7 Expert-Approved Ways To Get Tighter, Firmer Skin & More Collagen

“When thinking about the skin in layers and what causes skin aging over time, we examine from the bottom up what levels of the face get affected by aging,” board-certified dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care Kseniya Kobets, M.D. tells mbg.

As you age, the volume in your face may slowly lose volume around the bones of the cheek, forehead, temples, and jawline. “This is our infrastructure or scaffolding that holds up the fat, collagen, and skin,” Kobets says. 

“When this diminishes, it causes hollowness of cheeks, under eye, and temples but also the lower part of the face begins to sag and droop in the jowls or marionette lines,” she explains. The latter marionette lines refer to the vertical lines around the mouth. 

As you begin to age, sagging skin is inevitable, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare Ellen Marmur, M.D. tells mbg. “But other factors such as diet, sun exposure, and sleep deprivation can contribute to it,” she adds. 

All of this to say: Aging skin is a natural process that cannot (nor should be) avoided. However, there are external factors that contribute to accelerated skin aging. What’s more, these factors like lack of sleep, smoking, chronic stress, etc. aren’t good for the health of your skin nor your body. 

Summary:

As you age your face may lose volume around the bones of the cheek, forehead, temples, and jawline due to a lack of collagen and elastin. While skin aging is natural, lifestyle factors can contribute to accelerated skin aging. 

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Now that you know why skin begins to sag, let’s dive into the best ways to tighten the skin. All of the points below are not only ideal for treating already-aged skin, but also essential for preventing accelerated aging. 

So keep these in mind whether you’ve begun to notice sagging skin or not. 

1.

Use a microcurrent tool. 

Summary

Microcurrent tools work by sending electric currents to the skin that stimulate collagen and elastin production. These tools also help strengthen the muscles under the skin, which can prevent sagging. Be sure to use your microcurrent tool consistently for the best results. 

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2.

Add collagen to your daily menu. 

“Collagen is what gives our skin a tight and taut look, but as we age we begin to lose natural collagen,” board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine Jeannette Graf, M.D. tells mbg. 

One way to boost your natural collagen production is through collagen supplementation. However, not all supplements are created equal. “While there may be some truth to collagen supplements stimulating collagen production, it’s important to not skimp on quality when buying collagen supplements,” Graf emphasizes. 

She recommends looking for hydrolyzed collagen peptides. While collagen research may be somewhat new, most of the promising results have been seen with this form of collagen supplement. 

More specifically, the research shows that these collagen peptides are able to support skin elasticity and dermal collagen density1. What’s more, “Amino acids in collagen supplements might increase hydration levels in the skin,” Graf adds. Here’s a list of the very best collagen supplements, all backed by a nutrition Ph.D. if you want to start looking.  

Summary

Ingesting hydrolyzed collagen peptides daily can help support your natural collagen production. This directly contributes to skin aging and sagging, as collagen is what makes the skin tight to begin with. 

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Gua sha, also known as jade scraping, uses a small stone scraping tool to increase circulation. While this is certainly a worthy benefit on its own, this practice may also help with skin aging. 

One study showed that facial rolling—which lends a similar effect to gua sha—for only five minutes a day improved blood flow to the face2, resulting in better skin quality and smoother skin over time. In another, patients claimed feeling tighter, more supple skin2 after regular massages. 

However, gua sha is not a one-and-done kind of practice—you must be consistent to see results. Plus, using this tool is not necessarily intuitive, so you should take a few minutes to learn how to use your gua sha before touching it to the skin. 

For a quick breakdown of best practices and to learn more about why gua sha works, check out this story. 

Summary

Research shows that using gua shas or face rollers can improve blood flow in the face which results in better skin quality and smoother skin over time. Plus, consistent use may contribute to tighter, more supple skin. Be sure to use your gua sha or jade roller daily for the best results. 

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4.

Microneedling treatment.

Microneedling is essentially the process of pricking the skin with tiny, sterilized needles. When these needles pierce the skin, the create tiny punctures. 

"This ultimately leads to the triggering of our body's wound-healing process and the release of growth factors that stimulate cell regeneration and the production of collagen and elastin," board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, M.D., FAAD once told mbg.

As you now know, triggering collagen and elastin production is the goal when it comes to rejuvenating the skin and making it more tout. 

Kobets notes that microneedling is another worthy investment for skin tightening—however, it should be done by a professional, not at home. DIY-style dermarollers can be dangerous and difficult to use correctly. Plus, you’ll see greater results when you visit a professional for this treatment as their needles pierce deeper into the skin. 

Not to mention, in-office microneedling tools are often used in conjunction with other methods like LED light therapy (more on that in a bit)—this means you’ll get even more benefits like improvement in tone, texture, etc. 

Summary

In-office microneedling tools create tiny punctures in the skin. This triggers collagen and elastin production, which can make the skin appear more firm and improve skin tone and texture. 

Topical retinol serums and creams are another option for reviving sagging skin. "Retinol binds to retinoid receptors within skin cells," says board-certified dermatologist Zeichner once  said. This "activates genes that upregulate collagen production," he added.

This effect was observed in a small human study, where retinol treatment stimulated collagen production3 in mature skin, helping decrease the appearance of wrinkling. 

Retinol comes in many forms, with over-the-counter and prescription-grade products available. Depending on your unique skin type and goals, you may be a candidate for stronger prescription products, but you’ll have to consult your dermatologist first. 

If you want to start using retinol ASAP, opt for one of these expert-approved retinol serums and use it in conjunction with a hydrating routine to prevent dryness and irritation. You may even opt for the skin cycling method, using retinol every few days—you can read all about that here.

Summary

Retinol stimulates collagen production which can make the skin appear tighter. What’s more, retinol can also treat some forms of acne and improve skin tone, texture, and increase glow. 

6.

Invest in an LED light therapy device.

LED light therapy devices are one other approach. "There are some studies evaluating the use of red light therapy for increasing collagen and potentially elastin production as well with a demonstrable increase in collagen density," board-certified dermatologist Erum Ilyas, M.D., MBE, FAAD said about the devices.

In fact, one study found that patients receiving red light therapy on their face twice a week for 30 total sessions experienced improved skin complexion4, skin tone, skin smoothness, and collagen density (as measured with an ultrasonographic test).

In fact, the study included some before-and-after pictures4, which are pretty impressive. A possible explanation for the role of red light therapy on collagen production is because of the photobiomodulation mechanism. "This means that the light stimulates different pathways in cells that can trigger different outcomes," Ilyas explained.

Kobets agrees, stating that there is “robust science-based evidence for the LED devices that incorporate red light and infrared to stimulate collagen in the convenience of your own home.” However, you’ll want to do your own research to find a trustworthy device—here are a few A+ options to get you started. 

Summary

Red light therapy can improve skin tone, texture, and collagen density. Some devices can be gimmicky, so do your research to find trustworthy options to make your investment worth it. 

Sleep is often overlooked in the beauty space, but it’s vital to maintaining healthy skin at any age—and research backs up this claim. 

Losing sleep increases cortisol (the stress hormone), which can break down collagen over time—research has demonstrated a link between shut-eye and collagen production5, which is why many experts consider sleep a vital part of any "anti-aging" skin routine. 

So do your best to get a full 7-9 hours of sleep when you can. If you need some tips to fall asleep faster and get better quality sleep, this guide is for you. Plus, check out our favorite natural sleep aids.

Summary

Sleep is essential for healthy skin at any age. In fact, research shows that getting adequate sleep is correlated to maintaining healthy collagen production which, as you know, directly contributes to tighter skin. If you want to know more about why sleep is so essential for skin health, check out this beauty sleep breakdown. 

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