Based on different studies, it appears that the better supplement recommended to combat thinning hair and maintaining hair health is biotin over collagen. It's far superior in terms of topical absorption and can be absorbed from many foods as part of a healthy, varied diet.
Whether you're looking to strengthen your hair, skin, or nails, collagen is the way to go. If you're deciding between biotin and collagen, remember that you can get the full benefits of biotin through foods, but you can only get the full benefits of hydrolyzed collagen in a collagen supplement.
By taking both Collagen and Biotin it can have a significant impact on the appearance of your skin, show an improvement in hair loss, weak nails, and others. So If you are looking to improve both your nails and skin, it's a great plan to take both biotin and collagen.
For healthy hair and stronger nails, there is a natural alternative to biotin — silica.
Since hair grows out of your skin, the potential of collagen to counteract the effects of skin aging may contribute to better hair growth and decreased thinning.
Is it OK to take biotin and collagen together? Yes, it is ok to take biotin and collagen together. Collagen supplements and biotin supplements are both safe supplements and in some cases may actually complement each other with their benefits involving your hair and nails.
Type 1 collagen from marine or bovine sources is the best option for hair and beauty-related needs because it is the richest source of essential amino acids like proline that can not only thicken hair, but also reduce hair loss and accelerate the speed of hair growth.
Vitamin A
And vitamin A is essential for your cells to grow, which, in turn, helps your hair grow. Your skin glands also benefit from vitamin A, using it to produce sebum. The sebum (oil) keeps your scalp moisturized and keeps hair healthy. But don't overdo it with vitamin A, as too much can cause hair loss.
So how long does it take for collagen to start working? Tangible results for skin, hair and nails are seen in as soon as four weeks. And with consistent, daily supplementation, the best results are achieved from 12 weeks.
Hair and nails: Participants in studies often saw enhanced nail strength and thicker, more luscious-looking hair with 5 grams of collagen per day.
Not only does collagen help with hair loss, collagen also helps for hair growth! As we mentioned before, collagen can help to improve scalp circulation and deliver essential nutrients to the hair follicles. In addition, collagen can help to strengthen the hair shaft and prevent breakage.
Collagen is often recognized as a potent solution for thickening hair. It may reduce hair loss and boost hair health while also improving nail and skin health. Collagen's ability to boost skin elasticity also applies to your scalp.
Though its use as a hair and nail growth supplement is prevalent, research demonstrating the efficacy of biotin is limited. In cases of acquired and inherited causes of biotin deficiency as well as pathologies, such as brittle nail syndrome or uncombable hair, biotin supplementation may be of benefit.
Most of the websites touting biotin for hair growth recommend taking 2-5 milligrams (2,000-5,000 mcg) of biotin in supplement form each day, and many supplements are sold under the name Biotin 5000, indicating a 5000 mcg (5 mg) size.
The amount of biotin suggested for hair growth usually ranges between 100 - 1,000 micrograms (mcg) daily, but this number varies based on your body's reaction to biotin.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
Eating adequate protein is important for hair growth because hair follicles are mostly made of protein. A lack of protein in the diet has been shown to promote hair loss ( 2 ). Biotin is essential for the production of a hair protein called keratin, which is why biotin supplements are often marketed for hair growth.
Collagen supplements cannot cause hair loss, though too much collagen in the skin can cause another condition called scleroderma. While some collagen supplements can cause mild side effects depending on the patient, any hair loss is unrelated and can be symptomatic of a more serious issue.
The bottom line. There's no strong evidence to support using biotin for hair growth or to prevent hair loss in people without a deficiency. Because hair thinning and poor hair growth are sometimes associated with a biotin deficiency, correcting a deficiency can help restore hair growth in some people.