If you missed my last post, Anti-Aging Part One: The Truth About Collagen, here is a recap. Collagen is a protein produced by the human body. It is in the bones, tendons, muscles and skin. Collagen is also in abundance when we are young, but starts decreasing around age 25. In order to produce and maintain collagen it is very important to consume adequate amounts of protein, because your body needs amino acids in protein to produce collagen. A diet rich in antioxidants (vitamins E, C and beta-carotene) B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and zinc also play an important role.
If you can not get the nutrients and supplements you need to maintain and produce collagen there are other alternatives.You can actually trick the body into producing collagen by visiting a board certified plastic surgeon for procedures like fillers, platelet rich plasma, and radio frequency procedures. I interviewed Dr. Ramtin Kassir in New York City about these latest non-invasive alternative ways to produce collagen.
Karim Orange: How has your profession evolved in procedures of the last 20 years?
Ramtin Kassir: Over the last 20 years plastic surgeons have come up with number of ways to help you look better. In the past, plastic surgeons used to inject beef into the face. That didn’t go over well or last very long. Now we use things like hyaluronic acid which is naturally found in the body. They are basically supported in a sugar gel. Think of it like this: If there is an area of your face that is like a wrinkled prune, this injectable plumps it up to make it a full prune. Even when the injectable wears off, it tricks the body into producing more collagen in that area, so you are still better off.
K.O What about the popular Vampire Facial?
R.K: The medical term for this is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). We basically take your own blood (from your arm), and place it in a machine that spins it. In doing this we extract just the plasma from the blood. When you inject your own plasma back into the face it creates an amazing collagen reaction.
K.O: What about other techniques such as micro-needling and radio frequency?
R.K: Radio frequency is a technique that uses energy to heat tissue and stimulate subdermal collagen production. This helps diminish the the appearance of loose skin. Micro-needling or collagen induction therapy (CIT), and percutaneous collagen induction (PCI), is a minimally invasive procedure that involves a device containing fine needles. The skin is punctured to create skin injury (controlled) The wound you’re creating helps to produce collagen (like body building when you break down the muscle, to help it repair stronger).
K:O: Any final words on protecting the collagen you have?
R:K: Take sun exposure seriously, and protect yourself (SPF, hats). Sun plays a big part in breaking down collagen. Imagine if your skin is like 600 thread cotton. After a few years in the sun, it would break down to 200.
Stay tuned for part three of this series, as we explore the platelet rich plasma procedure.
Dr. Ramtin Kassir is a prestigious New York City board certified plastic surgeon. According to ABC News Dr. Kassir is one of the top plastic surgeons in New York City.