The latest anti-aging skincare trend might surprise you—especially since it’s being embraced by women in their 20s.
Collagen Bank is a concept where young women start building their collagen levels at a young age, so when their skin starts to sag as they age – a process where most women naturally lose collagen – it means their complexion is prepared .
So how does someone save their collagen – which gives structure and support to the skin – and does starting early really work when it comes to preventing the signs of aging?
To find out, FEMAIL spoke to New York City-based dermatologists Carmen Castilla and Hadley Kingthat explained how you can embrace the latest skincare craze.
Collagen Bank is a concept where young women start building up their collagen levels at a young age so that when they start to drop, their skin is prepared (stock image)
Board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group Carmen Castilla has found that her patients have a ‘significant interest in increasing collagen production’
The concept has gone viral on TikTok as skincare experts encourage young women to start investing in their skin early and use #collagen bank hashtag to discuss the best products.
There are different approaches to collagen banking, but sunscreen and retinoids are part of the intensive skin care process, as well as chemical peels, microneedling, Botox or fillers.
Board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group Carmen Castilla has found that her patients have a ‘significant interest in increasing collagen production’.
However, it’s not just about collagen production when it comes to maintaining youthful skin as you age.
“Although collagen is often fixated on, healthy, healthy-looking skin involves more than simply increasing collagen levels,” cautioned Dr. Castilla and explained that several factors accelerate skin aging.
Dr. Castilla suggested using retinoids and sunscreen, which focus on maintaining healthy skin as opposed to solely boosting collagen production.
The dermatologist believes that sole focus ‘may be one reason why many “hero” ingredients that concentrate only on collagen production do not live up to their hype.’
‘We all go through the aging process with reduced collagen production and other age-related skin changes. The rate of these changes can be slowed with the use of sunscreen, retinoid and antioxidants that protect the integrity of our collagen and other supporting structures in the skin,’ said Dr. Castile.
There are different approaches to collagen banking, but sunscreen, retinoids, chemical peels, microneedling, Botox and fillers are part of the intensive process (stock image)
Dr. Castilla explained that there are procedures that can help increase collagen production, including resurfacing lasers like Fraxel, shown above (stock photo)
“It’s much easier to slow that descent than to try to reverse those changes once they’re already there,” advised Dr. Castile.
But she stated that there is evidence that ‘a diet low in sugar and refined carbohydrates is associated with younger-looking skin’.
The dermatologist also explained that there are procedures that can help increase collagen production, including resurfacing lasers such as Fraxel, Clear and Brilliant, CO2 and Erbium, as well as microneedling with RF have some evidence of increasing collagen production.
Dr. Castilla said non-invasive tightening devices such as Sofwave and Ultherapy can also boost collagen production.
The board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, who is also a clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Medical College at Cornell University, agreed that collagen banking is about lifestyle changes and not just beauty products.
The Harvard graduate tells his patients to avoid smoking, eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables as well as lean protein and healthy fats and minimal refined carbohydrates.
Dr. King also suggests exercising regularly, minimizing stress and getting plenty of sleep.
Dr. King said ‘it’s reasonable to add additional topical ingredients in our 30s or late 20s’ to help with collagen production.
Dr. King recommended using retinoids and peptides, as well as supplements like Biosil to support collagen, elastin and keratin.
“Studies noted improvements in skin elasticity, wrinkles and fine lines,” said Dr. King to FEMAIL about the collagen supplement.
Microneedling can also help increase collagen production – although patients don’t necessarily need to start when they’re young (stock image)
While it may be tempting to start collagen banks in your younger years, explained Dr. Castilla: “If you don’t have much to ‘improve’, then you’re not going to look much after one of these procedures – it’s more for maintenance.”
However, that doesn’t stop younger people from trying to use these lasers and tightening devices – but it may not produce the right results.
“In these cases, that’s when I see patients say the procedure ‘didn’t work,’ but the problem is often that the expectations weren’t realistic, not the device itself.”
It is also possible to build collagen with injectable means.
‘Botox or other neurotoxins have been shown to increase collagen and aid in reorganization of the collagen in the extracellular matrix, improving the appearance of the skin.’
And it makes sense to start banking in your 20s when it comes to skin care, using a combination of sunscreen, a retinoid and antioxidant.
‘Skincare is a long-term game – maintaining what you have with these skin products over time rather than seeing dramatic results in the short term.’