Does Collagen Help Hair Growth?

Does Collagen Help Hair Growth?
09 February 2024
2-minute read

From improving skin quality to strengthening tendons and ligaments, collagen is vital for maintaining sound physical health. But the benefits of collagen don’t stop there. While more research is needed, various studies have shown that it could improve hair quality and potentially combat some of the effects of hair loss. Let’s dig a little deeper into some of the details.

 

Additional amino acids

 

Keratin is a core building block in hair, and a deficiency can result in brittle, unhealthy and structurally weak strands. In short, without sufficient keratin, hair growth is unlikely. 


Various amino acids are used to build keratin, some of which can be found within collagen itself, including proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. Supplementing additional collagen into your diet could therefore bolster the structure of your hair and enhance growth. Even so, it’s important to mention that additional human studies are still required in this specific field.

 

Extra help in the fight against hair follicle damage


One of collagen's most valuable benefits is its capacity to act as an antioxidant. As a result, the protein can limit the harm free radicals (damaging compounds created by the body) could have on hair follicles. While more research is needed, various studies have shown that oxidative stress can negatively impact hair quality. With its anti-oxidative abilities, consuming more collagen may have a positive impact on your hair growth.

 

Age-induced hair thinning could be slowed


It’s no secret that age plays a significant role in the deterioration of hair follicles, but collagen could help to limit the effects. 70% of your dermis (the layer of skin that each hair is rooted in) is made up of collagen, which helps to strengthen this layer and, in turn, hair follicles. Older people tend to produce less collagen, and the dermis can become weaker and hair may become thinner as a result. 


While more research is required before we can be conclusive on the success rate, various studies have been conducted into hair follicle ageing and dermal cells, which show the importance of dermal cells for hair quality. With additional collagen in your diet, you may be able to enhance the quality of your dermis and slow these effects. 

 

Minoxidil and Finasteride


Despite the reported benefits of collagen for hair growth, Minoxidil and Finasteride remain the only two medications scientifically proven to combat male pattern hair loss effectively. Finasteride and Minoxidil are often used simultaneously in order to encourage hair regrowth and enhance the chances of positive results. 

 

Finding the right treatment


Finding a suitable treatment for hair loss can be unnecessarily challenging for thousands of guys across the UK. With a free Sons consultation, you’ll be matched with an independent prescriber who will find a treatment plan specifically tailored to your hair.

All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.