How to rebuild collagen in your face
As we get older, collagen seems to be the one ingredient that becomes ever elusive in our quest for youth. We seek them in jars of creams and even supplements? But do they work, and more importantly what do we need to know to rebuild collagen in our face?
What is collagen?
Collagen is the all-essential ingredient that gives your face volume, the appearance of plump and healthy skin. Skin comprises close to 80% of collagen and is a protein that works well together with the help of Vitamin C to create a supple network. As one ages, this network thins, no thanks to genetics, sun damage and generally reduced production of collagen. As you might expect, this leads to noticeable loss of volume and firmness.
How about collagen supplements?
While collagen supplements are making their rounds in beauty counters, do they really work?
Oral supplements
Collagen supplements are mainly derived from animals such as cows, chickens and fish. While there are claims that collagen supplements help to strengthen and plump skin when ingested, this is in fact a controversial claim.
As these supplements are consumed and ingested, our stomachs break down the proteins and is more likely that our bodies use these proteins first before it reaches our skin. Also, there haven’t been any studies that definitively prove that ingested collagen will veer towards the skin.
Collagen supplements taken orally still remains to be seen if they are really effective in stimulating collagen production in the skin.
Topical supplements
On the other hand, there is the option of using collagen as a topical alternative but we can’t help but wonder if collagen used in such a way really penetrates the skin or does it simply sit on the top of your skin?
Peptides, the building blocks for making protein, have gained popularity in recent years as a topical supplement to stimulate collagen production in the skin as it. While it’s true both peptides and proteins are made up of amino acids, peptides contain far fewer amino acids than proteins, so their efficacy is contentious.
Is all lost?
Thankfully there are aesthetic treatments available to give your skin a collagen boost. Youth is not lost and you can regain a more supple complexion with these quick fixes.
Sygma Lift
Sygma Lift is a patented 2nd generation HIFU technology that works well in lifting and firming skin, ideal for those seeking a V-shaped face, improved contours around the neck and jawline, and reducing lines and wrinkles around the eyes, forehead and mouth.
This cold laser works from the inside out that promotes collagen synthesis while enhancing drainage of fat cells at the same time. Best of all, it’s painless without any downtime!
Thermage FLX
Thermage FLX is an FDA-approved procedure to rejuvenate and tighten skin using radiofrequency waves, which penetrate deep into the skin to stimulate the renewal of collagen.
Also known as a non-surgical facelift, Thermage FLX heats collagen in the deep layers of your skin that causes the deep structures within it to tighten. Over time it also encourages new collagen to be produced. Overall you can reap the benefits of tighter and firmer skin, improved skin texture and improved facial contours.
Ultherapy
Another popular non-surgical facelift is Ultherapy, an ultrasound-based procedure that tightens, firms and lifts the skin. This procedure works by delivering low levels of focused heat at just the right depth below the skin to get the skin to increase collagen production.
You’ll notice gradual tightening with a natural lift and improvement in skin texture as a result of Ultherapy.