Reversing Collagen Loss: 4 Treatments That Can Work Wonders for Your Skin

If you’re hearing a lot these days about collagen, there’s a reason: The medical community is learning more about the role this protein plays in your skin’s appearance, as well as your joint health. 

Collagen production naturally decreases as you get older, and there’s only so much of it that you can get from diet and supplements.

When your collagen levels are decreasing, you may notice that your skin looks older and has less elasticity. Your cheeks may also look more sunken. Our providers at eleven19 Medical Spa explain more about four treatments that can work wonders for your skin.

How you can tell if your collagen is decreasing

There aren’t any blood tests that measure your collagen levels. But you can tell that your collagen levels are on the decline if any of the following apply to you:

• Skin on your face is wrinkled, crepey, or sagging
• Hollowing around your eyes
• Shrinking, weaker muscles
• Stiffer, less flexible tendons
• Joint pain or osteoarthritis
• Loss of mobility due to stiffness or joint damage

When these symptoms apply to you, it’s a safe assumption that your natural collagen is decreasing.

4 facial treatments that can help

When you’re facing decreased collagen, you don’t have to settle for dealing with the effects it has on your skin. Fight back with the help of these facial treatments.

Vivace™ radiofrequency microneedling

Vivace radiofrequency microneedling, as the name suggests, combines the benefits of radiofrequency with microneedling. During microneedling, we create micro-tears in the surface layer of your skin using a tool that has tiny, thin needles.

Radiofrequency is a form of energy that gently heats the deeper layers of your skin. This simulates an injury to your skin, which triggers the production of collagen to repair your skin. This also causes the cells and skin to tighten, which makes your skin look more youthful.

Lumenis® NuEra Tight™

The Lumenis NuEra Tight procedure is another form of radiofrequency treatment. It can help your skin look smoother and tighter. The radiofrequency wave gently heats the skin, which stimulates collagen production.

The results aren’t immediate: You should expect to have about four treatments with Lumenis NuEra Tight. If you are pregnant, heat-sensitive, or have tattoos or piercings, ask before pursuing this treatment.

IPL photofacial

Intense pulsed light or IPL photofacial uses light energy that passes through the upper layer (epidermis) of your skin to reach the dermis layer. The melanin in your skin cells absorbs different wavelengths of light, which can eliminate freckles, rosacea, and sun spots.

This process naturally renews your skin, and it takes about 6-12 weeks for the results to appear. Your skin produces new collagen as you heal. Depending on your other skin goals, such as whether you have rosacea or skin discoloration, you may need more than one treatment.

Ultherapy®

Ultherapy is an FDA-cleared procedure that directs high-frequency sound waves to lift and tighten your skin. These sound waves can stimulate production of collagen and smooth your skin.

It’s an effective alternative to surgery if you want to avoid the side effects and recovery time of surgery but would like tighter, smoother skin. You may need more than one treatment session, and it may take 2-3 months to see the full results.

If you notice the effects of aging, you can do something about it now, and it won’t even require anything as invasive as surgery. Contact us at eleven19 MedSpa today at one of our three Southern California locations in Santa Ana, Fullerton, or Ontario.