Does collagen help with hair growth? It’s one of the most-asked questions about this popular supplement, and the basic answer is that collagen can support healthier, stronger hair, but it isn’t a miracle cure for hair loss. Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, and many say it’s 5–10x stronger than steel.
Turns out, we have more collagen in our bodies than any other type of protein (1). That being said, our bodies produce less and less collagen throughout our lives.
Unfortunately, this loss of collagen as we age can have negative consequences.You see, collagen is found in our hair, skin, nails, bones, muscles, joints, and more.
If we produce less collagen over time, those tissues can lose some of their structure.Our skin can get wrinkly. We can have brittle nails. Our hair might even start thinning.
That's why so many people turn to collagen supplements, especially for the hair benefits. So does collagen help hair growth, and how long does collagen take to work on hair? Results vary, but many people notice changes in hair texture and strength within about two weeks, with visible new growth typically showing up after a month or more.
Below, we'll break down how collagen works, how it supports hair growth, how long collagen takes to work on hair, and what you should and shouldn't expect.
Key Takeaways
- Collagen supports hair growth indirectly by supplying amino acids for keratin and strengthening the scalp dermis that anchors follicles.
- Expect gradual results, including less breakage in 2–4 weeks, new baby hairs around 6 weeks, and visible thickness by 12–16 weeks.
- It won't reverse genetic hair loss. For pattern baldness, minoxidil or finasteride have stronger evidence.
- Hydrolyzed, multi-source collagen absorbs best, and works better when paired with enough protein and vitamin C.
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein, and a really unique one at that!
It's the primary building block for your skin, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and more. It’s also found in your muscles, hair, and nails too.
Like every protein, collagen is made of amino acids, but it contains uniquely high amounts of proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. These are the same amino acids your body uses to build keratin, the structural protein that makes up your hair. To actually produce collagen, your body also needs cofactors like vitamin C, zinc, copper, and manganese, which is why balanced nutrition plays a role in how well any collagen supplement works.
When you’re young, your body will produce collagen at full steam. That’s why your joints feel so good and your skin has no wrinkles.
But as you age, your collagen production drops, which leads to less collagen in your body. This is when you may notice sore joints, wrinkles, and weaker tendons and ligaments, though there are several ways to increase collagen levels naturally through lifestyle and nutrition.
What is collagen good for? While we’re focusing on hair today, collagen is actually responsible for much more. This, among several other reasons, could explain why collagen supplements have become so popular.
What Are Collagen Supplements?
Collagen supplements are there to provide you with a source of collagen when you need it.
Collagen supplements come in capsules, liquids, and powders. Most reputable products use hydrolyzed collagen peptides — collagen that’s been broken down into shorter amino-acid chains — because this form significantly improves absorption and bioavailability. In other words, your body can actually put it to use once it’s digested.
On top of that, different collagen supplements contain different types of collagen. While some focus on single types of collagen, others contain several different types.
Each type of collagen is a little different from the others, and can be found in different areas of the body. These different collagen types also play different roles in the body. This can be important to know if you're looking to use collagen for something specific.
So, let's talk more about the different types of collagen. That way, you'll know what to look out for!
Types of Collagen
Believe it or not, there are 28 different types of collagen. Most supplements are sourced from bovine (cow), marine (fish), or chicken, each of which delivers slightly different collagen types. When it comes to collagen supplements, you'll most often find these 5 main types...
- Type I Collagen: Found in skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. It provides strength and structure to these tissues.
- Type II Collagen: Primarily found in cartilage. It supports joint flexibility and cushioning.
- Type III Collagen: Found in internal organs, blood vessels, and skin. This type works with Type I for skin elasticity and tissue repair.
- Type V Collagen: Found in the cornea, muscle, liver, lungs, and the placenta. It works with other collagen types to help form their fibers properly.
- Type X Collagen: Found in joint cartilage, growth plates, and lumbar discs. This collagen type aids in bone growth and healing injuries to bones and cartilage.
Now that you have a grasp on the different types of collagen, what are their benefits?
What Are the Benefits of Collagen?
There can be a lot of benefits to adding more collagen into your daily nutrition. Why else would it be all the hype if people haven't experienced this for themselves?
Let’s talk about some of the benefits that can come with collagen supplementation.
Skin Health
Collagen makes up the majority of your skin. In fact, it accounts for around 70–80% of it (3).
Collagen is the protein that gives your skin its structure. It works hand in hand with elastin to keep your skin elastic and strong.
As I mentioned though, the body produces less collagen with age. This can lead to more fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Keeping your collagen production high can help to support strong, healthy, and hydrated skin. While this won't prevent aging, it can slow the process. This is one way in which a collagen supplement could help out (4).
Joint, Bone, and Muscle Support
Collagen also supports your joints, bones, and muscles. Cartilage is largely collagen, so supplementation can help protect against the wear-and-tear breakdown that leads to arthritis (5). Your bones actually contain roughly as much collagen as calcium, so it plays a real role in bone mineral density (6). And because collagen is packed with glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline — amino acids that are scarce in most other protein sources — it complements the protein your muscles need for recovery (7).
Now, should collagen be your main protein source for muscle growth? No, that’s not at all what I’m saying.
What I am saying is taking collagen in addition to your other protein sources can be beneficial. It gives you a source of those amino acids you don’t get as often, but your muscles still need.
So, Does Collagen Help With Hair Growth?
Hair itself is made primarily of keratin — not collagen — so collagen doesn’t literally become hair. What it does is support the systems that build and anchor your hair in three important ways:
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Amino acids for keratin production. Collagen is rich in proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline — the exact building blocks your body uses to make keratin.
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Scalp and dermis support. Collagen strengthens the dermis, the deeper layer of scalp skin that anchors every hair follicle. A stronger foundation means stronger, better-anchored hair (2).
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Antioxidant protection for follicles. Collagen peptides may help neutralize the free radicals that damage follicles and contribute to aging-related shedding.
That said, rigorous human studies on collagen specifically for hair growth are still limited. The research we do have is promising (2, 8), but collagen works best as part of a holistic approach to hair health — alongside enough daily protein, balanced nutrition, a healthy scalp, and addressing any underlying conditions that may be driving hair thinning.
How Long Does Collagen Take to Work on Hair?
Let's get back to your original question. How long does collagen take to work on hair? When can you expect to see results?
Again, this is going to depend on a variety of factors, but here is a generalized timeline to give you an idea.
Some people report new baby hairs within 6 weeks, and increased hair thickness in 16 weeks. In general, within 3 to 6 months of consistent use, individuals often observe thicker and healthier hair. Collagen also supports skin (4–8 weeks) and joints (8–12 weeks), but hair results sit on the longer end of that curve. This gives you a realistic collagen results timeline for hair growth and strength.
Long-term collagen use can reduce hair loss and may lead to faster-growing strands, contributing to overall hair health (8).
But, now that you have an idea as to how long it will take for collagen to work on hair ... How do you get the best results? How can you best use a collagen supplement to achieve healthy, full, hydrated, and beautiful hair?
How to Get the Best Results from Collagen Supplements
Here are three tips to help you maximize your results from collagen supplements...
1. Stay consistent. Collagen isn’t a one-and-done supplement; the benefits show up when your body has a steady, daily supply of the amino acids it needs to build keratin and rebuild connective tissue. Pick a time each day and stick with it.
2. Choose a multi-source, hydrolyzed collagen supplement. A blend of all 5 main collagen types gives your body a broader amino-acid profile to work with, and the hydrolyzed (peptide) form absorbs best. Look for a third-party-tested product with no heavy metals or hidden fillers.
3. Give it time and support it with the basics. Hair grows slowly, and results can be held back by low vitamin C intake, smoking, heavy sun exposure, or a high-sugar diet. Pair your collagen with enough dietary protein, vitamin C, zinc, and iron, and don't expect dramatic changes before the 8–16 week mark.
Try 1st Phorm Collagen with Dermaval: The Industry-Leading Collagen Supplement
If you’re ready to support your hair, skin, and nails with a premium collagen supplement, 1st Phorm Collagen with Dermaval is our pick. It combines all 5 main collagen types in their hydrolyzed form for better absorption, and adds 50mg of Dermaval, a superfood antioxidant blend that helps support healthy elastin levels in your skin. For a natural option, Collagen Natural with Dermaval delivers the same quality with no artificial sweeteners. And if hair, skin, and nails are your main focus, check out our Hair Skin Nail Essentials, too.
Have questions? Our NASM Certified Trainers and Nutrition Coaches are available at 1-800-409-9732 or [email protected], 6 AM – 10 PM Central, every day.
Try Collagen with Dermaval today!
Collagen for Hair Growth FAQs
Which is better for hair growth, biotin or collagen?
Biotin and collagen work on different parts of the hair-growth pathway, so they’re not really a head-to-head comparison. Biotin (vitamin B7) helps your body produce keratin at the cellular level, while collagen supplies the amino acids your body uses to build keratin and strengthens the scalp dermis that anchors follicles. For most people, the two complement each other, and a biotin deficiency is actually pretty rare.
What are the 5 signs that collagen is working?
When collagen is doing its job, you’ll often notice:
- Less hair breakage and fewer split ends
- Stronger, faster-growing nails
- More hydrated, elastic-feeling skin
- New baby hairs around the hairline (typically around 6–16 weeks)
- Less day-to-day joint stiffness
- These changes show up gradually, not overnight. Consistency is what makes them stick.
- What should you avoid when taking collagen?
To get the most out of a collagen supplement, avoid skipping doses, pairing it with a low-protein or very low–vitamin-C diet (vitamin C is required for collagen synthesis), and buying from unregulated brands with no third-party testing. If you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a chronic medical condition, or if you’re pregnant, talk to your doctor before starting.
Should people with EDS take collagen?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic connective-tissue disorders that affect how the body produces or uses collagen. Some people with EDS report feeling better on collagen supplements, but the research is limited and results vary widely by subtype. Because EDS is genetic, supplementation won’t correct the underlying issue, so anyone with EDS should work with a specialist before starting collagen.
References:
(1) Wu M, Cronin K, Crane JS. Biochemistry, Collagen Synthesis. [Updated 2023 Sep 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507709.
(2) Karin I. Pappelbaum, Nicolina Virgilio, Lisa Epping, Bastiaan van der Steen, Francisco Jimenez, Wolfgang Funk, Janne Prawitt, Marta Bertolini, Revealing novel insights on how oral supplementation with collagen peptides may prevent hair loss: Lessons from the human hair follicle organ culture, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 116, 2024, 106124, ISSN 1756-4646, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2024.106124.
(3) Oikarinen A. Aging of the skin connective tissue: how to measure the biochemical and mechanical properties of aging dermis. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 1994 Apr;10(2):47-52. PMID: 8043384.
(4) Pu SY, Huang YL, Pu CM, Kang YN, Hoang KD, Chen KH, Chen C. Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2023 Apr 26;15(9):2080. doi: 10.3390/nu15092080. PMID: 37432180; PMCID: PMC10180699.
(5) Martínez-Puig D, Costa-Larrión E, Rubio-Rodríguez N, Gálvez-Martín P. Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge. Nutrients. 2023 Mar 8;15(6):1332. doi: 10.3390/nu15061332. PMID: 36986062; PMCID: PMC10058045.
(6) König D, Oesser S, Scharla S, Zdzieblik D, Gollhofer A. Specific Collagen Peptides Improve Bone Mineral Density and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women-A Randomized Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2018 Jan 16;10(1):97. doi: 10.3390/nu10010097. PMID: 29337906; PMCID: PMC5793325.
(7) Inacio PAQ, Gomes YSM, de Aguiar AJN, Lopes-Martins PSL, Aimbire F, Leonardo PS, Sá Filho AS, Lopes-Martins RAB. The Effects of Collagen Peptides as a Dietary Supplement on Muscle Damage Recovery and Fatigue Responses: An Integrative Review. Nutrients. 2024 Oct 8;16(19):3403. doi: 10.3390/nu16193403. PMID: 39408370; PMCID: PMC11478671.
(8) Hwang SB, Park HJ, Lee BH. 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. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Oct 7;23(19):11904. doi: 10.3390/ijms231911904. PMID: 36233206; PMCID: PMC9569759.
(9) Hexsel D, Zague V, Schunck M, Siega C, Camozzato FO, Oesser S. Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017 Dec;16(4):520-526. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12393. Epub 2017 Aug 8. PMID: 28786550.
