What Kind of Collagen Supplements Are Effective?
Have you ever heard the old wives’ tale that eating pig skin can improve your skin? This tale exists because collagen has beneficial effects on the skin. Collagen is a component that keeps your skin firm and elastic. You can easily take collagen at home in the form of supplements. But, is it beneficial for the skin? Which supplements should you take for the best results? Let’s learn more about taking collagen.
The Importance of Collagen
Collagen plays the most crucial role in the dermis layer of the skin. Elastin acts as a cross-link between collagen fibers. Just like a building would collapse without its rebar, skin becomes loose and loses its elasticity without collagen. Therefore, efforts are made to increase collagen density through surgical procedures and skin care management. However, biologically, the density decreases by about 1% yearly from your 20s, and it doesn’t regenerate well. Thus, it’s good to take care of it in advance, and collagen supplements, among other things, can be used for management in addition to surgical procedures.
Can Eating Collagen Improve Your Skin?
There’s no definitive evidence on whether eating collagen is effective. However, if you manage your skin by consuming collagen, it’s likely to have a positive effect. Collagen is a protein, and large proteins like pig skin need to be broken down into small pieces to be absorbed by our bodies. Collagen in dietary supplements is finely chopped, so they will likely be absorbed.
Tips for Eating Collagen
For collagen to be well absorbed, molecules smaller than 500 to 600 daltons should be consumed. The daily recommended dosage is about 1 g to 1.5 g. The formulation doesn’t matter; you can take it before or after meals. If you feel discomfort after administration, taking it after meals is recommended. When taking collagen, consistency is critical. The effect can be even better if taken in conjunction with surgical procedures, so it’s good to take it after laser treatments. Since laser treatments promote skin regeneration, consuming collagen alongside may enhance the effects.
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