Dr. Tina Alster is the Founding Director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, a Georgetown University Clinical Professor and Consulting Dermatologist for Lancôme.
Collagen is a fundamental building block found in the skin that helps maintain its firmness, bounce and wrinkle-free appearance. As we age, we lose collagen, making skin less firm and allowing wrinkles to form. Here are some common questions Dr. Alster receives from her patients about their collagen concerns and tips on how to help fight wrinkles at the source.
Is there one type of collagen?
While most people think of collagen as one thing, the skin actually contains 27 different types of collagen. There are five key types of collagen (I, III, IV, V, VII) in facial skin that help reinforce the collagen network and trigger the synthesis of healthy new collagen. My favorite at-home weapon to address all five collagen types is Lancôme's High Résolution Collaser-5X™ Intense Collagen Anti-Wrinkle Serum which works by stimulating collagen synthesis and making wrinkles appear more shallow.
What's the best way to boost collagen without an in-office procedure?
Serums are one of the secrets to great skin because they provide a concentrated blend of beneficial active ingredients. These are necessary for targeted treatments like reducing wrinkles, stimulating collagen production and clarifying skin's tone and texture.
Where should a serum fit into my beauty routine?
I tell my patients to apply facial serums after cleansing and allow at least five minutes for maximum absorption. Then follow with application of a favorite moisturizer and/or sunscreen. Using serums is that simple.
How do I know which serum is right for me? 
First, identify your skincare concern. For instance, if you are concerned with wrinkles, I recommend a Rice Peptide and Alfalfa Extract-based serum such as High Résolution Collaser-5X™. If your main concern is dehydration and moisture loss, opt for an ultra moisturizing serum like Absolue Ultimate βx Serum. If skin tone and texture are concerns, an antioxidant serum is probably best for you. Bright Expert addresses these problems by helping to break down clusters of overpigmented cells. Active ingredients found in serums like peptides and antioxidants are the cornerstones of a solid skincare regimen. Primordiale Cell Defense™ is Lancôme's latest technology to combat unwanted oxidation.
Does collagen exist around the eye area?
Absolutely! In fact, the eye area has the most fragile skin. I always recommend an eye cream to my patients. There are even eye serums for this delicate area that help build collagen and reduce the appearance of dark circles. Look for eye creams that have peptides, Vitamin P and caffeine in them. These three ingredients will help build collagen, reduce puffiness and help diminish dark circles. One of my favorites is Lancôme's High Résolution Eye Collaser-5X™, which can be applied alone or under your favorite eye cream for maximum benefits.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
1. Isn't there something you can recommend that's less expensive than Lancome( for wrinkles )?
Posted at 7:54AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Ree
2. Olay Regenerist works well. I have used it daily and it has improved my skin.Daily Serum, Night Recovery treament, & Lifting Complex.
Posted at 8:15AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Pauline Dix
3. Mary Kay Timewise Product Line works GREAT!!!
Posted at 8:38AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Tresa
4. Thermage is great if you can afford 4,000 for one treatment and the results differ from person to person,some may see great results while others may see very little.You can stimulate collagen through microderms(crystal,silk)or doing a weekly chemical peel for about 6 weeks then once a month.Hyaluronic acid is great but thats more for adding moisture to the skin, its good to put on before your day or night creams because it helps to penatrate the product better.Ive had Themage done and have also done Thermage at the HVSAA it is a wonderful option but not for everyone!!
Posted at 8:43AM on Apr 26th 2008 by shauna
5. oil of olay is probably the best alternative - rated number 1 by consumer reports - not expensive - however, if you really want to get rid of wrinkles you need to see a plastic surgeon - none of these topical creams are going to do that
Posted at 9:12AM on Apr 26th 2008 by carol
6. Thermage made a huge difference for me at 44 yrs. My skin looked good for my age but I was starting to see a difference. I paid much less than the above quote ($2,000). I am sure that every area in the country is different. I had it again 2 yrs. later and didn't see as much of a change. It is expensive but I am sure it works much better than the marketed sales product above. If you want this treatment and you live in an area where it costs $4000, look out of your area and you might be able to pay for the treatment and a trip. :)
Posted at 9:12AM on Apr 26th 2008 by kaxydis
7. Try Avon- they have some intense wrinkle fighters and creams. since you need to use any product for 2 months or so before you see a difference you might as well try the less expensive Avon line- they have great sales too
Posted at 9:13AM on Apr 26th 2008 by lisa
8. I met Dr. Alster many years ago shortly after she opened her practice in Washington, DC. I was suffering from menopausal acne and she was most helpful. My opinion is that she is genuine, intelligent, honest and if she did not believe in a product she certainly would not advertise it. She is an outstanding Doctor and now that we have moved away from the DC area, I am happy to see she is still actively researching better ways to have healthy skin.
Posted at 9:17AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Fran
9. Grow old and enjoy it.
Posted at 9:33AM on Apr 26th 2008 by liza
10. Gotta say YAY for Mary-Kay!! Have been using their products for a couple of years, now, and I am always being complimented on my skin. Others never guess my age right and I LOVE IT! Not too shabby for belonging to the over 50 club! Mary Kay, not smoking, very little alcohol drinking, at least 7 hours of sleep, and staying out of the sun, as much as possible, all lead up to looking one's best as the years pass...KB
Posted at 9:39AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Karen
11. I am 65 yrs old and don't have a single line on my face. I have been using everything that comes out for years and years. Something must be working. Any new product that I can buy in the drug store that I don't have to pay a fortune for I use. Use is until it is gone and then if something new is out ..buy it and use it til it is gone..been doing this for years ....people can not believe I am as old as I am...I also do not put anything harsh on my face such as exfoilators or anything with alchol in it. I thing a wash cloth will exfoilate enough. and NEVER go to bed with makeup on...ALWAYS wash it off and then apply whatever you use. Your skin needs to breath. I have always used a base makeup when I go out since I was sixteen yr.old. I think that protected my face also.
Posted at 9:44AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Nancy Postiy
12. I'm 51 yrs old...I started noticing my facial and neck skin loosing about a year ago..I have tried so many products, Hydroderm, Iderm, Strivectin, shiseido...they all give me a bit of a glow when first applied but i can't say any of them actually tighened my skin...I don't have wrinkles other than the laugh lines on either side of my mouth...I've found that a oatmeal mask tightens my skin nicely and Olay eye cream reduces eye puffiness..olay moisurizer works well, also...the other high priced products do nothing more than take your money.
Posted at 9:47AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Renee Roberson
13. Collagen??? Not me ladies. I prefer to age gracefully and naturally.
Posted at 9:47AM on Apr 26th 2008 by J. Rivers
14. At 57 I have had the best results first from using good eye creams..Avon has 2 really great ones and then using serums. Check out the skinstore.com or sephora.com...some are pricey and some are more reasonalbe, but I have noticed with serums, you get what you pay for, but I would never go shopping in a department store and pay what Lancome charges for their products.
Posted at 9:58AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Dobrien3851
15. I saw a nutritionist/skin expert on Martha Stewart last month. She said everyone should use serum and recommended the Garnier Nutritioniste line. There are several choises. I use their serum and moisturizer.I saw results, almost immediately. My skin lost it's redness. I use both the Skin Renew and the Ultra-Lift. I use Renew in the a.m. & Ultra-Lift in the p.m.
Posted at 9:59AM on Apr 26th 2008 by cindy
16. A daily multi-vitamin and Biotin (these are available in a generic) right before bedtime and some Retin-A cream, by RX only, applied to the face at night is what I've been doing for the past fifteen years. Also a good sunblock. I love Ultra Sheer Dry Touch by Neutrogena. A good fade cream keeps dark spots and freckles away. I use Lustra with Parasol ( hidroquinone 4%) by RX only and my skin is so clear I don't even wear foundation. I'm forty-three and people think I'm way younger. The Retin-A might be a little pricey for some people, but one tube goes a very long way because you only use a a pea size amount on your entire face, maybe even less. So one tube can last you up to a year. The fade cream is also available in a generic brand. Ask around and visit the best dermatologist in town. Mine has a long waiting list so I keep my appointments and schedule them every six monthes. Overall I spend about $300 or less a year including Dr. visits. The only over the counter products I will ever buy are the vitamins and the
sunblock.
Posted at 10:14AM on Apr 26th 2008 by LILA
17. I work with a plastic surgeon. I asked him if ANY of the products being advertised would help with wrinkles, especially crows feet. He said that while the products out there 'could' help MILD wrinkles, by allowing hydration under the skin, it definitely does NOT help anything over the MILD range wrinkles. Sun damage and smoking does most of the damage.
Posted at 10:33AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Joyce
18. Try Avon. It is more reasonable and a lot of the formulas came from Avon first like Alphi Hydrox.
Posted at 10:34AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Di4Avon
19. Girls, I've been using extra virgin olive oil on y skin and it works wonders as does Vitamin A&D Ointment and not the cream.
Posted at 11:00AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Susu
20. Forget those expensive creams. Use extra virgin olie oil and/or A&D Ointment, not the crea but the ointment.
Posted at 11:03AM on Apr 26th 2008 by Susu