Collagen is a long, fibrous protein that together with elastin and soft keratin forms the connective tissue, forming the support network for your skin.

It’s directly responsible for elasticity and strength, and the aging process reflects collagen breakdown, when your skin begins to sage and lose tone.

Cosmetic Doctor offers a huge variety of proven collagen stimulating treatments, and it’s also important to augment these treatments with diet and lifestyle to slow down the appearance of aging.

Help Rejuvenate your Skin

DO NOT SMOKE. If you already smoke, the best thing you can do for your skin is to quit. Nothing ages your skin quite as fast as smoking.

Alcohol has a similar effect, so be mindful of how many units you consume a week.

There are very specific nutrients that work to protect the existing collagen in your skin, and there are nutrients that actually stimulate collagen regrowth in your skin.

Consuming foods that protect collagen, whilst providing nutrients to build new fibres, is the ‘inside-out’ approach and will help you maintain your skin long-term.

Collagen-Friendly Diet

Cold water fish, such as salmon, sardines, cod, mackerel, and tuna are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that keep skin soft and supple. Eating three to four ounces at least twice a week gives you good amounts of these essential fatty acids. Flax seed oil daily works as well.

Garlic contains sulphur, which helps your body produce collagen. Garlic contains taurine and lipoid acid, which support damaged collagen fibres. Make garlic a regular component of your meat dishes, stews, beans, soups, ethnic meals, and pasta.

Tomatoes are rich in the antioxidant lycopene, which inhibits collagenases, the enzymes that destroy collagen. While many foods have higher nutrient values when they are eaten raw, tomatoes actually contain greater amounts of lycopene when they are cooked. Enjoy liberal doses of stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, marinara sauce, and spaghetti sauce.

Vitamin C: Collagen-Boosting Supernutrient

Vitamin C is critical for collagen production in the skin; that’s why fruit and vegetables are always recommended as part of a healthy diet.

Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit are good sources of Vitamin C, as are-believe it or not-hot chilli peppers. Blackcurrants, bell peppers, dark leafy greens like kale-all great sources of this super vitamin.

Call Cosmetic Doctor on 01 685 3100 or see the informative website on www.cosmeticdoctor.ie