During winter, the most common questions we are faced with relate to the treatment of dry winter skin. After all, dry, itchy or scaly skin during the winter months is a condition to which all of us who live in Joburg experience. And as the dry, itchy and flakey skin starts to fall off as we undress and starts dancing in the air the reality or gravity of aging begins to set in as well.

The beauty industry has been my home for my professional life and I’ve lived through all the wonderful product technologies and benefited from them through the years. And while I feel amazing, I am still my age and there is no way to turn back the clock. As I near my 6th decade my skin perception is changing, so what’s with the guitar string lines on my chest and the buffy eyes? Is my mouth really looking downwards? Is this what got me all worked up about the dreaded 60?

The question is, can we improve the appearance of our skin? Even though we do the occasional peel and microneedling, regular facials and never leave the house without an SPF50+, what keeps the skin hydrated, plumb and firm? The answer: collagen! It makes up 75% of the skin and one-third of the protein in the entire body. Our bodies manufacture collagen by combining different amino acids or building blocks from protein found in food. Collagen is vital for blood clotting, wound healing and protecting the nervous system.

To put it another way, collagen, which is naturally produced by our bodies, is the stuff that holds us together and is responsible for the firmness and elasticity in our skin. As we grow older our levels of collagen decrease, which ultimately leads to wrinkles, thinning skin and brittle hair. Whether sold as a powder that can be added to foods or blended into drinks, hydrolyzed collagen is simply a flavorless food derived from a variety of raw animal materials marketed as gelatin and used as a gelling agent in foods as well as cosmetics for topical use.

So What should we do about Collagen as we age?

Can we really get enough collagen just through our diet? While many prefer a more natural way to increase collagen levels, such as eating plenty of dark green vegetables like spinach and kale, beans and red fruits and vegetables. There are also the more direct collagen trends initially centered on artificially enhancing collagen levels with fillers or injectable…. So, what to do? Sipping collagen, rather than applying it topically or injecting it also offers the entire body with the building blocks it needs to support the creation and repair of the body’s connective tissues. There are many collagen supplements currently on the market today, and some are available for you to buy in our Spas.

In my experience (anecdotal as I am in experiment of one), with a daily intake from a collagen supplement my skin feels much firmer and much more hydrated, nails are growing stronger and I have noticeably less muscle soreness after walking, or running.

How can we help?

• We recommend Tawa Labs’ Radiance Bioactive Collagen in single dose sachet form of 2.5g daily doses. Simply take 1 sachet daily in your drink of choice. It addresses the main concerns with regard to aging skin: elasticity and firmness, as well as wrinkles and faster nail growth, a real alternative to all available anti-aging measures.
• QMS COLLAGEN INTRAVITAL PLUS Nutritional Supplement is uniquely formulated to target skin regeneration from within, a supplement that helps recondition, regenerate and protect the skin. Regular use helps to protect the skin from environmental damage and fight signs of aging. It targets skin regeneration from within and ensures an improved overall skin quality and a general feeling of well-being.

Book our Spa-sational Promotion in June and enjoy a 10% discount on either TATA Lab’s Radiance Bioactive Collagen or QMS Collagen Intravital Plus if purchased in store on the day of your visit.