Collagen banking: Skin-boosting treatments for a youthful look

Ever wondered why your skin does not feel as firm or radiant as it used to? It’s all about collagen – the protein that gives your skin that youthful bounce.

Starting around the age of 25, the body begins to lose about 1 per cent of its collagen each year. And if you add in factors such as sun exposure, smoking and hormonal changes, this process can speed up, making it even more important to take care of your skin early on.

This means by your late 30s and 40s, the loss of collagen can lead to visible signs of ageing such as droopy eyelids, fine lines and loose skin, explains Dr Hoe Ying Min, medical director at Bay Aesthetics Clinic.

While most people would wait for signs of ageing to appear before seeking help, Dr Hoe has observed an increasing number of male and female patients in their mid-20s and early 30s consulting her for collagen banking treatments.

Dr Hoe says of the current trend: “Collagen banking is a forward-thinking approach aimed at preserving and enhancing your skin’s collagen levels during your prime collagen-producing years as a buffer against the natural decline that occurs with ageing.

“Like a savings plan, the optimal time to start is in your late 20s or early 30s. Collagen banking treatments start to pay dividends with consistency.”

Bay Aesthetics Clinic offers a range of collagen-boosting injections that promote collagen production in the skin. “The two most commonly requested treatments are JuveLook and Ellanse injections,” says Dr Hoe.

JuveLook is a two-in-one collagen and hydration skin booster that aims to achieve flawless Korean glass skin.

JuveLook contains two key ingredients: poly-d-lactic-acid, which acts as a collagen booster and hyaluronic acid that acts as a hydration booster. The combined effects of these two ingredients help to smoothen fine lines, and reduce the appearance of pores, acne scars and skin texture.

Dr Hoe uses a micro-injector gun to administer the JuveLook injections into the skin. The treatment involves minimal downtime and clients can resume normal activities immediately, says Dr Hoe.

“I recommend four sessions of JuveLook injections, spaced a month apart. Clients may be able to see an improvement in their skin quality by the second or third session, and the results can last up to two years”, she adds.

The second option, Ellanse, is a collagen-stimulating filler used to sculpt and enhance facial features such as your cheeks, jawline and smile lines. It targets deeper skin layers to help restore lost facial volume.

The key ingredient is polycaprolactone, a potent collagen bio-stimulator that has been approved for medical use for over 40 years.

Ellanse is administered using a needle and the treatment is completed in one session. Side effects may include mild swelling around the treated area or bruising, which typically resolves in days.

Dr Hoe says: “Ellanse and JuveLook are both collagen stimulators, but they have different ingredients and different uses. JuveLook is injected into the superficial layer of the skin to improve skin quality and texture. Ellanse is injected into the deep layers of the face, restoring facial volume loss due to the ageing process.

“If the face was a house, Ellanse strengthens the foundation of the house, while JuveLook acts as fresh paint on the wall.”

For rejuvenation of the delicate eye area, Bay Aesthetics Clinic offers a purified collagen extract known as Deusaderm, which is specifically designed to help restore collagen and improve the appearance of dark eye circles, eye bags and fine lines.

Deusaderm is injected using a cannula (a tube that is inserted under the skin). There may be some mild swelling or redness post-treatment, which typically subside within one to two days. Patients can resume normal activities right away.

“The skin around the eye is the thinnest in the body and the first to show early signs of ageing, which manifest as fine lines, dark eye circles and eye bags,” she says.

Dr Bernard Tan, medical director and founder of Bay Aesthetics Clinic, says: “For clients who prefer non-invasive options and are looking to lift and tighten the skin, you may consider Oligio RF and Ultherapy.”

Oligio RF Skin Tightening uses monopolar radiofrequency (RF) energy of 6.78 MHz to gently heat the skin to 45 deg C to 60 deg C. This results in immediate collagen contraction and stimulates new collagen production, addressing the collagen loss from the ageing process. Oligio RF treatments improve the appearance of fine lines, sagging skin, droopy eyelids and eye bags.

“Results can be noticed after the treatment and it peaks after one to two months. Oligio RF is recommended as an annual treatment to lift and tighten the skin of the face, eyelids and neck,” adds Dr Tan.

However, he cautions: “Medical-grade radiofrequency skin tightening devices such as Oligio RF mean serious business and the treatment must be performed by an experienced and trained medical practitioner, as there is a potential risk of skin burns, hyperpigmentation and scarring.”

Oligio RF has several key features to ensure the safety and comfort of patients. This includes a smart cooling system that controls the temperature of the skin surface, as well as real-time monitoring of the pressure that is being applied and the resistance of the body tissue.

To target the deeper layers of the skin, Dr Tan recommends the use of Ultherapy.

“Ultherapy treatments use microfocused ultrasound waves to generate pinpoint areas of controlled injury known as thermal coagulation points, which function to strengthen existing collagen and also kick-start a regenerative process in the skin to promote new collagen growth.

“Under real-time ultrasound guidance, Ultherapy energy is precisely delivered to the collagen-rich layers of the skin to achieve a natural looking skin tightening and lifting effect,” says Dr Tan.

Oligio RF and Ultherapy use different technologies to target different layers of the skin. Oligio RF targets the more superficial layer of the skin, from around 1 to 2mm deep, whereas Ultherapy targets the deeper layer of the skin, from around 3 to 4.5mm deep. “At Bay Aesthetics Clinic, we combine both treatments with good outcomes for our patients,” shares Dr Tan.

Like Oligio RF, Ultherapy is a medical-grade treatment that needs to be performed by a medical professional as it has the potential risk of burns, blisters, bruising and injury to facial nerves or blood vessels.

While medical-grade collagen banking treatments are generally safe in the hands of an experienced provider, adverse events and complications are possible.

At Bay Aesthetics Clinic, prior to the appointment, clients are sent detailed information about the treatment so that they know what to expect. During the consultation, the doctors at the clinic will explain the treatment, and its expected outcomes and risks before proceeding.

“Our approach from day one is to be long term partners of our clients as they embark on a journey to age gracefully with a little help.” says Dr Tan.

For more information, visit Bay Aesthetics Clinic.