Can You Boost Collagen?
Are you tired of the increasing number of wrinkles and lines showing up as a result of aging? Wouldn’t it be great if you could naturally boost collagen somehow?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to increase natural production of collagen. One of the inevitabilities of aging is that the body just doesn’t make it like it once did.
But don’t worry. Not only are there preventative ways to keep production from waning too quickly, but there are ways to supplement the skin with the collagen it needs.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is an abundant and fibrous protein secreted by mostly connective tissue cells. It’s found in your bones, muscles, skin, hair, nails, and tendons of the body. In fact, it makes up one-third of the protein in your body. In essence, it forms a scaffold to give your body structure and strength.
So yeah, it’s a big deal. And there are many types. In most types of collagen, the molecules are packed together to form long fibrils that are capable of being stretched at great lengths. Gram for gram, these fibrils are stronger than steel.
In the middle layer of your skin, i.e. the dermis, collagen is synthesized to form a network of cells known as fibroblasts. These are required for the production and growth of new collagen.
As we age though, collagen weakens leaving the structural integrity of the skin imperiled. Dead skin cells are not as easily replaced or restored, and we end up with wrinkles. For women, collagen synthesis declines even further after menopause.
Then there are the other ways we unwittingly contribute to its decline.
How Is Collagen Damaged?
Aside from the ravages of aging, there are a number of other things that can damage collagen even before production begins declining.
We all know by now the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays from the sun on the skin. In the case of collagen, sunlight causes it to break down more rapidly. In response, abnormal elastin builds up to compensate and the skin rebuilds incorrectly. The result? Wrinkles.
The situation is even worse for folks who smoke tobacco. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict which compromises the ability of nutrients and oxygen to reach the skin. And nicotine is only ONE of the many chemicals in tobacco that damage both collagen and elastin.
Plus, if you give in to a perpetual sweet tooth, you’re in even more danger of damaging collagen. A diet high in sugar increases the rate of glycation. During glycation, blood sugars attach to proteins to form molecules appropriately referred to as AGEs (advanced glycation end products). These can cause collagen to become dry, brittle, and weak.
How Can You Boost Collagen?
Before you run to the store to load up on moisturizing creams or powders that contain collagen, you should know that collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin. But even if these moisturizers don’t directly increase collagen, there are so may benefits to keeping your skin fully moisturized to ward off wrinkles. Thus, quality skin products are a good investment.
One way you can actually boost collagen is through collagen injections. Cosmetic dermal fillers are an effective way to fill out depressions and improve the contours of the skin on the face. In addition, a plastic surgeon may recommend laser therapy as a means of stimulating the growth of collagen, elastin, and melanin.
Finally, maintaining a healthy diet can support continued collagen formation in your body. Take advantage of nutrients such as anthocyanidins (found in blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and raspberries), copper (found in shellfish, nuts, and red meat), and essential amino acids such as proline (found in egg whites, meat, cheese, soy, and cabbage).
And be sure you’re getting plenty of vitamin C from citrus, broccoli, and strawberries, as well as vitamin A from animal-derived foods and also beta-carotene in a plant-based diet.
You Don’t Have to Settle for Wrinkles
Even though you can’t turn back the hands of time and boost collagen production in your skin, you can take steps now to lessen the appearance of aging and to slow its future impact.
We can help.
Contact us today to speak with our team of experts on ways to moisturize, plump up, and smooth out some of those wrinkles for a brighter and more youthful appearance.
And start putting your best face forward!