"Collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that plump, youthful look," says dermatologist Dr. Ohara Aivaz. Your body naturally makes collagen, but this production decreases with age.
Eat a healthy diet high in nutrients including vitamins A11 and C. Follow a daily skin care routine that includes sunscreen and topical retinol. Avoid smoking, as research shows that tobacco smoke reduces the production of collagen and elastin.
Environmentally Induced Loss of Collagen
The #1 cause of premature aging in the skin is caused by exposure to the sun. The sun has the ability to break down collagen in the skin, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles.
How can I naturally rebuild collagen? You can naturally support the collagen production process by using topicals such as vitamin C and retinol, collagen peptide supplements, eating a nutrient rich diet, and avoiding habits that damage the collagen (such as poor sleep and sun exposure.)
Production starts to dwindle in our mid-to-late 20s and early 30s and we start losing 1% of our collagen per year after that. By 40, collagen drops dramatically, leading to signs of aging such as wrinkles, skin sagging, skin drying and loss of energy.
Tapping also helps drain lymphatic fluid that makes you look puffy and eliminates toxins. The toxins can damage your skin, especially your collagen, leading to wrinkles. It may also stimulate collagen production to help fade fine lines. More studies, especially long-term ones, are needed.
Zeichner recommends topical treatments — as opposed to ingesting collagen — to really see a difference. But that doesn't mean literally applying collagen topically, even though there are plenty of topical products that feature it as an ingredient.
All in all, retinol is more potent than collagen. It yields better results in the long run, but it also has several side effects. Meanwhile, collagen is milder, but it still has noteworthy benefits for the skin.
Besides time, three main things will lower your collagen levels: sunlight, smoking, and sugar. Too much exposure to ultraviolet light makes its fibers unravel. This can lead to sun damage, such as wrinkles.
Collagen can't be measured — for instance, in a blood test — but there are signs that your collagen level is decreasing. These signs and symptoms include: Skin that's wrinkled, crepey or sagging. Hallowing in and around your eyes and face.
Stress and tiredness often cause your facial muscles to tense up; this leads to wrinkles in the forehead and eye area. Massaging your face every day prevents the formation of fine lines by releasing tension. Use uplifting motions while massaging your face to relax and erase the wrinkles.
Between the Eyebrows
As you press on this point, close your eyes, and continue breathing deeply. This acupressure point can reduce stress and headaches, as well as reduce tension on your face. When you reduce tension on your face, it makes it appear more youthful and helps soften frown lines.
Although it's never too late to begin collagen supplementation, people with certain lifestyle habits and choices might benefit from starting sooner.
The "Classic" Face Massage: One of the most common facial massages practised by beauticians and involves pinching, tapping, stroking and kneading the face and is thought to promote collagen production.
Many of the studies available suggest that you'd be able to noticeably see improvements in skin elasticity, hydration, and density anywhere between 6 and 12 weeks of regular collagen supplementation.
Caffeine suppresses collagen production by preventing cell growth and interfering with the development of cartilage. In turn, this affects the ability to make new collagen and the genes involved in maturing cartilage cells. One study found that caffeine reduces collagen synthesis in human skin.
Inadequate Vitamin D in the skin causes it to become thin, saggy, wrinkled, and weak. Your skin is your largest organ, so making sure it's strong and healthy is incredibly important in preventing premature aging.