If you are interested in nutricosmetics, you may have noticed that collagen is increasingly present on the market. But it’s not just a beauty asset: collagen is primarily a protein naturally found in the body.
This molecule is found in the extracellular matrix of various tissues, such as the skin, the cartilage of synovial joints, bones, blood vessels, and even muscles.
Collagen has a crucial action. Its presence is essential to structure tissues and provide them with resistance, elasticity, and hydration.
This protein is notably responsible for promoting good joint comfort and smooth movement of bones against each other, as well as maintaining smooth, firm, and hydrated skin.
Unfortunately, its natural production decreases over time, and this is normal. This decline systematically impacts the body, and hair is not spared.
Does collagen have benefits for hair? I decrypt for you what recent studies say about this subject.
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Is collagen effective against hair loss?
Aging and genetics can cause hair loss, but they are not the only factors. You may have noticed, a period of stress, an unbalanced lifestyle, and poor diet can also affect the health of your mane.
Among the mechanisms involved that explain this loss, we know that a loss of collagen could have an impact.
With connective tissue depleted of collagen, hair follicles may be more likely to contract and accelerate the end of the hair’s life: it would then fall out faster.
Following this reasoning, increasing collagen intake could then slow down the effects of aging on hair.
Nevertheless, there are few scientific studies supporting the positive effects of collagen supplementation.
However, I found this recent study with promising results.
What does it indicate? 83 people suffering from androgenic alopecia received oral supplementation containing collagen as well as other nutrients. After 12 weeks of follow-up, it appears that supplements based on taurine, hydrolyzed collagen peptides, cysteine, selenium iron, and methionine increased the clinical efficacy of treatments against alopecia.
However, we cannot isolate the role of collagen in this experiment.
Does it promote hair growth?
According to research, collagen supplementation could be an interesting solution for promoting hair regrowth, especially in cases of alopecia.
This is in any case the result of this in vitro study then conducted on mice. Conducted in 2022, it showed that after 6 weeks, collagen peptide supplementation increased the expression of hair growth factors and decreased the growth inhibitor factors.
I think that new reliable scientific studies conducted on humans should be explored to confirm these initial results.
Does it strengthen the hair?
Collagen intake through oral supplementation provides several amino acids essential for keratin synthesis: glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
If you add a good dose of these amino acids, then normal keratin production could be promoted.
And given that its role is essential for sheathing and strengthening the hair, we can say that collagen acts indirectly on the improvement of the hair’s appearance.
However, there are no scientific studies on the subject to confirm this benefit.
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Collagen is not the main molecule of the hair, but indeed keratin, which makes up 95% of hair fibers.
This does not mean that it does not play a role in the health and beauty of your mane. While it is not directly present in the hair, it is abundant in the dermis of the scalp, notably in the connective tissue of hair follicles.
At this place, it provides structure to cells and supports the proper functioning of follicles, which are themselves responsible for hair growth.
Collagen-based hair care
Applying collagen-based cosmetic care to the hair could help provide shine, coating, and hydration to the hair fiber.
To act on the outside and protect the hair fiber from environmental aggressions (temperature, brushing, heat source), there are many treatments enriched with collagen or “plant collagen.”
Beware, this term is used to refer to plant proteins whose structure resembles collagen, without actually being it!
Shampoo, mask, serum, heat protection treatment… It integrates perfectly into a complete hair care routine.
This addition of collagen is not intended to penetrate the hair fiber but to coat it to protect the hair cuticles, strengthen them, and provide shine and thickness. But keep in mind that damaged and split hair cannot be truly repaired.
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Dietary supplements
For a more comprehensive action on hair as well as on the rest of the body, there are dietary supplements of collagen peptides available as ampoules, tablets, capsules, or powder.
In this case, taking collagen is done as a one-month or longer course, following the manufacturer’s recommendation.
In special situations (pregnancy, breastfeeding), or any chronic condition, consult a healthcare professional before starting a course.
Simultaneously, good hygiene, a varied and balanced diet, and proper hydration are essential for achieving healthy hair.
Sources and scientific studies
Milani M, Colombo F, Chiara Baraldo (Padova), Mauro Barbareschi (Milano), 2023, Efficacy and tolerability of an oral supplement containing amino acids, iron, selenium, and marine hydrolyzed collagen in subjects with hair loss (androgenetic alopecia, AGA or FAGA or telogen effluvium). A prospective, randomized, 3-month, controlled, assessor-blinded study.
Hwang SB, Park HJ, Lee BH, 2022, Hair-Growth-Promoting Effects of the Fish Collagen Peptide in Human Dermal Papilla Cells and C57BL/6 Mice Modulating Wnt/β-Catenin and BMP Signaling Pathways.
