Beauty & Skin Collagen.

Everybody knows about importance of blood for human's body but few are aware that as an organism, we are literally swimming in collagen.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have undertaken a comprehensive study that shows positive results for anti-ageing treatments that focus on rebuilding and replenishing collagen.

The research team has published a report in the May 2008 issue of Archives of Dermatology highlighting the effects that collagen collapse has on the aging process.

The team from the University's Department of Dermatology includes Gary Fisher, PhD, John Voohees, MD and James Varani, PhD, has drawn on a wealth of research in this area, mainly carried out by the University since the early 1990s.

The report highlights how fibroblasts - collagen-making cells - are a key supporting substance necessary for youthful looking and resilient skin.

"Fibroblasts are not genetically shot," said Voorhees. "We have shown that if you make more collagen go in, it provides an environment in which fibroblasts recover and make more collagen."

The team concludes that collagen enhancing anti-aging treatments can provide a definite means of preventing collagen depletion, which usually starts when individuals are in their late twenties.

"Treatments that stimulate production of new, nonfragmented collagen should provide substantial improvement to the appearance and health of aged skin," the article in the Archives of Dermatology confirms.