From glowing skin to stronger nails and healthier joints, collagen is being hailed as a wonder protein — and suddenly it’s everywhere, in powders, capsules, drinks, and gummies.

But what exactly is collagen? And does taking it really make a difference?

What Is Collagen, Really?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. We can think of it as the scaffolding that holds us together — providing structure and strength to our skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and blood vessels.

It’s produced naturally in the body, but like everything else, collagen production slows down as we age, usually starting in our mid-20s. This decline is one of the main reasons we start to notice:

Fine lines and wrinkles
Loss of skin elasticity
Joint stiffness
Brittle nails and hair thinning

Types of Collagen (Yes, There’s More Than One)

There are at least 28 known types of collagen, but five are the most relevant for skin and overall health.Most beauty collagen supplements target Type I and III.

Type I: The most common — found in skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. It’s what gives skin its firmness.
Type II: Found in cartilage. Essential for joint health.
Type III: Found alongside Type I in skin, muscles, and blood vessels — especially important during wound healing.
Type IV: Found in the basement membranes that support cells and help filter tissues (like kidneys and skin layers).
Type V: Supports the formation of hair, placenta, and the surface of cells.

Where Does Collagen Come From?

It is produced naturally by your body and we can also get it from outside sources — supplements, food, injectables. Your body needs amino acids (from protein), vitamin C, zinc, and copper to produce collagen naturally. A balanced diet, low in sugar and rich in antioxidants, helps maintain collagen levels.

Collagen Formation and Its Effect on Skin

Collagen can be thought of as being present and organised in 4 distinct arrangements;

1-Healthy Skin-Collagen exists in a basket weave formation of type I and III in the dermis (middle layer) of healthy skin. It provides firmness and elasticity and creates a smooth skin texture.

2-Aging Skin-As we age or when the skin is exposed to UV radiation, pollution, or oxidative stress, this well-organised matrix begins to break down. The fibres become shorter, more fragmented and arranged in a disorganised pattern. This results in wrinkles and fine lines, sagging skin, thinner skin and uneven surface.

3-Wounds-In wound healing or after trauma (including acne scars or surgery), the body rapidly lays down collagen — usually in a parallel, bundled formation. While this is effective its not necessarily a pretty result. Scar tissue is less elastic, appears shiny, raised or rigid. Treatments such as medical microneedling, laser and PRP can help to reorganise scar tissue into a more functional pattern over time.

4-Fibrosis/Keloid-In certain conditions (like keloid or fibrosis), the skin produces too much collagen, often Type III, in a random or excessive arrangement. This results in thickened stiff tissue, raised scars or plaques and limited skin movement. This type of arrangement requires more targeted treatment , for example steroids or laser treatment.

So Why Does This Matter for Aesthetics?

In clinic, we can stimulate collagen production with:

Microneedling (SkinPen®)
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
Polynucleotide treatments
Laser treatments
BBL (Broad Band Light)
Injectables (Profhilo®, skin boosters)

These treatments trigger the skin’s healing response — encouraging your body to make more of its own collagen where it matters most. We’re not just aiming to increase collagen. We’re stimulating organised collagen remodeling — encouraging your body to lay down new, well-structured fibers in the ideal basket-weave formation.This results in firmer, smoother skin and long-lasting rejuvenation.So it’s not just about how much collagen you have-it’s also about how it’s arranged.

Bearing that in mind,what is behind the craze in collagen supplementation?

Collagen powders, gummies, and drinks are having a moment. Celebrities swear by them, and the wellness industry is pushing them hard. But is there science behind the hype?The evidence is promising — but not perfect:

Several studies show that daily intake of hydrolysed collagen peptides can improve skin elasticity, hydration, and reduce wrinkle depth after 8–12 weeks.

Supplements work best with co-factors like vitamin C, which help your body use the collagen peptides more effectively.

Not all products are created equal — low-quality supplements may contain fillers, allergens, or contaminants.

So, while collagen supplements won’t replace a healthy diet or clinical treatments, they can be a helpful complement— especially if you’re noticing early signs of skin aging.

What to Watch Out For:

Choose hydrolysed collagen peptides (easier to absorb).
Look for third-party tested and clean-source brands (marine or grass-fed bovine).
Be wary of wild claims — no collagen drink will reverse aging overnight!

The Take-Home message?

In-clinic collagen stimulation (like microneedling or polynucleotides) targets the deeper layers of skin more effectively than any supplement. But when combined with topicals, supplements, and healthy lifestyle choices, collagen support can be a powerful part of your skin longevity strategy.Whether you’re curious about SkinPenmicroneedling,Polynucleotides, Profhilo®, Skinboosters, BBL or laser we’re here to help. Book a consultation with Dr. Sharon today.