collagen is an important protein that gives your skin structure and form.
its high tensile strength and rigidity makes collagen a key component in your body’s connective tissues and accounts for about 80% of the dermis. there are actually 28 different types of collagen, but your skin is comprised mostly of type i and type iii.
your body makes an abundance of collagen in your youth but as you age these fibrous proteins degrade and you generate less. around the age of 25 is when it starts to taper off, around 1% fewer each year. this lends to the visible signs of aging; wrinkles, sagging, hollows, sallowness and crêpey skin.
external damage can also occur from things such as smoking, free radicals, environmental pollution, refined carbohydrates and exposure to ultraviolet rays. this damage breaks down the collagen further by causing small tears in the fibers, which slowly diminishes the integrity of the proteins.