Collagen is thought of as the fountain of youth found right in our own skin. Unfortunately, as we age, collagen production decreases. The good news is there are ways you can actually improve your body’s collagen production and make your skin look more youthful and healthy.
What is Collagen
Collagen is a protein that is used by the body as a supportive structure for all kinds of tissue, including the skin. It prevents your skin from sagging and keeps it smooth. As we age, the body produces less and less collagen, and skin loses its youthful appearance over time.
How to Improve Collagen
A lot of marketing touts collagen supplements as an effective way to restore youthful looks. Read on to find out if you can improve collagen through diet and what better options are out there for a dramatic transformation.
Diet
Getting more collagen in your diet may help on a small level to improve the look and texture of your skin. After all, your body cannot synthesize collagen well if it doesn’t have the proper components to do so. While some might try to sell you collagen supplements, you can get lots of collagen with proper nutrition.
Healthy protein-rich foods bring amino acids into the body, which are an essential component of collagen. Fish, chicken, beef, dairy, and beans are all rich in amino acids. Collagen production also requires Vitamin C (citrus fruits, tomatoes, and cruciferous veggies are a good source) as well as minerals (found in shellfish, nuts, beans, and meat). One trendy and delicious option is sipping bone broth, which you can buy or make at home by simmering beef or chicken bones in a crockpot for 24-48 hours.
But how much can you expect from diet or supplements alone? Don’t expect dramatic changes. While eating a healthy diet rich in whole foods, proteins, vitamins, and minerals will improve your overall health and probably appearance as well, it can only go so far.
Injectables
Juvederm, Sculptra, and Radiesse are all injectable fillers that boost collagen production, among other benefits. Injectables work by injecting biocompatible substances into strategic places below the skin. The fillers themselves often act to plump up the skin while the material stimulates a healing response within the body triggering the natural production of collagen over the course of several weeks.
These treatments are minimally invasive, effective, and affordable. But they are also temporary. Treatments need to be repeated in order to maintain results. They offer an excellent option for many patients to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture, particularly if you are newer to cosmetic procedures and want to start with a more conservative approach.
ULift
The ULift is the gold standard in our collagen-boosting treatment options. The ULift is a treatment protocol proprietary to Radiance Skincare & Laser Medspa. We are able to offer this unique and personalized treatment combination because of our expertise and range of noninvasive anti-aging technologies.
Treatment begins with an in-depth consultation and often an ultrasound-guided analysis of your skin. A completely tailored treatment plan is developed based on those results and your individual areas of concern. Your treatment may involve a single therapy or a combination of treatments, including Ultherapy, Thermage, Exilis Ultra, Silhouette InstaLift, and Radiesse, to bring out optimal, natural-looking results.
ULift is an investment in noticeable results that last far into the future for your skin, rather than just the few months you get with injectable treatments.
Boost your Body’s Collagen
We are proud of our top-tier status with numerous noninvasive treatment technologies and know that you will find our level of training and experience impressive. If you are ready to learn more about injectables or ULift, schedule a consultation with our experts.