Does Collagen Help Hair? What the Science Says

Hair is one of the most important parts of our appearance — even simply changing our haircut or hairstyle can affect how people see us. However, despite how much we may treasure our hair, our bodies don’t feel the same way.

When we experience nutritional deficiencies, stress, or hormonal fluctuations, our bodies prioirtize the health of important parts like our heart, brain, and digestive system. Unfortunately, this means our hair is often the first place we’ll see the effects.

Many people try to combat this by taking supplements to support their hair. One of these supplements is collagen. Read on to learn more about collagen, how it can support hair health, and other lifestyle changes you can make to encourage healthy, shiny hair.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a a structural protein that is made from amino acids, mainly glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. This protein can be found in our connective tissues, eyes, cartilage, ligaments, blood vessels, intestines, and hair. In fact, collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body.

Even though collagen can be found pretty much everywhere in the body, it’s most famous for what it does in the skin. Collagen can be found in the dermis, which is the middle layer of skin, where it plays a major role in skin elasticity.

However, our natural collagen production tends to decline with age. As our collagen levels decrease, we also tend to experience an increase in wrinkles, joint pain, and stiffness. Many people choose to take collagen supplements in hopes of addressing these symptoms.

Can Collagen Help Hair?

Many supplements marketed for hair, skin, and nail health feature collagen as a main ingredient. This is because collagen is one of the major proteins that are found in hair. One of the other rmajor proteins found in hair is keratin, which is made from one of the same amino acids as collagen. 

When we eat foods that contain collagen, our bodies break it down to its basic building blocks, which our bodies then use to make other proteins as needed. Since keratin and collagen share proline, taking collagen supplements may actually help support hair health. Collagen peptides may also support the hair growth phase.

It’s important to consider what type of collagen you’re taking as well. There are many forms of collagen, but type I collagen is the most common type found in hair.

That said, there’s still a lot of research to do before scientists can confirm collagen’s benefits for hair. The health benefits of collagen for skin are much more documented. For instance, taking collagen can support skin health and even minimize visible skin aging, making it an important part of any anti-aging skincare routine.

How To Use Collagen To Support Hair

Collagen supplements come in all shapes and sizes. For instance, you can find collagen powders, capsules, gummies, and more. You may also find collagen peptides, which are collagen proteins that have been broken down to make them easier to digest.

You can also find collagen peptides in our Mushroom Coffee+. Our blend also features high-quality mushroom extracts to support focus and immunity, L-theanine to encourage feelings of relaxation and mental focus, and coffee extract to support alertness. You can enjoy this as a functional coffee or even blend it up in a smoothie for added nutrition.

Side effects of collagen are very rare, but if you notice any discomfort after taking a collagen supplement, it’s best to talk to your doctor before you take any more. Additionally, collagen isn’t a treatment for conditions like alopecia. These conditions require personalized medical care and oversight from a board certified dermatologist.

How Else Can You Support Healthy Hair?

Taking collagen is one way you can support hair that feels and looks healthy, but there are also many other methods you can try on top of taking collagen. Here are a few other ways you can encourage bright, shiny hair.

Eat a Balanced Diet

This may seem simple, but eating a balanced diet is truly one of the best ways to get a healthy glow in both your skin and hair. Make sure you eat an adequate amount of protein, plenty of healthy fats, and a healthy amount of carbs. 

It’s also importatnt to make sure you get plenty of antioxidants, which can be found in many fruits and veggies (as well as in our mushroom coffee). Antioxidants can neutralize the effects of free radicals, which can cause widespread damage if not stopped. These antioxidant properties don’t just support a healthy appearance — they can actually help maintain your health for the long term.

Another way you can adjust your diet is by prioritizing hydration. Make sure you drink enough water each day and get enough electrolytes. Drinking bone broth is a great way to get some extra electrolytes — plus, bone broth contains lots of collagen and gelatin, which can also support hair health.

Try Rosemary Oil

Scientific evidence has shown rosemary oil to be as effective as prescription medication at increasing hair growth and decreasing hair loss. This oil works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, which can decrease hair thinning.

If you apply rosemary oil, you can even give yourself a little scalp massage. This has also been shown to strengthen hair, increase hair growth, and prevent breakage.

Wrapping Things Up

Collagen is a protein that can be found all over the human body. While it’s mostly found in connective tissue, digestive organs, and skin, it can also be found in the hair. Taking collagen can help support healthy hair, as well as encourage smooth skin.

If you’re looking to add a little collagen to your daily routine, try our Mushroom Coffee+ or our Mushroom Matcha+. These blends feature the benefits of collagen as well as functionall mushrooms and nootropics. To learn more about our ingredients and why we chose them, visit the Everyday Dose blog today.

Sources:

https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/collagen/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25842469/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740347/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624001269

https://healthmatters.nyp.org/can-collagen-supplements-really-reduce-signs-of-aging/