You’ll hear a lot of talk about boosting collagen when trying to get smooth skin, but what does that mean? The primary structural protein in the skin, collagen, creates volume and functions as a scaffold to keep the skin smooth and free of wrinkles.
Environmental factors like pollution and sun exposure can break down collagen, increasing the likelihood of seeing wrinkles reflected in the mirror. Age also plays a significant role. Collagen production declines with age, making the skin appear thinner and less structurally supported.
This is why people start to notice their skin drooping or sagging. The early twenties are when collagen loss starts, so it’s critical to protect the collagen you already have and encourage your skin to make more of it. Here are nine clever approaches on how to stimulate collagen production.
Understanding Collagen and Its Importance for Skin
The most prevalent form of protein in the body and an essential part of the skin is collagen.It is found in many tissues, including the digestive tract, blood vessels, muscles, bones, and tendons. It is essential for numerous biological processes, including the healing of wounds.
Skin with high quantities of collagen is firm, smooth, and velvety. Collagen helps with the self-repair and renewal of skin cells. The quantity and caliber of collagen impacts the skin. As people age, the body produces certain kinds of collagen less frequently and damages collagen quality.
This may result in:
scurvy, which is caused by a lack of vitamin C
fragility
anemia
delayed healing of wounds
hereditary disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta causes weak bones.
ehlers-danlos syndrome is a condition where the body struggles to properly synthesize collagen, resulting in various symptoms.
creases, looseness, and a lack of elasticity in the skin and other connective tissue layers.
stiffness in the joints
9 Proven Ways to Increase Collagen Production in Skin
Dietary Adjustments
How to increase collagen production through meals is easy. Certain dietary supplements are naturally collagen rich foods. Your body may produce more collagen if you include more of these items in your diet!
In addition to its health advantages, bone broth has become popular recently due to its high collagen content. For millennia, chicken skin has been utilized to restore collagen and revitalize the body. Collagen is most readily absorbed by the human body and is found in the skin and bones of fish.
Diets high in vitamin C and vitamin C supplements won’t directly increase collagen formation. Collagen production will, however, rise in tandem with the enzymes it does create.
Collagen Supplements
For the health of their skin and joints, many take collagen supplements. Using hydrolyzed collagen supplements for ninety days can improve skin moisture and elasticity while reducing wrinkles. Collagen peptides in supplements have a direct impact on the body's fibroblasts. They are collagen-producing structures.
If you are considering intake of collagen supplements, remember to get advice directly from a medical practitioner.
Vitamin C Application
Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen. Low collagen levels can arise from a vitamin C shortage and cause scurvy, a potentially dangerous illness.
Vitamin C must be obtained through food because the human body cannot produce it. Among which foods stimulate collagen production, some are:
citrus fruits
red or green peppers
strawberries
Broccoli
Retinoids and Retinol Usage
Antioxidants called carotenoids, which include retinol and beta-carotene, can improve skin health. They are vitamin A derivatives. Research shows topical retinoids can shield the skin from UV exposure by stopping collagen synthesis.
Examples of vitamin A in food include
sweet potatoes
beef liver.
spinach
carrots
pumpkin
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that applying retinol-containing creams or lotions assist in enhancing the texture of the skin.
Aloe Vera Treatments
Aloe vera and collagen production go hand in hand. The gel is frequently used to soothe rashes and heal sunburned skin. In a 2015 study, researchers gave participants an oral aloe vera gel extract known as aloe sterols.
Following 8 weeks, the researchers observed that the individuals who consumed aloe vera sterols had
more hydrated skin,
less prominent wrinkles,
and nearly doubled levels of collagen and hyaluronic acid
Advanced Skin Treatments
IPL facial laser device is used in an advanced laser treatment that targets specific skin issues and stimulates the creation of collagen by using powerful pulsed light. Collagen Induction Therapy, or microneedling, is a technique that stimulates the production of collagen in the skin by carefully creating tiny punctures with thin needles.
Chemical peels are another helpful treatment that use a variety of amino acids to exfoliate the skin. This promotes collagen formation and cell turnover. When applied by qualified specialists, these cutting-edge skin treatments can lessen wrinkles, improve the skin’s texture, and improve the skin’s general health.
Protect Your Skin From Environment
The climate and lifestyle choices can impact the quantity and caliber of collagen in the skin. According to experts, UV radiation exposure causes collagen in the skin to deteriorate like aging. The following are some tips to prevent skin damage caused by low levels of high-quality collagen:
wearing glasses to safeguard the skin around your eyes
wearing sunscreen
avoiding smoking because tobacco products contain chemicals that may affect collagen production
limiting caffeine intake because it may lower the body’s ability to produce collagen
Facial Exercises and Massages
Frequent facial massages and exercise enhance lymphatic drainage and blood circulation. They increase the skin’s delivery of nutrients and oxygen.
For this, you have to gently massage your skin lightly during your skin care moisturizing routine at night. Facial exercises are various targeted movements of the face muscles, at regular intervals during the day. These two steps make sure your face stays in shape, along with naturally inducing collagen production.
Ginseng Intake
Ginseng is a plant that may offer many different health advantages. An earlier (2012) study discovered that ginseng is one of the ways to boost collagen production. Ginseng contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Additionally, scientists observe that it might assist in keeping skin cells from aging.
According to a 2020 lab study, red ginseng may lessen fibroblasts’ stiffness, a component of collagen’s composition.
Conclusion
One material that the body naturally manufactures is collagen. Its synthesis depends on nutrients like vitamin C and genetic variables. Collagen maintains the skin’s suppleness and skin elasticity, maintains the joints’ flexibility, and promotes the healing of wounds. A consistent skincare routine is a must at any age to have a glowing skin!
FAQs
Can dietary changes alone significantly boost collagen production?
Fish, poultry, meat, eggs, dairy, lentils, and soy are among them. Zinc, which is present in
shellfish,
legumes,
meat products,
nuts,
seeds,
and whole grains,
as well as vitamin C, which is present in
citrus fruits,
berries,
green leafy vegetables,
bell peppers,
and tomatoes,
are other sources of collagen formation.
How long does it take to see results from collagen-boosting treatments?
Since collagen turnover is sluggish, it may take four to twelve weeks to get full benefits from collagen-boosting therapies. While some studies evaluate collagen’s benefits on joint pain reduction and skin health over a minimum of eight weeks, others utilize longer timeframes, such as 12 months, to evaluate collagen’s impacts on bone health.
Are there any side effects to collagen-stimulating procedures?
Although it is rare, the following are possible side effects of collagen-stimulating injectable filler: skin redness, which will go away over the next few days. Bruising can be concealed with makeup and has a 5–10% risk.
Can collagen production be increased at any age?
Yes, even though the process gets harder as you age, collagen production can grow at any age. After age 25, the body begins to produce less collagen, losing roughly 1% annually after that. Collagen levels have sharply decreased by the age of 40.
Are collagen-boosting treatments suitable for all skin types?
All skin types can benefit from some collagen-boosting procedures, such as Thermage FLX, which heats the skin using radiofrequency to promote the creation of collagen. However, depending on the adhesive, substance, and component combination, collagen patches may not be as good for sensitive skin.
Consulting a dermatologist can help you find the finest products for your skin type, and you can test patches before applying them.
