I don’t know about you, but to me it feels like I woke up one day and suddenly there were wrinkles and sagging skin that hadn’t been there the day before. How could that be? Truth be told –your collagen production began to dip by about 1% per year starting in your twenties. If you just did the math – you are saying Yikes right now! Don’t worry, there are some things you can do to help!

Collagen is responsible for all our connective tissue health and strengthening the dermis to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. (It is important to note that collagen plays a huge role in other parts of the body such as your joints, bones, and tendons. That is a blog post for another day.) When your body starts to produce less collagen and elastin, you start to see those visible effects such as more fine lines, wrinkles and sagging or crepey skin. Reduction of collagen also triggers slower cellular turnover, making your skin look less vibrant than it once did.

There are certain things, in addition to aging, which can contribute to this loss of production of collagen including:
• Smoking
• Sun damage
• Diet high in sugar
• Excessive stress

Let’s focus on some actions you can take to help slow down that loss, and even help to stimulate the production of collagen.

Cryoskin CryoToning Facial

The Cryoskin CryoToning Facial  builds collagen through the application of cold temperatures. Vasoconstriction takes place when cold is applied to the face, neck and décolletage. As the skin warms up vasodilation allows increased blood flow leading to increased collagen production. Following a session, you may notice an immediate tightness of your skin, minimized appearance of pores and a brightness in your skin. Protocol for the CryoToning facial series is 5 sessions done within 2.5 to 5 weeks. To maintain this appearance you should do one CryoToning facial per month.

Endosphéres Facial

An Endosphéres facial uses compressive microvibration to increase vascularization and oxygenation. Increased oxygenation nourishes the skin from within and restores its healthy glow. The gentle rotation of the microspheres in the device act to stimulate muscle memory in the face, almost reminding the muscles to tighten up. Protocol for the Endosphéres facial is a series of 6 or 12 sessions done twice per week. After the initial series, you enter maintenance mode that is usually 1 or 2 sessions per month.

Foods

Eating collagen-rich foods or foods that boost collagen production can help in your quest to improve skin quality and appearance. Here are a few foods that you may consider integrating into your diet to give you not only a delicious meal, plus the added benefit of helping build collagen.

• Chicken contains a lot of connective tissue, making it a good source of dietary collagen.
• Egg whites contain a large amount of proline, which is one of the amino acids necessary for collagen production.
• Vitamin C allows for synthesis of collagen. Studies have confirmed that there is a direct link between Vitamin C and skin appearance. You can get more Vitamin C in your diet by consuming citrus fruits, berries, guava, mango, pineapple, kiwi, bell peppers or tomatoes.
• Beans provide you with amino acids and copper, both of which are necessary for collagen synthesis

Supplements

Oral collagen

A study done in 2018 showed that taking 1000 mg of low molecular weight collagen peptide once daily improved the appearance of the skin after six weeks. After 12 weeks the measurements of skin hydration, wrinkling and elasticity all had improved in the group.

Retinol

Retinol has been one of the most consistently recommended items for improving collagen. Study after study has shown that topically applied retinol helps to build collagen, decrease fine lines, and improve skin texture. It does this by helping your skin increase the production of glycosaminoglycans which are essential in keeping your epidermal and dermal cells healthy.

Retinol is available in both prescription and over the counter strength. You should chat with your dermatologist before jumping into retinol application, just to be sure it is right for your skin.

You might be thinking, what about all these creams I see advertised. Well….so far studies have shown that they do not offer much more than just a moisturizing effect. Do not get me wrong, moisturizing is important, but unfortunately it isn’t going to help with the collagen in your skin. Find a moisturizer that you like, but don’t spend extra for those suggesting they improve collagen.

Consistency is key for boosting collagen (just like it is for so many other things), but it does not have to be all consuming. Pick a few daily/ weekly habits that you can sustain and get started. It doesn’t matter if you already have fine lines and wrinkles or not, act now to slow down the progression.