Collagen comes up in almost every conversation about skin ageing, and it's at the heart of how microneedling works. But what actually is it, why do we lose it, and how does microneedling help? Here's a clear, simple explanation.
The short answer: collagen is the main protein that gives skin its structure and firmness. We gradually make less of it from our mid-20s, and sun exposure breaks it down faster. Microneedling creates tiny, controlled channels in the skin, which prompts your skin's natural renewal process to produce fresh collagen over the following weeks and months.
What is collagen?
Collagen is a protein that forms a supportive network in the middle layer of your skin. Think of it like the frame of a mattress: it keeps skin firm, smooth and resilient. Alongside it, elastin gives skin its bounce, and hyaluronic acid helps it hold water.
Why we lose collagen
| Cause | What happens |
|---|---|
| Age | Production slows gradually from the mid-20s |
| Sun exposure | UV breaks collagen down faster |
| Smoking | Damages collagen and reduces blood flow to the skin |
| Menopause | Falling oestrogen can speed up collagen loss |
| Lifestyle | Poor sleep, high sugar diets and pollution may play a part |
As collagen declines, skin becomes thinner and less firm, and lines and crepiness appear.
How microneedling encourages fresh collagen
When fine needles create tiny channels in the skin, your skin treats them as small signals to repair. This sets off a natural process in roughly three stages:
- The first few days: the skin responds with increased blood flow and repair messengers. This is the redness you see after a session.
- The following weeks: skin cells called fibroblasts start producing fresh collagen and elastin.
- The following months: the new collagen gradually matures and strengthens.
That's why results build slowly, and why the biggest changes often appear weeks or months after a session. It's also why spacing sessions properly matters: your skin needs time to complete each cycle. See how often to microneedle.
Can you eat or drink collagen?
Collagen supplements are popular, and some studies suggest they may help skin hydration and elasticity, but the evidence is still mixed. Collagen applied in creams is too large to sink deep into the skin, though it can help hydrate the surface. Encouraging your skin to make its own collagen, through microneedling, retinoids and sun protection, is the better-established approach.
How to protect your collagen
- Wear SPF every day. It's the single most effective way to protect collagen.
- Use retinol on non-microneedling days, if your skin tolerates it.
- Use vitamin C, which plays a role in collagen production and helps protect skin.
- Don't smoke, and limit alcohol.
- Sleep well and eat a balanced diet with enough protein.
Supporting collagen with Olapen
Olapen is designed to make regular, well-spaced microneedling simple, with adjustable depth, cartridges for every area, and guides on timing and aftercare. For the full picture, read What Is Microneedling? and how microneedling works.
Frequently asked questions
Does microneedling really build collagen?
Microneedling prompts your skin's natural renewal, which includes producing fresh collagen. Results build gradually over months.
How long does collagen take to form after microneedling?
New collagen begins forming within weeks and continues to mature for months.
Do collagen creams work?
They can hydrate the surface, but collagen molecules are too large to sink deep into the skin.
Should I take collagen supplements?
Evidence is mixed. Speak to a pharmacist or GP if you're considering them.
What destroys collagen the most?
Sun exposure, followed by smoking.
The bottom line
Collagen is the foundation of firm, smooth skin, and we gradually lose it with age and sun exposure. Microneedling works with your skin to encourage fresh collagen over time. Pair it with daily SPF and healthy habits, and give your skin the time it needs.
Microneedling and nanoneedling are cosmetic procedures. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. If you have a skin condition or any concerns, speak to a healthcare professional.