This time of year inspires renewal in a big way, especially regarding our skin. Are you ready to push the reset button, so to speak, and refresh your complexion? Then read on! Here’s a list of proven collagen-boosters to help you maintain a vibrant glow this summer and beyond.
One of the main building blocks of your body, collagen is a protein that lends skin its strength and structure. Though our collagen levels naturally decrease as we age, we can help bolster our skin’s collagen and vibrance with a variety of tools:
Retinoid/retinol
The sooner you can start applying a collagen-boosting product to your skin as part of your daily skincare regimen, the better. The most proven and widely studied collagen booster on the planet right now is retinoid, a vitamin A-based prescription drug that helps stimulate new collagen growth in skin. (Retinol is a milder form of retinoid that is featured in several skincare products.) Here at Atagi Plastic Surgery and Skin Aesthetics, we offer several medical-grade skin care lines, including Atagi Skin, SkinBetter Science®, and Obagi®, which all feature some form of retinol/retinoid to encourage collagen production and speed cellular turnover in your skin. It’s worth noting that several other ingredients stimulate new collagen by speeding cellular turnover, including glycolic acid and peptides. All of our medical-grade skin care formulations feature a synergistic combination of ingredients to help reveal your best skin. We can help you discover which products will work best with your unique complexion concerns during your personal consultation.
Sun protection
Of equal importance to maintaining the health and beauty of your skin is protecting the collagen you already do have. Nothing destroys collagen and ages your skin faster than the sun! You can preserve your skin’s collagen by applying a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen (with titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide) and Jane Iredale® Mineral Makeup with UV protection. We carry several medical-grade sunscreens that are formulated with protective antioxidants to help fend off free-radical damage to maintain your skin’s strength and vibrance.
Healthy diet
We hate to say it, but sugar is a major collagen buster. According to diabetes research, high levels of glucose in the bloodstream have been linked to wrinkles, brown spots, yellowing and even sagging skin. Scientists attribute this damage to a process called glycation, when sugar binds to other molecules in your body. Glycation hinders collagen and elastin from working optimally while also creating free-radicals, which further compromise your skin’s integrity.
Skin treatments
Skin renewal is another proven way to boost your skin’s production of collagen and elastin. Here at Atagi Plastic Surgery and Skin Aesthetics, we offer an extensive menu of treatments that trigger your skin’s natural healing response, prompting the growth of vibrant new collagen and elastin. Our leading selection includes Halo™ Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing, BBL™ Photofacial, ProFractional Skin Resurfacing, microneedling, Ultherapy®, Botox® and dermal fillers, NovaThreads, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) skin treatments and more. As diverse as this list of treatments is, each of these services helps boost collagen in your skin. During your personal consultation, we can help you choose the ideal treatment or combination of treatments to meet your personal aesthetic goals.
Last, but certainly not least: Do no harm.
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your skin — it’s almost as damaging as tanning. Your best bet for enjoying a glowing complexion is living a healthy lifestyle, applying daily sunscreen and visiting us for periodic collagen-boosting treatments. Our team is dedicated to bringing out your best skin at every age and stage of life, and we can’t wait to help you look and feel amazing! To learn more about bringing out your best skin, please call 303.327.7300 or request a personal consultation online today!
