Collagen for hair loss: What you need to know

Quick summary: Collagen for hair loss: What you need to know

• What is collagen, and how does it relate to hair health? Collagen is a key protein that supports healthy skin, hair, and nails. It combats oxidative stress, improves scalp health, and provides essential proteins needed for hair growth.
• How does collagen help prevent hair loss? By neutralising free radicals, collagen protects hair follicles from damage, and can also slow down thinning, greying, and shedding.
• Can collagen improve scalp health? Yes, collagen enhances skin elasticity and hydration, creating an ideal environment for healthy hair growth.
• What are natural ways to boost collagen levels? Consuming collagen-rich foods, increasing vitamin C intake, and following a protein-rich diet can help boost your collagen levels. 
• Are collagen supplements effective? Collagen supplements, especially marine collagen, offer a quick way to enhance levels and improve hair health, but consulting a healthcare provider is advised prior to taking. 
• Are there any side effects of collagen? Collagen is generally safe, but individuals with allergies or dietary restrictions should carefully check labels before use.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, providing structure and support to skin, hair, nails, joints, bones, and connective tissues. However, as we age, our body’s natural collagen production decreases, which can contribute to various signs of aging, including hair loss. Understanding the relationship between collagen and hair health can be beneficial for those experiencing thinning hair. In this article, we’ll explore the role of collagen in hair growth, its benefits, sources, and whether supplementation is truly necessary.

Role of collagen in hair health

Collagen plays several key roles in maintaining healthy hair:

1. Combats Oxidative Stress: Collagen’s antioxidant properties help neutralise free radicals that damage hair follicles, which can in turn help slow down hair thinning and greying. By protecting against oxidative stress, collagen ensures a healthier scalp and creates a better environment for follicle growth.​¹

Marine collagen is a type of collagen sourced from fish, typically from their skin. Studies have also shown that marine collagen, in particular, is highly efficient at neutralising various free radicals². This ability to combat oxidative stress may help protect scalp cells from damage that could contribute to hair loss and other skin issues, as well as prevent damage to cells responsible for hair pigmentation. This helps slow the greying process. 

While genetics largely control hair greying, environmental factors such as diet, stress, and pollution contribute to oxidative stress, which can damage melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, or pigment. Given collagen’s ability to neutralise free radicals, it may protect these melanocyte cells from oxidative damage, possibly reducing premature greying or slowing the aging-related process​.

2. Improves Scalp Health: Collagen enhances skin elasticity and hydration in the dermal layer, creating an optimal environment for hair follicles to grow³. This improved hydration reduces dryness and flakiness, which are common issues that can interfere with healthy hair growth​.

Studies show that collagen supplements improve skin elasticity and reduce signs of aging. For instance, an eight-week study found improvements in skin elasticity in women aged 35-55⁴, while a 12-week study showed increased collagen levels in the skin and a reduction in aging signs⁵. Since hair grows from the skin, collagen’s positive effects on skin health could also contribute to better hair growth. 

3. Enhance collagen synthesis of scalp: Collagen supplementation may enhance collagen synthesis in the scalp, reinforcing the structure of connective tissues and supporting overall scalp health. This process aids in forming and maintaining small blood vessels, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles. With better nourishment at the roots, hair shedding can decrease, and conditions for regrowth improve.⁶

4. Provides Amino Acids for Keratin Production: Collagen is critical for synthesising keratin, the protein that forms hair strands. Consuming foods rich in collagen may provide the necessary building blocks for healthy hair growth. ⁷

Collagen Deficiency and Its Symptoms

A deficiency in collagen can lead to a variety of symptoms that affect overall health and well-being. Common signs include: 

• Sagging or thinning skin, 
• Appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, 
• Loss of skin elasticity, leading to premature aging, 
• Joint pain and stiffness as collagen is vital for maintaining cartilage health and cushioning joints, 
• Brittle nails,
• Hair thinning, 
• Slower wound healing
• Muscle weakness or a decline in bone density, increasing the risk of fractures 

Maintaining adequate collagen levels through a balanced diet, proper hydration, and collagen supplements can help counteract these effects and support overall tissue health.

Natural ways to boost collagen levels

As explained earlier, incorporating collagen into your routine can be highly beneficial for hair health. One way to do this is through natural sources, which can provide the essential nutrients your body needs to support collagen production and improve hair growth.

 To enhance collagen production and improve hair growth, consider the following:

• Consume Collagen-Rich Foods: Bone broth, fish skin, chicken, and gelatin are excellent sources.
• Increase Vitamin C Intake: Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis. Citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens that contain Vitamin C can boost production of collagen.
• Maintain a Protein-Rich Diet: Eating foods like eggs, dairy, and legumes provide the building blocks for collagen production.

Collagen supplements 

Collagen supplements can be a useful addition when a balanced diet doesn’t provide sufficient collagen. They come in various forms, including collagen powders, peptides, and protein, each offering different absorption rates and benefits. Collagen powders are typically mixed with a drink, while capsules and tablets offer a convenient option for those on the go.

Collagen protein is made up of larger molecules, which means it takes longer for the body to digest and absorb. As a result, the effectiveness of the supplement may be slower, and a portion of the protein may go unabsorbed. In contrast, marine collagen contains smaller peptide molecules, which are absorbed more quickly by the body, making it a more efficient option for some individuals.

Before beginning any collagen supplementation, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure the supplement aligns with your personal health needs and goals. This precaution can help maximise the benefits of collagen while minimising potential risks.

Dosage 

The appropriate dosage of collagen supplements depends on the form you are taking and your specific health goals. Most collagen supplements come with a suggested daily dosage printed on the packaging. It’s important to note that the collagen content in these supplements can vary significantly between different products. Therefore, it’s essential to check the nutrition facts label to determine the exact amount of collagen in each serving. Always follow the instructions on the packaging or consult with a healthcare provider to ensure you’re taking the right dosage for your needs.

Side Effects

Collagen is generally safe for most individuals⁸; however, patients with specific food allergies, such as to fish or shellfish, should carefully read labels to ensure the collagen does not contain these allergens. Additionally, since collagen is derived from animal sources, individuals who follow vegetarian, vegan, Kosher, or Halal diets may wish to avoid it or seek plant-based alternatives. Always check the product’s ingredients to confirm it aligns with your dietary restrictions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, collagen potentially plays an important role in maintaining healthy hair by supporting scalp health, enhancing collagen synthesis, and providing amino acids essential for hair growth. While natural sources like bone broth and fish skin can boost collagen levels, supplements offer a convenient option when dietary intake is insufficient. Despite results from previous studies showing promise in collagen’s effectiveness for hair health, its use as a supplement should be treated with cautious optimism. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider before beginning supplementation to ensure it aligns with your specific health needs and goals. For more bespoke advice on how to look after your locks, get in touch with our friendly team at The Treatment Rooms London and we would be more than happy to guide you on your hair care journey.  

References

1. Pappelbaum, K.I. et al. (2024) ‘Revealing novel insights on how oral supplementation with collagen peptides may prevent hair loss: Lessons from the human hair follicle organ culture’, Journal of Functional Foods, 116, p. 106124. Available at:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624001269#ab005. 
2. Wang, B. et al. (2013) ‘Isolation and characterization of collagen and antioxidant collagen peptides from scales of Croceine Croaker (pseudosciaena crocea)’, Marine Drugs, 11(11), pp. 4641–4661. Available at:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3853751/. 
3. Varani, J. et al. (2006) ‘Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin’, The American Journal of Pathology, 168(6), pp. 1861–1868. Available at:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1606623/. 
4. Proksch, E. et al. (2013) ‘Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study’, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 27(1), pp. 47–55. Available at:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23949208/. 
5. Sibilla, S. and Borumand, M. (2014) ‘Daily consumption of the collagen supplement pure gold collagen® reduces visible signs of aging’, Clinical Interventions in Aging, p. 1747. Available at:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4206255/. 
6. Reilly, D.M. et al. (2024) ‘A clinical trial shows improvement in skin collagen, hydration, elasticity, wrinkles, scalp, and hair condition following 12‐week oral intake of a supplement containing hydrolysed collagen’, Dermatology Research and Practice, 2024(1). Available at:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2024/8752787. 
7. Yang, F.-C., Zhang, Y. and Rheinstädter, M.C. (2014) ‘The structure of people’s hair’, PeerJ, 2. Available at:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4201279/. 
8. Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovsk NA. Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 Jan 1;18(1):9-16. Available at: https://jddonline.com/articles/oral-collagen-supplementation-a-systematic-review-of-dermatological-applications-S1545961619P0009X/