If you opened up your medicine cabinet right now, chances are most of your facial creams and products would have collagen listed as an ingredient. In fact, the term is thrown around so loosely in the industry that it almost seems like a requirement for anything skin-related. Even though aestheticians preach the benefits of collagen on a daily basis, the list is so extensive that some are often overlooked.
We talked with Bella Schneider, CEO of Bella Schneider Beauty and owner of LaBelle Day Spas, to get the lowdown on the top five benefits of collagen, collagen-infused spa services and why it's so important to incorporate in your next facial.
What are the top five reasons for boosting collagen?
1. Skin Strengthening
2. Skin Health
3. Combat Sag
4. Boost Skin Immunity
5. Skin Longevity
Why is collagen so important for a client’s skincare routine?
Although the body produces its own collagen, external collagen can also be extremely useful for the body. Collagen provides firmness and elasticity to skin while also strengthening the blood vessels. When collagen decreases, the skin thins. As we age and are exposed to stress, our collagen decreases. Boosting collagen supplies maintains the strength and health of skin, keeping the appearance youthful and reducing signs of age like sagging, thinning, fine lines and wrinkles.
How can collagen be incorporated into spa services?
Collagen is such a simple add-on. Spas could offer a collagen treatment as an add-on to a manicure or a pedicure in the form of a collagen serum; offer a collagen treatment at the end of a full body exfoliation or an add on neck and décolleté collagen treatment while doing a facial. Salons could even offer a collagen treatment for hair to strengthen and add vibrancy to client's locks post color or cut.
How can estheticians incorporate collagen into a facial to get its full potential?
External sources of collagen not only reinforce the skin, they also help encourage the skin's natural collagen production. After the skin has been cleansed and exfoliated, estheticians can massage a collagen-derivative into the skin. Collagen can be sourced from several origins: vegetarian sources such as silica or soy, marine sources such as seaweed or fish, or animal (bovine) sources. Of course, animal sources have the highest amino acid profile, however, it's always important to try and find sources that leave the smallest carbon footprint. My preferred treatment sources are collagen patches, gel masks, collagen serums and collagen serum steeped in cloth masks for high potency.