Will Collagen Thicken My Hair? Here's What the Science Says...
Supplementing with collagen is a natural solution to thickening your hair because collagen provides your body with nutrients it needs to build healthy hair and hair follicles. 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.
In this article you will learn:
- Does collagen thicken hair?
- Which collagen is best for hair?
- How do you use collagen for hair growth?
Does Collagen Thicken Hair?
Yes, collagen is a potent, natural solution for thickening hair, reducing hair loss, and accelerating the speed of hair growth while simultaneously boosting skin and nail health. Here's how it works:
Its Amino Acids Promote Healthy Hair Growth
Regularly consuming collagen can improve hair health by supplying it with the essential amino acids that the body needs to create new strands of hair.
Here’s how it works: your hair consists primarily of a protein known as keratin. Collagen is a rich source of the essential amino acids that create keratin in the body, including the most important amino acid for keratin production, proline.
It Has Powerful Antioxidants that Create Healthy Hair Follicles
Undoubtedly, healthy hair follicles are the key to thick, strong strands of hair and minimal hair loss. Unfortunately, hair follicles commonly suffer damage from free radicals that accumulate due to chronic stress, poor eating habits, sun exposure, or age.
A 2016 study at the Tokyo Medical University found a positive relationship to free radicals and hair loss. The scientists found that the more free radicals that accumulated on the skin and scalp, the more people experienced hair loss and hair thinning.
This is where collagen, and marine collagen in particular, comes in handy- its richness in antioxidants and easily-digestible proteins are able to fight against free radicals and prevent future hair damage.
Fortunately, studies have found that type 1 collagen is able to fight against the free radicals on the scalp that causes hair loss and hair thinning. By supplying the skin around hair follicles with potent antioxidants, healthy hair production was regenerated and the rate of hair loss was slowed down.
Another study showed that one source of type 1 collagen, marine collagen, contains high antioxidant levels that play a role in enhancing hair health. These antioxidants are able to combat the damaging side effects of free radicals including premature graying.
"After just a few months of adding collagen to my coffee, my hair, skin and nails are stronger and healthier."
- Julia
It Helps Maintain Thick, Youthful Hair
Collagen is known for improving skin elasticity, but many don’t realize that its effects also apply to the skin around the hair. It turns out that the layer of skin where the hair follicles are rooted may become damaged over time, which can cause age-related hair loss and thinning. But don't worry - taking collagen can be an effective way to fortify the skin in this area which can, in turn, improve overall hair health.
Which Collagen Type is Best for Hair?
When looking for the best collagen to enhance your hair, it’s essential to choose one that’s specifically abundant in type 1 collagen, which is found in both marine and bovine-sourced collagen.
Though there are over 16 different types of collagen, type 1 is best suited for maintaining youthful hair, skin, and nails.
Not only are type 1’s molecules smaller and therefore more bioavailable, but this type of collagen is especially rich in the amino acid hydroxyproline, which is an important building block of healthy skin.
Other types of collagen offer different benefits beyond healthier hair. Types 2 and 3, for example, are rich in the amino acids glycine and proline, which are generally responsible for bone, joint, and organ health.
Both bovine and marine collagen are rich in type 1 collagen, making either a great option for transforming your thinking locks to a thick, lustrous mane!
While bovine-sourced collagen contains type 1 collagen, it also contains type 3 collagen, broadening its benefits to include supporting lean muscle, stronger bones, and connective tissues.
Marine collagen, on the other hand, consists of 100% type 1 collagen peptides making it a targeted choice for those specifically seeking collagen’s hair enhancing benefits.
"[I] recently switched to the Marine Collagen after researching it... My skin is better, hair's a little thicker, but most importantly, my joints aren't aching like they used to!"
- Jaclyn
How to Choose the Best Collagen for Hair Growth
For the best hair-thickening results with collagen, not only is it essential to choose type 1 collagen, but it’s also key to choose a product with the highest standards for sourcing. This helps to ensure the fewest amount of toxins, heavy metals, and other harmful compounds (which can come with free radicals that damage hair growth).
The best marine collagen is sustainably sourced from wild-caught fish and the best bovine collagen comes from grass-fed cows.
We’re proud to say that Natural Force’s collagen is the best of the best. Our Marine Collagen is sourced from wild-caught and highly-sustainable codfish and our Bovine Grass Fed Collagen comes from grass-fed cows. To produce our collagen supplements, we use fish skin and scales or cowhides that would otherwise be thrown away and hydrolyze them into an easily-digestible, completely tasteless and odorless powder that will mix easily into your favorite drink or recipe.
In addition to our top-notch sourcing, we back up our products with third-party testing results that we openly share so you can feel confident in that you’re getting the highest quality product, absent of toxins and unnecessary fillers, synthetic colors, or heavy metals like mercury. (You can view the test results for our bovine collagen here and our marine collagen here.)
How Do You Use Collagen for Hair Growth?
When using collagen to thicken your hair, reduce hair loss, and accelerate the speed of hair growth, the key to noticeable results is consistency.
Take one scoop (11 grams) of marine collagen daily by stirring it into your morning coffee, blending it into your smoothies, or adding it to your baked goods.
And don't worry, it doesn't taste fishy! In fact, our Marine Collagen is completely tasteless and odorless and mixes easily to liquids, making it a breeze to get to daily serving.
Plus, the small, potent hydrolyzed collagen peptides make it more digestible, helping your body reap its hair-enhancing benefits.
Here’s a quick recipe to get you started:
Creamy Coffee with Marine Collagen
Ingredients
- Marine collagen peptides
- 8 oz freshly brewed high-quality coffee
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a mug, stir until evenly combined, voila, you’re on your way to more beautiful hair!
For even more ways to use marine collagen, check out our article Marine Collagen: 10 Delicious Ways to Use this Anti-Aging Protein!
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