- The Health Review
- Posts
- The Health Review - does collagen banking actually work?
The Health Review - does collagen banking actually work?
Hey!
Emily here, Editor of The Health Review.
I hope you had a lovely weekend and were able to spend some time outdoors. I recently heard a shocking stat: the average UK person spends just 7% of their time — or 86 minutes a day — outdoors during the work week. No wonder so many of us feel frazzled. Between work, commuting, and endless to-do lists, even finding ten minutes outside can feel like a luxury these days.
Lately, I’ve been making the most of the autumn weather on the weekends — long forest walks in the fresh air that instantly slows everything down. There’s something so refreshing about stepping away from screens and letting your nervous system reset in nature.
This week’s edition covers:
🧪 Health News: Scientists delivering vaccines via floss, new research on how quitting smoking reduces the risk of dementia and skin conditions could be a warning sign of more serious mental health challenges.
💎 Feature: Collagen banking - can you really “save” your skin for future?
🎶 Trends: Group singing may be more than just a joyful pastime!
Thanks so much for reading — and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Emily x
Top Health News
Here’s what’s been trending in the health world:
🦷 Vaccine on a string?
Scientists may have found a new reason to floss—delivering vaccines. A recent study published in Cell explores a novel, needle-free way to administer flu vaccines using dental floss coated with vaccine material.
The idea is to apply the vaccine directly to the inside of the cheek or under the tongue, areas rich in immune cells. Researchers tested this approach in animal models and found it triggered a strong immune response, suggesting it could be a viable alternative to injections.
While still early days, this method taps into growing interest in mucosal vaccines, which aim to protect where many infections begin—like the mouth, nose, and gut. If successful in humans, it could make vaccinations more accessible and less intimidating, especially for those with needle phobia.
🧠 Quit smoking, save your brain
New research suggests that quitting smoking in middle age could significantly reduce your risk of developing dementia — potentially bringing it in line with those who never smoked at all.
The study, which looked at 9,436 adults across England, the US and 10 other European countries, found that people who gave up smoking in midlife saw their rate of verbal fluency decline cut in half. Memory loss also slowed by 20% compared to those who continued smoking.
🧠 Skin and mental health link
New research presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) meeting in Amsterdam suggests that skin conditions could be a warning sign of more serious mental health challenges.
Scientists found that people with psychiatric disorders who also have skin issues—such as eczema, psoriasis or acne—may face a higher risk of depression, suicidality and other poor outcomes. While the study doesn't prove cause and effect, it highlights a potential connection that could help clinicians identify vulnerable patients earlier.
🧬 Turning tumours into targets
Researchers have discovered a way to help the immune system recognise and attack certain stubborn cancers. By using two protein stimulators, they were able to trigger powerful responses from both T-cells and B-cells—key players in the body’s defence system.
In lab studies, this approach not only shrank tumours but also helped build immune structures inside them. These structures seemed to boost survival and reduce the chance of the cancer coming back. Importantly, the method could make existing treatments like immunotherapy and chemotherapy more effective and longer lasting.
While still early-stage and not yet tested in humans, the findings offer a promising direction for improving cancer care, especially for hard-to-treat tumours.
🎶 Singing to feel better
Group singing may be more than just a joyful pastime—it could also support new mothers experiencing postnatal depression. According to a new study, singing in a group setting has been found to help ease symptoms of postnatal depression and may even be cost-effective for the NHS.
Researchers observed that mothers who took part in structured singing programmes reported feeling more connected and supported, with some describing the experience as helping them 'find their voice' again. While the exact mechanisms aren't fully understood, the combination of music, breathing, and social interaction seems to offer emotional and psychological benefits.
💎 Collagen Banking: Can You Really “Save” Your Skin for the Future?
We all know that ageing is inevitable — no matter how many steps we close on our wearables or how many saunas we sweat in. But while we sadly can’t stop time, we can influence how gracefully our skin and joints age. Here comes the latest longevity buzzword: collagen banking.
If you’ve been scrolling through skincare TikTok or chatting to your aesthetic doctor, you’ll have heard the term — but what does it actually mean, and does it work?
What is collagen banking?
Collagen banking refers to stimulating and preserving collagen in your skin before you start to see visible ageing. The idea isn’t that you’re literally “storing” collagen in reserve, but that by boosting your body’s collagen production in your 20s, 30s and 40s, you’re laying down a stronger foundation for later decades. Think of it like a pension for your skin — the earlier you invest, the greater your long-term returns.
The science behind collagen loss
Collagen is the structural protein that gives our skin strength, elasticity and firmness. It acts as a kind of scaffolding for the body — supporting everything from joints to hair follicles.
Unfortunately, our ability to make collagen declines steadily with age, with production dropping by around 1% per year from our mid-20s. Factors such as sun exposure, smoking, alcohol, stress, and poor diet speed that decline even more.
When collagen fibres break down faster than they can be rebuilt, the skin loses its bounce. Fine lines form, cheeks lose volume, and texture changes.
The new generation of collagen-stimulating treatments
While topical creams can only do so much, in-clinic options have evolved dramatically. The focus has shifted away from “filling and freezing” toward regenerative treatments that encourage your own fibroblasts (the skin’s collagen factories) to work harder.
Biostimulators — such as poly-L-lactic acid injectables or polynucleotides — act like scaffolding beneath the skin’s surface, prompting the body to rebuild its internal structure gradually. Other effective collagen-boosting treatments include:
Microneedling / radiofrequency – triggers controlled healing to boost collagen.
Ultrasound and laser therapies – heat deeper layers to tighten and firm.
Regenerative injectables – encourage natural collagen production over months, not minutes.
What we discussed on The Health Review this week
To get the latest on this, I invited Dr Sheila Li — multi-award-winning aesthetic clinician and founder of Mediject Clinic on Harley Street — onto the show. She explained that collagen banking isn’t just another beauty trend, but a genuine, biology-based approach to supporting your skin long-term.
So, does collagen banking really work?
The short answer: yes — but it’s a marathon, not a sprint. You can’t “store” collagen for decades, but you can preserve and rebuild it more efficiently when you start early and stay consistent.
The smartest approach combines protection (SPF, diet, stress management) with stimulation (retinoids, vitamin C, peptides, and where appropriate, biostimulatory treatments).
Think of it as preventive skincare for your future self — not perfectionism, but preservation.
🎧 Listen: This week’s episode of The Health Review features Dr Sheila Li on the truth behind collagen banking. We dive into how to safely stimulate your skin’s own collagen — and why longevity in aesthetics is finally about regeneration, not reversal.
🎧 This Week on The Health Review:
If you love the episodes, please do subscribe and give the show a rating! 😊