Collagen products

I popped into a salon earlier to buy products. I overheard one of the beauty therapists explain how a product works to a customer. This specific product was a collagen cream of sorts. She explained that this 'collagen cream' would "put lost collagen back into the skin to improve skins elasticity". Where do I start correcting this statement?!


Firstly, collagen is not PRIMARILY responsible for elasticity in the skin, that would be elastin. Sure collagen helps by improving/providing strength to fibres, and as with normal skin and body function, different systems/fibres/networks work together, but that statement was SO flawed.


The next, and more important, thing is that there is no way that a COSMETIC product can replace lost collagen. COSMETIC products don't penetrate the dermal layer of the skin which is where collagen is produced. NO cosmetic product can replace lost collagen. Products may stimulate collagen production, but they will not put collagen into your skin from the tube/bottle/jar. This is perhaps possible with cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical, and medical products, but as their names suggest, this needs to be recommended or prescribed by a medical professional, as these products affect the dermal layer of the skin which contains networks of blood capillaries.


Had the consultant or beauty therapist continued to elaborate on her statement or offer up an explanation on how that is possible and clarify this to her client, I would have not been so shocked and upset. But she did not. The client just accepted her word as truth. Even more upsetting. 


Beauty/Skincare therapists and consultants: As any qualified professional, you need to know your stuff. Know the products you're working with. If you're not 100% sure about something or forget, that's fine, but then tell your client and ask him/her for a minute to make sure. They'll appreciate it. Either keep a set of notes in your treatment room or in your bag, or consult with your manager or a fellow therapist rather than giving your client incorrect information. It's okay to be wrong and make mistakes, but if it can be avoided...AVOID it!


Clients and consumers: Don't be fooled by products that list collagen, marine collagen, and other types of collagen in it's ingredients. You'll often find that these collagen ingredients are further down the ingredients list which means that there is a small to VERY small percentage of this in the product as a whole, and even so, it may not penetrate your upper dermis. Ask questions. It is your right AND responsibility to ask questions. And if you're not sure, leave the product, do some research and/or consult another skin care therapist or dermatologist for advice.

Miss B