The whole industry is talking about the benefits of biotin and collagen, and it seems that everyone’s including them as an integral part of their hair health routines. But are either of them going to make a palpable difference in alleviating your hair health concerns?
Both of them promise faster hair growth, amazing skin benefits and some even claim to reverse aging and hair loss. But is there any truth to these claims?
And more importantly, which of them really does help your hair growth?
Today we’re removing the ambiguity and diving into the science behind both of these ingredients. Starting with what they are, how they differ from each other, and what hair concerns each of them target best, we’ve got you covered if you’re trying to figure out which one to choose—or whether to choose at all.
Summary
If you’re looking for supplements and ingredients that can make a difference in your hair’s health and rate of growth, you’ve most probably come across biotin and collagen.
Based on different studies, it appears that the better supplement recommended to combatthinning hair and maintaining hair health is biotin over collagen. It’s far superior in terms of topical absorption and can be absorbed from many foods as part of a healthy, varied diet.
Collagen levels are difficult if not impossible to boost artificially, and even the most expensive supplements will be hard-pressed to show proof of effectiveness. Furthermore, collagen is ineffective when applied topically.
So there it is, the winner of the battle between biotin and collagen.
Table of contents
- The ultimate supplement for luscious hair growth
- What is biotin?
- What does biotin do for hair?
- What is collagen?
- What does collagen do for hair?
- The best way to take biotin and collagen
- Which supplement should you take?
- Over-reliance on supplements
What is biotin?
Biotin is another name for vitamin B7 or Vitamin H. This vitamin’s most important function is that it helps your body convert food into energy, but it also helps with the health of your:
- Hair
- Skin
- Nails
- Eyes
- Nervous system
- Pregnancies
Most people get enough biotin through their diets, as it’s rife in common foods such as:
- Organ meats
- Eggs
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Seeds
If you’re eating a varied, balanced diet, you most probably don’t need to worry about not getting enough of it. In fact, biotin supplements aren’t targeting people with a biotin deficiency, as there are very few of those.
The theory is that a surplus of biotin in your body is desirable, as it’s speculated that it will get your hair, skin, and nails to be even healthier.
What does biotin do for hair?
Biotin is the essential building block of keratin, the primary protein in hair. A deficiency of biotin negatively affects hair growth due to the lack of keratin.
There are a lot of supplements that claim to improve hair health, and although biotin is one of them, there doesn’t seem to be enough research about the role of supplementing biotin in hair growth and overall texture.
It can’t be stated that biotin supplements are 100% verified and effective for hair growth—unless if they’re helping remove a biotin deficiency, in which case the supplements will definitely help with their hair growth.
In some studies, biotin supplements have even been reported to reverse hair loss, but they’ve failed to be successfully isolated from other ingredients, so it’s hard to say if it was biotin that had the biggest impact.
If you’d like to read more about these studies and what they found, feel free to go ahead and read our other article on biotin for hair.
While biotin’s crucial role in keratin seems reason enough for making sure that we have appropriate levels of it in our bodies, we should approach supplements with care.
Read more:Can Men Take Biotin?
What is collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Just like biotin, it plays a crucial role in the functioning of our bodies, as it provides them with structural support.
It might be easier for you to imagine collagen as the springs in a mattress - if your body is the metaphorical mattress, collagen is the internal structure that keeps it in place, firm, and bouncy.
You can find collagen all over your body, but most of it is within your skin, bones, tendons, and cartilages.
When we’re younger, we have plenty of collagen reserves that we build through our varied diets.
Some great foods for collagen are:
- Fish
- Chicken
- Egg whites
- Citrus fruits
- Berries
- Vegetables(tomatoes, spinach, kale, etc.)
What does collagen do for hair?
As we grow older, our collagen reserves dwindle, making those springs a little bit less bouncy and the support less sturdy. Think about how older people’s skin sags; that’s because, amongst other things, they’re missing collagen.
A shortage of collagen also affects hair, making it sparse, thin, and brittle.
What’s the link? Simple.
Collagen and keratin are both proteins, and all proteins are made out of smaller building blocks called amino acids.
Proline happens to be one of the main amino acids in both collagen and keratin; when your hair is in its growth phase, there is naturally more proline in your scalp.
Low collagen means low proline levels, which means impeded hair growth. You can find out more in our separate deep dive into collagen for hair growth.
Read more:Does Collagen Help Hair Loss? What You Need to Know (2022)
What’s the best way to take biotin and collagen for hair?
Biotin and collagen seem to both have the same effect: they help hair growth. By supporting keratin, the primary protein in the structure of hair, they are doing their part in boosting overall hair health.
But when it comes to taking supplements or applying topical treatments for either of these in the form of shampoos or serums, the story becomes a little bit different.
Biotin and collagen supplements work in a similar way. Your body breaks them down into its building blocks.
If everything goes according to plan and your body absorbs it properly and directs it towards the area that you’d like for it to help with (in our case, your scalp), then you’re bound to reap the benefits of your biotin and collagen supplement.
Topical application, however, is different.
Collagen is an easy one to explain: a collagen molecule is simply too big to penetrate the skin (your scalp). So, even if you’ve got the highest quality collagen-boosted shampoo or treatment, chances are that your shower water will wash it right off your hair and into the drain, along with your money.
Collagen in topical application doesn’t work. Biotin, on the other hand, does well when applied directly to your hair.
Unlike collagen, biotin can be successfully absorbed through the skin and scalp, and if applied regularly, it will increase the levels of biotin present in your hair, rehydrating the scalp and unclogging the pores of the dead skin cells. This will help your hair with its natural growth cycle.
The Hair Nutrient supplement with guaranteed results
Statistics show that around81% of women believe that having luscious, thick and smooth hair is the pride and joy for many.
Biotin and collagen supplements can help you achieve those goals but not all hair supplements are built the same.
Some don't work, some are unsafe, and some are just extortionate. So which hair supplement really does the job?
Scandinavian Biolabs'Hair Nutrient Tablets is all THAT (and more)!
Besides having biotin, these Hair Nutrient Tablets are 100% vegan and contain naturally derived, hair growth-boosting ingredients like:
- Amino acid complex - enhances proteins, specifically keratin, the main structure in hair.
- Zinc - compensates for zinc deficiencies that disrupt normal hair growth cycles
- Apple extract - encourage hair epithelial cell growth
- Horsetail extract - increases the tensile strength of hair.
Hair Nutrient Tablets
Contains zinc for the maintenance of normal hair, as well as niacin and riboflavin for the maintenance of normal skin.
When coupled withtheHair Growth Routine, we guarantee results - or all your money back.
Biotinor collagen: which supplement should you take?
We made a handy table to compare the main features of each, allowing you to make an informed choice:
| Feature | Biotin | Collagen |
|---|---|---|
| Main benefits | Promotes hair growth and nail health | Improves skin elasticity and joint health |
| Source | Can be plant-based, found in foods such as eggs, nuts, and fish | No plant-based source available, derived from animal bones and connective tissue |
| Dosage | Daily recommended dose ranges from 30-100 mcg | Daily recommended dose ranges from 2.5-15 grams |
| Potential side effects | May cause acne breakouts | May cause digestive issues |
| Other benefits | Can help support metabolism and cognitive function | Can improve gut health and reduce inflammation |
| Effectiveness | Mixed results in scientific studies | Some evidence for improved skin and joint health |
| Cost | Typically less expensive | Generally more expensive |
| Accessibility | Widely available in supplement form | Can be harder to find in supplement form |
Read more:Top 7 Foods For Vegetarian Hair Growth According To Doctors
Over-reliance on supplements
Over-reliance on supplements for hair health can have potential downsides. While supplements can provide certain nutrients that are beneficial for hair health, relying too much on them can result in imbalanced nutrient intake or even overdose, which may lead to negative side effects.
Moreover, some supplements may interact with medications or cause allergic reactions, which could further harm one's health.
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I'm an enthusiast well-versed in the realm of hair health and supplements, possessing in-depth knowledge and a keen understanding of the science behind various ingredients. My expertise extends to the focal points of this discussion: biotin and collagen. Let's delve into these elements to demystify the claims and discern their actual impact on hair health.
Biotin:
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, plays a crucial role in converting food into energy and contributes significantly to the health of hair, skin, nails, eyes, and the nervous system. It's abundantly present in organ meats, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds. While most people obtain sufficient biotin through a balanced diet, supplements are touted for promoting surplus biotin in the body, speculated to enhance the health of hair, skin, and nails.
Biotin for Hair:
Biotin serves as the essential building block of keratin, the primary protein in hair. A deficiency in biotin negatively impacts hair growth due to the lack of keratin. While there is some support for biotin supplements reversing hair loss, research is not definitive. The critical role of biotin in keratin formation underscores its importance, but caution is advised regarding supplement intake.
Collagen:
Collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, provides structural support akin to the springs in a mattress. Found in skin, bones, tendons, and cartilages, collagen levels diminish with age, affecting skin and hair health. Foods like fish, chicken, egg whites, citrus fruits, berries, and vegetables contribute to collagen production.
Collagen for Hair:
Collagen and keratin share proline as a main amino acid, influencing hair growth. Low collagen levels result in low proline levels, impeding hair growth and leading to sparse, thin, and brittle hair. Topical application of collagen is generally ineffective due to the large size of collagen molecules.
Taking Biotin and Collagen:
Both biotin and collagen support hair growth by aiding keratin, but their efficacy differs in supplement form. Biotin can be absorbed topically, benefiting the scalp, while collagen's large molecules hinder topical application. Biotin is naturally present in various foods, making it accessible through a balanced diet.
The Ultimate Supplement:
Studies suggest that, based on evidence, biotin surpasses collagen in combating thinning hair and maintaining hair health. Biotin's superiority lies in topical absorption and its presence in a variety of foods.
Over-reliance on Supplements:
While supplements like biotin and collagen can contribute to hair health, over-reliance poses potential downsides. Imbalanced nutrient intake, overdose, interactions with medications, and allergic reactions are among the risks. A balanced approach to nutrition, including a varied diet, is essential for overall well-being.
In conclusion, when choosing between biotin and collagen, evidence leans toward biotin as the more effective supplement for promoting hair health. However, it's crucial to approach supplements with care and not solely rely on them for comprehensive well-being.
