How to Restore Collagen in the Face
Collagen is a protein in our body that keeps our skin looking youthful and supple while also supporting joint, bone, and muscle health. As we age, collagen production slows down which leads to visible signs of aging in our skin including fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, and volume loss.
The good news is you can fight these signs of aging by increasing collagen production through collagen-stimulating treatments. You can also supplement cosmetic treatments with lifestyle changes to further boost collagen production.
In this article, we will discover how to increase collagen production to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy!
Signs of Collagen Loss in the Face
Before we dive into how to boost collagen in the face, first let’s talk about the adverse effects of collagen loss. When you lose collagen—whether it be through the natural aging process or collagen deficiency—your skin begins to lose elasticity and firmness, resulting in wrinkles, sagging, and hollowing.
Let’s discuss some of the most common signs of collagen loss in the face.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Our collagen matrix is the building block that keeps our skin firm and resilient. Without its support, lines and folds begin to form – particularly around the eyes, lips, forehead, and lower face. Some examples include:
- Crow’s feet: fine lines that appear around the eyes
- Nasolabial folds: deep creases running from the nose to the mouth (a.k.a. smile lines)
- Marionette lines: vertical lines running from the corners of the mouth to the chin
Skin Laxity
When collagen production decreases, the skin relaxes and begins to sag as it loses elasticity. This can lead to jowls (droopy skin and fat descending below the jawline). It can also cause sagging in the neck or décolletage.
Facial Volume Loss
Collagen provides the structure for facial fullness, which means collagen loss in the face can lead to volume depletion. Visible signs of volume loss include looking “tired”, hollowness under the eyes, flattening of the cheeks, and hollowing in the temples.
Image Source: Canva
How to Boost Collagen in the Face
There’s nothing wrong with aging, but the visible signs may cause you to look older than you feel, thus affecting your self-confidence. If you are concerned about the effects of collagen loss, here are some tips on how to restore collagen in the face.
Eat Collagen-Rich Food
Skin health and diet are connected. Supplementing your diet with collagen-rich foods may help your skin while improving your overall health in the process, too!
Some foods to consider include:
- Beef and pork bone broth
- Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries
- Broccoli
Stay Hydrated
Water is crucial for many bodily functions, including collagen production. Dehydration can impact skin cell turnover and therefore slow collagen synthesis, leading to a dull appearance and accelerated wrinkle formation. Stay hydrated!
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
Sun exposure is the number one cause of visible skin aging, and will absolutely accelerate collagen loss. Practice sun-safe habits in order to minimize UV-induced aging: wear sunscreen daily, cover up, and minimize exposure between 10am-4pm.
→ Read More: 6 Things to Look for When Buying Sunscreen
Get Adequate Sleep
This is your reminder to take your beauty rest seriously. Sleep allows your body to repair and regenerate tissues—including facial skin. Not getting enough sleep limits this natural rejuvenation process and hinders collagen production.
Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule and aim for 7-9 hours nightly.
Manage Stress Levels
If you’re thinking about how to increase collagen production, you may also want to think about managing stress. It is true that stress ages your skin!
Stress hormones (particularly cortisol) break down the collagen and elastin in the skin and thus interfere with rejuvenation. This persistent interference can speed up the aging process. Learning to cope with stress—whether through meditation, breathing techniques, or exercise—can help you avoid premature aging.
Avoid Smoking Cigarettes
Learning how to increase collagen production isn’t always about what to do – it’s also about what not to do. In this case – smoking.
The chemicals in cigarettes reduce collagen fibres and down-regulate synthesis, leading to wrinkles, premature aging, and poor skin elasticity. Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful things you can do for collagen production and overall skin health.
Use Skincare Products that Help Collagen Production
Quality skincare products that help boost collagen production may be your best allies in fighting collagen loss in the face. Ingredients to look for include:
Note: Skincare is highly personal. If you’re thinking about adding collagen-stimulating ingredients to your skincare routine, be sure to consult with a qualified professional first, as what works for others may not necessarily work for you. Medical-grade skincare products offer superior formulations that will generate results faster.
Consider Collagen Supplements
Image Source: Canva
Collagen supplementation may also help your quest to restore collagen in the face as they offer a direct source of collagen peptides for the body to utilize. Although studies have not definitively proven that collagen supplements provide any significant benefit to the skin, many people swear by them. If you are considering collagen supplementation, you can try pairing collagen supplements with Vitamin C which is an antioxidant known to help boost collagen synthesis.
Get Professional Aesthetic Treatments
While supplementing with vitamin C and avoiding the sun are helpful habits, one of the most effective ways to promote collagen production is through professional aesthetic treatments. Proven treatments and procedures include:
Boost Collagen Production at APT Medical Aesthetics
If you’re asking “how to restore collagen in the face?”, it’s important to recognize there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Oftentimes, a combination approach is the best way forward—especially when accompanied by professional assistance.
APT Medical Aesthetics uses industry-leading products and technology to target the source of collagen loss in the face. The result? Glowing, healthy skin that stands the test of time.
Book a consultation and get ready to boost your collagen levels for the healthiest skin possible!
BACK TO ALL ARTICLES
Oakville
(905) 849-8646
905-849-8646