Beauty shots: Is this really a thing?

West End Facial Plastic Surgery Blog Beauty shots: Is this really a thing?

On the way to work recently, I heard a story about a line of Japanese drinks that contain collagen. They are promoted as beauty products for skin care. One in particular claims to “brighten, hydrate, repair, rejuvenate, [and] protect” your skin.

I did a little more research and learned that collagen drinks are apparently quite popular throughout Asia. They even have a plum wine drink that contains collagen for skin rejuvenation.

Check out this music video!

I especially like the dancing policeman.

Similar products are available in the US marketed as “beauty shots.” They’re even recommended by the Kardashians!

So let’s take a step back and think about the product’s claims. Do collagen drinks “brighten, hydrate, repair, rejuvenate, [and] protect” your skin? A few scientific studies have examined collagen supplements and skin aging, but these products definitely haven’t been widely studied or accepted by the scientific community.

Collagen is a protein that is normally present in your skin. It comes in many different forms, but the most important type in your skin is present in long chains that twist around each other like strands in a piece of rope. These chains stick together to form sheets that make up our tissues.

When you ingest collagen in a tasty beverage, your body treats it like any other protein- you digest it! The protein is broken down into its building blocks, which you then absorb through your intestines.

So while these drinks may taste good (and make you a better dancer), they probably won’t enhance your skin any more than a good steak dinner! As far as your skin is concerned, you’d be better off spending your money on a good skin care regimen including sunscreen, a moisturizer, and a retinol cream.

Citations:
Shirleen (2013 December 5). Review- AFC New Improved Tsubaki Collagen DX Drink. Retrieved from http://womenlovebeauty.com/beauty-counter/japan-korea-taiwan/23536

http://lifestreamgroup.com/tsubaki-collagen-dx-p-411.html

http://www.japancentre.com/items/gekkeikan-kirei-umeshu-plum-wine-collagen–2

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