The Collagen Cycle Slow Down
Collagen "cycles" like every other element in your body. As mature collagen breaks down, new collagen forms to take its place. When you're young, the collagen cycle is working at full speed and keeps your skin smooth, soft and wrinkle-free.
As you get older, collagen replacement production slows down while collagen breakdown speeds up.
OMG! Am I destined for collagen collapse?
It all depends.
FACT # 2 - You Have More Influence Over The Process Than You Think
Point to Remember! The Sun Can Be An Enemy
Sunshine, beaches, boating, pool time. It's all fun, but consider this: UV rays are responsible for DNA damage, which means you'll see long term and accumulative discoloration, early wrinkles, rough skin, age spots and possibly even skin cancer.
Point to Remember! Sunscreen Is Your Friend
The single most important thing you can do to help your skin stay as healthy-looking as possible is sunscreen. If you use a chemical sunscreen, apply 30 minutes before going outside. If you're the impatient type, or need higher protection, use mineral sun block.
Sunscreen vs Sun Block - What's the Difference?
Sunscreen "absorbs" UV rays. Sun block reflects them. Look for zinc or titanium dioxide which will provide immediate protection. Chemical sunscreens need 15-30 minutes to start working.
(We like Colorescience products because they're fast to apply, contain pure mineral protection and you can dust on the powder sunscreen over your makeup.)
GOOD FOR YOUR COLLAGEN
Everything in this list below will help your skin stay in better condition
- Vitamin C in serums or creams
- Pentapeptides (topical)
- Retinol (topical)
- Antioxidants (topical and dietary)
- Niacinamide (topical)
- Phytoceramide supplements
- Fresh veggies & fruits
- Whole grains
- Sleep (No skimping)
- Friends and family
- Fresh air and WATER
- As mentioned above, sun protection!
BAD FOR YOUR COLLAGEN
Everything in this list will get in the way of good skin
- Skipping sunscreen
- Habitual beach days
- Burning the midnight oil too often
- Fried foods
- High fat foods
- Barbequed meats
- Alcohol
- Milk - skim milk is the worst
- Margarine
- Bottled fruit juice (unless it's fresh)
- Cigarette smoking
- Sleeping in makeup
Sneakiest Collagen Buster
Do you know the sneakiest, but tastiest collagen buster that's in front of you every day? It's everywhere, and hard to pass up! You guessed it - SUGAR
Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Eva Longoria all have waved goodbye to sugar and haven't looked back. Their skin looks great!
Why Sugar Is Bad
Sugar is responsible for glycation, which is essentially a process that accelerates skin aging by stiffening collagen bonds. When it comes to sugar, less is best!
Sugar Hides Behind Pseudonyms
Learn to be a label reader. Sugar is hidden in foods - under all kinds of names. Here are 21 of the 56 names for sugar:
- Corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, malt syrup, raw sugar, sucrose, sugar syrup, cane crystals, cane sugar, crystalline fructose, evaporated cane juice, corn syrup solids, malt syrup
You Guys Don't Get a Pass
Collagen loss affects everybody. Although men have thicker skin and tend to show wrinkles and sagging later than women, once it happens, you definitely see it! All the rules apply.
Clinical Level Science-based Skin Care DOES Count!
You can spend tons at the department store on pretty jars and promises, but it's the science that's important. Skin aging is a big deal for most of us.
Retinols have been the go-to for a very long time and have limitless fans. But not everyone can tolerate the levels needed to sustain improvements. The new powerhouse in at-home skin treatment products is Definsins.
Scientific research shows the defensin-molecule can reprogram dormant cells in our body to generate visibly newer, healthier and truly youthful NEW skin. DefenAge Clinical Power Trio
Doctor-Level Fixes
Despite all the "don't" activities most of us engage in, there are incredible medical-level treatments these days that will help keep your collagen production humming. The basic premise is to instruct the skin to make MORE collagen than what it's doing on its own. Doctors do this with various levels of skin "injury", or the introduction of an injectable collagen stimulator.
Level 1 - Things aren't perfect but they are okay, and you like the idea of keeping the good skin you have
- Light Chemical peels
- Micro Needling
- Microdermabrasion
- Skin Care & Facials
- No Downtime Laser Genesis
Level 2 - You're experiencing fine wrinkles, diffuse discoloration or a general loss of skin firmness
- Lower energy laser (Clear + Brilliant laser, Laser Genesis)
- Moderate energy laser (Fraxel Erbium laser)
- Radio frequency induced heat (Exilis, Thermage, Sofwave)
- Non-destructive Laser ( Pico Genesis)
- Adjustable Light Therapy (BBL PhotoFacial)
Level 3 - You can't ignore the issues of poor skin texture, volume loss, wrinkles and folds or skin laxity
- Precision laser (Halo Hybrid Laser)
- Ultrasound (Ultherapy)
- RF skin tightening (Genius MicroNeedling, Sofwave)
- Sculptra collagen stimulating injectable
- Hyaluronic gel fillers
Level 4 - You've got serious issues, deeper wrinkles and obvious sun damage
- Radio frequency skin remodeling with higher levels of Genius MicroNeedling
- Reduction of lax skin with Ellacor MicroCoring
- Combination procedures along with collagen-stimulating injectables (Ex: Sculptra)
The Hormone Connection
The first 5 years after menopause you'll lose 30% of your existing collagen. With ongoing 2% per year following.* Estrogen loss = collagen loss
HRT - Hormone replacement therapy is not feasible for everyone, but it CAN help stave off collagen loss.
Plant Hormones - Soy provides a level of natural hormone support.
HRT DISCUSSION - Better skin may not be the only reason you would consider hormone therapy. There are HRT specialists and Endocrinologists who can discuss with you the pros and cons.
In a Nutshell
- Use sunscreen every day. If you're really serious, wide brim hats are a great source of protection.
- Pay attention to diet - what happens inside shows up on the outside.
- Investing in skin care makes good sense, but the department store is not the place - Only a dermatology team has the education and experience to know what will work for your skin. Appropriate guidance can save you thousands of dollars and dozens of skin-damaging mistakes.
- Get to know your skin's vulnerabilities and what you can do about them. Understand how your genetic background alters how your skin responds to medical procedures.
- A little knowledge and education can go a long way in keeping you happy with your skin for your entire life.
*Collagen loss study information source: American Academy of Dermatology