Supporting Your Collagen

1. Eat Collagen-Boosting Foods

• Vitamin C-rich foods: Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis. Include fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli into your diet.
• Amino acids: Collagen is made up of amino acids, especially proline, glycine, and lysine. Foods like chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, and dairy products are excellent sources.
• Bone broth: Made by simmering animal bones, bone broth is rich in collagen and other nutrients that support collagen production.
• Gelatin: Derived from collagen, gelatin in food provides a boost of collagen-building nutrients.
• Antioxidant-rich foods: Antioxidants help protect collagen from damage caused by free radicals. Include all the berries, green tea, dark leafy greens, and your favourite nuts.

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2. Use Collagen Supplements

• Collagen peptides: These hydrolysed collagen supplements are broken down into smaller molecules that are easier for the body to absorb. They are commonly available in powders, capsules, and drinks.
• Marine collagen: Collagen derived from fish or other sea animals is known for being highly absorbable and especially effective for skin health.

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3. Protect Your Skin from UV Damage

• Sunscreen: UV rays can break down collagen and accelerate aging. Always choose to use sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. You may choose also from chemical or mineral sunscreens; and look for PA++++ on the label.
• Avoid tanning beds: These can also damage collagen and cause premature skin aging.

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4. Stay Hydrated

• Drinking plenty of water keeps your skin hydrated and supports the function of collagen, as hydration helps collagen fibres retain their structure and elasticity.

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5. Quit Smoking

• Smoking damages collagen and elastin in the skin, leading to premature aging. It also reduces blood flow, which can limit the nutrients and oxygen your skin needs to maintain collagen production.

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6. Limit Sugar and Ultra Processed Foods

• High sugar intake can lead to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which break down collagen and accelerate the aging process. Limiting sugary foods, refined carbs, and ultra-processed foods can help preserve your collagen.

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7. Incorporate Skin Care Products with Collagen-Boosting Ingredients

• Retinoids (Vitamin A): Retinoids stimulate collagen production, and help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pigmented spots.
• Peptides: These are short chains of amino acids that can stimulate collagen production in the skin, promoting collagen synthesis and improving skin elasticity.
• Vitamin C serums: Topical Vitamin C can help stimulate collagen production and protect your skin from free radicals. Vitamin C serums work especially well together with your daily sunscreen.

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8. Exercise Regularly

• Physical activity improves blood circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, supporting collagen production. This also helps to manage stress levels which can adversely affect skin health.

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9. Manage Stress

• Chronic stress increases the production of cortisol which can break down collagen and negatively impact the health of your skin. Practices like mindfulness, yoga, Pilates, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises can help reduce stress.

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10. Sleep Well

• Sleep is essential for the body’s repair and regeneration processes, including the production of collagen. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep per night to allow your skin to regenerate deeply and fully.

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11. Consider Professional Treatments

• Chemical peels: Chemical peels like the trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel can help stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture.
• Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion can help promote collagen production, and improve skin clarity and brightness. The HydraFacial is a perfect way to experience this relaxing, non-invasive exfoliating treatment.
• Laser treatments: Laser treatments, such as fractional CO2 lasers, can help stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture. BBL (broadband light) can also help stimulate collagen production and synthesis by heating the dermis.
• Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers are injectable treatments that help restore volume, reduce wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. Some types of fillers not only plump the skin with hyaluronic acid (HA), but also stimulate collagen production in the process using Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA).
• Combination Treatments: Fillers can restore volume to the face while laser treatments can improve the skin texture, tone, and collagen production in the underlying skin. Microneedling treatments create controlled ‘micro-injuries’ to the skin which makes the skin increase collagen production as part of the healing process. Over time, these treatments lead to smoother, firmer, more youthful-looking skin.

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As always, do remember to visit your aesthetic clinic to consult with a dermatologist or your aesthetic doctor before you embark on anything new, and to determine the best treatment plan for you. Slowing down collagen loss can be realistically achieved through this combination of lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, professional treatments and skincare routines.