Skin imperfections, such as wrinkles, or dull and dry skin, are notoriously common and affect almost everyone, regardless of lifestyle. Most of these problems are caused by our body producing less collagen as we age.
Fortunately, skin issues have also become very easy to treat nowadays. Scientists and specialists in aesthetic medicine have developed dozens of non-invasive therapies that can restore radiant, healthy-looking skin. Most of these treatments focus on how to increase collagen and elastin levels in your body.
Let’s look at how collagen helps the skin.
What is Collagen, and Why is it Important For the Skin
Collagen is a protein naturally produced by the body. It is found in our muscles, tendons, skin, ligaments, and bones.
It comprises almost 30-40% of all proteins and 70% of the dry skin mass.
Collagen’s Role in Maintaining Youthful & Healthy Skin
Collagen is what helps smoothen wrinkles, prevents skin from sagging, and gives it a youthful, plump feel. The protein strengthens the skin tissues, boosting its elasticity and allowing it to hydrate more efficiently. Collagen peptides are also thought to be a great source of antioxidants. This property helps protect the skin from free radicals.
At the same time, collagen stimulation is known to help certain wounds heal faster.
Unfortunately, every year after about the age of 20, our body starts to produce less of the protein. Some of the most obvious signs of collagen loss in face include:
Dry skin
Wrinkles and fine lines
Sagging or thinner skin
Appearance of sunspots
Sunburns that take a long time to heal
Top 5 Aesthetic Treatments to Boost Collagen Production
Several supplements on the market make the promise of collagen stimulation. However, very few non-invasive treatments are guaranteed to boost collagen production. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular procedures.
RF Deep Microneedling: Morpheus8
Radiofrequency microneedling is a popular procedure that helps boost collagen. It uses a combination of tiny needs and radio frequencies and can resolve various skin issues, from tightening the skin, acne scars to sun damage.
It is used for the face and virtually all areas of the body.
It is a minimally invasive procedure with zero downtime, so you can resume normal activities as soon as you return from the doctor’s office.
One of the most effective devices used in RF deep microneedling is Morpheus8. This device remodels dermal and subdermal layers of skin and tissue to promote collagen production. This procedure has no side effects, although some patients may experience mild bruising for 48-72 hours. Despite making deep punctures, Morpheus is safe for all skin types.
Are you interested in collagen treatments? Book an appointment at LA Beauty Skin Center.
Dermal Fillers: Sculptra & Hyperdilute Radiesse
Sculptra and Radiesse are two popular dermal injectables, or injectable implants that aim to create a smoother or fuller facial appearance. Hyperdilute Radiesse is simply Radiesse that has been diluted with a combination of saline and Lidocaine.
Over time, both Sculptra and Hyperdilute Radiesse are known to increase collagen production. But there are some differences between the two fillers.
Sculptra injections use Poly-L-lactic acid as its main ingredient, while Radiesse uses Calcium hydroxylapatite. Sculptra requires a few more sittings than Hyperdilute Radiesse, and results may take a little longer to show results. But to make up for that, the effects of Sculptra may last for about a year longer.
Both treatments are easy to carry out, are relatively side-effect free, and are known to boost collagen production. The effects are not permanent, however. While Hyperdilute Radiesse and Sculptra are some of the longest-lasting injectables — up to two years — patients will have to undergo routine procedures.
Want to learn more about other dermal filler options? Or are you looking for Juvederm in Los Angeles? Get in touch with LA Beauty Skin Center for more information.
Microneedling
If you’re wondering how to restore collagen in the face, microneedling may be the solution.
A microneedling procedure works similarly to Morpheus8 but doesn’t use radiofrequency to generate heat and the needles don’t go as deep. Instead, it involves creating tiny superficial punctures, or wounds, along the skin with the help of a special pen.
This, in turn, can promote collagen production. Microneedling is best known as an affordable collagen treatment for the face, although it can be used on other parts of the body as well.
Also called collagen induction therapy, this cosmetic procedure helps deal with acne, scars, stretch marks, and sun damage. It typically takes about 30 minutes per sitting, and the effects are usually seen after 4-6 treatments. Microneedling is a cost-effective procedure, and results can be seen up to five months after one round of treatment.
PDO Thread Lift
There are different types of PDO threads: smooth, twist and barbed. The barbed PDO threads are injected to produce lifting effect, the twist threads provide a subtle volume in deep wrinkles, whereas the smooth threads – to promote collagen production in the areas of the face with skin laxity, wrinkles and lines.
A thread lift is a procedure in which an expert uses a dissolvable suture to tighten the skin. It differs from traditional facelifts as it does not require invasive surgery and produces more subtle results.
Polydioxanone (PDO) threads are one of the three most commonly used materials in this procedure. These ultra-fine barbed invisible threads are inserted into your skin to pull the skin tissue back. They naturally break down within 6-8 months.
Apart from smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines, a PDO thread lift also leads to collagen stimulation in the area.
It leaves no scars or cuts and is a virtually painless procedure. In some cases, side effects can include mild inflammation or slight bruising.
Depending on the age of your skin, the effects of a PDO thread lift can last anywhere from one to two years.
While some experts may recommend avoiding extreme exercise or sleeping on your side for a few days, there is no downtime associated with this procedure.
Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment
Also known as the Vampire Facelift, the platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy leverages the healing properties of your own blood to stimulate new tissue growth and give your skin a more youthful appearance.
During this procedure, a medical professional will first draw out some of your blood and pass it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. This PRP is then injected back into the skin, which can improve the skin’s texture and increase collagen production.
Since PRP therapy uses your own blood, the side effects are minimal. Those with certain blood clotting disorders and kidney disease are strongly advised against the treatment.
A full treatment generally involves three sittings every four to six weeks. Once complete, the effects — including collagen stimulation — can last up to 12 months.
Conclusion
In between RF microneedling procedures and PRP treatments, there are several non-invasive therapies that can reverse skin aging and promote collagen production. If you’re looking for the best medical spa in Los Angeles to figure out which treatment is right for you, Contact LA Beauty Skin Center today.