10 ways to elevate your collagen levels for glowing skin
As we age, on average, we lose about one per cent of our collagen per year. Experts believe that collagen loss contributes to the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. So, if you want to avoid having skin that looks wrinkled, saggy or dull, elevating your collagen levels can be the key to success. Here are 10 different ways you can accomplish that.
1. Schedule skin needling therapy
Skin needling therapy is a process in which collagen production in your skin is stimulated by means of a pen-like tool that makes tiny needle pricks on your skin’s surface. Multiple studies have shown that skin needling has a positive and rejuvenating effect on the skin. This therapy can benefit skin in multiple ways, including reduction of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scarring.
You’ll achieve the most dramatic results if you see a professional for micro needling therapy. You do also have the option of treating yourself at home using a dermaroller tool.
2. Massage your face
If sticking needles in your face seems too weird or scary to even consider, a milder but still effective therapy for boosting collagen is a simple facial massage. This low-tech therapy is far less invasive than Botox or collagen injections. You can have a facialist perform the facial massage, or you can do it yourself at home.
3. Nourish yourself with vitamin C-rich foods
Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen in the human body. If your vitamin C levels are low, you’re likely to notice that wounds on your skin don’t easily heal. This is a direct result of impaired collagen formation. Nourish your skin by eating a variety of vitamin-C rich foods, including citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, kiwi fruit and leafy green vegetables.
4. Consume aloe vera orally
Researchers have discovered that oral supplementation with aloe vera can result in a dramatic reduction of facial wrinkles. As their study progressed, the researchers observed that aloe vera supplementation was correlated with an increase in collagen production. They also found that aloe helped to improve the elasticity of the skin.
5. Eat Brazil nuts in moderation
Selenium deficiency results in reduced collagen levels, according to research published in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology. Brazil nuts are high in selenium and eating just a few of them can make a big difference in preventing issues with deficiency. However, you don’t want to overdo it, as selenium is a nutrient that you can easily get too much of. So, don’t gorge on Brazil nuts; eat just a few nuts at a time for optimum results.
6. Don’t consume sugar
When you ingest sugar, one of the many less than ideal results is a cross-linking of your collagen fibres. This can inhibit your skin from easily repairing itself – which, in turn, leads to your skin showing increasing signs of age.
7. Avoid overexposure to the sun
It’s common knowledge that overexposure to the sun can cause bunches of problems, from sunburn to skin cancer. Researchers believe that, in the dermis of sun-damaged skin, the presence of the collagen fibres may be masked, or perhaps even replaced. Limiting sun exposure is essential for maximising your collagen levels.
8. Do not smoke cigarettes
There’s plenty of research available demonstrating that cigarette smoking results in facial wrinkles and other premature symptoms of aging. In one study, the researchers discovered impaired synthesis of collagens of types I and III. In the group of smokers, these collagens were lower by 18 per cent and 22 per cent as compared against the control.
Another study examined the appearance of twins. Of particular interest were the results when one twin smoked and the other did not. The researchers found that the twins who smoked looked older than the twins who didn’t.
9. Drink white tea
Researchers at Kingston University have discovered that white tea offers a remarkable number of health benefits. One benefit: White tea contains antioxidants that support and protect the elastin and collagen in the skin. This is accomplished by an inhibition of the activities of oxidants and enzymes that can break down the skin’s supplies of elastin and collagen.
10. Supplement with royal jelly
Honeybees produce a milk-like substance known as royal jelly. They feed the royal jelly to their adult queen bee and their larvae. People sometimes use this royal jelly for a variety of medicinal purposes. Its anti-aging properties are one popular reason for its use. Research suggests that royal jelly could possibly help to sustain collagen levels. Numerous beauty seekers confirm that royal jelly has helped to improve the appearance and texture of their skin, as well as decreasing the appearance of wrinkles.
Trying one or more of these suggestions is likely to elevate your collagen levels significantly. If you’re hoping to tighten up saggy areas, reduce wrinkles and enjoy the appearance of healthy, glowing skin, those are 10 steps you can take to achieve your desired results.
Will you be trying out any of these beauty tips and tricks? Let us know in the comments below.