Boosting Collagen through Everyday Practice

If you want to be really good at anything, you will put your blood, sweat, and tears into practice. Fortunately, fostering collagen production need not be so dramatic. However, the importance of good habits and daily practice cannot be overstated. Collagen production, in particular, is a must for youthful, radiant skin. Because production is not a given – in fact, we know it will slow with age – your skin care practice should involve specific steps to boost this skin-smoothing protein.

Boost collagen through:

• Healthy eating. The same foods that fuel your body and help you fight disease are those that also support gorgeous skin. Knowing that oranges and other vitamin C-rich foods will bring out the best in your skin makes it easy to swap out processed items for fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to supporting collagen, vitamin C foods are also high in antioxidants that fight the free radicals that cause premature aging.
• Supplement as needed. Some say there is very little value in supplementation. This may come down to the quality of supplements that one takes. A good way to boost collagen is to make sure you are getting enough Zinc, and vitamins A and C. Another way that collagen production can be supplemented is topical. We are happy to speak with you about the skin care products that may be best for your skin type and concerns.
• Stay hydrated. Hydration is necessary for so many biological processes, including collagen production. The problem is, it is relatively easy to fall behind on your daily water intake, and it is also easy to mistake any liquid consumption for hydration. This could be devastating to your skin. For maximum hydration, stick to water, and sip throughout the day.
• Massage your face. We are often led to believe that the face is a “hands-off” area of the body. Not so! Gentle massage with oil or appropriate lotion can get the circulation moving throughout connective tissues, and also foster muscle memory across the cheeks, forehead, and chin.

Your St. Louis dermatologist also has specific treatments that focus on collagen-boosting, such as chemical peels or our  GentleWaves® Skin Collagen Rejuvenation treatment. Call (314) 878-3839 to see how we can help you support gorgeous skin at every age.