Shiseido, the Japanese beauty giant, has discovered that facial skin contains a characteristic ring-shaped collagen structure called Ring Collagen, which generates tension in the skin that helps to maintain a firm facial appearance.
Based on these findings, Shiseido has found that moderate physical stimulation applied to the skin can actually improve the structure of Ring Collagen, which can become disrupted with age.
This joint research was conducted by Shiseido and Dr Kyoichi Matsuzaki, Chief of External Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine at the International University of Health and Welfare, together with researchers at Jichi Medical University and the National Institute for Physiological Sciences.
The research also found that this stimulation contributes to reduced sagging of the skin.
Due to demand, the entry deadline for the Pure Beauty Awards has been extended until 24 July! Don't miss your chance to gain recognition from industry experts and consumers alike. Click here for more information.
Shiseido has developed Digital-Skin Reality, a technology that visualises forces generated within the skin by rendering them in 3D to further study this discovery.
Through analysis of how excised facial skin contracts, Shiseido revealed “a strong contraction force in specific areas within the skin”, with collagen existing as ring-shaped structures in these sample locations.
The research demonstrated that these individual rings contract and pull against each other, generating tension throughout the skin which enables it to wrap tightly around the face, maintaining a well-defined shape.
The structure of Ring Collagen is disrupted and deteriorates with age, in turn contributing to the sagging of the skin.
The research also found that moderate physical stimulation increased the amount of proteoglycans associated with Ring Collagen, with this stimulation improving the structure and leading to reduced sagging.
Additionally, the research revealed that the use of rosehip extract and safflower extract may improve the structure of Ring Collagen.
The study had initially set out to investigate and understand the fundamental causes of sagging within the skin.
Lead image: Shiseido Digital Skin Reality
Related content:
- Shiseido develops AI-based technologies to assess ingredient biodegradability
- AI, skin barrier health and sun protection: key trends from the SCS Annual Conference
- Opinion: How the FDA’s July peptide review will raise the stakes for beauty brands
- Shiseido Q1 sales sink 3%, impacted by ongoing China-Japan tensions
- Clarins opens research centre to help ‘shape the future’ of longevity science
