The goal to thicken your dermal layer might seem a little unusual. But it is a critical beauty practice and something that every model understands. That’s because dermal thickness – the width of the skin barrier – is critical for looking youthful and vibrant.
There’s a common misconception that people don’t have any control over dermal thickness, but that’s not true. It turns out that it’s something that’s malleable throughout life and something you can change with the right habits and approaches.
But what do you need to do to thicken your dermal layer? Here’s everything you need to know.
Reduce Stress
Being stressed all the time, as you might guess, reduces the thickness of the dermal layer. That’s why people with challenging work lives and relationships tend to look more exhausted than those who don’t.
The good news is that reducing stress is something entirely within your control. You can work on it right now and eliminate it from your life. Most bloggers recommend meditation and yoga. But the most powerful approach is to simply let stress pass you by.
Add Retinoids To Your Skincare Routine
Another approach to thickening the dermal layer is to use retinoids. These vitamin A-derived compounds cause a reaction in the skin that encourages it to recover and rejuvenate.
The clinically proven Retin-A is the most powerful retinoid on the market. However, even products you can buy over the counter can make a difference and they may be safer long-term. (There are worries that Retin-A is associated with early death).
When using retinoids, expect a little skin redness at first as your dermis adjusts to the products. You might also have some peeling for the first couple of months, but that’s nothing to worry about. Over time, you should notice that your complexion looks cleaner and smoother, almost as if your mirror was using a filter.
Get Microneedling
You can also try getting microneedling from a local med spa. Instead of using chemicals, this treatment relies on mechanically puncturing the skin to break up keloids, acne scars, and wrinkles.
It sounds strange, but the research backs the claim that it works. Technicians start by rolling a needle-studded roller over your face. This action punctures the skin in numerous locations, encouraging the body to send reparatory factors to the site requiring repair. These produce a hormetic response where the body more than compensates for the damage done, similar to exercise.
Microneedling can feel a little prickly during treatment. However, you only really need to get it done every six to twelve months or so, and many people find schedules like this helpful.
Do Weight Training
Incredibly, regular resistance training also seems to thicken the dermal layer. Athletes who exercise to bulk up often have skin with a younger structure.
Nobody is quite sure why this happens, but it is an observation in the fitness world. Athletes who focus on endurance sports tend to have thinner skin, but those who weight train regularly are more robust in this direction.
The good news is that you don’t need to spend all day in the gym. Just a couple of short sessions a week could be all it takes to improve skin quality overall.
Protect Your Skin
If you’re looking to increase dermal thickness, it’s also a good idea to protect your skin from the sun. Too much UV from tropical holidays in the sun can damage the collagen and elastin, causing it to grow back weaker in the future.
Most people with the best skin suggest avoiding going out between 10 am and 4 pm when the sun is most intense. You also want to apply sunscreen on cloudy days to stop residual light from getting through.
Use Peptides
Another treatment you could try to thicken your dermal layer is peptides. These work by stimulating growth factors in the skin that upregulate collagen production.
Using peptides in combination with other therapies could be even more productive. Therefore, if you decide to go for treatment, ask if you can combine it with this strategy.
Minimize Anything That Could Break Down Dermal Thickening
You also want to avoid doing anything that could prevent your dermis from thickening. For instance, smoking and alcohol are well-known for breaking down collagen in the skin and making it look thin and lifeless. Working too long can also have adverse effects, particularly if your job stresses you out.
Try skipping these harmful behaviors for a couple of months and see if you can notice a difference in your skin. You should hopefully see an improvement in the way you look and how you feel, too, which can encourage you to carry on with your new and healthier habits.
Eat A Collagen-Nourishing Diet
Another approach is to eat a collagen-nourishing diet. You want to consume foods that are more likely to support your skin.
Don’t just focus on individual nutrients like vitamin A or C. Instead, look for foods that are proven to improve human skin outcomes. Things like sweet potatoes and leafy greens are always good to add to the diet, and they can have profoundly positive effects on your skin. Citrus is also good for stimulating collagen production and thickening the dermal layer.
Talk To Your Derm
Of course, if you’re really serious about thickening your dermis, you should talk to your derm. Getting a skin doctor to provide you with advice can help you adopt the right strategies. This way, you can avoid taking detours and get the skin you want faster.
Be Realistic
Don’t expect your skin to transform, even if you do all of the above perfectly. A certain amount of damage is locked in, so you won’t suddenly start looking 22 again.
With that said, you can track your progress. Taking pictures of yourself in the mirror every couple of weeks can help a great deal.
Remember that results will vary. Some people respond strongly to lifestyle changes and start enjoying their new complexion after just a couple of weeks, while for others, it takes considerably longer.