Your guide to how collagen for hair growth works

Remember when we tackled collagen in a previous post? We found out that collagen is the most abundant protein in our body and it is essential in keeping our skin youthful. We then discovered how collagen can be incorporated into our diets. Today, collagen is back. But this time, we’re looking into collagen and our hair.

Collagen is critical in renewing cells that strengthen and maintain the elasticity of our bones, joints, skin, internal organs, nails, and yes, you guessed right, our hair. Unfortunately, when we reach our thirties, this collagen starts to decrease. This is when we start to see lines and wrinkles, and feel rigid and weak.

Having thick and healthy hair even when we reach our 40s and 50s would be awesome. In order to compensate for a collagen deficiency, there are many supplements and food sources that contain collagen that promote hair growth.

It is being discovered that ingesting collagen instead of just applying them on the skin in the form of creams is more effective. The simplest form of collagen intake is Vitamin C. This nutrient is essential in boosting the body’s ability to produce collagen. Other foods that are collagen production boosters are cabbages, red fruits, carrots and other vegetables.

So how does collagen work when it comes to hair growth? Through the antioxidants it possesses, free radicals in the body are eliminated. These free radicals are responsible for damaging hair follicles that lead to hair loss. The introduction of collagen into our systems also improve the volume of our hair because of the actual diameter of each strand increases.

We already know that collagen is good for the hair. But just how good? The following are some before and after experiences of people who have tried collagen in different forms, whether through supplements or more natural sources.

A natural source of collagen can be found in animals, more specifically around the bones. It is a protein after all, and these parts of animals have the highest concentration of protein. Because this source is not easy to prepare and consume, an alternative would be food containing the vitamins needed for boosting collagen production in the body.

A stock made by beef, chicken, or any other meat bones. Cartilage is where collagen, in its pure form, is found. It usually boiled and made into broth in order to make it more edible-friendly. This process usually takes hours which is why people opt for other sources of collagen instead. 

If bone broth is not your cup of tea, then go for gelatin. It is basically bones and cartilage that have been boiled down and processed into sheets. This is why gelatin acts as a binding ingredient in dishes, the same job that collagen has for our bodies.

While salmon is not really rich in collagen, it is however an excellent source of zinc and Omega-3 fatty acids, all of which boost the body’s collagen production. Salmon is not only full of healthy elements, it is also an ingredient that can be made into so many mouthwatering recipes. 

Egg whites have collagen in them and the yolks make the collagen in the whites more bioavailable which helps the body process and digest it. Who knew that our favorite sunny-side up was actually a collagen-filled dish that is not only yummy but also beneficial to our bodies. 

Vitamin C, usually found in citrus fruits, is another nutrient that boosts the body’s process of making collagen. Vitamin C alone is great for the body because it leads to healthier hair, skin and bones.

For a quick collagen boost, there are many supplements available in the market now. And they come in different shapes and forms, depending on your preference of intake.

These powders are very much like the protein powders used for working out. They can be prepared with water, juice or milk and blended into a smoothie.

For a more direct collagen treatment on the hair, you can try hair masks and creams, Our bodies can absorb nutrients the skin, or in this case the scalp, but their effectivity is still highly subjective.

For a DIY collagen hair mask, the following is an easy homemade recipe that you can try in order to strengthen and nourish your hair.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp coconut oil

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp collagen peptides or hydrolyzed collagen

Instructions:

Mix the ingredients in a bowl and thoroughly mix

Apply on the entire head and scalp and massage well

Leave on for 20 minutes

Shampoo your hair and rinse well

Feel free to repeat shampooing if the mixture is not easily washed off

This hair mask should be applied once a month only

For a quick collagen ingestion, pills are the way to go. It is the most convenient way in consuming collagen.

The benefits of collagen on our bodies is more and more being expounded on with new ones constantly being discovered. The top of the list are easing joint pain, reversing skin aging, building muscles and burning fat, reducing cellulite and improving the body’s digestive health.

Aside from making our skin tight and youthful, collagen is also beneficial for our hair. It is known to increase our body’s hair-building proteins leading to thicker and longer hair.

Collagen is also being linked to the reduction of grey hairs because it supports the healthy structure of hair follicles, thus affecting its appearance. Collagen is very effective in treating dry and brittle hair. Using supplements and topical treatments have been found to be successful in repairing and eliminating split ends.  

While there is not a lot of data on the side effects of collagen when used for the hair, there are however a lot of instances when users did not see any effects at all. The promises of longer, thicker and healthier hair is not a tried and tested the effect that collagen has for everyone who takes it. This is because we all have different reactions to ingredients with some made for collagen absorption and others aren’t.

In general, the research on collagen is not yet complete and definite. It is still being studied until today. The best way to ensure that no negative side effects will occur would be to choose high-quality collagen supplements or go for the all-natural route and consume food that is high in collagen or those that are collagen boosters.

For pregnant and nursing women, there is not enough research backing up the safety of collagen consumption during these stages so it is still best to avoid using when pregnant or breastfeeding. However, this only applies to collagen supplements which are usually synthetic. Natural sources of collagen such as bone broth and vitamins that help produce collagen are still safe to consume during this time. 

Basically by now, we all know that collagen is not only beneficial but also essential in our bodies. We also know that this adhesive protein will start to decrease when we reach a certain age. Luckily for us, collagen is now a highly trending subject matter therefore it can be easily found and consumed in many shapes and forms depending on your preference.