The myth of eternal beauty has traveled human history since time immemorial. Starting with Narcissus losing himself in his own reflection, to Dorian Gray’s pact with the devil so that his face will never change. Reaching the extreme obsession portrayed in the black comedy of the nineties Death feels so goodwith Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn drinking a potion that promised them eternal youth.
Today that youth cult does not need magical mirrors or cursed portraits. Enough with A spoonful in coffee, A night cream either A capsule with red fruit flavoreverything has a “antiaging” formula: collagen.
The trend that everything monopolizes. The collagen It is the most abundant protein of the human body, but over time, its natural production decreases, which contributes to the appearance of wrinkles, sagging and joint discomfort. For this reason, in recent years its popularity has intensified. In addition, everything is interrelated: the global boom of Korean cosmetics, also known as K-beeautyhas contributed to reinforce this trend.
According to Voguethe first wave of K-Beauty in the 2010 decade introduced routines focused on skin care-such as double cleaning or Cushion bases-and conquered the western public with innovative, accessible and culturally attractive formulas. Now, a second wave has arrived, expanding the Korean influence on hybrid and functional makeup, where ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or niacinamide coexist with pigments. This skin -centered approach has created the perfect terrain for ingredients such as collagen – present in creams, sera and supplements – become synonymous with “good skin.”
An even bigger impulse. And it is that the impact of social networks has amplified the trend, especially in Tik Tok. The point is that has left of being a medical curiosity to become a habitual element in diet and daily self -care, promoted by influencers, celebrities and marketing campaigns that promise to reverse the signs of aging. In this context, the obsession with “look good” has resulted in an avalanche of routines, products and treatments. From injections to soluble dust, collagen has become omnipresent. This aesthetic pressure, amplified by filters and algorithms, feeds a growing anxiety for not showing age signs.
Aging has genre. The demand for “staying young” falls disproportionately over women. As They have pointed out In Psychology Today, the anti -aging industry is directed almost exclusively to them, reinforcing the idea that their value is directly linked to their appearance. While men can “mature” or become “interesting with wrinkles”, women are required to stop time. The social and professional invisibility that many experience from a certain age is a widely documented reality. In this sense, collagen is not only a supplement, but also a symbol of the pressure imposed by society on the female body.
There is a lot of skepticism. Faced with so many promises, science asks for caution. Dr. Afshin Mosahebi, professor of plastic surgery at the University College in London, has been blunt in The Guardian: “Science is doubtful”, and there are no large -scale studies or pairs that support the most ambitious statements about collagen supplements. In addition, he has clarified that its consumption does not guarantee visible benefits: “When you eat something, it does not reach your skin.” Just ingest quality protein to obtain the necessary amino acids.
On the other hand, According to BBCsome studies have signed up for modest benefits for skin elasticity or joint health, but many are small, poorly designed or financed by the brands themselves.
Miracle or marketing? The collagen boom has given way to a millionaire industry. Beauty and health brands have launched full lines of products that promise to restore the lost collagen with age. This fever includesFrom anti -wrinkle creams to injections, intravenous treatments and dust to dissolve in coffee. But he doesn’t stay there: one of the latest trends They are the exosomessmall cell vesicles that supposedly stimulate the production of collagen from within. Although they promise to be the next cosmetic revolution, its effectiveness is still under study.
The idea of continuing to stretch the collagen gum has no brake. The novelty focuses on vegetable collagen (“plant-based”), hydrolyzed collagen and collagen peptides. However, the scientific evidence that supports its benefits It is still scarce or contradictory.
What if aging was not a problem? Taking care of the skin, eating well and staying healthy is important. However, it is also to accept that the passage of time is inevitable. As He has pointed out Dr. Mosahebi himself in The Guardian, which most influences how we get old is genetics and lifestyle: “Avoiding the sun, not smoking, hydrating, maintaining a protein rich diet and using products such as hyaluronic acid are more effective measures than any supplement”.
Perhaps the collagen is not the elixir of youth, but the reflection of a society that seeks to stop the clock at all costs. And perhaps, the real challenge is to normalize aging as much as we have learned to celebrate beauty. As one of the protagonists of Death feels so goodafter drinking his elixir of eternal youth: “Do you realize how competitive this is? Life, youth, beauty …”
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