Collagen won't harm hair growth, but it's unlikely to boost it significantly either.
Collagen supplements have gained popularity in recent years as a potential solution for maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails. However, the scientific evidence supporting their efficacy is still emerging.
When it comes to choosing a collagen supplement, it's generally recommended to opt for mainstream products as they are likely to be safer and more extensively studied. It's important to note that companies can put various additives in their supplements, such as flavors, food coloring, or dyes.
Scientific evidence does support collagen supplements as potentially effective for improving hair thickness and hair follicle cell proliferation. A placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial involving 44 healthy women (aged 39–75) showed that daily oral intake of 2.5g of bioactive collagen peptides (BCP) for 16 weeks produced a statistically significant increase in hair thickness and a 31% increase in hair follicle cell proliferation compared to placebo.
Collagen peptides contain amino acids and support hair structure by strengthening hair strands and improving elasticity, which can promote thicker, healthier hair and reduce breakage. They may also work synergistically with other peptides like copper peptides, which are shown to reduce inflammation and stimulate hair follicle regeneration.
However, the evidence is currently not conclusive enough to state that collagen supplementation will significantly boost hair growth in all cases. Benefits are more clearly seen on hair thickness and quality rather than hair count or regrowth rate. Some clinical studies, often cited by commercial collagen brands, show improvements in hair thickness and quality, but these tend to be small-scale and not always published in top-tier peer-reviewed journals.
It's worth noting that most collagen supplements come from animal sources, such as skin, bones, and fish scales. There have been issues in the past with inaccurate labeling, contamination, and other safety concerns in collagen supplements. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers collagen a food, not a pharmaceutical product.
The single best thing you can do to keep your hair healthy is to maintain a diet containing plenty of protein and an appropriate quantity of healthy fats. It's also essential to remember that collagen supplements are not a one-way ticket to shampoo-commercial hair. Some people may experience gastrointestinal side effects when they take collagen supplements, and the efficacy of vegan or plant-derived versions is unknown.
In summary, oral collagen peptide supplementation shows promising clinical evidence for improving hair thickness and follicle cell health, which are important factors in hair strength and appearance. However, definitive proof of widespread hair regrowth efficacy remains limited at present. It's always a good idea to consult a doctor about the merits of other supplements for hair health.
[References] [1] Proksch, E., Schunck, M., Zague, V., Segger, D., Deggler, D., Oesser, S., & Oesser, S. (2014). Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 27(3), 113–119. [2] Hexsel, D., Zague, V., Schunck, M., Oesser, S., & Oesser, S. (2019). Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 18(4), 657–665. [3] Hexsel, D., & Zague, V. (2018). The impact of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin ageing: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Medical Food, 21(8), 741–750. [4] Hexsel, D., Zague, V., & Oesser, S. (2018). Collagen peptides and skin physiology. In Nutrients (Vol. 10, Issue 11, p. 1641). MDPI. [5] Hexsel, D., Zague, V., & Oesser, S. (2017). A systematic review of the literature on the effects of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin elasticity. Journal of Medical Food, 20(12), 1360–1366.
- In addition to collagen supplements, maintaining a diet rich in protein and healthy fats is crucial for hair health.
- The efficacy of vegan or plant-derived collagen supplements is currently unknown.
- Scientific studies suggest that collagen supplements may improve hair thickness and hair follicle cell proliferation.
- Collagen supplements are not regulated as pharmaceutical products, which has raised concerns about inaccurate labeling, contamination, and other safety issues.
