re/skin is here to support you in navigating these options to achieving the healthiest skin possible. If you would like to explore our options or book your skin health consultation then please either give the clinic a call on 0114 236 2393 or book online here.

Is Beauty Sleep Really a Thing?

Is Beauty Sleep Really a Thing?

 

Good sleeping habits are essential to maintain skin health.  Our skin is a renewing organ so it needs the time and rest for this to be done effectively. Lots of cellular functions happen at night and it’s a time when our skin repairs the damage that has occurred  throughout the day. Lack of sleep will cause the skin to become sluggish, increase in inflammation and a decrease in collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production eventually resulting in lines appearing and a loss of tone and volume. 

It's important to maintain a good, consistent sleep pattern of around 8 hours per night, this will benefit overall health and in turn your skin too. Avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bed as these can interrupt sleep patterns. 

Always remove your makeup before bed and change your pillowcase regularly, this reduces the chances of bacteria or blocked pores causing congestion. A silk pillow case can really benefit the skin reducing the friction and pressure reducing the risk of lines appearing. Side sleeping can also lead to lines and wrinkles forming so where possible sleep on your back. 

Avoid having the heating or air conditioning on too high as this can cause a dry atmosphere reducing hydration levels within the skin, sleeping with a humidifier in the bedroom is great for ensuring you wake up with hydrated, plump skin. 

Ready to take the next step towards healthier, radiant skin? Schedule your personalised consultation today and let's embark on your journey to skin confidence together. Don't wait any longer to love the skin you are in - contact us today!

 

 

Three Of The Very Best Simple Tips To Prevent Premature Ageing

Three Of The Very Best Simple Tips To Prevent Premature Ageing

How do we prevent premature ageing?

Over the last decade, due to the many advertisements from brands pushing solutions to prevent premature ageing, it has become common knowledge of the importance of keeping one’s skin healthy. Each person must regularly engage in appropriate acts of hygiene necessary to keep the skin in a healthy condition. But on the other hand, we frequently find ourselves in the difficult position of either lacking the time required to carry out these activities or simply unaware of what those activities are. Brands are great at selling their products with celebrity backing or inspiring offers but skip over how maintaining good skin hygiene fits into our challenging daily life. Here are three of the best simple tips you can do to keep your skin in tip-top condition and prevent the dreaded premature ageing associated with it around your normal daily activities.

Get your cleanser right

This is the most important step in your skincare routine and the one that should be done first to prevent premature ageing. But know, if after using your cleanser, your skin feels tight and squeaky clean, it’s time to switch to a different product. A good cleanser should not only clean the skin but should also nourish it and keep it hydrated simultaneously. Cleansers containing glycerin are renowned for their ability to hydrate the skin even as they effectively remove dirt and makeup simultaneously. You can use them as a daily cleanser or as part of a routine in the evening before going to bed. Finding a cleanser that is formulated specifically for your skin can help you achieve the best possible results. Your pores will be kept clean, and you won’t experience any breakouts on your skin as a result. Do not over-exfoliate

Do not over-exfoliate

The number of times a person’s skin needs to be exfoliated varies from person to person, but as the general rule, I recommend exfoliating no more than three to four times per week at the most. Every day is an excessive amount. Not too long ago, exfoliation started to become popular, and now many different brands are focusing on it as a method to improve skin health and increase cellular turnover. However, many of these brands are now walking back their previous statements and attempting to make amends for the harm their last advice caused. People frequently over-exfoliate their skin, which is one of the most common mistakes people make. Most of the time, we have the misconception that more is always better; however, this is not always the case. When you exfoliate, dead skin cells are removed, which can also help you get rid of blackheads and clogged pores; however, if you exfoliate too vigorously, you will end up with dry patches and increased sensitivity.

Sunscreen 365 days of the year!

The sun is the most significant contributor to the premature ageing of the skin. It is essential to use sunscreen daily and apply it before going outside to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. The sun is a natural source of vitamin D, which helps build strong bones, but too much sun can damage your skin and cause wrinkles and other skin issues. Therefore, taking care of your skin is crucial even when you are not exposed to the sun. We don’t think that we need to go into much detail here because we’ve confident you know our stance and its reasons. However, the use of sunscreen is the most effective and economical method of delaying the ageing process. Always wear sun protection, 365 days a year. A straightforward expression that might not seem like much, but it is essential to the health of your skin. Applying sunscreen consistently throughout the day is the most critical thing you can do to keep your skin in pristine condition and ward off the dreaded signs of premature ageing.

Conclusion to prevent premature ageing

In conclusion, the health of your skin ought to be your primary concern when it comes to personal hygiene. It is the only thing that will endure, and many things can be done to delay the onset of premature ageing and ensure that it remains in pristine condition. By putting just a few of these suggestions into practice, you can ensure that your skin will always be in the best possible condition and will also remain fresh and young. Care for your skin is in your best interest, as this will bring out your most beautiful qualities. Thank you for reading, and as ever I or anyone at the clinic is here for any advice, just reply with any questions.

The Barrier Function- Our Very Own Coat of Armour

The Barrier Function- Our Very Own Coat of Armour

My focus this month is on skin health and keeping the skin youthful. I wouldn’t be the professional that I am if I don’t start this off with the Natural Barrier Function. Yes, I hear you…” here she goes again” but there’s a very good reason I talk non-stop about this incredible function of the skin.

So let me start by asking you, why when you jump into a swimming pool does your body not flood with water???

Well, that would be because of the amazing ability of our skin to protect our entire body, our vital organs, bones, muscles, everything inside! Waterproofing is just one of the many, many functions our skin is designed to do. Pretty impressive for something that is just 0.5-1.5mm thick!!

And what makes the skin have this protective ability is the barrier function.

The barrier function is made up of 3 main elements:

The lipid bilayer

The corneocyte cells in the top layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum) are flattened and hardened to give them a protective ability. Between these cells we have the epidermal lipids, if you imagine a brick wall, the cells are the bricks and the lipids are the cement. These cells also have a water-retaining mechanism called the Natural Moisturising Factor compromising of humectants enabling the cells to hold large amounts of water.

This combination of essential oil and water elements creates a complete barrier to prevent anything from getting in and also water loss from within the skin. All cellular and enzyme activity that takes place in the skin does so in solution with water so keeping the water content high is vital to skin health.

The Acid Mantle

The acid mantle is an invisible film that covers the surface of the skin. It creates the PH level, a healthy skin’s PH level is more towards the acidic end of the PH scale, normally sitting between 4.7-5.5. This acidic environment works to repel and inhibit any pathogenic bacteria or micro-organisms that may try and get into the skin. It also provides the ecosystem for the resident natural bacteria that lives on the skin.

Microbiome

Just like the gut, we have living active cultures on the surface of the skin (good bacteria) that fight off any bad bacteria, viruses or pathogens that may try to attack or invade our skin. As mentioned above this bacteria feeds off our sebaceous secretions.

As you can see there is a lot that goes into building and fortifying both the physical resistance and chemical shield. So you can imagine if one element goes out of kilter it can have a knock-on effect, not just to the other elements of the barrier but to the deeper layers of the skin that the barrier is designed to protect.

The formation of these components of the barrier function starts from within the lower layers of the skin. So the quality of the barrier ultimately relies on the quality of the cells, and the cells rely on what they receive nutritionally and topically to be at the top of their game.

In my next blog, I will be discussing what can happen when the barrier is compromised and the ways in which we can keep it from becoming impaired.

If you do feel you have issues with your barrier function or any other aspect of your skin please get in touch, you can contact me by email here or book an appointment with me here. During lockdown, I am offering online consultations free of charge.