Taking collagen may improve the health of your scalp and hair, but there isn't much objective evidence that it will result in hair growth for everyone who takes it. Other potential collagen benefits include improvements in the health of skin, joints and bones.
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.
However, research on the impact of collagen on hair thinning is unavailable. Since collagen protects the layer of skin that contains hair roots, it may help prevent age-related hair loss and thinning — but research on these effects is currently unavailable.
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.
No direct, randomized clinical trials have shown sound evidence that collagen helps with hair loss. Most studies have been undertaken by companies that sell collagen supplements themselves. Therefore, most studies on collagen for hair loss have shown weak data or strong bias.
So which supports hair growth more: collagen or biotin? Based on scientific studies, it seems that collagen has a better claim to improving the condition of your hair. However, both can actually be used together for well-rounded nutrition and countless health benefits, aside from promoting hair regrowth.
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.
How Much Collagen to Take for Hair. A general recommendation is for adults to consume between 1 and 3 servings of collagen protein powder daily, or about 10 to 30 grams of collagen per day.
A 2019 review of clinical studies published in Nutrients found that taking 2.5 – 15 grams of hydrolysed collagen peptides each day is generally safe and effective.
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.
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.
Both Biotin and Collagen support healthy skin, hair, and strong nails. Taking both together means you can reap the benefits as they naturally work together to deliver a powerful combination of vitamins and proteins to combat hair loss and maintain supple skin along with other health benefits.
As such, no matter your goal for using collagen, it will take at least 8 weeks to experience noticeable results ( 6 ). Most studies use a minimum of 8 weeks to assess collagen's effects on skin health and joint pain relief, but other studies use longer periods, such as 12 months, for bone health ( 9 , 14 , 22 ).
Many people think taking care of their skin should start when they begin noticing the signs of ageing; however, research suggests that the best time to start is much earlier than we think. The good news is that it is never too late to revitalise damaged skin.
Some research has found that taking daily collagen powder could help make your bones denser, slowing the aging process that makes them brittle and helping your body to produce new bone. Skin elasticity and hydration. Collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity for older people.
Some studies show that taking collagen supplements for several months can improve skin elasticity, (i.e., wrinkles and roughness) as well as signs of aging. Others have shown that consuming collagen can increase density in bones weakened with age and can improve joint, back and knee pain.
Collagen supplements have been shown to increase the body's hair building proteins, which can result in longer, thicker hair. Collagen may help reduce the appearance of gray hair by supporting the healthy structure of the hair follicle (where the pigment that gives hair its color is produced).
If you take too much collagen, it can throw off the balance of amino acids in your body and lead to side effects such as headaches, digestive issues, and fatigue. Additionally, some people may be allergic to collagen or have an intolerance to it.
Marine Collagen, sourced from wild-caught fish, has more collagen type I than bovine collagen and is better for hair regrowth. Aim to take between 5 - 10 grams of collagen per day. Collagen supplements that come in capsules usually contain significantly lower amounts of collagen and are less effective.
I don't recommend taking collagen – there's no evidence that it stops hair from thinning or promotes regrowth.
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.
Incorporating collagen into your daily routine can help restore your follicles and encourage your eyebrows to grow faster, longer, thicker and stronger.