Collagen is an important protein that your skin requires to stay looking healthy and young. It is one of the most commonly found proteins in the body and is usually present in ligaments, fat, and tendons. It is a crucial aspect of bone structure, and we require it to help our bodies remain strong. This is reflected in our appearance, as the healthier our collagen levels are, the more youthful and strong appearance we have.
Therefore, if you want your skin to look younger for longer, you need to ensure that your body keeps producing collagen. Unfortunately, this can be difficult as collagen production reduces as you get older. A lack of collagen is responsible for the common signs of ageing we can experience, such as sagging skin. Stiff joints and wrinkles are also signs that your body is not producing enough collagen.
Below are the top four ways that you can boost your skin’s collagen production to keep your skin looking fresh!
Vitamin C-rich foods
When it comes to vitamins, vitamin C is one of the most popular out there, and as the human body cannot produce this itself, it is crucial that you get it from elsewhere. Research has shown that vitamin C is an essential aspect of protecting your skin and encouraging more collagen production in the body. This is why so many skin care brands add vitamin C to their creams.
While you can take supplements that provide you with some of the vitamin C your skin needs, it can also be found in foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries and green leafy vegetables. So, next time you do your food plan for the week, be sure to add some vitamin C-rich foods to your schedule.
Microneedling
Another way that you can increase collagen production for your skin is through Microneedling. This is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that uses an FDA-approved device to penetrate the top layer of the skin and create very small micro-injuries. This is to activate the body’s natural healing process which helps aid the production of collagen and skin restoration.
Microneedling doesn’t only help boost collagen production; it also helps to treat wrinkles, acne scars, fine lines, and uneven skin tones. Microneedling treatments can take around 30-60 minutes and experts recommend a 3-6 treatment process. Once the full course has been completed, the results can last up to 12 months.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a well-known anti-ageing ingredient that you have likely seen featured in many of your skin care products. Similar to collagen, hyaluronic acid can be found naturally in the body, but as we get older, it is not produced as much.
It has also been suggested that hyaluronic acid can help to boost collagen production, meaning that it helps us keep younger for longer. Therefore, we recommend that you use skincare products that include this important ingredient wherever you can to reap the benefits.
Protect Your Skin from the Environment
When looking after your skin, it is important that you protect it as much as possible from environmental factors, such as sun damage. While our skin cells are always being created and then being destroyed, sun exposure and pollution can damage the skin which calls for collagen to help replace them. This further leaves your skin with even less collagen to work with. Therefore, it is crucial that you always wear SPF, even if you don’t think the sun will be shining.
While you may not know where to start when it comes to encouraging your body’s production of collagen, by changing a few lifestyle choices and getting cosmetic treatments available, you can ensure that your skin has everything it needs to be youthful and strong!