Origins of Collagen

Collagen injections are a popular method of increasing lip fullness.

Collagen is a protein found throughout the human body. It is a versatile component essential for proper functioning of many parts of the body. It is found in the skin, bones, tendons, cartilage and muscles. Thus, it makes up about a quarter of the body's total protein. As a molecule, its varying composition can create long, fibrous strands or it can take the form of a loosely woven clump. Collagen injections are popular for skin plumping and smoothing once the body's normal collagen production has slowed down.

What is Collagen?

Collagen helps hold the body together.

Prior to its introduction in the world of anti-aging, collagen was simply known as an important bodily protein. Its ubiquitous nature plants collagen's presence just about everywhere in the body. Collagen's properties earned it the nickname "the body's glue" due to its presence in nearly all the body's connective tissue, skin, bones, muscles and tendons.

How is Collagen Formed?

Collagen proteins are formed by protein synthesis.

Collagen is naturally formed in the body during a process called protein synthesis. Initial protein formation creates a precursor molecule called procollagen. Procollagen then goes on to become any of a variety of different types of collagen, mainly utilized in the body's connective tissues around the tendons, bones, muscles, internal organs and skin.

Synthetic Collagen

Scientists are able to synthetically produce collagen.

Technological breakthroughs in the last five years have led to the synthetic creation of collagen molecules in laboratories. The process is still being perfected, but synthetic collagen is able to contain most of the same properties as natural collagen. Many types of synthetic collagen have been approved by the FDA for medical and retail use.

Collagen Uses

Collagen is used in many lotions and soaps.

Collagen's uses in body are numerous. It acts as a scaffolding for the body's internal and external structures. In addition, collagen, both synthetic and natural, has many applications in the industrial as well as the health and beauty worlds. Collagen is used as a polymer in manufactured materials such as leather and in cosmetic products. There are also medical uses for collagen in the areas of surgery, neurology, urology and in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Collagen Injections

Synthetic and natural collagen is used to make skin and lips appear fuller and softer.

Collagen injections are a popular "fountain of youth" method for people looking to temporarily iron out wrinkles or fluff up thinning lips. The collagen for beauty injection usually comes from cows or horses, though human collagen also can be used. In some cases, synthetic collagen is available for a higher cost. Synthetic collagen is produced in a laboratory by combining human or animal collagen with chemicals that make the collagen break down more slowly, giving the desired effect for a longer period of time. Completely synthetic collagen is also presently being perfected; however, it tends to biodegrade faster than partial or wholly natural collagen.

References

• Sandwalk: Collagen Information
• Sciene J Rank: Collagen Structure
• Medscape: How is Collagen Formed?
• Nutrasanus: Collagen Treatments and Medical Use