But with age, collagen levels in the body/skin gradually decrease as collagen breakdown exceeds collagen production, resulting in facial skin be sagging and the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes and lips. Collagen is actually like the mattress’s spring mechanism, very elastic at first. However, as the years go by, the springs in the mattress will wear down. The skin has a similar mechanism, being firm and elastic when young, but loose and inflexible when old.