by Rachael Wojcik, FNP-C
As we naturally age, collagen production in our bodies decline, elastin fibers weaken, and the skin loses thickness and strength. In women, this process often accelerates as estrogen levels decrease, further impacting overall skin integrity. However, what we’re experiencing isn’t just surface aging, it’s a loss of structural support within the skin.
This is where treatments that support collagen production have become an important part of how we approach aging skin. A product that I often use in my practice is called Radiesse, a calcium hydroxylapatite-based injectable made from the same material that makes up our bones.
Radiesse provides some immediate structural support, but more importantly, it stimulates your body’s own collagen production over time. The calcium-based microspheres act as a scaffold within the tissue, signaling fibroblasts to produce new collagen. As the product is gradually metabolized, what remains is your body’s own natural collagen, helping to improve skin thickness, firmness, and overall texture over time.
What makes this approach unique is that the change is gradual and looks very natural. Patients often notice that their skin feels stronger and more supported over the months following treatment, rather than seeing a sudden or dramatic shift. It also allows us to address areas where skin thinning is more noticeable, such as the lower face, neck, chest, hands, and other areas of the body.
As our understanding of skin aging evolves, so does the way we approach treatment. Supporting collagen and dermal integrity is becoming a central focus, not just for how the skin looks, but for how it functions over time.
