If you have been searching for the fountain of youth, then you have likely heard of collagen and how it is basically an anti-aging miracle. While collagen is great to orally supplement, it does nothing for your skin when you apply it topically. All of those brands pushing for you to buy their collagen creams and serums are scamming you, and they know it. There is only one way to physically boost collagen production in your skin, and that is by irritating it. What I mean irritation is you have to physically damage your skin. Causing damage to the skin wakes up the (ATP) Adenosine Triphosphate. (ATP) is the powerhouse of your skin cells, and by sending signals to the skin that it has been damaged, it will then wakeup and realize that it needs to repair itself.
3 popular Ways to stimulate collagen production and gain a more youthful appearance
The most popular and easiest way to stimulate your skin to produce more collagen, is by microneedling. This can be done by a professional at a spa, or at home. Most people opt to use the at home devices available such as a dermaroller or a microchannel stamp. Microneedling works by using a tool with tiny spiky cones that punctures the skin without leaving a mark or having any recovery down time. By using a microneedling device, and then using your serums and actives; you allow them to penetrate the epidermis more easily and in turn the ingredients of your products will be able to reach the lower layers of your skin. While you can buy a microneedling tool for at home use, having this procedure done by a professional will be more beneficial for skin aging because medical estheticians have access to different sizes microneedles.
The second most popular way to stimulate collagen and get a more youthful appearance is through (IPL) Intensive pulse light therapy. This procedure is much more associated with removing hyperpigmentation but depending on the strength, (IPL) can help to promote collagen growth in the skin. (IPL) is the more advanced light therapy procedure to its sister light therapy procedure(LED)Light Emitting Diode) which is non-invasive just like (IPL). Light therapy services done by a professional can greatly improve the appearance of signs of aging, like wrinkles, fine lines, and redness. (IPL) can be either ablative, or non ablative; with the latter being more gentle. If you are looking to see results faster then I suggest getting an ablative (IPL) treatment done. Keep in mind that with either type you have to be patient to see results. (IPL) is not the same as laser therapy because it does not use lasers, and instead releases multiple wave lengths of light to cover a larger surface area, while Laser(LED) focuses on using one specific wavelength.
The conditions that each laser treatment can address differ because of the strength being used.
Ablative (Erbium Yag Laser)
- Acne scarring
- Sun damage
- Mild to moderate wrinkles
- Hyperpigmentation
- Non-melanoma skin cancers
Non-Ablative( Neodymium Yag Laser)
- Vascular reduction
- Hair Removal
- Vascular birthmarks
- Tattoo removal
- Mild hyperpigmentation
(IPL) Intense Pulse Light
- Post inflammatory acne scars
- Birthmarks
- Hyperpigmentation
- Spider veins
- Rosacea
- Sun damage
- Melasma
- Discoloration of stretch marks
Chemical Peels
The third way to stimulate collagen is by going to a medical spa or dermatologist to get a chemical peel service done. Chemical peels are used to exfoliate the skin and they greatly differ in strength and you often have to work your way up to stronger peels by first undergoing basic strength peels to build up a tolerance. More on chemical peels can be found in my article Microdermabrasion, peels, LED’s oh my!
Before undergoing any treatment please consult with your medical physician, preferably a dermatologist as they are more knowledgeable in how certain procedures can effect our bodies. It is important to do this because many anti-aging treatments and products come with contraindications.
Disclaimer
I am not a licensed esthetician nor a dermatologist. I am a friendly and knowledgeable beauty obsessed
consumer. Please refer all questions you have to your physicians.