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Skin aging is a natural, inevitable process caused by many different intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsically, collagen production deteriorates as we age which increases the appearance of aging, evident by wrinkles and sagging skin. Extrinsically, harsh weather, pollution and sun exposure can damage our skin. The foods we eat play a large role in the appearance of our skin and can either boost or degrade collagen. There are also free-radical causing lifestyle factors that adversely affect our collagen which include excessive sugar and alcohol consumption.
Many people turn to face lifts or other surgical procedures as a remedy for the appearance of aging skin. However, there are many natural, minimally invasive solutions for maintaining your youthful appearance which all effectively boost the production of collagen in order to keep thick and tight skin as you age.
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Micro-Needling
- Red Light Therapy
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is highly regarded for its moisturizing and anti-aging effects. Aloe vera stimulates fibroblast which generates collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin fibers. By stimulating production of collagen and elastin fibers, aloe vera helps to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin. Stimulating production of hyaluronic acid increases the moisture of your skin. Since it is extremely nourishing, people with dry skin can benefit greatly from topical application of aloe vera gel and it even can benefit individuals who suffer from acne.
Many studies have shown the efficacy of aloe sterols boosting collagen, increasing the skin barrier function, moisture, and elasticity of skin. Aloe vera gel grinded into a powder form creates aloe sterols which are easy to ingest oral tablets (they’re called aloe sterols because aloe vera gel contains plant sterols). One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed that daily consumption of aloe sterols significantly reduced facial wrinkles in women over the age of 40 by boosting the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid by two-fold and 1.5-fold respectively.
A different randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that oral intake of aloe sterols increased skin elasticity in the photodamaged skin of middle-aged men.
To reap the benefits of increased collagen production, increased elasticity and moisture of your skin, consuming aloe vera gel may be the easiest habit to adopt. You can either take the gel out of the leaves of an aloe plant, or you can buy gels that are safe to ingest and add them to smoothies or consume them on their own.
Recommended Products
Get it: Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel or Pure Aloe Vera Drinkable Gel
Micro-Needling
Micro-needling, otherwise referred to as collagen induction, is an effective anti-aging treatment to maintain skin health by boosting collagen production. The process involves moving a drum-shaped device (sometimes called a derma roller) with fine needles over your skin. This tool creates tiny perforations in the skin which stimulates collagen and elastin production. By stimulating collagen, the appearance of old skin is improved, promoting a youthful, smooth complexion. Micro-needling is an efficacious alternative to invasive treatments including laser skin resurfacing or deep chemical peeling. It is a safe, minimally invasive and effective treatment to reduce wrinkles, stretch marks and treat scars – including acne scars.
Micro-needling doesn’t just slightly boost your collagen, it significantly upregulates collagen and produces a denser network of thicker collagen fibre strands. So dense that eight weeks of micro-needling has increased epidermal thickness (the outer most layer of the skin) by 112%. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence on the lasting smoothness of skin that the treatment provides.
Micro-needling is also extremely effective to improve severe acne scars. In comparison to other treatments for atrophic scars, which include fractional laser, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or TCA-CROSS techniques, needling results in comparable outcomes yet offers significant advantages due to the low risk of side effects. Other advantages include preservation of the epidermis (since the epidermis itself is not damaged), thicker skin and fast recovery. In addition, micro-needling is able to treat certain regions on the body in which laser treatments or deep peeling cannot be performed.
Due to the minimal side effects and its effectiveness, micro-needling should be considered a priority if you are looking for a treatment to boost collagen. You can get your own micro-needle tool and treat yourself at home or you can get it professionally done by a dermatologist or aesthetician.
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Get it: StackedSkincare Micro-Roller
If it’s your first time micro-needling, start with a smaller size of derma roller such as .25mm, the more you use it you can work up to using 1mm.
Red Light Therapy
When red light therapy, or low-level laser light therapy (LLLT) was first discovered, it was best known for its ability to heal wounds. Now, it is becoming widely recognized for its ability to maintain youthful, elastic, beautiful skin by stimulating collagen and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Red light therapy or LLLT works by simply exposing cells or skin tissue to low levels of red and near infrared light. It’s ‘low-level’ is because it uses very low energy densities of light. In comparison to other laser therapies, this therapy is non-invasive and quite simple, it just requires standing in front of light for 5-15 minutes.
This treatment is highly regarded in its ability to rejuvenate the skin by increasing collagen production and decreasing collagen degradation. It decreases the loss of collagen by modulating reactive oxygen species thereby preventing tissue death.
A randomized controlled trial measured the effects of red and near-infrared light treatment on skin and concluded that red light therapy significantly improved skin complexion and increased collagen density.
Dermatology researchers find this type of therapy very safe, because it is absent of side-effects. Red light therapy provides many other benefits including reduction of cellulite, stimulation of hair regrowth and improves sleep – which you can read more about here.
You are able to receive red light therapy treatment at some dental and doctors’ offices, in addition to salons. However, to reap the benefits of red light therapy, it must be used consistently, so investing in an at-home device is most beneficial.
Recommended Product
Get it: Joovv
These three treatments have been shown to boost the production of collagen to maintain youthful, smooth, and tight skin. In addition to these treatments, prioritize a diet full of collagen enhancing foods which includes fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, ginseng and bone broth.
