Free Collagen Supplement!
- SE1
- 7 hours ago
- 5 min read
To celebrate Dr Sophie's exquisite collagen supplement myth busting article
And to celebrate SE1 featuring in the Top 45 Aesthetic Medicine Blogs!
Keep reading to find out how to claim your free collagen...
Dr Sophie's Collagen Myth Busting...
"Collagen is everywhere at the moment. Powders, drinks, gummies, capsules, skin supplements, hair supplements, joint supplements. It is one of those ingredients that seems to promise everything, which is why some of our patients are rightfully sceptical.
As both an aesthetics doctor and NHS doctor, I am not interested in miracle claims. I am interested in what is biologically plausible and supported by evidence, and what can sensibly fit into a wider approach to skin health.
At SE1 Medical Aesthetics, we’ve chosen Totally Derma as our collagen supplement of choice because it perfectly aligns with how we aim to approach our aesthetic treatments: evidence informed, realistic and focused on supporting the skin from the inside as well as the outside.
So, let’s separate facts from the noise and look at some of the collagen myths floating around!
Myth 1: “Collagen supplements do nothing”
I understand why people are sceptical. Collagen has been marketed so aggressively that it can feel like just another beauty trend. But the evidence does support its efficacy.
A 2026 high-impact review in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum looked 113 randomised controlled trials and 7,983 participants. It found that collagen supplementation was associated with measurable benefits for skin, musculoskeletal health and osteoarthritis related symptoms, with the strongest skin evidence around hydration and elasticity. These results were measurable and scientifically significant, thus strongly refuting claims that collagen “does not work”.
Some sceptics also claim collagen won’t work because it is broken down. That’s right, collagen does not work by travelling directly to your face like an injectable and is indeed broken down into smaller peptides and amino acids. However, these are absorbed and used by the body. These peptides may also signal to fibroblasts, the cells involved in producing collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.
Totally Derma uses hydrolysed collagen, meaning the collagen has already been broken down into smaller peptide chains. This makes it easier for the body to absorb and use, and the formula is also combined with hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and key minerals to support skin hydration, elasticity and connective tissue health from within.
Myth 2: “Collagen works really quickly”
Collagen does not work overnight. It is not an instant glow product and it is not going to transform your skin in a week. Skin health changes slowly. Collagen turnover, hydration, elasticity and dermal support all take time.
This is where expectations matter. If you take collagen for a few days and look for a dramatic change, you will probably be disappointed. It is much more like skincare, SPF or strength training. The benefit comes from consistency.
Most collagen studies look at results over weeks to months, not days. In practice, I would usually advise giving it at least 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use before judging the effect properly. The changes are often subtle at first, such as skin feeling more hydrated, smoother or slightly more resilient, rather than a “quick-fix” dramatic transformation.
Myth 3: “Collagen is only for wrinkles”
This is where collagen marketing can become too narrow.
Collagen is a structural protein found throughout the body, not just in the skin. It is important in connective tissue, tendons, cartilage, joints and bone. That is why good collagen supplementation is not only about “anti-ageing” or chasing fewer lines.
The evidence is particularly interesting for skin hydration and elasticity, but the benefits are not limited to skin. The same 2026 umbrella review found high certainty evidence for improvements in skin elasticity and hydration, alongside improvements in osteoarthritis related pain and stiffness. It also found benefits in some muscle related outcomes, including fat free mass, muscle architecture and maximal strength, as well as improvements in tendon morphology.
For patients who are active, noticing changes in skin quality, experiencing joint stiffness, or thinking about long term tissue health, this broader view is much more helpful. The goal is not simply to look less “lined”; it is to support the structures that keep skin, joints and connective tissue functioning well over time and to not only look youthful, but also feel youthful!
Myth 4: “All collagen supplements are basically the same”
They really are not!
The dose matters. The type of collagen matters. The formulation matters. The supporting ingredients matter. Even the taste matters. A tiny sprinkle of collagen in a sweet drink is not the same as a formulation designed around collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and key cofactors.
Totally Derma contains 10 g of collagen per serving, along with 210 mg hyaluronic acid and nutrients including vitamin C, zinc, copper and manganese. These are included because collagen production is not a one ingredient process. The body needs the right building blocks and cofactors to support normal connective tissue function.
This is why I always look beyond the word “collagen” on the label. I want to know the dose, the form, how easily it can be absorbed, what it is combined with, and whether the claims being made are realistic. A good collagen supplement should be clear about what is in it, why it is there, and what it can reasonably be expected to support.
And practically, taste does still matter. The best supplement is the one you can actually take consistently, because collagen is not a one off treatment. Consistency is where the benefit is most likely to come from.
Myth 5: “You only need collagen once you are older”
Collagen is often marketed towards ageing skin, but collagen support is not only relevant once lines have already appeared.
From our mid-twenties onwards, collagen production gradually starts to decline. This process is influenced by age, UV exposure, smoking, stress, nutrition, hormones and inflammation. For women in particular, hormonal changes around perimenopause and menopause can also have a significant impact on skin thickness, hydration, elasticity and connective tissue quality.
This is why I prefer to think about collagen as part of a proactive skin health plan, rather than something to start only once visible ageing is already established.
The bottom line
Collagen is not magic. It will not freeze ageing and it will not undo years of sun damage overnight.
But it is also not just a trend with no substance. The evidence is convincing, particularly for skin hydration, elasticity and joint related outcomes. Used consistently, and as part of a wider skin and wellness plan, collagen is a valuable addition to your in-clinic treatments.
If you are curious about collagen, feel free to discuss it with me in clinic. Or, if you would like to try Totally Derma, just let me know when you come in for your appointment and I’ll pour you a glass!"
Dr Sophie Bracke
The offer... message our team here and arrange to call into our Mill Street clinic and try a FREE sample of Totally Derma!
This post is sponsored by Totally Derma. Compensation was provided in exchange for creating and publishing this content. As always, I only share products and services that I believe may be of interest to my readers.
Time to Celebrate AGAIN!
Yep, another month, another accolade. SE1 have only gone and made it into the Top 45 Aesthetic Medicine Blogs!
You can find us here, and check out some of the others who, like us, dedicate time to educating and serving more than 'just treatments' to our patients!
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