If you’re on a mission to have the best hair around, we’ve got a big tip that’s going to get you closer to your goal.

You’ve probably heard of collagen and even seen commercials that tout the benefits of using collagen as an anti-aging skin cream. While collagen can be great for reducing fine lines on your face, it can also be a blessing to your hair. Here’s why.

What is collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the entire animal kingdom, and it makes up about a third of the protein in your body. There are at least sixteen types of collagen, and they all help tissues withstand stretching.

Collagen is found in your bones, muscles, skin, and tendons, and it gives your body strength and structure while also keeping that healthy, youthful appearance. As we age, collagen production declines.

In addition to aging, smoking and exposure to UV light can also decrease the amount of collagen in our bodies.

How collagen benefits your hair

Collagen can be broken down, converted, and then reabsorbed by the body. Endogenous collagen is a natural form that is made by the body, exogenous collagen is synthetic; both are used for medical and cosmetic purposes.

If you’re looking for a hair boost, here is how collagen can help:

Amino acids. Your hair relies on the protein keratin for structure, but your body needs several amino acids to make keratin.

Collagen contains these important amino acids, the building blocks for healthy keratin and lush hair.

Antioxidant. Collagen acts as an antioxidant and helps fight off the daily damage that free radicals can cause. Free radicals can damage the body in many different ways and just about everywhere, including your hair follicles.

Prevent hair-thinning. Collagen is found in abundance in your middle layer of skin, or your dermis. This is where your hair roots live. The dermis starts as an area that is fertile with collagen, but as you age the dermis is not as good at replenishing the collagen, causing your roots and skin to show signs of age.

Research has shown that there are beneficial effects of taking a collagen supplement. The dermis in the people studied had a boost in skin elasticity and skin moisture with no side effects reported.

Slows graying. Age-related graying is mainly due to your genes, not that Hair La Vie doesn’t think gray is beautiful, but free radicals can also cause some premature aging. Once again, antioxidants come to your aid and battle off the damage that can deplete your hair of its natural melanin pigment.

Boosting collagen in the body

As mentioned, collagen production decreases with age. If you’re concerned about the effects of aging on your hair, skin, or the rest of your body, there are some things you can consume to boost collagen.

Supplements. Adding a collagen supplement can be an excellent way to boost collagen in your body. However, collagen is not the only ingredient you want. Be sure to get a collagen supplement specifically formulated for hair health.

Proline. This amino acid is key for keratin, so eating more proline-rich foods like eggs, meats, cheeses, soy, and cabbage can help.

Vitamin C. While you always knew vitamin C was great at warding off a cold, now you know it also encourages the production of collagen by your body.

Vitamin A. Also called beta carotene, this vitamin is another important way you can keep collagen production high.

Copper: The copper in shellfish, nuts, and red meat can help strengthen collagen supplies.

Anthocyanidins: Found in blackberries, blueberries, cherries, black currant, and raspberries, these compounds are known for their anti-aging properties, which are in part due to their ability to increase collagen production.

Final thoughts

Your hair’s lack of luster may be related to collagen. Boost your collagen and you’re getting an all-over anti-aging treatment that can make your skin and hair look fabulous.

Hair is mainly made of keratin, and collagen helps create healthy keratin by providing three vital non-essential amino acids. In addition, collagen can slow hair-thinning, fight premature aging, and it’s a great antioxidant, warding off free radical damage at every turn.

There are several things you can consume that help you get more collagen and you can even take a supplement just to make sure you’re getting an added dose every day.