Collagen Peptides for Hair Growth: Do They Really Work?

Discover the role of collagen peptides in promoting scalp health and hair growth, alongside a detailed look at various hair loss treatments and care tips. Whether you’re dealing with pattern hair loss or exploring the benefits of collagen for hair, this article offers valuable insights and practical solutions for anyone seeking to maintain or improve their hair health.

The Science Behind Hair Loss

Hair loss can affect anyone, and it’s important to understand the causes so that you can pursue the hair loss treatment that would work best for you.

Your hair is primarily made of keratin (a protein) and lives within the hair follicle, which is where it grows. The hair follicle goes through growth, dormant, and loss phases in its life cycle. 

Hair loss typically disrupts this natural cycle, preventing the cycle from moving out of the telogen phase or decreasing the typical ratio of the time spent in anagen to telogen phases, which is 14:1 in a healthy individual ^[1], to 5:1. The mechanisms behind each type of hair loss are a bit different, and for that reason, there are different treatments for each type.

Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss

Androgenic Alopecia is a type of hair loss related to hormones, age, and genetic predisposition. This is the most common type of hair loss, causing hairline recession and balding at the crown for men, and followed by diffuse thinning hair all over the scalp for women. Approximately 80% of men and 50% of women experience androgenic alopecia by age 70 ^[2]. Pattern hair loss is characterized by an altered ratio of time spent in anagen and telogen phases of 5:1, whereas the typical ratio is closer to 14:1.

Other Causes of Hair Loss

Traction Alopecia

Consistently wearing tight hairstyles like braids, buns, ponytails, or cornrows, as well as styles that add extra weight to the hair, like extensions or weaves, causes hair loss because the hairs are being consistently pulled out of the follicle by tension. If you’re noticing new hair loss in high-tension areas like by the hairline or temples, wear more gentle hairstyles like loose braids, clips, or a low loose ponytail, and the hair should grow back. If it has been going on for a while and your hair hasn’t gotten a break from the traction, there is less of a chance ^[3] that your hair thickness or hairline will recover

Cortisol – Sleep and Stress

Studies ^[4] done on subjects experiencing hair loss events have revealed that high levels of cortisol, your stress hormone, are a major driver of hair cycle disruption. While acute life events like health problems, divorce, or money trouble cause a spike in cortisol, causing significant hair loss, daily stress and unmanaged anxiety play a role as well and can cause a slow thinning of the hair over time.

Disruption of your sleep-wake rhythm or consistent lack of sleep (under 6 hours) can affect the hair’s cycles through an increase in cortisol and disturbances to what are called “clock genes”, which regulate your circadian rhythm and the phases of hair growth. In studies related to hair growth, there is a high incidence of sleep disorders ^[2] and reported daytime sleepiness in those experiencing hair loss.

Poor Diet and Vitamin Deficiencies

Your diet can determine your health. Low-calorie diets can cause your body to divert resources away from your skin, hair, or nails in order to fuel other “more important” organs or functions in the body, causing hair loss or a decline in hair health. 
A well-rounded diet is important too, as vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause hair thinning. Some important vitamins and minerals that affect hair growth are;

Pharmaceutical or Medical Treatment Interactions

Medications that interfere with the cell cycle, like chemotherapy drugs, can cause the hair to fall out or stop growing because new hair is not being made.

What Are Collagen Peptides?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, comprising up to 35% of the protein in your whole body. There are 28 different types of collagen with unique functions and most supplements will include several of them, for use in distinct tissues in your body. 

Collagen peptides are hydrolyzed collagen that has been broken down into its most useful parts, small peptides that are significantly more bioactive than the full collagen molecule. There are collagen peptides that are derived from marine components as well as bovine, and evidence shows that marine collagen peptides ^[6] are more readily absorbed, cause less inflammation, and are more environmentally friendly to produce. One study identified that marine collagen is better for hair growth ^[2] as well, resulting in more density of hair in just 90 days of supplementation. 

Collagen tripeptides are the best form of collagen for the scalp ^[6], hair, and skin as they are smaller than 500 daltons, which is essential for entering and inducing tissue remodeling in the skin. There is no evidence tripeptides have more efficacy in remodeling connective tissue like tendons or ligaments than regular collagen peptides.

Benefits of Collagen Peptides for Hair

Promotes Scalp Health

Many people with thinning hair also complain of scaly scalp, oil plugs/folliculitis, or dandruff. These types of skin and scalp problems can influence hair growth, preventing proper hair development. Since hair grows from the base of the hair follicle, blockage at the surface by skin cells or oil inhibits growth. Taking collagen helps to restore your skin’s moisture barrier, making it more resilient and healthy, which in turn will boost hair growth. 

Inflammation causes dandruff, acne, dryness, oil production, and more in both the skin and scalp. Taking collagen powder may help prevent or decrease inflammation in the skin by controlling the chemical messengers that induce inflammation, called pro-inflammatory cytokines. 

Antioxidant Support

Cellular aging is to blame for many skin and hair problems that develop as we age. One of the leading causes of age-related hair loss and cellular damage is something called oxidative damage, caused by oxidizing factors like UV radiation, smoke, or free radicals. Protecting your scalp from oxidative damage ^[9] will preserve the health of both the skin cells on the scalp’s surface and the follicle below the surface. Any skin care product, hair care product, or supplement that has antioxidant properties will prevent hair loss and promote hair health. Oral collagen supplements (ideally fish collagen ^[10]) may prevent oxidative stress from harming the scalp and hair with.

May Improve Hair Growth and Appearance

By removing problems like inflammation, scalp dryness, and oxidative damage, collagen makes it easier for your hair to grow long and strong. Studies have shown that collagen may improve your hair growth “index, length, diameter, weight, and density . . . enhanced hair shine, growth, and skin health ^[7] while alleviating inflammation.” Electron microscopy revealed that hair damage to the shaft also was decreased in the collagen test groups. 

In a study ^[7] of shaved rats, the rate of hair growth was about the same in all groups, including the control. The hair density, shine, coverage, and strength, though, were significantly higher in the marine collagen group. This is one of the most well-supported, evidence-based ways collagen may improve your hair.

Hair Type Considerations

Collagen helps hair growth no matter if you have natural, wavy, kinky, curly, or straight hair, because the follicle and composition of the hair shaft are the same all around. Collagen amps up the shine factor, improves scalp health, strengthens the connection to the follicle, and strengthens the hair shaft for all.

How to Use Collagen Peptides and Care for Your Hair

Taking collagen peptides should become part of your daily routine if you want to see results. Since many collagen products have different dosing, refer to the directions panel for dosing. Collagen dissolves best in a hot liquid, so try adding it to your morning coffee if you buy the unflavored variety. There are also collagen pills available if you’d prefer to consume collagen that way. Bone broth also contains collagen but is less bioavailable than a collagen peptide supplement so it may not work as well. If you are consistent with taking collagen, you should see results in your hair in as little as 60 days and earlier for your skin.

There are several steps you can take to maintain the health of your hair ^[8] and improve its appearance and texture. If you are considering prescription therapies, it is advisable to consult your doctor.

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