Benefits of Liquid Collagen?

Question

will drinking liquid collagen daily during facelift recovery have any effect at all on wrinkles still visible on face?

Peter Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

You are correct in your understanding that collagen is an essential ingredient in the structural framework of the skin, the concentration of collagen has a significant impact on the elasticity of the skin. Unfortunately, when you drink collagen, it will be digested by enzymes in your stomach, and will not result in any material improvement of the wrinkles on your face. But hey, you may pioneer new form of smoothie!

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Collagen is a protein and the digestive acids in your stomach and intestines will break that protein down into it smaller components, amino acids. These amino acids may be used to build other proteins for your body but will not necessarily go directly to your wrinkles to make them any better. There are, however, other options to treat the wrinkles which you can address with your plastic surgeon.  Best wishes.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Although collagen makes up the fabric of the skin and deeper structures drinking liquid collagen in people with a balanced diet should have no effect and not worth the effort.

Frank P. Fechner, MD · Answer

This is an interesting question that, in my facelift practice, actually never came up nor have I heard about collagen shakes.

	Given that collagen is a protein which will be broken down into its building blocks (amino acids) within the digestive system, I would suggest that it will not do any harm. Whether it will make the end result better, I truly do not know.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

I'm not sure where you got the idea of drinking collagen. Collagen is a protein that will be denatured by the acid in the stomach. Taking it by mouth makes no sense.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Unfortunately, drinking collagen will not influence your facelift recovery. Your recovery starts well before your surgery.  Good skin care is undervalued.  A simple routine of sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), Retin-A (helps organize skin and helps retain moisture) and a good moisturizer (self explanatory). Healthy skin prior to surgery will respond well to surgery.  This continues after your recovery.  Skin care is a lifestyle change not a quick fix.

	Dr. ES

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Every time you eat a steak you are ingesting collagen, but whether it is consumed in a liquid suspension or in normal food your body will digest it and break it down. It will have absolutely no effect on facial wrinkles or skin health in general. Similarly for collagen in skin creams - it will just sit on the surface and is not incorporated into the structural collagen of the skin.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I would not recommend this after facelift as it will likely do nothing. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I have to admit that I have not heard of a type of collagen that can be ingested. I have not seen any studies which have scientifically evaluated such a product, so I couldn't be 100% sure of my answer, but I would doubt that drinking such a product would influence wrinkles on your face during facelift recovery.

Karan Chopra, MD · Answer

Orally ingested collagen will be broken down and is extremely unlikely to produce any meaningful facial rejuvenation or beautification. It will however empty your wallet. 
Best of luck,
Dr. Karan Chopra
★★★★★
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
Face ⨀ Breast ⨀ Body Expert
Johns Hopkins Trained
Cosmetic Fellowship Trained

Benefits of Liquid Collagen?

Answers (16)