The coveted prize of youth: Collagen. 

Oh, for the good old days when regardless of what you did or did not do for your skin, you woke up with firm smooth skin. Granted there may have been a few blemishes, but that collagen was there ready to repair and regain the buoyancy your skin naturally possessed.  

As time passed, that golden ticket became torn and tattered. Lines began to show up. Spots that were once adorable freckles took on lives of their own and became a daily project to camouflage. We can be proactive by implementing habits that help counteract the deterioration of collagen. You may not be aware of everyday things that are contributing to the degradation of your skin. Lifestyle habits that are harmful and increase collagen breakdown include: 

Unprotected sun exposure UV damage reaches deep and causes photo aging. This process happens as the damaging rays of the sun that activate enzymes that dismantle collagen. Over time, this constant over exposure compromised the skin, causing premature aging in the form of lines, wrinkles, and sunspots. Not to mention the potential for skin cancers. One common fallacy is that sun exposure is beneficial to acne. In fact, unprotected sun exposure weakens collagen, which leads to the formation of deeper scars and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), the pigmented marks left behind on the skin after a bout with acne. 

Smoking is a fast track to aged skin. The chemicals present in tobacco promote the formation of free radicals, which damage collagen and compromise skin elasticity. Even secondhand smoke can cause oxidative stress. 

Stress can result in poor sleep, depression, and chronic fatigue, all of which can cause Cortisol levels to diminish. 

Diets rich in sugar Glycation is a process where sugar molecules bind to proteins that lead to collagen fibers becoming stiff and fragile.  

Overprocessing the Skin Getting overzealous with anti-aging products can backfire leaving your skin without a healthy skin barrier. When this barrier is stripped away by overuse of AHA’s and exfoliants, skin is left vulnerable, resulting in redness, inflammation, and dryness. 

Time to Correct and Protect Countering these culprits is a matter of developing positive habits from the onset or leaving behind ones that are not supporting good skin health. Visiting an aesthetician who can advise you on skincare products and treatments that work with your skin type, as well as your lifestyle and budget. Gold standard ingredients include retinol, vit C, niacinamide, peptides, and the wonder working of them all- SPF! 

Treatments such a micro needling have regained popularity recently. The process of tiny hairline needles penetrates the skin to cause a controlled trauma, resulting in collagen stimulation over the course of a series of treatments. Lasers are another useful resource for stimulating collagen as well. For at home use, red light therapy, when used consistently, shows significant improvement in refining the texture of the skin. 

From an internal perspective, hormone testing can help resolve any imbalances that can affect your endocrine system. Simple saliva tests for adrenal functions are done at home under the direction of your provider will reveal if your cortisol levels are in good standing. 

Consulting a provider experienced in natural hormone replacement therapy can help with issues such as adrenal fatigue, cortisol and hormonal imbalance that can help both the integrity of your skin but also your everyday wellbeing.