We look at some of the treatments, supplements and dietary changes that can help to boost our skin’s collagen content.
Collagen is the most common, naturally-occurring protein in our bodies. Almost a third of our body’s total protein, it makes up the majority of the tissue in our skin, bones, cartilage and muscles.
“Collagen is really critical to our health because it makes up around 30% of all of the protein in our bodies”
— Dr O’Gorman
As we age our body produces less collagen. This lack of collagen results in the common signs of ageing. Fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin and stiff joints are all signs that the body is producing less collagen. Smoking, poor diet, stress, lack of sleep, sun damage, as well as exposure to pollution, have also been linked to a decrease in collagen production.
Here, we look at some of the treatments, supplements and dietary changes that we can make to boost our skin’s collagen.
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Micro needling
Also known as collagen induction therapy, micro needling uses a fine-needle roller or pen device to create tiny holes in the top layer of the skin. This “controlled injury” process opens up your skin with tiny tears. Then, healing promotes collagen production, which helps fill in and smooth out wrinkles and fine lines.
In addition to treating wrinkled and sun-damaged skin, micro needling can improve scars from acne and other abnormalities. It’s most commonly used on the face but can also be used on other parts of the body — to smooth out thighs or stomach stretch marks, for instance.
Micro needling is one of the ten steps of our signature Yearly Facial offered exclusively by Dr O’Gorman.
When RF (radiofrequency) is administered by a microneedle method, this increases the collagen production even further and achieves a skin tightening effect.
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Collagen Stimulating Injections
Collagen stimulating injections, or biostimulators, work by stimulating the build-up of the body’s natural collagen and elastin.
Injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss, they induce renewal of facial collagen fibres to tone and lift problem facial areas.
This treatment will not correct the underlying cause of the facial fat loss but will help improve the appearance by increasing skin thickness in the treated area to help smooth out lines and wrinkles. They also help to restore lost facial volume to give you a fuller, younger-looking face.
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Vampire Facial
First made popular by Kim Kardashian, the vampire facial can transform collagen production by using platelet cells from your own blood, to regenerate the skin.
“Platelets contain a large amount of growth factor, which can lead to tissue regeneration,” explains Dr O’Gorman. “If platelets are removed from the plasma, which is the cellular component of blood, and re-injected back into the skin, the growth factors in the platelets cause tissue regeneration leading to increased collagen production.”
The skin is re-plumped and rejuvenated to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and create a youthful, radiant glow.
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Skin boosters
Skin boosters, also known as skin hydrators, micro-fillers or hydro-fillers are superficial injections of thin hyaluronic acid gel into the skin’s surface. This results in a powerful hydrating and moisturising effect which can help the skin to appear more even, smoother and plumper.
The product is finer than traditional dermal fillers so as not to redefine the facial features but to enhance the overall skin texture, hydration and pigment.
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Collagen supplements
Collagen drinks and supplements are designed to help ‘top up’ your natural collagen levels, helping avoid the effects of collagen depletion before they occur.
Rather than the collagen peptides you drink going directly to the dermis, the collagen peptides act as a feedback mechanism to trigger your own natural collagen production.
This stimulates the collagen-producing cells, called fibroblasts, to produce more of your own natural collagen. The formulation of elastin (which gives skin elasticity) and hyaluronic acid (for hydration) are also stimulated.
The result, arguably, is an increase in your body’s collagen levels, which in turn results in a healthier, firmer complexion.
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Foods that help your body produce collagen
Diet plays a large role in the appearance and youthfulness of skin and whilst collagen drinks and supplements can help, eating collagen-rich foods or foods that boost collagen production can help create the building blocks (amino acids) you need for better skin.
Bone broth, chicken, fish and shellfish, egg whites and citrus fruits are some of the best foods for collagen production.
The research is mixed when it comes to the effectiveness of consuming collagen-rich foods. It’s possible that stomach acid may break down collagen proteins, preventing them from reaching the skin.
That said, collagen isn’t only for smooth, plumper skin. Collagen can help with joint pain, muscles, or digestion. So, eating collagen-rich foods or foods that boost collagen production is always worth a try.