Revitalize Your Skin: 5 Strategies for Boosting Collagen Production

As we age, our collagen stores diminish, leading to sagging skin, enlarged pores, and wrinkles. Dermatologist Emma Craythorne emphasizes the vital role collagen plays as the skin’s scaffolding, supporting its elasticity and youthful appearance. Collagen degradation begins at a rate of one percent annually from our mid-20s onwards, making proactive measures crucial.

1. Shield with SPF: Dermatologists stress the significance of shielding your skin from ultraviolet radiation. Broad-spectrum SPF, with a minimum factor of 30, is paramount for preventing collagen breakdown, as well as safeguarding against skin cancer and hyperpigmentation.
2. Retinoids and Vitamin C: To actively boost collagen production, consider prescription-grade retinoids or vitamin C. Retinoids, acting like hormones, communicate with skin fibroblasts, prompting them to generate more collagen and hyaluronic acid. Meanwhile, vitamin C supports collagen synthesis.
3. Nourish from Within: A balanced diet rich in vitamin C, zinc, manganese, and copper is essential for collagen production. These nutrients contribute to the body’s ability to produce collagen, promoting skin health from the inside out.
4. Collagen Supplements: While collagen supplements flood the market, dermatologists remain cautious. The efficacy of collagen peptides reaching the skin is not well-supported by strong evidence. However, they may contribute to overall skin hydration when consumed regularly.
5. Clinical Interventions: Collagen induction therapy involves various treatments like microneedling, radiofrequency, ultrasound skin tightening, and ablative lasers. These procedures stimulate collagen production, rejuvenating the skin by triggering natural healing processes.

Injectables, including certain fillers like Sculptra, play a role in collagen stimulation. Sculptra, paired with skin-boosting hyaluronic acid treatments like Volite, creates an immediate plumping effect while encouraging the body to naturally produce more collagen.

Thus, proactive measures to inhibit collagen breakdown and actively promote collagen synthesis are essential for maintaining youthful skin. From daily SPF application and nutrient-rich diets to clinical interventions and select injectables, a comprehensive approach can revitalize your skin’s health and appearance.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Vogue