You’ve probably heard of collagen in relation to skincare, but what about hair health? Well, we are here to tell you that collagen does indeed have a role to play for having healthy hair! From hair strength to hair follicles and more, we are ready to share with you the 411 on collagen and hair growth.

Collagen: What is it?

Collagen is a vital protein that our bodies produce naturally. It can be found in all our collective tissues including skin, tendons, joints, muscles, organs and even blood. It is such an essential protein that our bodies literally cannot function without.

Collagen is responsible for many things. Being a structural protein, it provides structure, strength and elasticity to our hair, skin, and nails. In short, collagen truly does help us look and feel our best.

Unfortunately as we age, our collagen naturally begins to decline, which creates difficulties and problems for us. This is why collagen supplication has become so popular.

Collagen and Hair Growth

Most people are very aware of the benefits for skin aging thanks to the beauty industry, but collagen impacts so much more than skin when it comes to our health. Being full of amino acids, collagen supplements help us to maintain healthy hair affecting hair follicles, hair growth, and more as we get older.

Here is just a taste of what collagen can do for your locks: 

Boosts Essential Amino Acids

For healthy hair, our bodies need certain amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of healthy hair follicles, and collagen is a great source of these essential nutrients. By taking collagen supplements, we can ensure that our bodies have the amino acids needed for healthy hair growth.

Keeps Hair Thick & Lush

Yes it’s true, collagen can assist with keeping our hair thick and lustrous. That’s because collagen is a key structural protein that helps to give our hair its strength and elasticity. 

Since collagen also works to protect the scalp from damage and to keep hair follicles hydrated, your hair has the best foundation for being healthy when you keep your collagen levels balanced.

Prevents Damage to Hair Follicles

Just like with our skin, collagen is a structural protein for our hair, keeping hair follicles strong, elastic and hydrated. With less collagen, hair follicles weaken and become susceptible to damage which results in thinning hair and actual hair loss.

Keeps Grays at Bay

We know our collagen synthesis is impacted as we age, which leads to many aging signs, but does this include gray hair?

Well, we have established that you need collagen to have healthy hair so it stands to reason that having less natural collagen production, the overall health of your hair will indeed be impacted.

Your hair health determines the pigmentation of your hair. Poor hair health means more gray. To slow the graying down, adding collagen supplements may be the wellness boost your hair needs.

Maintains Moisture

When it comes to hair, collagen helps to keep the strands hydrated by binding moisture to the hair follicle. This is due to the fact that collagen fibers are hydrophilic, meaning they actually attract and hold water molecules. This is especially important in preventing split ends and protecting against damage from heat styling and coloring.

Collagen Supplements: What Are They?

There are many different types of collagen supplements on the market today. Some are made from the bones and connective tissue of animals, fish, and shellfish while others are made from plant-based sources. Bovine and marine collagen supplements are the two most popular types of collagen supplements.

You can find your supplements in different forms: powdered, capsule, and liquid. No matter which form you choose, they all contain the collagen peptides needed for boosting collagen levels and the building blocks necessary for our body to be stimulated into making even more collagen.

It also should be mentioned that the beauty industry has many collagen enhanced products from serums and creams to shampoos, conditioners and more for topically enhancing the health of our skin, hair and nails.

All of these forms of supplementation along with a healthy, balanced diet, exercise and sleep work together to provide the best defense for aging well.

What Is The Best Collagen For Hair Growth? 

Not all collagen is created equal. Different collagens target different issues. So how does one decide which collagen is best for hair growth? We are here to help you make an informed decision as to which one is the best for this concern.

Hydrolyzed Collagen 

One of the most popular types of collagen for hair growth is hydrolyzed collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen is a type of protein that has been broken down into smaller peptides making it easier for the body to absorb. Hydrolyzed collagen is highly soluble.

Not only will you find hydrolyzed collagen in supplement form but this type of collagen is often used in specific hair growth shampoos. 

Collagen Peptides 

Collagen peptides are a way to supplement the collagen that our bodies are no longer producing. Collagen peptides are small fragments of collagen that are easily absorbed by the body. Once absorbed, they help to stimulate new collagen production, resulting in thicker, healthier hair.

These peptides also help to protect the follicles from damage, making them an ideal treatment for those seeking to improve the health of their hair.

Marine Collagen 

Another type of collagen that is often considered to be the best for hair growth is marine collagen. This type of collagen is derived from fish, and it’s rich in nutrients that are essential for healthy hair growth.

Marine collagen is also easily absorbed by the body, making it more effective than some of the other types of collagen. It will help to improve the elasticity of the hair, which prevents breakage and promotes faster growth. 

Keep in mind that should you have a seafood or shellfish allergy, marine collagen will most likely not be suitable for you.

More Health Benefits Of Collagen Supplementation

Now that you know that collagen supplementation is good for healthy hair, let’s touch on some of the other many health benefits that collagen supplements are known to provide.

Skin Health

As collagen supplements replenish the body’s supply of this vital protein, here are just some of the health benefits for our skin health:

• structure
• elasticity
• firmer/smoother skin
• new cell growth (keeps skin looking youthful and radiant)
• hydration
• reduce inflammation
• promotes wound healing

Strong Nails

Taking collagen supplements affects the strength of our nails. Because collagen is a structural protein, our nails need enough of it for strength. If our collagen levels drop our nails become weak and prone to damage.

Keeping our collagen levels increased through both diet and supplements keeps our nails hydrated which means they are less likely to become dry and brittle and as a result, less likely to break.

Healthy Joints

Though our joints are incredibly strong and durable, they are not indestructible. Over time, the cartilage that cushions your joints can begin to break down, leading to pain and stiffness. This breakdown is often a result of inflammation, which can be triggered by everything from arthritis to injury.

Collagen plays a vital role in maintaining the health of our joints. It helps to keep the cartilage strong and flexible, while also reducing inflammation. 

Collagen peptides are also able to stimulate the production of new collagen fibers. Those new fibers help to keep our joints healthy and prevent further damage.

Gut Health

Did you know that collagen protein actually makes up the lining of our gut? When we supplement with collagen, we are providing our bodies with the building blocks it needs to repair and strengthen the lining of our gut. This can help to improve gut health by reducing inflammation, leaky gut syndrome and other digestive health concerns. 

Ensuring we have enough collagen in your body also helps to increase the production of stomach acid, which is very important for digestion. 

How Much Collagen Per Day Should I Take For Hair Growth? 

So, when it comes to hair growth, collagen is indeed a very essential nutrient. It provides the raw materials needed for strong, healthy hair, and helps to promote new growth. But how much should you take per day?

The recommended dosage of collagen for hair growth is 10-15 grams per day. This can be taken in the form of a supplement, obtained through a diet of collagen-rich foods such as bone broth, fish, and leafy greens or better yet, a combination of the two.

Along with collagen, other important nutrients for hair growth include biotin, vitamin C, and iron. By including these nutrients in your diet or supplement regimen, you can be sure that your hair will be as strong and healthy as it can be.

The Bottom Line

Well, now you know what the experts say about collagen and hair growth. Ready to begin collagen supplementation? Be sure to find a quality collagen supplement and preferably one with amino acids for maximum benefits. 

Not quite sure how to tell if it’s a quality product? Check out our Health BLOG and collagen product page. Not only will you find up to date resources but you will also find the best of the best quality supplements guaranteed to help you age your best! 

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