Name Ingredients:
Collagen is a protein produced by the body that plays an essential role in the structure and function of skin, cartilage, bones, and connective tissue. There are two types of collagen, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 collagen makes up 90% of the collagen found in the human body. Collagen is a widely available supplement that is claimed to stimulate hair growth, prevent loss and delay graying.
Key insights:
- The outermost layer of the hair follicle has been found to be a source of pro-collagen, the precursor to type 1 collagen, indicating a role in hair follicle structure and growth.
- The in vitro evidence suggests that collagen peptides -isolated from fish- enhance cell growth (proliferation) of human dermal papilla cells (specialized cells involved in hair follicle growth and cycling); however, it’s not known what effect enhanced proliferation of dermal papilla cells would have on the growth of the hair follicle.
- The in vivo (in animals) evidence suggests that topical collagen peptide treatment may enhance hair follicle growth in comparison to the control, and increase the number of growing (anagen) hair follicles compared to non-growing (telogen) follicles.
- Our experience tracking members: collagen by itself is not enough to improve hair loss outcomes.
Additional links:
- Collagen: Evidence Quality (Rubric)
- 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
- Connective tissue sheath of hair follicle is a major source of dermal type 1 procollagen in human scalp
- Collagen For Hair Loss: Untangling The Truth