How to produce more collagen, get firmer skin, less sagging

AphroditesBrat

I am actually under 25, yet I am already seeing signs of aging from previous poor health. I look much older than I should for my age group and it has been giving me poor self-esteem and confidence. I was wondering if anyone has gone through something similar and managed to go through a transformation on their face via making better choices and restoring their appearances. I would love if someone who has experience could share with me their story and if anyone can give me advice on how to get through this and where I want to be.

AnnPT77

Your best bet IMO is going to be working toward a well-rounded balanced way of eating (adequate protein, adequate fats, plenty of varied/colorful veggies and fruit for micronutrients and fiber); getting adequate hydration; and adding a good exercise program (both cardiovascular and strength exercise are useful for appearance, and both worth doing for other reasons as well, but - just my opinion, no scientific proof - I think cardiovascular exercise will give quicker results for healthy skin because of improvement in circulation).

If you're losing weight now, maybe a few pounds down, and worried about sagging skin, I'd encourage you to hang in there. Many of us look a little worse skin-wise partly through weight loss than we will at goal weight, let alone how we'll look after a year or so at goal.

This is because residual subcutaneous "squishy" fat can conspire with gravity to keep skin stretched out during the weight loss process, and we need to lose more fat before the skin can start to shrink. Also, skin shrinkage tends to be slower than fat loss in general, even once it can start shrinking, so it takes a while to see what one's final appearance will be.

Please don't get discouraged on the way: Things will improve eventually as loss continues, and after some period of time at goal weight. (My skin kept shrinking well into year 2 of maintenance.)

Unlike you, I'm old (63), but did recently have someone refer to that arm/shoulder in my profile pic as "youthful" (LOL!). It's an older pic, but the arm is mine at age 60, not too long after losing nearly 1/3 of my body weight.

Best wishes!

AphroditesBrat

Thank you so much for your insight ;o; @AnnPT77
I will do my best to no be discouraged from the process.