Published on June 20, 2023
You’ve probably heard a lot about collagen and its benefits. It’s hard not to, considering the number of collagen drinks and supplements being advertised every single day.
But did you know that our body already produces collagen on its own? Yes, you read that right. In fact, much of your skin and underlying tissues are composed of collagen peptides.
The challenge, however, is getting your body to produce more collagen.
No worries. That’s what this post is for.
To help you restore your skin’s plumpness and youthfulness, we put together this quick guide on how to stimulate collagen production in the skin.
Benefits of More Collagen
Collagen is a natural protein that’s present in your skin, muscles, bones, blood, and practically every organ in your body.
As a protein, its main role is to provide structure and support to your organs and tissues. It also plays a key role in cellular regeneration. As such, having more collagen can help you have:
- plumper and younger-looking skin
- thicker hair
- healthier nails
- stronger bones
- better muscle mass
- improved joint function
How Does the Body Produce Collagen?
As mentioned, your body produces collagen naturally. It can also come from the foods we eat. Our body synthesizes certain amino acids from our foods and then puts them together to create collagen.
From birth up to about 20 years old, our collagen production slowly increases. It peaks in our early to mid-20s. After that, it gradually declines as we grow older.
With decreasing levels of collagen, our skin also slowly loses its structure and elasticity. The underlying tissues won’t be able to hold on to our skin anymore, causing it to sag. Wrinkles and fine lines will also start to form as our skin becomes less “stretchy”.
Aside from aging, certain factors can also affect our body’s collagen production. This includes:
- stress
- high sugar diet
- sun exposure
- smoking
- alcohol consumption
- lack of sleep
In short, if you have poor lifestyle habits, you’ll lose collagen faster. This is why some people tend to look older than most people their age.
How to Stimulate Collagen Production
Here are some of the most effective ways to boost your body’s collagen production:
Home Remedies
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Eat a collagen-rich diet
As I said, our body can also produce collagen from the foods we eat. So make sure to add some collagen-rich foods to your diet, such as:
- chicken
- salmon
- avocado
- fish
- berries
- egg whites
- citrus
- bone broth
- tropical fruits
- beans
- leafy greens
- tomatoes
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Exfoliate your skin
Exfoliation peels away the top layers of your skin. This encourages the skin to produce new cells to replace the ones that had just been sloughed off.
The easiest way to exfoliate your skin at home is to use topical serums. Make sure to choose ones containing retinol, glycolic acid, or hyaluronic acid.
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Get enough sleep
Your body tends to produce more collagen when you sleep. So the longer you sleep, the more collagen your body will be able to produce.
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Avoid smoking
Smoking not only causes the collagen in your body to break down. It also hinders your body from producing enough of it. That’s why smokers tend to appear older and have more pronounced lines and wrinkles than non-smokers. So if you want to boost your collagen levels, better stop smoking today.
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Avoid alcohol and other high-sugar foods
Just like smoking, drinking alcohol and eating sugar-rich foods can also slow down your collagen production process. So if you want your skin to look younger for long, tone down your alcohol consumption.
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Apply sunscreen
As mentioned, prolonged sun exposure can cause your skin to age faster. The sun’s UV rays can penetrate deep into the dermis, damaging the collagen fibers.
Applying sunscreen blocks these harmful rays from penetrating deep into your skin. Most dermatologists recommend using sunscreens with at least 30 SPF. Though a higher SPF is much better as it offers better protection against UV rays.
Spa Treatments
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Microneedling
Prickling your skin with hundreds of microneedles can encourage collagen production too. It creates microscopic wounds which your skin will attempt to heal by making more collagen.
Microneedling is safe in general. But it still involves poking needles in your face. So make sure to get it from an experienced medical provider to ensure it’s safe and effective.
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Microdermabrasion
As the name suggests, microdermabrasion involves creating micro-abrasions on your skin’s surface. It uses a pen-like device that blows micro-crystals onto your skin to create abrasions.
Your body treats these abrasions as injuries and will go into collagen production overdrive to heal them. This, in turn, will lead to plumper and younger-looking skin.
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Laser resurfacing
This procedure uses concentrated beams of light to vaporize your skin’s surface. The laser also heats up your skin’s dermis, prompting your skin to produce more collagen.
There are various types of laser resurfacing procedures depending on the specific skin concern you’re trying to address. Your medical provider can also recommend the best type of laser treatment for your skin concern.
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Collagen injections
Synthesizing collagen from food can take some time. If you’re in a hurry, you can also inject collagen directly into your skin. It boosts your collagen levels by replenishing your skin’s natural collagen.
Since they’re injected directly into problem areas, collagen injections provide faster and more permanent results. It also uses natural collagen so there’s less risk of allergic reactions.
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Chemical Peels
Chemical peels involve using, well, chemicals to break down and slough off your skin’s layers. It’s essentially a more intense form of exfoliation.
When a layer of your skin is peeled off, it prompts the body to regenerate more skin cells. It also produces more collagen in the process, thus improving your skin tone and texture.
Wrapping It Up
All in all, it is evident that collagen production is vital for skin health and overall well-being. The good news is that there are several ways to boost your body’s natural collagen production; from at-home remedies to spa treatments, there is something out there to fit everyone’s needs.
Including these strategies in your skincare routine will ensure that you are taking care of your skin and helping it maintain its youthful vitality. With some dedication and a little science-based self-care, you’ll find yourself well on the path toward achieving brighter, healthier-looking skin.
Experience Boca’s Favorite Med Spa
Aesthet House Med Spa is Boca Raton’s favorite source for advanced beauty treatments like microneedling, facials, dermal fillers, and more. Our services help you achieve a youthful and natural look. Treat wrinkles and dark spots with the latest advancements in beauty treatments. Our licensed staff are vetted and trained for your guaranteed satisfaction. Contact us to request a free in-person consultation today.
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About The Author
Judy Ponio has been writing about health and beauty topics for years. As an experienced writer, she makes sure to only use information from reputable sources and peer-reviewed studies. Her writing has also appeared on various US-based sites.
