How To Increase Collagen Production For Healthier-Looking Skin

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Collagen is, arguably, the most important thing when it comes to healthy and youthful-looking skin. Our skin starts off all tight and smoothe because we produce a lot of collagen during our earlier years. It then reaches a point where collagen production slows down. That’s when your skin gets a bit looser, and wrinkles start to appear. Decreased collagen levels are a natural part of life – though you can take measures to increase what your body produces and enjoy healthier-looking skin for longer. 

What’s the trick? Find the answers below…

Choose skincare products that stimulate collagen

Avoid any skincare product that claims to include collagen – this will not do anything for your body’s collagen production. You can’t absorb collagen through your skin, so it’s pointless. Instead, look for retinoids (vitamin A), peptides, and vitamin C serums. These three ingredients are proven to stimulate collagen production and help your skin look brighter and smoother for much longer. 

Utilize professional skincare treatments

Some skincare treatments will help with collagen production as they encourage your body to produce more of the stuff. This normally happens when the treatment triggers a natural defense mechanism in the body that floods areas with white blood cells and the building blocks that form collagen. As explained by Silicon Valley Aesthetic Dermatology, the most effective professional treatments for collagen stimulation are: 

• Laser skin rejuvenation
• Microneedling
• Ultherapy
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Chemical peels

Always, always, always make sure you get any of these treatments from a licensed and experienced professional. You will find home options out there, but stay well away from them. 

Support collagen production through your diet

Your body produces collagen naturally, and most people will get what they need for this through their diet. It’s believed that the main nutrients required to boost collagen production are: 

• Protein
• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Copper

You get all of this through natural sources, like meat, fish, nuts, vegetables, whole grains, fruits, etc. If your diet restricts you in any way, then consider collagen peptides and vitamin C supplements. Often sold together, they can give your body the boost it needs to produce more collagen. 

Delay the breakdown of collagen

Boosting collagen is entirely possible, though you should begin with some preventative skincare maintenance. Try to slow down the breakdown of collagen in your body by following a couple of simple steps: 

• Wear UV protection every day when you go outside. Even if it’s cloudy, UV rays can attack your skin and destroy collagen. It’s why people with excessive natural tans end up with sun-damaged, wrinkly skin. 

• Don’t smoke – it is proven to harm collagen fibers and will make your skin far looser and less youthful. 

You end up with a two-pronged attack that will help you maintain healthier-looking skin way into your mid-life and later. Focus on preventing collagen breakdown and back this up with steps to increase collagen synthesis. It’s mainly a case of protecting your skin, eating a balanced diet, and picking a few skincare products with some professional treatments mixed in now and then.