The question, “does microcurrent stimulate collagen?”, is a major concern that has kept surfacing over the years.
I recently researched the topic and found that collagen is actually quite underrated as a core structural protein to try out if you want to maintain your skin health (1).
We know that microcurrent treatment is a professional treatment that helps improve skin, but how does it stimulate collagen? Let’s find out.
Additionally, you will also want to know what the best microcurrent facial toning system is.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Collagen production starts to decline from age 20
- Microcurrent facial treatment stimulates collagen
- Collagen helps keep your skin firm
What is Skin Collagen & How Does It Matter?
Skin collagen is the structural protein that helps to keep the skin firm by keeping the skin cells bound together.
Collagen fibers are the most abundant of the structural proteins in the extracellular matrix of the connective tissues of the body.
They are not only present in the skin but also in other connective tissues such as blood vessels, where they help to support endothelial cells and promote blood circulation.
There are 28 types of collagen proteins, but skin collagen proteins are specifically beneficial for keeping the facial muscles in firm condition. Their depletion is what gives rise to wrinkles and fine lines.
This makes collagen production a topic of concern in the beauty industry. However, don’t confuse collagen & protein powder. To learn the difference, read this excellent guide about collagen vs protein powder.
Microcurrent facial treatments have several beneficial effects, including facial muscle tone improvement.
Since collagen synthesis is important for skin firmness, it becomes relevant to our discussion of microcurrent treatment.
Get the most out of your microcurrent treatments with our article on the best microcurrent conductive gel options – learn more and choose wisely.
Does Microcurrent Stimulate Collagen?
A microcurrent facial treatment is a non-invasive treatment that stimulates collagen production. It functions by the application of low-grade electrical currents into the skin to boost collagen and elastin production.
Collagen and elastin are structural proteins that maintain the firmness and elasticity of the skin.
Some feel that microcurrent treatment is an anti-aging miracle that helps to boost facial collagen production through a process of electrical muscle stimulation and is a good alternative to the use of dermal fillers.
The microcurrent technology is based on a system that applies low-voltage electric current to the skin. The introduction of electrical stimulation in to the skin triggers the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the body’s main form of usable energy.
As ATP production in connective tissue cells is boosted, the creation of elastin and collagen is increased. Facial collagen stimulation is important in the building of skin muscle.
The introduction of low-level electrical current into the skin is also beneficial for skin wound healing. It does this by triggering a release of natural chemicals at a cellular level that elicit the process of cutaneous wound healing.
As skin wound healing begins, the production of collagen is also initiated. This is yet another mechanism by which microcurrent facial treatments boost collagen protein synthesis.
You can watch this video to learn more about how the microcurrent facial treatment works:
When Does The Body Stop Producing Collagen?
The production of collagen in the body begins to decline gradually from age 20.
The body doesn’t just suddenly stop producing collagen. What happens is that the body’s ability to produce as much collagen as it used to begins to drop gradually.
According to research, this can be due to two reasons, including the aging of cellular fibroblasts and defective mechanical stimulation (2).
Fibroblasts are connective tissue cells that produce collagen fibers, and they differentiate from mesenchymal cells (3).
With the aging of these fibroblasts, the production of collagen by fibroblasts will begin to decline. The aging of skin cellular fibroblasts can be sped up by several factors, and this is why there can be a variation in the age when the decline in collagen production in the body starts.
Poor diet and habits such as smoking can hasten the period when this decline begins.
A decline in collagen production in the body not only affects the skin but also affects other connective tissue structures such as bones, muscles, and joints.
Microcurrent therapy helps to provide a solution to the defective mechanical stimulation factor by electrically stimulating these cells to produce more collagen.
This brings up another question, which is answered here: does microcurrent cause fat loss
How to Rebuild Collagen in the Face
In addition to getting a microcurrent facial treatment, you can rebuild collagen in your face if you apply the following tips:
Tip 1. Massaging the facial skin
Consistent facial massage will help to improve facial muscle tone and improve blood flow. All of these will enhance the consistent production of collagen.
Tip 2. The use of collagen and Vitamin C creams
Consider using creams that are formulated with the amino acids that make up collagen. These amino acids can penetrate the skin and get into the connective tissue cells, where they can be reconstituted into collagen.
Vitamin C also helps the skin to hold collagen better.
Tip 3. Good diet
Eat foods that are high in protein, and Vitamin C. Diets rich in protein contain the amino acids needed to build collagen.
Tip 4. Stay hydrated and avoid smoking
Smoking induces the release of proteolytic enzymes that break down proteins such as collagen. Good hydration helps to keep the skin bright and supple.
How Long Does It Take For Collagen To Grow Naturally?
The duration of natural collagen growth is dependent on several factors. If you’re taking measures to improve natural collagen production, such as eating healthy diets, you should begin to see the results between 1-2 weeks.
If you’re taking collagen supplements, you can begin to experience improvements in the production of collagen in 2-6 weeks, depending on how much collagen was administered.
FAQs
Can I use microcurrent every day?
Generally, I recommend a maximum of five times a week for the first 60 days, after which you should reduce the frequency to a maximum of three times weekly.
Do collagen supplements really work?
Conclusion
I hope the answer to the question “does collagen stimulate collagen” is now clear. Researching the topic really helped my understanding.
Microcurrent is an effective solution, even wrinkled or sagging skin can benefit. Such magic!
Resources
1. Presland RB, Dale BA. Epithelial structural proteins of the skin and oral cavity: function in health and disease. Critical Reviews in Oral Biology and Medicine: An Official Publication of the American Association of Oral Biologists [Internet]. 2000;11:383–408. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11132762
2. Varani J, Dame MK, Rittie L, Fligiel SEG, Kang S, Fisher GJ, et al. Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin. The American Journal of Pathology [Internet]. 2006;168:1861–8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1606623/
3. Lee CH, Moioli EK, Mao JJ. Fibroblastic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells using Connective Tissue Growth Factor. Conference proceedings : Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Annual Conference [Internet]. 2006;1:775–8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4035038/#R1
4. Collagen supplements: is the price worth paying? | Sali Hughes [Internet]. the Guardian. 2021 [cited 2022 Sep 28]. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2021/oct/02/collagen-supplements-is-the-price-worth-paying-sali-hughes
