Nobody wants to have thin hair that keeps falling out or a receding hairline that makes you look much older than you actually are.
Nobody wants to see bundles of hair falling out after brushing their hair or washing it. However, this is the reality for many people.
Thankfully, there are many hair growth and maintenance solutions on the market and while not all of them are effective for improved hair growth, there are some that are.
Collagen is one of the more common and effective solutions for hair health issues.
So, in this article, we will look at just how effective collagen is, what types are best, and if it is better than biotin for hair growth.
How Men Can Use Collagen Peptides For Hair Growth
What is Collagen?
Collagen, also referred to as collagen peptides, is a naturally-occurring protein and antioxidant that is found within the body.
It is composed of several amino acids that are formulated using hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen.
Collagen can be found widespread throughout the body and accounts for up to 30% of the protein within your body.
It makes significant contributions to the body’s overall health and wellness, as you can find collagen peptides in bones, tendons, and ligaments.
You can also find collagen in your skin tissues and a small amount on the outer layers of the hair shaft.
As you get older, collagen provides the skin with elasticity by getting rid of dead skin cells and replacing them. In doing so, collagen helps to make your skin stronger.
Additionally, collagen is tough and strong, so that is why it can be found all over the body.
It is important to note that aging causes the body to produce less and lower-quality collagen, as a result, the skin sags, muscles weaken, and hair gets thin.
Types of Collagen
We will look at the four main types of collagens, I, II, III, and IV; however, it is important to note that there are approximately sixteen types of collagen in total.
Type I
This type of collagen makes up most of what is found in the body (up to 90%). Type I is made of densely packed fibers.
It provides structure to bones, skin, teeth, tendons, connective tissue, and fibrous cartilage.
Type II
This type of collagen has more loosely packed fibers. You can find Type II in between your joints, as it acts as a cushion and is known as elastic cartilage.
Type III
This type of collagen supports the structure of muscles, organs, and blood vessels. Type III collagen is found in the skin, lungs, intestinal, and blood vessel walls.
Type IV
This type of collagen helps with filtration and is found in the layers of your skin.
Do Collagen Increase Hair Growth?
Because of its antioxidant properties, collagen is able to naturally stimulate your hair follicles, causing hair regeneration.
Elements such as smoke and other air pollutants, sun damage from UV rays, stress, and alcohol consumption are all known as free radicals and can cause hair loss, as they inflict significant damage to your hair follicles, particularly due to repeated exposure.
Antioxidants protect against the possible damage that free radicals may cause and collagen is one of the most potent forms of antioxidants.
As such, evidence shows that according to a study published by the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, the oral supplementation of collagen peptides safely and effectively promoted significant hair regeneration in women with temporary hair thinning.
Collagen is able to promote hair growth because of the protection it provides to each hair follicle.
Collagen also acts in several other ways to aid with the hair growth cycle.
For one, when your body comes into contact with collagen, your digestive system will break it down into another form of protein known as amino acids.
Furthermore, hair is predominantly composed of the protein keratin, which is instrumental in hair regrowth, strength, and quality.
In essence, collagen peptides are quite instrumental in increasing hair growth, as it provides essential components, as well as protection that are key factors for healthy hair.
Other Hair-related Issues
Collagen also aids with combating several other issues and provide numerous health benefits, including:
- boosting overall hair health for healthier hair and a healthy scalp
- strengthening the hair follicle to give you strong hair
- speeds up hair regrowth and helps to give you thicker hair
- fights age-related hair loss
- protects hair during its growth stage and even after the hair follicle matures
- improves overall muscle mass
- improve skin elasticity
- reduces arthritis progression.
Best Types of Collagen for Hair Growth and Healthy Hair
By now you would have realized that collagen can be taken as a supplement, just like a vitamin.
But did you know that you can also get collagen directly from the meals you eat?
In fact, most collagen supplements are created from extracting collagen from the connective tissues of other animals, such as chickens, fish, goats, and cows.
Best Types
Not all collagen powders are the same.
What’s good for your skin may not offer the right fit to the hair, that’s why professionals recommend types I and III as the best options to improve hair growth.
Natural Dietary Collagen
If you are looking for a way to get this natural antioxidant, one of the most potent sources that hair experts have recommended is bone broth, which has very high dietary collagen levels.
Plus, if you include only healthy ingredients, this is something you can have daily to get your daily collagen supplement and those vital proteins that treat hair loss, hair breakage, and fight free radicals.
Collagen Supplements
The most common collagen supplements on the market and those that are highly recommended are bovine collagen that are made from pasture-fed cows and are available in a powdered formulation.
As a bonus, collagen supplements also accommodate other health and beauty benefits, such as making your skin firm and reducing premature graying.
Maybe the powdered form is not convenient for you, you can also find highly recommended collagen supplements in pill formulation to add to your balanced diet.
However, whether it be a pill or powder, simply mixing the supplement into your beverages is good enough to boost healthy hair growth.
Nutrients that Increase Collagen Production
If you do not want to be taking collagen supplementation, you can always eat a diet filled with certain nutrients that will improve the way you produce collagen.
By combining two essential amino acids, glycine and proline, your body makes collagen building blocks, which is facilitated by vitamin C and other nutrients.
Here are the main ones you should make an effort to consume:
1) Vitamin C
Large amounts are found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, brussels sprouts, and strawberries.
2) Glycine
Large amounts are found in pork and chicken skin, and gelatin, but glycine is also found in various protein-containing foods.
3) Proline
Large amounts are found in egg whites, wheat germ, dairy products, cabbage, asparagus, and mushrooms.
4) Copper
Large amounts are found in organ meats, sesame seeds, cocoa powder, cashews, and lentils.
Does Collagen Supplements Thicken Hair?
The antioxidant effects of this abundant protein protect the hair by keeping it safe from the damaging effects of the free radicals.
Collagen peptides are examined in several studies, and each time were found to be protective against free radical damage.
As such, collagen peptides help to increase the volume of hair by strengthening the hair follicles and helping to repair damage hair follicles.
Is Collagen or Biotin Better for Hair Growth and Hair Follicles?
Biotin is also another popular product that is being used for its hair benefits but many are left wondering if it is better than the most abundant protein, collagen.
Biotin (vitamin B7) is a vitamin found in foods like milk and it forms fatty acids and glucose.
Additionally, biotin aids with breaking down carbohydrates and amino acids.
A lack of biotin is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies faced by many.
As it relates to hair, both collagen products and biotin are expert-recommended and have been used together for overall hair nutrition and several other health benefits.
However, they work differently from each other, and collagen is said to be better for hair regeneration, the hair follicle, and the hair bulb.
Final Thoughts
Collagen is undoubtedly an essential protein that helps the body to function in many ways. Collagen plays a vital role in sustaining hair health, after all, it is a main component.
From our research, we have come to realize that whether you boost your body’s natural supply or take supplemental collagen, one thing for sure is that it has potent benefits for your hair.
Its massive supply of keratin has positioned collagen as a giant in the industry.
We hope this information is of value to you in your journey. Don’t forget to share this with someone who is also on the same journey.