Tolerability and efficacy assessment of an oral collagen supplement for the improvement of biophysical and ultrasonographic parameters of skin in middle eastern consumers

The Efficacy and Safety of CollaSel Pro® Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptide Supplementation without Addons in Improving Skin Health in Adult Females: A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study Using Biophysical and Skin Imaging Techniques

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral hydrolyzed collagen peptide (HCP) in healthy females by assessing the skin parameters via biophysical and skin imaging techniques. Methods: 112 females were randomly assigned to receive either HCP (n = 57; 10 g CollaSel Pro®) or placebo (n = 55; 10 g maltodextrin) daily for eight weeks. The contribution of HCP to skin elasticity, hydration, and roughness was investigated against a placebo, while the facial soft tissue sagging (RMS) and safety data were also recorded. Results: HCP was associated with significant improvements in skin elasticity (p = 0.009), skin hydration (p ranged from 0.003 to <0.001), and skin roughness (p ranged from 0.002 to <0.001). In the HCP vs. the placebo group, week eight values for skin elasticity (43.0 (7.4) vs. 40.3 (3.3) mPa, p = 0.017), skin hydration (65.8 (18.9) vs. 53.1 (14.9) g/m3, p < 0.001) and skin roughness (40.2 (20.4) vs. 24.9 (20.9) g/m3, p < 0.001) were significantly higher. In the HCP group, week 8 RMS values were significantly lower than baseline values (1.02 (0.21) vs. 1.10 (0.21) mm, p = 0.012). Conclusions: CollaSel Pro® HCP can be considered a well-tolerated, safe product that effectively improves dermal health and the appearance of sagging and ameliorates the signs of the aging process.

Restoration of the Ultrastructural Integrity of the Dermal Collagen Network by 12-Week Ingestion of Special Collagen Peptides

INTRODUCTION

This pilot study investigated the effects of a 12-week administration of a nutritional supplement containing special collagen peptides on the structural and molecular properties of the collagen fiber network in the human skin. For the assessments, the suction blister method and electron microscopical comparisons were used.

METHODS

Three suction blisters were generated on the inner forearm of each test subject before and after the 12-week administration of the nutritional supplement. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to meticulously investigate the structural characteristics of the skin's collagen network, including the length and diameter of collagen fibers within the suction blister roof. Furthermore, the analysis included immunohistochemistry and fluorescence light microscopy to study hyaluronic acid within the extracellular matrix. Additional assessments encompassed changes in various epidermal parameters. Nine female participants within the age range of 43.7-61.8 years (mean: 52.5 ± 5.9 years) completed the study in accordance with the study protocol.

RESULTS

Compared with baseline, the 12-week supplementation regimen led to a statistically significant average increase in the collagen fiber network size of 34.56% (p < 0.0001). Additionally, collagen fiber cross-linking and fiber length were substantially increased. The ingestion of the supplement also resulted in an 18.08% elevation in epidermal hyaluronic acid concentration (p < 0.0001). No adverse events were recorded during the study.

CONCLUSION

Using an innovative approach, this study demonstrated the ability of a targeted nutritional supplement to effectively restore the ultrastructural integrity of the dermal collagen network, which is typically disrupted by the natural aging process of the skin. These findings not only corroborate existing data regarding the positive effects of oral collagen peptides on skin structure and function but also contribute to our understanding of ultrastructural morphological aspects of changes in the skin's collagen network. Supplementation can induce regeneration of the collagen fiber network in the human skin.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS-ID DRKS00034161- Date of registration: 06.05.2024, retrospectively registered.

A Clinical Trial Shows Improvement in Skin Collagen, Hydration, Elasticity, Wrinkles, Scalp, and Hair Condition following 12-Week Oral Intake of a Supplement Containing Hydrolysed Collagen

Background

Hydrolysed collagen supplements are reported to fight the signs of aging and improve skin appearance, but more authoritative clinical evidence is needed to support efficacy.

Aim

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of a supplement containing hydrolysed collagen and vitamin C (Absolute Collagen, AC) on biophysical parameters and visible signs of aging for skin, scalp, and hair, when taken daily or every 48 hours.

Methods

We measured dermal collagen using confocal microscopy and high-resolution ultrasound. Hydration, elasticity, wrinkles, and clinical trichoscopy were measured in parallel to expert visual grading. Efficacy measures were recorded at baseline, week 6, and week 12.

Results

Following 12 weeks daily use of the AC supplement, using confocal microscopy, we observed a significant 44.6% decrease in fragmentation vs. placebo (p < 0.01). We also measured a change in the ultrasound LEP (low echogenic pixel) ratio comparing upper and lower dermis (-9.24 vs. -7.83, respectively, p=0.05), suggesting collagen improvements occurred more in the upper dermal compartment. After 12 weeks vs. placebo, skin hydration was increased by 13.8% (p < 0.01), R2 elasticity index was increased by 22.7% (p<0.01), and Rz profilometry index was decreased by 19.6% (p < 0.01). Trichoscopy showed an average 11.0% improvement in scalp scaling and a 27.6% increase in the total number of hairs counted vs. placebo (p=n.s.). This was associated with a 31.9% increase in clinical grading score for hair healthy appearance (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The AC supplement has shown clinical benefits for skin, scalp, and hair, when used either daily or every 48 hours, over a 12-week period.

Reply to: "Is oral collagen the elixir of youth?"

Following letter provides answers and explanations for the correspoundance titled "Is oral collagen the elixir of youth." They have admitted the strengths of our study and also have raised some questions about it, which we aim to provide answers and explanations.

Correlating facial skin parameters with age and gender in population of Shaanxi Province, China

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to comprehensively evaluate the changes in facial skin biophysical parameters with age, as well the influence of gender differences in populations of Shaanxi Province, China.

METHODS

Fourteen skin parameters, including stratum corneum hydration (SCH), transdermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, melanin, R0, R2, R5, R7, F4, gloss, skin surface pH, skin erythema index (a*), wrinkle length, and sebum, were measured by noninvasive instruments in 481 volunteers from Shaanxi Province. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between skin parameters and age. Additionally, skin parameters were analyzed for different age groups and different genders.

RESULTS

The results of the study showed a linear decrease in skin surface pH and sebum content with age, and the skin elasticity parameters R0, R2, R5, and R7 decreased significantly at the age of 54-65 years. Wrinkle length showed a linear and increase with age. R5 showed a weak negative correlation with age, R2, R7, and sebum content showed a moderate negative correlation, while wrinkle length showed a strong positive correlation. Considering the effect of gender on skin parameters, the results showed that SCH and gloss were lower in men than in women, while TEWL, erythema, melanin, wrinkle length, and sebum were higher than in women. However, there was no difference in skin elasticity between them.

CONCLUSION

The facial skin parameters, especially for the wrinkle length, exhibited the strong correlation relationship with ages in Shaanxi Province. Meanwhile, most skin parameters show significant differences with gender, which can provide a reference for future research and development in the field of cosmetics.