If you're sick and tired of having limp, thin hair, or if you're struggling with hair loss, you may have asked: "does collagen help hair growth?"

The human body supports skin elasticity and healthy hair with the help of a naturally occurring protein. As we get older, our collagen stores deplete, so you will often find it in the best protein powders. Taking a collagen supplement can help keep your skin and hair looking young.

Less is known about whether or not it can lead to thicker, longer hair. We will unpack the research and answer on whether or not collagen helps hair grow.

  • Related: What is protein?

What is collagen?

It is a type of tissue. It is one of the structural building blocks of the human body and plays an important role in skin, bones, and hair. Our bodies produce less and less of the substance over time. Wrinkles, thin hair, and other physical conditions can be caused by the deplete of our collagen stores.

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Collagen is a popular supplement for people who want to support their hair and skin. It is a promising treatment for physical ailments.

Does collagen help hair grow? image shows collagen powder

(Image credit: Getty)

A study by Nutrients showed that there are benefits to taking supplements for skin hydration, skin elasticity, and skin density.

A study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that people with arthritis could be helped by the use of collagen. A 2012 study that appeared in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that patients with osteoarthritis could benefit from the reduced joint pain caused by collagen.

How can collagen improve your hair?

Is it possible thatCollagen can support hair health? There are many stories about the benefits ofCollagen for hair, but how accurate are they?

According to a study in Science, hair loss is linked to our natural collagen supplies. Many men and women experience hair loss as they age.

Collagen is made up of three non essential amino acids, proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline, and it is the main component of the substance that makes up our hair and nails.

Does Collagen help hair grow? image shows woman with hairbrush

(Image credit: Getty)

There isn't a lot of clinical data to support how hair growth is aided byCollagen. The research so far is promising.

Some studies in Marine Drugs and Food and Function have looked at the potential for collagen to fight free radicals that can damage hair follicles. There are few studies that show how effective the supplements are for people with hair damage.

These studies are not conclusive. If you have hair that is thin due to damage to the hair follicle, a supplement may help. There are proven results for skin health, and the fact that there are supplements that improve the health of the skin on the scalp, and contribute to healthier, thicker hair.

Some doctors and scientists think that the effectiveness of collagen supplements for hair growth is overstated. Effects may vary from person to person. If you want to know if your hair is getting any better, you should take collagen for several months.

Do you want to add supplements to your routine to support hair growth?

You can get an extra dose ofCollagen with aCollagen supplement. You can easily incorporate the supplements into your routine with pill and powder form.

You can increase your collagen intake by eating more foods that contain it. Some foods have high levels of collagen.

  • Chicken 
  • Salmon 
  • Egg whites 
  • Leafy greens 
  • Beans 
  • Nuts

Maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle is important to keeping your collagen levels up. Make sure you eat a balanced diet, avoid smoking, and wear SPF when outside.

If you decide to try taking a supplement for hair growth, you should avoid taking too many pills at the same time. There is no Recommended Daily Allowance for collagen, however studies have evaluated the benefits of supplements and found that they can be as high as 10 grams per day.

Try to take the recommended amount of collagen.

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Hair can be found in your vacuum cleaner or shower drain. If you are dealing with hair loss, you may be looking for ways to promote healthier hair growth. If your hair loss is due to insufficient collagen supplies in the body, you should consider using collagen.

It's important to be careful not to take too much extra collagen, as this can lead to side effects. If you are considering adding a collagen supplement to your routine, make sure to check with a doctor, nutritionist, or dermatologist to make sure it is the right option for you.

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