5 Ways To Boost Collagen
The secret to healthy, youthful-looking skin should not be a secret!
The secret to beautiful skin is collagen. Did you know that 80% of our skin consists of collagen? And consider this – after the age of 20, we lose around 1% of collagen PER YEAR. We lose an average of 7-10% of collagen every decade. So it would seem logical that to maintain skin youthfulness, we need to maintain collagen.
Yet, it’s still a battle sometimes to get my injectable patients on board with other treatments that help stimulate collagen without just adding volume or relaxing wrinkles.
So, how do we boost our collagen production? What can we do to prevent that 1% loss of collagen per year that begins as young as 20 years old? How do we prevent collagen loss and increase collagen production regularly?
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein found in the body’s connective tissues, including the skin, tendons, and bones. It is responsible for giving these tissues their strength and elasticity. Collagen levels naturally decrease as we age, leading to wrinkles and other signs of aging. Additionally, collagen can be damaged by U.V. radiation and smoking.
How to Increase Collagen?
While there’s no magic bullet for reversing the effects of aging, there are some simple steps you can take to increase collagen production and keep your skin looking its best.
One of the best ways to boost collagen production is to protect your skin from the sun. Ultraviolet rays can damage collagen fibres, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. So be sure to slather on sunscreen before spending time outdoors.
You can also promote collagen production by eating a healthy diet. Foods like dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and fatty fish are rich in vitamins and nutrients that support collagen synthesis. So load up your plate with these collagen-boosting foods to help keep your skin looking radiant and youthful!
And finally, there are also many treatments and products you can supplement your routine that you can find at our clinic in Downtown Vancouver.
1. MICRONEEDLING
Microneedling is also known as collagen induction therapy, so it should hold the number one spot! In my opinion, microneedling is one of the most underrated treatments around. This is the perfect treatment to boost collagen production while improving skin texture. The treatment is performed with a device that contains multiple tiny needles that puncture the skin at a controlled depth. By causing a controlled “injury” to the skin, the body triggers an increase in collagen and elastin production, resulting in improved skin texture and firmness and a reduction in scars, pore size, and stretch marks. It only takes around 20 minutes to perform, and with physician-prescribed numbing cream, it is completely painless.
To maximize results, I try to get a microneedling treatment every 2-3 months and combine it with PRP (platelet-rich plasma). I believe it is the ultimate (not so secret) secret to beautiful, healthy-looking skin. I would suggest a series of monthly treatments for 4-6 months followed by a maintenance treatment every 2-3 months to keep those collagen levels nice and high!
2. INGESTIBLE COLLAGEN
Not all ingestible collagen is created equally. Hydrolyzed marine collagen generates bioactive peptides, which enhance collagen production, skin hydration, hair growth and joint health. I particularly like Tru Marine Collagen. The popularity of marine collagen is due not only to its nutritional benefits; it is also natural and proven to be highly safe for regular consumption. Studies show that hydrolyzed collagen derived from fish scales consists of small peptide molecules with superior bio-availability.
Tru Marine Collagen is available at Skin Technique and on our online store!
3. SCULPTRA
Sculptra (injectable poly-L-lactic acid) works subtly and gradually over time for a more youthful-looking appearance. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Sculptra helps stimulate your skin’s natural collagen production to help restore its inner structure and increase facial volume that has been lost to aging. In a clinical study, 80% of users were satisfied with their treatment results 25 months after their last injection.
4. RADIOFREQUENCY
Specific devices, like the EndyMed Radio Frequency 3DEEP device at Skin Technique, use Radio Frequency energy to multiple layers of the skin simultaneously, stimulating the body’s natural collagen. This energy is delivered through various handpieces that are customized for different treatment areas of the face and body. We use the R.F. device for skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, body contouring, body tightening, fractional skin resurfacing and microneedling.
My favourite treatment is the Intensif RF Microneedling treatment, as it can be done on all skin types.
5. COLLAGEN BOOSTING SKIN CARE
Retinol is one of the most popular and effective anti-aging ingredients on the market as it works to encourage new skin cell production, boost collagen, and plump skin. There are also two excellent topical hyaluronic acid creams on the market that have been proven to increase collagen levels – the H.A. Intensifier by SkinCeuticals and the HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator by SkinMedica. These medical-grade products are proven to provide immediate smoothing in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and support the skin’s natural ability to replenish its own hyaluronic acid for overall skin health.
Click here to visit our online store for more information on these collagen-boosting products.
Collagen Boosting Food
If you’re looking to boost your collagen intake, certain foods can help. For example, bone broth is a rich source of collagen, and it’s also easy to make at home. Simply simmer bones for several hours in water, then strain the broth and enjoy. Or, if you’re short on time, you can find ready-made bone broths at most health food stores!
Another collagen-rich food is fish, specifically fatty fish like salmon and tuna. These types of fish are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to promote healthy skin.
You can also get collagen from fruits and vegetables, though it’s important to note that cooked fruits and veggies will break down the collagen more than raw ones. Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes, are rich in vitamins A and C, and essential for collagen production.
So, if you’re looking to maximize your intake, aim for primarily raw or lightly cooked fruits and vegetables.
There is no better time than the present to start boosting collagen. The longer you wait, the more your skin’s collagen levels will decrease. It is better to do a little bit of everything than to wait until you have to do a lot of anything when it comes to collagen.
Add microneedling to your regimen of treatments every few months, add Tru Marine Collagen to your coffee every morning, use retinol cream at night and replenish your skin’s moisture with topical hyaluronic acid serums.
These are all effortless ways to boost your collagen levels dramatically. For more advanced collagen loss, I suggest Sculptra every 1-2 years and Radio Frequency treatments every six months.
Honour Your Beauty by giving it your best effort!