10 Beauty Treatments that Can Regenerate Skin Collagen
Regenerating skin collagen is the obsession of plenty of cosmetics experts and people who are concerned about their skin appearance. It’s not surprising if you take into account how important this is to keep the skin supple and firm. The problem is that the body gradually stops producing this substance. In other words, its internal production slows down with age. That’s why it has become so important to find and implement new strategies to regenerate skin collagen.
Treatments to regenerate skin collagen
Collagen is a protein that gives structure and strength to bones, skin and other tissues. From the age of 20, the skin starts to lose it, at a rate of 1% per year. The result is skin with more pronounced signs of aging.
Currently, several known treatments can help to regenerate skin collagen. The following are the best-known.
1. Red light therapy
Red light is a type of energy whose spectral range is between 620 to 700 nanometers. This is considered useful in facilitating tissue healing, repairing tissues, and promoting skin rejuvenation. It reaches a depth of 8 to 10 millimeters, allowing it to penetrate the dermis.
A study conducted in 2013 found that red light therapy regenerates skin collagen. Specifically, it restores fibroblasts, which are the cells responsible for producing this substance. It’s also considered helpful in reversing hair loss. For a balanced article that discusses the pros and cons of this method please see this link.
Discover more here: LED Phototherapy: Uses, Benefits and Care
2. Microneedling
This is a treatment (also called collagen induction therapy) that’s performed with a device equipped with tiny needles. It moves over the skin and causes tiny punctures in the top layer. As these wounds are created, the body increases collagen production to repair them.
Research published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery indicated that those who underwent this treatment showed a marked increase in collagen and elastin after 6 months. Scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks were also reduced.
3. Chemical and laser peels
There are many, many types of peels, both chemical and laser. They’re used to treat a variety of skin problems, especially wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
Most of them cause redness, dryness, and irritation. While the body works on solving these disorders, it also works to regenerate the skin’s collagen.
4. Microcurrent facial
Microcurrent treatment is also a way to regenerate the skin’s collagen. However, there’s a caveat.
This works best on skin that is just beginning to show signs of aging. It increases the level of collagen and increases suppleness in the complexion. They have little effect on mature skin. Take a look at this article which looks at the evidence from a scientific point of view.
5. Plasma injections
Platelet-rich plasma injections promote cell growth and regeneration. The method consists of placing platelets in specific points, such as the lower eyelids or the folds of the mouth.
From then on, the platelets act on these areas as if they were wounds. In this way, they promote their repair. At the same time, these injections are rich in growth factors, which stimulate the reproduction of fibroblasts.
6. Creams and serums
A large number of creams include collagen as one of their components. Serums promise they can regenerate this substance. Can they be trusted? The answer is yes.
Generally speaking, you should combine them with sunscreen. Also with retinoids, as they cancel out collagenase, an enzyme that destroys collagen.
7. Collagen supplements
Collagen supplements have shown some efficacy. However, not as much as is often promised.
There are two aspects to keep in mind. The first is that you should buy certified, high-quality supplements. The second is that you shouldn’t expect extraordinary results.
You might also be interested in: 7 Benefits of Taking Collagen Daily
8. Facial mesotherapy
This is a treatment in which vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and other substances are applied with the aim of rejuvenating and restoring the skin. The application is carried out using a very fine needle, so there’s no pain. Each session lasts 20 minutes.
9. Physical activity
Although physical activity isn’t a beauty treatment as such, it does help to regenerate the skin’s collagen. Sweating increases the production of growth hormones. This, in turn, stimulates fibroblasts to produce more collagen.
A study published in PloS ONE noted that strength training and interval training seem to be the most effective. Practicing yoga also helps, as it reduces stress.
10. Tensor threads
Actually, there are many other treatments to regenerate skin collagen. We’ll mention just one more though as it’s one we couldn’t leave out of this article.
We’re talking here about tensor threads. The technique consists of implanting small threads of polydioxanone (PDO) in the skin. These promote the natural production of collagen, while generating tension in the skin to give the impression that there are no wrinkles.
Collagen and its regeneration
Collagen gives rise to fibers that are resistant and flexible and which are present in many areas of the body, including the skin. These fibers are taut, but, as the years go by, they become intertwined and lose their elasticity. The result is wrinkles.
The factors that most affect this process are sun exposure, poor diet, lack of hydration, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and stress. It’s quite usual that around the age of 35 the impact on the face begins to show.
It’s estimated that a woman will have lost about half of all her collagen by the age of 50. Men tend to have a smaller loss. This leads to a decrease in the thickness of the dermis.
Treatments to regenerate collagen in the skin have varying degrees of effectiveness. However, they’re enhanced when accompanied by a healthy lifestyle.
Aging, with all that it entails, is inevitable. But this process can be slowed down somewhat by adopting the right life habits.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014 Feb;32(2):93-100. doi: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616. Epub 2013 Nov 28. PMID: 24286286; PMCID: PMC3926176.
- Aust MC, Fernandes D, Kolokythas P, Kaplan HM, Vogt PM. Percutaneous collagen induction therapy: an alternative treatment for scars, wrinkles, and skin laxity. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008 Apr;121(4):1421-1429. doi: 10.1097/01.prs.0000304612.72899.02. PMID: 18349665.
- Sellami M, Dhahbi W, Hayes LD, Padulo J, Rhibi F, Djemail H, et al. (2017) Combined sprint and resistance training abrogates age differences in somatotropic hormones. PLoS ONE 12(8): e0183184. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183184.
- Schoenfeld, P. (2020). Colágeno: Rejuvenece tu piel, fortalece las articulaciones, y siéntete más joven gracias a la dieta que aumenta la producción y el consumo de colágeno. EDITORIAL SIRIO SA.
