One of the most common questions patients ask us is ‘What can I be doing to support my collagen levels?” and “When should I start investing in treatments to boost collagen in my skin?”

Collagen is one of the essential building blocks of healthy skin, and it plays a crucial role in how it looks, feels and ages. Sadly, however, our body’s ability to produce collagen begins to drop from our mid-twenties onwards, prompting a loss of firmness, elasticity and radiance. We can’t prevent this process, but we can certainly slow it down.

The aim of aesthetic treatments and injectables is not only to smooth wrinkles, build volume and correct asymmetry, but it’s also to stimulate collagen production within the skin. We’re building our collagen levels up, prompting the skin to create more of it by zapping it with radiofrequency energy or infusing the deeper layers with hyaluronic acid.

So, what exactly should you be doing to boost collagen levels in the skin? And when should you start?

What happens to your collagen as you age?

Collagen is a protein that effectively acts as the scaffolding of the skin, holding your face up and keeping it firm and plump. After the age of 25, collagen production declines at a rate of 1% a year until you reach menopause, at which point it more or less stops altogether. By the time you turn 50, you will likely have lost 50 per cent of the collagen in your skin.

The physical effects of collagen breakdown don’t just appear on the skin as wrinkles, fine lines, loss of elasticity and dryness – it can also affect our joints, muscles, bones and hair.

Now that you understand the importance of collagen, you’ll see why it’s so important that we do what we can to preserve and maintain our collagen levels. And aesthetic treatments, good-quality skincare and supplementation are all a great way of doing so.

How can you protect and boost collagen in your skin?

With the right treatments, you can protect existing collagen and boost the production of collagen in the skin. There are a few of our favourite ways to achieve plump, youthful, and bouncy skin.

Morpheus8

The Morpheus8 utilises a combination of two of the most effective anti-ageing technologies – microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) to tighten the skin on the face, neck, chest, thighs, abdomen, buttocks, and backs of the hands with minimal downtime.

The treatment heats the skin’s dermis to approximately 40 degrees C, kick-starting the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in the skin, resulting in firmer, smoother, lifted and hydrated skin.

You’ll see an improvement in contour, and the skin will be tighter, healthier, and more youthful. The complexion will appear smoother, and the pore size reduced. Morpheus8 can also be particularly effective on hooded eyes.

Profhilo

Administered via a series of precise injections under the skin, Profhilo stimulates four different types of collagen to improve overall skin quality and condition, boost hydration and encourage a smoother, radiant and more youthful appearance.

Ultherapy

By delivering focused ultrasound energy to the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) – the deep layer of muscle typically addressed in a surgical facelift – we can stimulate collagen production in the face, brow, jawline, neck and decolletage, without harming the surrounding tissues.

By kick-starting collagen production deep within the skin, we produce a noticeable lifting and tightening effect for firmer, younger-looking skin.

Microneedling

Microneedling produces micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating the production of growth hormones, which leads to renewed healing and collagen stimulation in the skin. In turn, this improves the appearance of enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, scarring and improved loose skin.

We can also further enhance treatment by applying a custom blend of Hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and minerals topically to the skin, immediately following the needling.

Skin boosters

Injected under the skin, Skin Boosters deposit micro amounts of Hyaluronic Acid, which spread throughout the dermis and infuse the tissues with moisture. Injected with either a needle or cannula, Skin Boosters stimulate a controlled trauma to the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production. The technique can be used on the face, backs of the hands, neck and décolleté.

Add retinol to your evening regime

Retinoids are one of the most effective ingredients out there for slowing the skin ageing process, partly down to their collagen-stimulating abilities.

Retinoids are derived from vitamin A, they are topical creams that work to improve its appearance by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, fading pigmentation, reducing acne and breakouts and improving pore clarity. Vitamin A plays a fundamental role in reversing the signs of ageing by increasing cellular turnover, promoting new collagen formation, and exfoliating dead skin cells, resulting in smoother, brighter, more even-toned skin.

Wear sunscreen every day

As well as protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, SPF helps to combat the collagen sabotaging effects of sunlight. It’s crucial to avoid excessive sun exposure and protect your skin with an SPF of at least 30 every single day.

Bio-identical hormones

As we age, and especially during menopause, our bodies lose oestrogen. This critical hormone serves several functions – one of which is that it prevents a decrease in skin collagen and can keep your skin looking radiant, firm, and youthful.

Studies have shown that BHRT can increase the skin collagen content and therefore maintain skin thickness and increase epidermal hydration and elasticity.