Why Collagen Starts to Decline After 25—and What You Can Do About It

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Why is my skin not bouncing back like it used to?” — don’t worry, you’re not imagining it. Collagen, the protein responsible for keeping your skin firm, plump, and youthful, starts to decline in your mid-20s. In fact, experts say we begin losing about 1% of our collagen each year after age 25. Rude, right?

So… What Is Collagen, Exactly?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It acts as the structural glue holding everything together—skin, bones, tendons, even your gut lining. In your skin, it provides the scaffolding that keeps things lifted, firm, and wrinkle-free. But as you age, your body naturally slows down collagen production. Add in lifestyle stressors like UV exposure, smoking, sugar, and lack of sleep, and that decline happens even faster.

Why 25 Is the Turning Point

Your early 20s are peak collagen-making years. By 25, your fibroblasts (the little collagen factories in your skin) start to get a bit… lazy. The process becomes less efficient, and your existing collagen starts breaking down faster than your body can replace it. You may not notice it immediately, but over time, this can lead to:

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Loss of firmness and elasticity

• Dullness and uneven texture

How to Boost Collagen (Yes, It’s Possible!)

Good news: there are plenty of ways to support and stimulate collagen production. Some of our favorites include:

1. Medical-Grade Skincare: Ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, and peptides can help stimulate collagen production and protect your skin from environmental stressors.

2. In-Office Treatments:

At UPKEEP, we offer collagen-boosting treatments like:

• Microneedling with PRP – stimulates natural collagen repair

• Sculptra® – a biostimulator that rebuilds collagen over time

• Laser Resurfacing (Pico) – encourages deep dermal remodeling

3. Healthy Habits:

Protect your collagen with sunscreen daily, avoid smoking and excessive sugar, get your beauty sleep, and hydrate like it’s your job.

TL;DR? Collagen Declines, But You Don’t Have To

Just because your collagen slows down doesn’t mean your glow has to. With the right treatments, skincare, and lifestyle tweaks, you can maintain that bounce, lift, and youthful texture for years to come. At UPKEEP, we’re here to help you age beautifully—on your terms.