Collagen, Elastin, and Hyaluronic Acid: Know the Difference

One key to a youthful appearance is having or maintaining high levels of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid (HA). The first two are the structural proteins in the dermis, responsible for giving the skin its firm, smooth, youthful appearance. HA, meanwhile, is a substance that retains moisture and gives the skin a plump and hydrated look. 

Unfortunately, the production of these key substances declines as we age. This then leads to a loss of skin volume, elasticity, hydration, and plumpness. This is also probably the reason why many products contain these substances or promise to stimulate the production of essential skin proteins such as collagen and elastin.

Continue reading to learn more about these building blocks of the skin, including their differences and ways to support the needs of your skin as you age.

What is collagen?

Made from amino acids, collagen is a naturally occurring protein found in the connective tissue. It is the most abundant protein in the body, accounting for 30% of the body’s total protein. Collagen is also a major building block (of the skin, bones, muscles, and other tissues) responsible for providing strength, structure, and support throughout the body. 

There are about 28 types of collagen and each one is in different areas of the body and performs different functions. Type I is the most abundant, making up 90% of the body’s collagen. It provides structure to the skin, bones, ligaments, and tendons, and is said to be stronger than steel.

As previously mentioned, the body produces less collagen as you age. The existing collagen also starts to break down at a faster rate, especially with certain habits such as sun exposure, smoking, poor diet, hormonal fluctuations (menopause), and lack of sleep. This can lead to accelerated aging or looking older than you are. 

What is elastin?

Also made from amino acids, elastin is a key structural protein found in the tissues. It is a stretchy protein that enables the skin to be flexible or stretch out and shrink back in place or return to its original shape. Elastin is an important component in the tissues that need stretchiness such as the skin, lungs, bladder, and large blood vessels.

The primary role of this protein is to give stretchiness in the body, allowing the tissues to stay in shape despite stretching. Elastin is about 1,000 times stretchier than collagen and provides resilience and flexibility to the cells and vital organs. Without this protein, the skin would have no elasticity and appear wrinkly and saggy.

Just like collagen, the body’s natural production of elastin also depletes with age. Other factors such as UV damage, smoking, and stress on the skin (like weight gain) also cause it to break. One example of broken elastin is stretch marks, which are lines/streaks that develop during a growth spurt, pregnancy, or rapid weight loss/gain. 

What is hyaluronic acid? 

Found throughout the body, hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that is important in maintaining moisture within the skin. This gooey and slippery substance is also called a humectant (retain or preserve moisture) and can bind to 1000 times its weight in water and keep the skin plump and hydrated. 

Hyaluronic acid is also used to cushion and lubricate joints and other tissues in the body. Many beauty and skincare products include HA in their ingredients by creating the substance in a lab using a process called bio fermentation. It is also a safe ingredient in many dermal fillers, as it can help stimulate collagen and improve skin tone and texture.

Just like collagen and elastin, the natural HA in the body decreases with age (declines by 2% every year). HA also has a short lifespan of less than 24 hours. The body continuously produces and renews HA in the skin, with about 30 to 50% of HA molecules being destroyed daily.

How to increase collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in the skin 

A healthy lifestyle can help improve the state or quality of your skin. This includes eating a balanced diet and exercising daily, as well as getting adequate sleep, managing stress, avoiding or quitting smoking, and using quality skincare products. There are also non-surgical aesthetic treatments that can improve or stimulate the production of these building blocks.

• Light- and energy-based procedures- At Cutis, we have a number of non-invasive procedures that use light or energies like ultrasound and radiofrequency to firm and tighten the skin. These work by gently heating the deeper layers to stimulate collagen and/or elastin.
  • MFU-V – or micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) can naturally lift the skin on the face, neck, and upper chest. It uses time-tested micro-focused ultrasound energy to heat the skin’s deeper layers. This then triggers an immune response that jumpstarts the production of collagen and elastin.
  • Titan Skin Tightening – uses infrared light to non-invasively tighten the skin and enhance skin tone on the face, neck, and body. It heats the weakened collagen in the skin, creating micro-injuries that help stimulate collagen and tighten elastin fibers. It can improve jowls, lines, and folds and treat mild to moderate laxity in the face and body. 
  • 7D Ultraformer MMFU – uses micro- and macro-focused ultrasound (MMFU) technology to heat different layers of the skin. This induces a buildup of new collagen fibers, which non-invasively firm and tighten the skin. It can treat visible signs of aging, as well as contour the face and body, and target fatty deposits.
• Microneedling via Dermapen 4 – uses a pen-like device with microscopic needles that vertically pierce the skin, causing micro-injuries. It activates the healing function of the skin and helps boost collagen and elastin production. Microneedling repairs and remodels the skin by treating or improving scars, fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, enlarged pores, pigmentation, and stretch marks. 
• Dermal fillers – are usually made of synthetic hyaluronic acid and are used to volumize the lips, soften lines and wrinkles, correct folds and creases, as well as contour the face. Certain types of HA fillers can also hydrate skin and promote skin cell regeneration. They last about six to 12 months and can be dissolved (by injecting hyaluronidase) if you’re unhappy with the results. 
• Bio-remodeling injectable – contains 100% pure hyaluronic acid and bio-stimulates collagen, elastin, and proliferate adipocytes (fat) stem cells. It provides intense hydration benefits and improves skin tone, texture, and overall skin quality. Bio remodeling can be used on the face, neck, hands, arms, and other areas of the body.  

Schedule a consultation 

Aging is inevitable but this doesn’t mean that you cannot look and feel younger than you are. If you have signs of aging that are making you self-conscious, don’t hesitate to consider the mentioned treatments. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor to find out which treatment is right for you.