Does Collagen Help Hair & Is It Good for Growth? (Benefits Here!)
Are you tired of dealing with thin, dry, or brittle hair? If so, you're not alone. According to the American Hair Research Society, approximately 50% of women experience hair loss by the age of 50, and many more struggle with breakage and brittle strands. If you've been looking for solutions, you've probably come across collagen, a protein that's been getting a lot of buzz lately. But does it really work for your hair, or is it just another overhyped and expensive trend? 1
We know that collagen is a big deal in some serious skin care products and supplements, but what exactly is it, and how can it benefit your hair? In this article, we'll dive deep into the science behind collagen and its potential to promote healthy hair. We'll also share tips on how to incorporate collagen into your routine to get the best results for your hair. So, let's get started and discover the benefits of collagen for hair growth and health!
More helpful reading: Does collagen help hair
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and it's essential for maintaining healthy skin, bones, and joints. Collagen plays a crucial role in scalp and hair health, too. As we age, our bodies get slower at replenishing cells and our collagen levels decline, leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, thinning hair, and brittle nails.
You can get more collagen in your body through oral supplements or by incorporating collagen-rich foods into your diet. You can also apply it topically to the hair and scalp through hair care products and masks. The benefits of collagen for hair are significant, and incorporating it into your beauty routine can lead to stronger, healthier, and more beautiful hair.
More helpful reading: https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/collagen-definition
5 Benefits of Collagen for Hair
So how exactly does collagen help hair? Let's take a closer look:
1. Collagen Helps Hair Growth
Studies have shown that collagen supplements can significantly enhance hair growth. This is because collagen contains amino acids that are necessary for the production of the protein keratin, which the body needs to create hair. When you take a collagen supplement or ingest collagen foods, your body breaks the collagen proteins down into amino acids, and these amino acids can then be used to build new proteins like keratin. 2
Additionally, collagen can help improve blood circulation to the scalp and hair roots, which in turn promotes better hair growth. This is because increased blood flow to the hair follicles brings vital nutrients and oxygen that your hair needs to grow strong and thick. As a result, consuming collagen contributes to faster hair growth and healthier hair.
2. Collagen Strengthens Hair Strands
Collagen can help strengthen your hair strands by improving their structure and elasticity. When hair strands are exposed to damage from factors like sun exposure, heat styling, and chemical treatments, they can become weakened and brittle. This can cause hair breakage and split ends.
Collagen works by binding to the hair strands and forming a protective barrier around them. This barrier can help prevent damage from external factors and keep the hair strands strong and healthy. Additionally, collagen helps to improve the overall structure of hair strands by increasing their diameter and improving their elasticity. This can lead to more resilient, thicker hair that's less prone to breakage.
3. Collagen Boosts Hair Thickness
Since collagen helps hair grow faster by providing the necessary building blocks (amino acids) for hair growth, it also helps you get thicker, more luscious hair. When collagen levels in the body are sufficient, hair follicles can produce stronger and thicker hair strands. Additionally, collagen can help thicken existing hair strands, which can give hair a fuller and more voluminous appearance.
Even better still, collagen's natural antioxidant properties help fight free radicals that can cause hair follicle damage and contribute to hair thinning. By protecting the scalp from oxidative stress, collagen plays a key role in promoting hair follicle health and it can sometimes help prevent hair loss, too. 3
More helpful reading: How to get thicker hair
4. Collagen Improves Hair Texture
Collagen can help improve hair texture, reducing problems like frizzy hair and split ends. Because it helps strengthen your hair and promote hair growth, it can help to reduce split ends and breakage – resulting in smoother and more manageable hair.
Collagen can also improve the texture of hair by increasing its moisture content, reducing frizz, and making it hair feel softer and smoother. This is because collagen helps to hydrate the scalp and hair follicles, which can prevent dryness and breakage.
5. Collagen Supports Scalp & Hair Follicles
Collagen is an essential protein that helps to support your scalp and hair follicles. Although collagen only makes up a small amount of the hair shaft, it plays an essential role in hair follicle health. Collagen serves as one of the key building blocks of your hair follicles, providing the necessary proteins for growth and regeneration. Additionally, collagen helps to promote skin elasticity, which is essential for a healthy scalp.
Collagen also has natural antioxidant properties that help to fight free radicals, which can cause hair follicle damage and slow down hair growth. Collagen boosts blood flow to the scalp, which is essential for delivering vital nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles, promoting their health and regeneration. Incorporating collagen into your hair care routine can help to support the healthy growth of your hair by promoting scalp health, hair follicle regeneration, and protecting against free radicals. 4
More helpful reading: How to treat dry scalp
How to Use Collagen For Your Hair
Whether you're battling dry, frizzy, or thinning hair, collagen can help. It's even great for perfectly healthy hair if you want a little boost. Here's how to use it:
Collagen Supplements
Whether you want to use collagen for hair growth, to improve your hair texture, or to support a healthy scalp, the easiest and most effective method is to take a hydrolyzed collagen supplement. Taking collagen supplements on a regular basis can help the rate at which your hair grows, as well as hydrating and strengthening your hair and skin – it can even help reduce brittle nails!
Hydrolyzed collagen supplements are usually available in capsule, liquid, or powder form. When you consume them, they get broken down into smaller peptides in your digestive system. These peptides then get absorbed into your bloodstream and distributed throughout your body, including your scalp and hair follicles. Once they're absorbed, these collagen peptides can provide the building blocks your body needs to produce its own collagen, which can help support your hair's health. Put simply, collagen supplementation can help your body get better at producing collagen.
Taut Liquid Collagen Drink is our best and most powerful collagen supplement. Each serving is packed with 13 grams of marine collagen peptides – a powerful dose that will quickly boost the collagen levels in your body to boost skin elasticity, stave off free radicals, and promote healthier hair. It also has multivitamin qualities, as it's packed with supporting ingredients like vitamin C, grape seed extract, elastin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramide to boost your hair, skin, and nails from all angles.
Collagen Hair Products & Masks
Collagen hair products work by delivering collagen directly to the hair and scalp. This helps to strengthen and nourish hair strands, promote hair growth, and improve overall hair health. Collagen hair masks, in particular, are highly effective at providing a deep conditioning treatment that helps to repair damaged hair and restore its natural shine and luster. Collagen hair products also typically contain other beneficial ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, and essential oils, that work together to provide a comprehensive solution for hair care.
However, it's important to note that topical collagen products may not be as effective as supplements. This is because the collagen molecules in topical products are often too large to be absorbed through the skin and reach the hair follicles. Also, if you're only applying a collagen mask to the hair shaft, and not the hair roots, it's unlikely that the collagen will be able to effectively boost collagen levels in your body overall.
On the other hand, collagen supplements are ingested orally and can be broken down into smaller molecules that can be better absorbed by the body. Taking collagen in the form of supplements is truly the best way to support your body's natural collagen production and help support your hair from the inside out.
Learn more about collagen masks here.
Collagen-Boosting Diet
Aside from supplements and products, you can also get more collagen into your body through your diet. Unfortunately, the only foods high in collagen are animal and fish byproducts like bone marrow, fish skins, and gelatin – which aren't always so appealing! But luckily, you can still support collagen production in the body with a healthy, balanced diet (without having to eat fish eyeballs). Here are some foods that are rich in collagen, amino acids, or other ingredients that promote collagen production in the body:
-
Bone broth: This is one of the best sources of collagen. Bone broth is made by simmering bones (chicken, beef, or fish) for several hours, which releases collagen, amino acids, and other nutrients into the broth.
-
Meat: Animal products such as beef, chicken, and fish contain collagen. Try to choose cuts that are high in collagen, such as beef or chicken on the bone.
-
Fish: Fatty fish, like salmon, are great sources of collagen because they are high in omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids, which help stimulate collagen production in the body.
-
Eggs: Egg whites are a good source of proline, an amino acid that is important for collagen production.
-
Berries: Berries like blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries are high in vitamin C, which is essential for collagen synthesis and can combat free radicals too.
-
Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are high in vitamin C, which helps your body produce collagen and staves off free radicals.
-
Leafy greens: Vegetables like kale, spinach, and broccoli are high in antioxidants that help protect collagen in the body.
While eating collagen-rich foods is helpful, it may not be enough to meet your daily collagen needs. That's why collagen supplements are recommended to support your diet and help provide the best benefits for your hair and skin health.
More helpful reading: Best food for anti aging
Collagen & Hair FAQs
Can collagen supplements prevent hair loss?
While there's no miracle cure to prevent hair loss, collagen certainly can help! As discussed earlier, collagen is an essential component of healthy hair growth and helps to maintain the structure of hair follicles. Hair loss can occur due to a variety of reasons, including nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, stress, and genetics. While collagen supplementation may not be a cure-all for hair loss, ensuring that you have enough collagen in your diet can help support hair growth and prevent age-related hair loss or hair loss caused by nutrient deficiencies.
Additionally, collagen can help reduce inflammation in the body, which can contribute to hair loss. Chronic inflammation can damage hair follicles, leading to hair thinning and loss. Collagen's natural antioxidant properties can also help fight free radicals that can damage hair follicles.
It's important to note that hair loss can have many underlying causes, and collagen supplementation may not be the only way to treat hair loss. It's always a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional if you are experiencing hair loss to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Which is better: topical collagen or collagen supplements?
Taking collagen supplements is far more effective than using a topical collagen product, no matter what your goal is. Topical products struggle to be effective because collagen molecules are way too big to be effectively absorbed through your dermis and into your bloodstream where they're needed. Collagen first needs to be broken down into nano-sized molecules called "peptides" through a process called hydrolysis, and even still, it's less easily absorbed via your skin than it is via your digestive system.
When you consume hydrolyzed collagen supplements, the peptides can enter your bloodstream almost immediately via your digestive system, and they get to work much more efficiently.
How much collagen should I take per day for hair growth?
There isn't a definitive answer to the question of how much collagen to take, as there is no standard dosage for collagen supplements for hair growth. The recommended dosage may vary depending on the brand and form of collagen supplement you're taking. However, most studies suggest taking a daily dose of at least 2.5 grams of hydrolyzed collagen peptides to see the benefits for hair growth and overall health. For best results, we recommend collagen supplements with doses of 10 grams or higher.
Which type of collagen is best for hair?
There are a few types of collagen found in collagen supplements and products:
-
Type 1 collagen is the best type of collagen for your hair and your skin. It accounts for about 90% of the collagen in your body, and it's the type your body needs for strong skin – so it's the best type for scalp and hair-related issues too.
-
Type 2 collagen is good for your joints, but it's not as good for hair. That said, it can still provide several amino acids which may help boost keratin production in the body.
Overall, you should choose collagen supplements containing type 1 collagen if you want to see results for your hair, skin, and nails.
Does bone broth give you healthy hair?
Bone broth is often touted as a good source of collagen and amino acids, which are beneficial for hair health. It may help to strengthen hair strands and promote hair growth, as collagen provides the building blocks for hair protein. However, it's important to note that the collagen content in bone broth is primarily type 2 collagen (better for your joints, not great for hair or skin) and the dosage can vary.
It may not be enough to provide a significant boost for your hair on its own, and it shouldn't be relied upon as the sole source of collagen or other nutrients. Incorporating a variety of foods that contain collagen, such as fish, poultry, and leafy greens, can also help support healthy hair growth. For an even better boost, we recommend a collagen supplement.
More helpful reading: Bone broth & collagen
Which is better for hair: collagen or biotin?
Both collagen and biotin have benefits for hair, but they work in different ways. Collagen helps to strengthen and thicken hair, while biotin promotes hair growth and can also improve the texture of hair. It's not necessarily a matter of one being better than the other, but rather which one addresses your specific hair concerns. If you have thin or weak hair, collagen may be a better choice. If you're struggling with hair growth or texture issues, biotin might be more beneficial. In fact, some hair products even combine collagen and biotin to provide a comprehensive approach to hair health.
However, collagen is a more well-rounded beauty supplement that can help stimulate your hair follicles, promote scalp health, and fight free radical damage – it will strengthen your hair while also promoting smoother, younger-looking skin.
Let Your Hair Grow with Taut
If you want to harness the benefits of natural supplements to improve your hair, we recommend the Taut Anti Oxy Foxy Kit. It contains a three-week supply of our two best supplements for hair:
-
Taut Liquid Collagen Drink – Our luxurious collagen supplements with premium marine collagen peptides, elastin, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, grape seed extract, and ceramide designed to hydrate and strengthen your hair and your skin.
-
Masquelier French Pine Bark Extract – Nature's most powerful antioxidant can combat the free radical damage that so often causes thinning hair and hair loss. French Pine bark can help boost circulation in the body, protect against oxidative stress, and eliminate toxins to promote healthy hair.
So whether you want to combat dry, frizzy hair or combat harsher issues like thinning hair or hair loss, the Anti Oxy Foxy Kit contains everything you need to get back on track.
Psst! You can save up to 15% on Taut products when you sign up to our auto-ship service:
https://www.renewskinco.com/collections/auto-ship-service
References:
