Expert Explains How Collagen Loss Affects Facial Aging

A HelloNation article explores how decreasing collagen production contributes to visible signs of facial aging, featuring insights from wellness expert Sarah Packard-Normand. The piece examines collagen's essential role in maintaining skin firmness, texture, and facial volume.

The article highlights collagen as a critical structural protein responsible for skin's strength, support, and flexibility. While production is high in youth, it naturally declines with age, leading to the skin changes associated with growing older.

Packard-Normand explains that collagen loss often first manifests as changes in skin texture, such as fine lines that become permanent when the face is at rest. The skin may also feel thinner and less resilient. Reduced elasticity, another consequence, contributes to subtle sagging and loss of definition along the jawline and neck.

Facial volume loss is also a key topic. As collagen diminishes, the skin's ability to support underlying tissues weakens, potentially creating hollows and shadows in areas like the cheeks and temples. Environmental factors such as sun exposure, smoking, and stress are noted as accelerators of collagen breakdown.