Collagen innovation: Singapore firm launches ‘bio-optimised’ shots and targets practitioner sales

The collagen is described as ‘bio-optimised’ as the peptides are said to be hydrolysed to the optimal length that can be readily absorbed by the body.

Known as Skinergy Collagen Shot, the product, which comes in a peach-flavoured liquid sachet, contains 5,000mg of collagen per stick.

It is also the first beauty-from-within product launched by Singapore firm Firefly Pan-Asia under the brand Nuceuticals. 

Other than collagen, the product contains other antioxidants such as polypodium leucotomos, rosemary extract, vitamin C, and astaxanthin from microalgae. Fern extract is also added for UV protection and skin-firming purposes.

Together, the collagen and antioxidants are a proprietary blend trademarked Nutrinox developed by Dr Alain Khaiat, president of Seers Consulting, also a consultant to Firefly Pan-Asia and Dr Karen Soh, medical director at local medical aesthetic clinic Privé Clinic.

The product has been launched in Privé Clinic in last November and Firefly Pan-Asia plans to introduce it to more medical aesthetic clinics and GP clinics.

The ‘secret’​

According to Dr Khaiat, the product, which took five years of R&D, differs from many existing ones in terms of the source of collagen.

In this case, the collagen comes from fish skin and bones of three different fish species.

“There are quite a few marine collagen products, but they are non-specific about the source. ​

“For us, it is about the right source of collagen, in this case, we use collagen from the blend of three different fishes.​ The blend is done in such a way that you get a particular composition of amino acids.​

“It is also hydrolysed and optimised to get to the right length to provide faster absorption and higher efficacy,” ​Dr Khaiat explained.

This is so that the product would not be further digested when it reaches the stomach and that it will enter the bloodstream and be absorbed by the body directly.

Antioxidants are added into the formula to protect the collagen from being degraded by oxidants in the body. 

“The skin is always manufacturing collagen. It's a continuous process. Collagen is destroyed by the UV, by the blue light, by pollution, by stress, by cigarette smoke...All these are oxidants, which we call reactive oxygen species. ​

“They then destroy collagen; so does the ageing process. As a response to that, the skin is always manufacturing collagen. ​

“Its like building a wall, you need bricks to build it, and the bricks will come from your food.  What we are trying to do here is to bring in pre-made bricks to help your body build collagen more quickly. But we also have other ingredients that will protect the collagen and prevent it from being damaged by the oxidation process,” ​Dr Khaiat explained.

The product is manufactured in Korea. 

Clinical study ​

A one-month clinical study involving 29 women in their 30s to 60s has been conducted on the product.

“All the ingredients are very good on the paper, but we wanted to make sure that we go beyond.​

“The results are very strong, showing that within a month, the product gives very significant improvements to the wrinkles, elasticity, and skin moisture,” ​Dr Khaiat said.

Findings showed that there were improvements in other parts of the body, beside facial beauty.

Nearly 70 per cent said that their skin became more hydrated, while 62.1 per cent reported smoother, firmer, and more supple skin. There were also 45 per cent of them who said there were improvements in their joint mobility.

Dr Khaiat added that the findings would be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal this year.

Adding it to laser ​

According to Privé Clinic, the liquid collagen sachet would be especially useful to consumers undergoing laser treatments. 

“One of the main reasons why Dr Soh developed this product is because she wanted to enhance the results of laser treatment,” ​said Jamie Chow, marketing manager at Privé Clinic.

Some of the after-effects of laser treatments include drier and more UV-sensitive skin.

“This is where the product is important because it helps to replenish hydration and also helps to block UV,” ​Chow said.  ​