Contrary to earlier reports, collagen is not just used for plumping up your lips to resemble Angelina Jolie's-- collagen can do much more than just that. Today, celebrities use collagen to attain smoother skin, defined cheek bones, and as means of protecting their skin's dermis. Collagen isn't just some cosmetic surgery staple; it is also a solution to fixing saggy skin. One of collagen's main nutrient are skin proteins that help replenish lost natural skin oils. Collagen makes your skin glow and look younger; as well as improve your overall, physical appearance when injected or used in other parts of your body.

It is important to understand the layers of the skin and which layer among the two needs a dose of collagen once in awhile. As we all know, the epidermis, or the upper layer of the skin is often exposed to dust, pollution, and other external organisms that could affect our body, starting with our skin. The epidermis is also responsible for controlling the liquid excretion of our cells and tissues. Beneath the epidermis is the dermis which is rich in natural collagen proteins. These proteins help the epidermis with its daily task of controlling the skin's water supply.

Collagen was not made to be an artificial protein used by cosmetic surgeons to plump up our cheeks or lips. It is a certain natural protein that helps in the growth of our body's cells and blood vessels. It also supports our epidermis by keeping our skin's elasticity. When a healthy amount of collagen is provided by our dermis, our epidermis retains its fine, plump appeal; which unfortunately, does not last long. Sooner or later, throughout time, our own body's collagen supply goes down-- and that is how we get unwanted age marks, saggy skin and wrinkles.

Although nothing can stop our body's own collagen supply from going down, collagen used by cosmetic surgeons have been proven to return our skin's glow and elasticity. Collagen has been used to create more defined cheeks and pouty-lips, which was made famous by Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie. Botox and Collagen have also gone hand in hand and have become two of the most used cosmetic treatments by celebrities.

A lot of doctors recommend the use of collagen to achieve more defined cheeks and smoother-looking skin. The reason why collagen is best injected beneath the skin is because your skin needs to regain its collagen supply, which is normally excreted in your dermis. Another technique which you can try out is to apply collagen creams over your skin after getting collagen injections. The collagen cream helps in slowing down water loss and retaining moisture on the surface of your skin, while injected collagen helps in retaining water beneath your skin.