Collagen

[hunkyd0ry]

Hello all. I've been puzzled by one question for a while already...

When looking to buy face cream for example I keep stumbling across wrinkle-reducing skin care products which promise great results through the use of added collagen.

Having scleroderma, which is essentially an overproduction of collagen, I always feel taken aback, thinking that the last thing I need is more of that stuff. If anything I have too much, right? 🤔

Does anyone have more information on how this works?

I mean besides all the nasties that come with it (Raynaud's, digital ulcers, telangiectasia, etc), I should be having amazing skin, right? 😂

Really would love to understand how this works and if I do have to spend some thoughts on this.

But perhaps someone has already asked the question and can shed some light on this.

Thank you

[boome]

Hello there! I have thought about this a thousand times, thank you very much for asking. I have been avoiding face creams with collagen just like you, but I am not sure how this works. Eager to read answers on this.

[hunkyd0ry in reply to boome]

Maybe they could start to "milk" us for our extra collagen to put into the skincare products... this way everybody would be happy! 😆

[Redwine53]

I can’t help here but I was wondering the same and I have decided to keep away from collegen in skin cream. I have already lost some wrinkles on my forehead, I actually want them back, I practice frowning and raising my eyebrows as well as doing my mouth exercises. I have been diagnosed with scelerderma for about 4 years now.

Hope someone has an answer to your very pertinent question.

[hunkyd0ry in reply to Redwine53]

Have you heard of facial yoga? Sounds like this could be something for you to check out

[Redwine53 in reply to hunkyd0ry]

Thanks Hunkyd0ry that sounds good, I’ll look into that. I do a mix of stretching, yoga and tai chi most days, but no facial yoga! But soon.

[Tiggywoos in reply to hunkyd0ry]

it’s really good .. hard work ironically 😂.. I just got some exercises on line 👍

[GGhere]

Hello Hunkydory

I wondered about this too. I read all the labels on moisturisers and found one that didn't list collagen in the ingredients. It is Cera Ve and I found it in my local Chemist shop. I like it and now use it all the time. However, when I saw my consultant I asked if we should avoid skin products containing collagen he just replied with "it doesn't work like that," I presume he was implying that we didn't need to avoid such products. However, I've stuck with the Cera Ve stuff. Another point, hospital doctors have never told me to avoid direct sunlight in hot weather and I've only recently heard from people on this site that we should avoid it. A follow up to that story is that I've just been for a hospital appointment to have a large brown circle that appeared on my face. It's about as big as a 10p coin. They confirmed that its not cancerous but it is a sun spot obviously caused by the sun. Big brimmed hats and strong sunblock is needed for scleroderma people. Be careful everyone.

[cowhide in reply to GGhere]

I have never read anywhere that scleroderma patients need to avoid the sun as a direct result of the disease.

BUT: many of us are on mycophenolate which carries a known increased risk of melanomas.

In addition, sun/wind exposure usually dries skin out and increases the need for moisturiser. Those with scleroderma often suffer from itchy tight skin and moisturiser can help relieve this, so another reason to avoid sun, but not unique to scleroderma.

[GGhere in reply to cowhide]

Sorry Cowhide -maybe I didn't word my comment correctly - I was taking micophenolate for several years but hadn't been told about avoiding the sun. To add to my confusion I've recently been taken off micophenolate because they now suspect it was affecting my liver.

[cowhide in reply to GGhere]

Sorry to hear you have suffered side effects. I was warned about the melanoma risk when I was offered mycophenolate, especially as I am outdoor worker. I do also always read the leaflets in the packets when prescribed a new medicine, to know what to look out for - although if we worried about all the listed potential effects then we'd never agree to taking anything!

[Blue_feather]

Curious, too!🤔

[Tiggywoos]

great question!

[Intimeslikethese]

Great question. Yes, I think we’ve all wondered it. I use them every now and then and sparingly. My biggest area of collagen concern is on my overproduction in the form of fibroblasts across my chest and between my breasts. I apologize if that is too much info. I am told Kenolog injections is best for this. Wondered if anyone here had any input.

[SBQ1971]

I think this is something we could have a Webinar on. It has been something I have wondered about. I know some people don't have age wrinkles because their skin is very tight with the scleroderma. I was buying some make up at Boots a few months ago and was asked if I would like a skin test. Not really knowing what that was I said yes, and she held a little machine against my face, it didn't hurt. I don't have wrinkles, some laughter lines and frown lines but my skin is quite firm. She said my score was really good especially for my age, I am 84. When I said that my body made too much collagen she agreed with me that that could be the reason. Maybe there is something in our favour, but I would really like to know how it works. I use straightforward E45 lotion for moisturiser.