Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body [1]. These fibres play an important role in promoting the health of our tendons, bones, connective tissue, and even our hair.
The collagen supplement market is currently valued at more than $1bn [2]. These supplements have become a popular home treatment for arthritis, skin ageing, and osteoporosis. More recently, collagen supplementation has been touted as a solution for hair loss. But does taking collagen supplements help hair growth?
In this expert review, we analyse the scientific evidence and ask our surgeons to weigh in on whether collagen is a genuine hair loss remedy. We will be exploring points such as:
Collagen is a protein that makes up connective tissues, such as skin, cartilage and bone, and it also forms the structures that hold cells and tissues together. It is abundantly found in most living organisms, including the human body [3].
There are 28 types of collagen in the living world [4], each with a slightly different structure and function. Some of them are found in the composition of connective tissues, others create thin fibre networks that support soft organs and tissues, others help anchor or provide a solid basis for cells, etc. [3][4]:
Your body produces its own collagen, but it needs vitamin C to do so [9]. So it’s important to eat plenty of food rich in vitamin C to promote hair health. Getting nutrients from your diet is generally more beneficial than taking vitamin supplements for hair.Collagen used in supplements is usually obtained from natural sources (e.g. from different tissues obtained from livestock or fish) [5]. The most widely studied types of collagens in the cosmetic industry are bovine (sourced from cattle) and marine (sourced from fish).
There may be some benefits to using collagen supplements for your hair, although there are limited studies that have directly investigated the link between taking them and hair growth. Some in vitro studies found that marine collagen peptides could be used to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair follicles for growth in those with alopecia [5][10].
There are multiple types of collagen, each serving different functions in the body. Other studies have shown that a lack of certain types of collagen may result in hair loss. Insufficient collagen VI may affect the hair follicle cycle, so targeting collagen VI may be beneficial for tackling impaired hair growth [6]. Additionally, a lack of collagen XVII may lead to hair loss and greying [7].
However, experts note that much of the research on collagen supplements has been funded wholly or in part by industries that could benefit from a positive outcome [8]. So it’s important to consider your sources carefully.
“The evidence supporting the use of collagen for hair growth is mostly theoretical,” says Dr Michael May, chief surgeon at the Wimpole Clinic. “While collagen might help improve some aspects of hair health, it’s unlikely that you’ll see significant regrowth, especially if you have a permanent hair loss condition like male pattern baldness.”
While it’s not been conclusively proven that collagen can help with hair growth, there are three potential ways collagen might help you get healthy hair
Let’s take a look at the mechanisms behind collagen and hair growth to see how you can reap these benefits for both your skin and hair.
A 2024 research paper reveals that marine collagen peptide supplementation can regulate your hair growth cycle and keep your hair in the anagen (growth) phase for longer. Marine collagen is obtained from fish and consists of smaller molecule chains (peptides), which are more easily digested and absorbed by the human digestive system. This kind of collagen could help reduce excess hair shedding in conditions such as chronic telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia [10].
However, this effect has so far only been observed in vitro, and it only applies to marine collagen, as the bovine variety did not exhibit the same properties. So if you’re considering using supplements, check which type of collagen they contain.
Collagen peptides (especially the marine variety) can stimulate the function of natural antioxidant systems in the human body. This means they can indirectly help reduce oxidative stress on your hair, making it more resistant to breakage [10]. Besides causing hair damage, oxidative stress may also be linked with early greying and hair thinning [12].
Taking collagen supplements can promote the synthesis of collagen in the scalp skin and maintain a proper structure of connective tissue [20]. That helps the formation and maintenance of small blood vessels in the scalp, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach your hair roots. These extra resources can lead to reduced hair shedding and improved regrowth.
No independent scientific studies have investigated how long it takes for collagen supplements to improve hair texture or growth. But, any impact from the collagen is likely to take at least a few months to take effect.
One study performed on a supplement that contains hydrolysed collagen and Vitamin C revealed an almost 28% increase in the hair count of its 140 mostly female participants, compared to placebo, after 12 weeks of daily administration. However, it is good to keep in mind that no similar findings have since been reported and most of this study’s authors were employed with the company producing the respective supplement at the time of publishing.
The hair growth cycle length is different for everyone and usually takes between three and seven years to complete. Your follicles spend most of this time in the anagen (growth) phase so it can take some time before the effects of collagen on your hair growth can become apparent:
Research suggests there are few side effects and risks of taking collagen [13]. It’s a relatively safe supplement to try for most people, even if the benefits are still up for debate.
However, some types of collagen are made from fish, shellfish, and eggs. If you’re allergic to these ingredients, avoid collagen supplements derived from them.
This may also make certain types of collagen unsuitable for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
There are several types of collagen available, including collagen powder, collagen peptides, and collagen protein. Powders are usually designed to be mixed into a drink, while others can be taken as a tablet.
Collagen proteins consist of larger molecules than peptides. That means it takes longer for the intestines to digest and absorb the collagen, so progress may be slower. And since collagen takes a long time to be digested, a significant part of the supplemented protein can be left unabsorbed, and thus go to waste. However, marine collagen has smaller peptide molecules that can get digested faster.
Mostly marine collagen peptides have been researched as a hair growth stimulant, and many of the studies have been performed on animals, or in vitro, only rarely on human participants [3]. So if you’re planning to try collagen for hair, it’s a good idea to start with these — but be mindful that they’re not a proven hair growth treatment.
Some collagen supplements include biotin for hair, another supplement that’s often claimed to be beneficial for maintaining healthy hair. Like collagen, biotin is essential for hair growth. A lack of this nutrient can lead to male pattern baldness [13].
However, it’s generally better to get the necessary amount of biotin from your diet, rather than from supplements. There’s no evidence that combining this nutrient and collagen in supplement form (or taking biotin on its own) will help in promoting hair regrowth.
While collagen combined with biotin may not be particularly effective for your hair growth, there are many other scientifically proven hair loss treatments you can try.
If you are experiencing hair thinning, here are some of the most common treatments and therapies that can help curb your hair loss and stimulate regrowth, depending on your type of alopecia:
Often sold under the brand name Regaine, Minoxidil is a vasodilator, meaning it helps your blood vessels expand to increase blood flow. This helps transport more oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles, providing them with the resources they need to grow and thrive.
This mechanism of action makes Minoxidil versatile and effective in a variety of hair loss conditions, such as male or female pattern baldness, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata [16].
This medication is one of the most widely prescribed hair loss treatments for male pattern baldness. It is usually sold under the brand name Propecia. Finasteride works by effectively reducing the levels of a male hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in your blood [17]. This hormone is responsible for causing hair loss in androgenetic alopecia.
However, while some studies indicate that Finasteride may be effective against female pattern baldness as well, it is not normally recommended for premenopausal women, as it can cause birth defects and hormonal imbalances.
If you are experiencing an autoimmune condition such as alopecia areata or scalp psoriasis, your trichologist may recommend a hair loss steroid cream. Corticosteroids help reduce the inflammation that makes your hair fall out. While milder forms of these conditions can be successfully treated topically, more advanced ones may require intralesional steroid injections for hair loss.
If you have tried hair growth medication with no significant improvement or are simply looking for a long-term treatment for your alopecia, a hair transplant may be the answer.
Hair restoration surgery is generally safe, effective, and requires no hospitalisation. Since it’s performed under local anaesthesia, you are awake during the procedure but feel no pain. The surgeon removes healthy hair follicles from the back of your head (where the hair is not affected by androgenetic alopecia) and transplants them to your balding areas.
Getting a permanent hair transplant is as close as you can get to a cure for baldness with today’s technology. And you can rest assured that the best hair transplant clinics in the UK have excellent success rates for this procedure, whether you opt for FUE or FUT surgery.
If you are experiencing hair loss or are searching for ways to grow hair quickly, the best thing you can do is to see a specialist. Book a consultation with one of our skilled trichologists and they will get to the root of your hair problems.
Once a diagnosis is made, our hair experts will recommend personalised hair growth treatments proven to work for your specific condition. They may also assess whether you could benefit from a natural-looking hair transplant. In addition, they can share insight and advice regarding the effectiveness of commercially available hair supplements and help you develop the best hair care routine for your thinning hair.
Find out more about the relationship between collagen and hair health by reading the answers to these common queries:
No studies have been carried out to determine the impact of collagen on facial hair growth. So it’s hard to say whether taking collagen supplements is likely to help you grow a fuller beard.
While it’s possible you may see some benefits to taking collagen for this purpose, the results are far from conclusive. Instead, consider trying a proven facial hair growth treatment like Minoxidil for beard growth.
There’s no officially recommended amount of collagen to take per day for hair growth since this supplement isn’t licensed as a hair loss drug. It’s best to follow the intake guidelines on the packaging to make sure you’re taking an appropriate amount of collagen each day.
Collagen can help reduce oxidative stress and provide the building blocks of protein, both of which may strengthen your hair. It’s difficult to prove whether this makes your hair thicker, but strengthening your dry, brittle hair can prevent unnecessary strand breakage, which often makes it look thinner.
Many YouTubers and internet personalities are paid to promote certain products. So their claims and opinions aren’t necessarily rooted in scientific evidence and should be considered with caution. Dr May explains:
“Anecdotal reports of the use of collagen for hair growth might be positive, but these tests are completely subjective and don’t take place in scientific conditions. So we recommend taking these reports with a pinch of salt, and managing your own expectations if you do decide to use collagen supplements for hair loss.”
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