- Remember the sunscreen. UV rays do a great deal of harm to our dwindling collagen, and the depletion of this vital protein doesn’t need any help. Anytime you go outdoors, be sure that your skin is protected with broad-spectrum sunscreen. Talk with your esthetician about products that are best suited to our mountain environment; SPF moisturizer may not be enough to slow the breakdown of collagen in the face of UV damage.
- Go to the Tube. There are certain skin care products that encourage collagen rebuilding. Retin-A is an example. Even over-the-counter retinoids can do your skin a lot of good as you face collagen loss. Again, your esthetician can help you determine the product-strength that you need during your current stage of life.
- Non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Men and women of all ages are learning that they can manage a youthful appearance even as collagen fibers naturally degrade. One way to do this is with injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers. Some products, including Sculptra, are also capable of encouraging new collagen formation.
- While there are several technologies today that tout skin-tightening abilities, none quite measure up to the surgical face lift. Dr. Fante performs full face lifts or endoscopic mid-face lift procedures. Depending on the severity of laxity, a facelift may be maximized by including a neck lift, as well.
We lose skin firmness for several reasons, but most boil down to good old collagen. While science has yet to discover a way to keep collagen strong forever, it has developed systems for minimizing the breakdown of this substance and for mitigating its loss.
Would you like to address sagging skin? Call the Denver office of facial cosmetic surgeon Dr. Fante at (303) 839-1616.
