Collagen for Hair Growth and Hair Thickness

 

Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment. 

Collagen is a protein abundantly found in the body and is used as a popular hair growth supplement. This amazing protein helps make up and repair tendons, ligaments, bones, muscles, hair, and skin. Collagen is naturally produced in the body, but it can also be obtained from foods and supplements.

Some believe that collagen helps improve hair growth and thickness and prevent the greying of hair. But, does it really helps stimulate hair growth and allow you to get voluminous, thick, and longer hair?

Well, several studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of collagen on hair growth but more research is needed in this field. This article will give you detailed information on collagen's effects on hair growth and thickness.

What is collagen?

Collagen is a protein naturally produced in the body and helps in strengthening muscles, joints, bones, hair, and skin. It is made from amino acids like proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline which make up the framework of different cells and tissues. Collagen plays an integral role in various processes like cellular communication, tissue repair, and immune response.

At a young age, there is sufficient collagen in the body which supports the body to achieve thicker hair, stronger nails, and youthful skin. As the person ages, collagen stores begin to deplete impairing the fibroblast functions. Fragmentation of collagen along with loss of elastin results in signs of aging. It is, therefore, necessary to take collagen supplements to maintain stronger and thicker hair and youthful skin.

Is Collagen Effective for Hair Growth and Thickness?

It is purported that collagen supplements are the natural ways to thicken and strengthen your hair. It is because collagen provides the nutrition required for hair follicles and hair growth. Type 1 collagen made from amino acid proline is an ideal choice to improve skin elasticity and hair growth. This type of collagen found in marine and bovine sourced proteins is best for healthy skin and thickened hair.

How Does it Work?

Several studies showed that collagen provides nutrients essential for hair and skin health. It may improve hair thickening, prevent hair loss, speed up hair growth and boost hair and skin health.

Contains Amino Acids That Help Hair Growth

Our body needs essential amino acids to build new strands of hair and supplementing with collagen provides these amino acids to the body. Hair consists of a specific protein called keratin which is made up of essential amino acids. Some of these essential oils like proline are present in collagen and promote hair growth. Our body breaks collagen into these amino acids which help build new proteins.

However, human studies to evaluate the effects of collagen on hair growth are limited and need to be done.

Possesses Antioxidants That Protect Hair Follicle

It is believed that hair follicles play an important role in thickening hair and preventing hair loss. Several factors like poor diet, increasing age, sun exposure, and stress can damage hair follicles leading to hair thinning and increased loss.

A study revealed that the accumulation of free radicals on the skin and scalp resulted in damaged DNA and proteins, and increased hair loss. Thanks to the antioxidant potential of collagen that helps fight these free radicals and lower the risk of hair damage.

Can Improve Hair Thickness

According to studies, about 70% of the dermis is made up of collagen which is an abundant protein naturally found in the body. The dermis is the middle layer of skin where roots of the hair are present.

Well, collagen offers elasticity and strength to the skin and helps strengthen the hair. In older age, collagen production is decreased and cells in the dermis are not replenished well resulting in thinning of hair over time.

A study was conducted to compare the effects of collagen and placebo on skin elasticity and the results found that collagen was more effective in improving skin elasticity.

Another large study in 1000 individuals concluded that supplementing collagen for 12 weeks resulted in increased proteins that improve skin and hair health.

More research is needed in humans to examine the effects of collagen supplements on hair thickness.

Helps Strengthen the Hair

Studies concluded that supplementing collagen helps not only skin health but also provides strength to hair.  Collagen can fortify the skin, especially the dermis, the middle layer, which nourishes hair follicles and provides strength and elasticity to the hair.

Prevent Hair Greying

Hair greying may occur due to cell damage caused by the harmful effects of free radicals. In addition, genetics and aging also play a role in this process.

With age, the production of melanin pigment is reduced and the process of hair greying begins. Melanin-producing cells are also damaged by environmental factors, poor diet, and stress.

According to a test tube study, the antioxidant activity of melanin pigment-containing follicles was higher than those that did not contain melanin. Thus, collagen fights free radicals, prevents damage to cells that impart color to hair, and slows down the hair greying process.

How To Add Collagen to Diet?

Collagen supplements are available in pills, capsules, or powder form which can be easily incorporated into the diet. In addition to supplements, collagen can also be obtained from foods like bone broth which can be sipped alone or used as the foundation for soups.

 Moreover, vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, bell pepper, strawberries, and Brussels also increase collagen production in the body. Other collagen-rich foods may include chicken, eggs, beans, nuts, salmon, and leafy green vegetables.

Collagen powder can be used in smoothies, coffee, and hot and cold drinks.

Possible Risks Or Side Effects

Collagen supplements are usually safe to use and no serious side effects are reported in moderate dosage. However, some people may experience digestive problems like heartburn and stomach upset.

Bottom Line

Collagen is a protein naturally found in the body and promotes hair health. Our body breakdown collagen into amino acids which help build new hair strands and promote growth. In addition to hair growth, collagen also helps improve hair thickness, prevent hair loss and slow the greying of hair.  However, more human studies are needed to evaluate the effects of collagen on hair growth and hair thickness.

Here you can check out Vorst’s Salmon Collagen 200mg and Advanced Joint Formula with Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM Collagen Vitamin D3 1000mg.

 

 References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201279/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0079642515000596

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26574302/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26912707/

https://www.derm101.com/inflammatory/embryologic-histologic-and-anatomic-aspects/collagen/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206255/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15036274/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24033376/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2929555/