When you are looking for ways to improve your skin, collagen is one of the most important nutrients you can take into account. Collagen is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity and density. It also helps keep skin healthy and free of wrinkles. So if you want to achieve a more youthful appearance, taking in enough collagen is essential. However, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to getting more collagen. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Eat Foods that Contain High Levels of Protein
You want foods that contain high protein levels, such as eggs, fish, chicken, beef and other meats. These will provide you with collagen-building amino acids. As long as these foods are lean, they won’t add extra calories or fat weight. This is ideal for those who are trying to lose some weight. You don’t need to make drastic changes to your diet because adding this type of food will give you the results you seek.
Add Some Omega-3s to Your Diet
Eating foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids will positively affect reducing inflammation. The omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation over time. They have been found to support overall good health. Fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, tuna, trout and cod all contain lots of omega 3s – so make sure that you include them in your diet every day. Make sure that your fish intake meets the minimum recommendations.
Drink Green Tea
If you drink green tea regularly, you could benefit from having higher collagen levels in your body. Green tea has powerful antioxidants which help fight cell damage. When there is less damage, your cells repair themselves faster. This allows you to maintain better skin tone, texture and glow without any effort. If you haven’t tried drinking green tea before, begin by starting with 1 cup per day. Gradually increase your consumption until you reach 2 cups at least five times each week.
Get Regular Exercise
Exercise improves circulation and boosts energy throughout your body. This leads to better blood flow, which means that your skin receives an improved supply of oxygen. Better blood flow keeps the skin radiant and glowing. This allows you to look happier and healthier. Try exercising daily to see how effective exercise is for you. Collagen rebuilds the skin by helping to eliminate toxins and water retention. This makes it easier for new collagen to form.
Quit Smoking
Smoking damages your skin immediately. Even secondhand smoke can cause dryness, cracks and breaks in existing skin tissue. Although quitting smoking does not guarantee that you won’t end up with scarred tissue, it is still worth doing. Studies show that smokers tend to develop prematurely aged skin. Their skin appears wrinkled and leathery compared to nonsmokers, who tend to appear younger.
Exfoliate Your Skin
This process removes dead skin cells that clog pores. Doing this two times or three times a week reduces the number of bacteria that reside on your skin. Cleaning out your pores doesn’t require much work. Just use exfoliation products that remove dead cells. Try using baking soda mixed with honey. It’s easy to apply, smells great, and works very well for cleaning away debris.
Use A Vitamin Supplement That Contains Proline
This supplement helps enhance collagen formation and prevent further degradation of already damaged tissues. Take it once a day to get optimal benefits. Look for one that contains 500 milligrams per serving. Such vitamin supplements are available online and at most pharmacies. Be sure to test any product against other similar ones first.
Consider Using Botox To Treat Wrinkles
It’s actually possible to inject collagen under wrinkles to plump up the area and smooth out lines and creases. Some people choose to do this as part of their cosmetic treatments. Others prefer botulinum toxin injections because they don’t affect surrounding muscles. Botox involves injecting the toxin directly into targeted facial muscle groups. Only experienced practitioners should administer such injections. These injections usually last between four months and six months. You may need multiple sessions depending upon the severity of your wrinkles.
Eat Plenty Of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are nutrients that reduce free radical damage and help protect your skin from aging. They include carotenoids like beta-carotene and lutein; vitamins A, C and E; zinc; selenium; and phytochemicals like flavonoids. These may all be found in fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, beans, whole grains, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and dark chocolate. The best sources are leafy greens and red and yellow fruits and vegetables. Consider taking a multivitamin every day. Choose one containing plenty of antioxidant-rich fruit or vegetable extracts. Remember to take antioxidants along with protein. Too much of any particular element — whether it’s iron, vitamin B3, folate can result in toxic levels. Avoid eating too many nuts since their oils contain saturated fats. Also, ask your doctor before taking supplemental forms of vitamin D. Vitamin D has been linked to some health risks, including cancer.
Drink Water
A healthy diet without adequate fluids isn’t good for the skin. Your body needs adequate amounts of fluid to keep itself properly hydrated. When you are dehydrated, your skin looks duller and less elastic. It becomes puffy and sags. To stay hydrated, drink eight glasses of water each day. If you do not have enough time to start drinking water early in the morning, try to consume an additional glass upon waking up.
Reduce Stress & Maintain Good Sleep
Stress depletes your natural ability to produce collagen. It also raises blood pressure which puts added strain on your heart and circulatory system. Lack of sleep causes your body to release cortisol which weakens skeletal muscles and weakens bones. While stress is unavoidable, how well you deal with it affects your overall appearance. If possible, limit the amount of stress you experience by avoiding caffeine after lunch. Try to relax daily by meditating, exercising, sleeping seven hours (or more) a night. This reduces your chances of developing wrinkles and sagging skin over time.
Avoid Stressful Situations
When stress occurs, adrenaline raises cortisol levels in your body. Cortisol causes your body to store excess fats. When you feel stressed out, try to avoid negative situations. Seek ways to manage your emotions in stressful moments instead of letting them control you. Learn how to let go of things you cannot change and focus only on what you can do now.
These tips will help you achieve radiant skin. If you are concerned about changes occurring in your skin, consult your dermatologist before beginning any new treatments. However, the steps outlined above should provide the results you desire when used together.
