Plump, thick, elastic skin has been the pinnacle of beauty for decades. If you’ve ever wished for thicker skin, it might be time to change your skincare routine and implement the necessary lifestyle changes.
When we turn 25, our collagen production begins to decline. Collagen and elastin are the key proteins responsible for the thickness of our skin. If you’re wondering how to thicken your skin, then you need to increase collagen production.
Although thinning skin is a part of the aging process, there are things we can do to minimize damage and reduce photoaging. Here’s everything you need to know about how to make skin thicker once and for all.
Why Do You Have Thin Skin?
And we’re not speaking metaphorically. To fully understand how to thicken your skin, we must first examine what causes thin skin. There are a variety of factors, most of which are related to photoaging.
Lifestyle Factors
As we will discuss further, one of the leading causes of thin skin is certain lifestyle factors. Smoking, skipping sun protection, eating unhealthy food, and never exercising can exacerbate the photoaging process, leading to thinner skin.
Engaging in these practices can increase your risk of aging prematurely. If you’re wondering how to make skin stronger and thicker, avoid overeating sugar and refined carbohydrates, lessen your alcohol consumption, and incorporate a workout into your daily routine to improve skin health.
Aging
Chances are if your skin is thinning, it is probably because of aging. As mentioned earlier, as we age, collagen and elastin production begins to decline. Although we can’t turn back the hands of time, an anti-aging routine can help target core concerns, such as thin skin.
Incorporating a retinoid into your routine and diligently wearing sun protection can improve skin firmness and elasticity. Since the aging process is one of the leading factors in collagen loss, using products that stimulate collagen production aids facial skin thickening.
Sun Exposure
When it comes to how to thicken skin naturally, one of the best things you can do are avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen. Prolonged sun exposure breaks down collagen and elastin, resulting in thin skin. The UV rays accelerate the aging process.
Ensuring your skincare routine contains SPF is crucial for maintaining and aiding skin thickness. Without sun protection, your products can’t work effectively, and your skin is left vulnerable to the effects of the extreme heat of the sun.
Genetics
Unfortunately, we can’t fight genetics, which plays a huge role in collagen production. Some people are more prone to thin skin, fine lines, and wrinkles as they age. Even with a proper skincare regimen, if you still notice that your skin is thinning, it could be genetics.
As mentioned, defending and protecting your skin against environmental aggressors and UV rays is one of the most foolproof ways to fight photoaging. Even if your genetics work against you, using antioxidant-rich skincare and sunscreen can aid your fight against thin skin.
Smoking and Pollution
Over the years, numerous studies have shown that smoking and pollution can accelerate aging and ultimately thin the skin. While quitting smoking and moving away from pollution can’t reverse existing damage, it can prevent further damage.
Smoking reduces circulation and decreases blood flow, resulting in dry skin, sagging deep wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Pollution increases inflammation within the skin. When inflammation occurs in the skin, it can accelerate the aging process.
Medication
Certain medications can cause skin thinning. Aspirin, blood thinners, and topical and oral steroids have been known to thin the skin over time. This is why it’s vital to use supplements, creams, and products to thicken skin and aid collagen production when on certain medications.
If you’re concerned about skin thinning with certain medications, talk to your doctor and address any concerns you may have.
Menopause
Menopause is something every woman goes through at some point in their life. As hormone levels become unstable, it can cause the skin to thin and become dry. Although it is a natural process, it can be disconcerting to those experiencing it. However, with the proper routine and self-care, these can be mitigated. In addition, if you’re worried about the effects of menopause on your skin, consult your doctor.
How to Build Thicker and Stronger Skin
It all starts with the proper skincare routine when it comes to how to make skin stronger and thicker. Improving collagen production requires diligent effort. In addition, in-office treatments can help as needed. While we can’t eliminate existing damage, we can thicken the skin through the following best practices.
Moisturize Daily
Our skin barrier is responsible for shielding our epidermis against harsh environmental aggressors. Photoaging can rapidly develop without a strong skin barrier, leading to thinner and weaker skin. Therefore, you need to build a skincare routine that focuses on improving moisture levels.
Moisturizing daily helps improve skin barrier function. With Infusoderm, our ultra-lightweight moisturizer uses antioxidant-rich caffeine and cloudberry to protect against pollution and oxidative stressors. Snow algae, marine botanicals, help the skin adapt to harsh climates and fight free radical damage. Within the first four weeks, 89 percent of women saw a significant reduction in dullness and dryness.
Laser Treatments
If your skincare routine isn’t delivering your desired results, it might be time to consider laser treatments. The heat and light excreted can help stimulate collagen production, ultimately thickening the skin.
Infuse Your Skin With Vitamin C
Vitamin C works as a powerful antioxidant and can help with collagen synthesis. It’s been proven to thicken the skin over time. Do apply vitamin C products during your AM skincare routine to reap the benefits of this powerhouse ingredient.
Topical Treatment Products
If you’re wondering how to tighten facial skin in addition to thickening, retinoids and exfoliating acids can help to stimulate collagen synthesis. Retinoids work by boosting collagen fibers within the skin, while exfoliating acids (such as alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids) help speed up cell turnover.
Microneedling
Another popular in-office treatment is microneedling. It works by pricking the skin with tiny needles to help heal and repair itself, increasing collagen production. Microneedling has been proven to be incredibly effective against visible signs of photoaging, scarring, and hyperpigmentation.
Dermal Fillers
While dermal fillers can not thicken the skin, they can help improve facial volume and sagging caused by thinning skin. Dermal fillers, a purely cosmetic procedure, provide long-lasting, assured effects for thinning skin.
Tips to Prevent Thin Skin
Thin skin is all about prevention, as are most skin concerns. Here are our top tips for preventing thin skin:
Quit Smoking
As previously mentioned, smoking can greatly reduce circulation and blood flow, necessary for our skin to retain thickness. Although we can’t reverse existing damage, quitting smoking can help improve skin function and increase collagen production.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise boasts numerous benefits, but especially for your skin. When we work out, we rid ourselves of toxins, improve blood flow, and release endorphins. Less stress and fewer toxins can help drastically improve skin function. The result? Glowing, healthy skin from the inside out.
Apply SPF30 Daily
Wearing SPF protects you from skin cancer and the visible effects of photoaging. The UV rays can drastically diminish collagen production, resulting in thinner skin. Applying Dermaxsol, a hydrating daily moisturizer with SPF30 reduces the risk of photoaging.
Wash Your Face Gently
Washing your face is incremental in your skincare routine. It removes dirt, bacteria, oil, and product buildup. Hence, with improper cleansing, skincare products won’t work optimally, and it can make us suffer from breakouts.
However, just as it’s important to wash your face diligently, it’s also vital to use a gentle cleanser. It ensures your not tugging or scrubbing your skin abrasively, which can damage the skin barrier. A gentle cleanser, like our Dermpura Skin Balancing Cleanser, can help wash away makeup and impurities without damaging the skin barrier.
FAQs: How to Thicken Your Skin
Can thin skin be made thicker?
Yes, skin can be thickened with the proper skincare routine and products. Vitamin C, retinoids, and exfoliating acids can all help stimulate collagen synthesis. If you want to thicken the skin further, consider in-office treatments like microneedling or laser treatments.
Does collagen thicken skin?
Collagen is one of the structural proteins when it comes to our connective tissues. The intake or application of collagen does not guarantee an increase in collagen production. The skin can only be made thicker by using ingredients that activate collagen fibers.
Key Takeaways
Our skin is our largest organ, and it’s only appropriate to show some extra TLC. It works hard to protect us, so protecting it against external aggressors is only fair. Investing in products that stimulate collagen production, making necessary lifestyle changes, wearing sunscreen, and maybe opting for in-office treatments can help thicken the skin. Here at Solvaderm, we believe skincare is self-care with dermatologist-backed, natural solutions.
Melissa Feldman
Melissa Feldman lives in Toronto, Canada and works as an independent research writer. She has undergraduate degrees in both Teaching and Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Immigration. Melissa is skilled at writing compelling articles and producing academic, marketing, and creative content. She writes about a range of lifestyle topics, including health, fitness, beauty and nutrition. She has more than two decades of experience reviewing and editing publications intended for both public and professional audiences.
