Biotin vs. Collagen for Hair Loss: Which Works Better?

When it comes to hair loss, there is a lot of hype around two often-heard nutrients: biotin and collagen. So, what are they, and how important are they for hair health?

Water-soluble biotin, a common name for vitamin B7, is available in foods such as eggs, fish, organ meats, nuts, whole grains, legumes, bananas, sweet potatoes, and more. Biotin deficiency is known to cause hair thinning, rashes, skin infections, and brittle nails (1).

Collagen is a protein that makes up the connective tissues in the body. It is a primary component of bones, muscles, cartilage, and skin, and plays a key role in maintaining healthy hair. Decreased collagen production is common with aging, stress, diet deficiencies, and can result in wrinkled skin and weakened hair.

Now, if you are wondering whether to choose biotin or collagen to tackle hair loss problems, here’s what you need to know.

Benefits of Biotin for Hair Loss

Biotin is a cofactor for many enzymes that are important for metabolic processes, including breaking down amino acids. The amino acids aid in the protein synthesis of keratin, a protein that is required for good nail and hair health. Without biotin, keratin production is hampered, which means there is an increased risk of hair loss (2).

Consumption of foods rich in biotin can keep hair strong and healthy, and biotin supplements are available as well. However, studies show that biotin supplementation can prove useful in certain conditions, such as uncombable hair syndrome. Besides that, studies proving the efficiency of biotin for hair growth are limited (3).

Essentially, biotin supplementation won't necessarily help with hair loss unless you are deficient in biotin.

Benefits of Collagen for Hair Loss

Collagen is known to benefit hair in many ways. Collagen contains amino acids, specifically proline, that can aid in the production of keratin to make hair strong and healthy. It is also the principal component of the dermis, the middle layer of the skin where the hairs are rooted. When collagen production reduces with age, cell replenishment in the skin also goes down, leading to thinning and loss of hair (4)(5).

Hence, increasing the intake of collagen may help increase amino acids for keratin production and keep the dermis elastic and healthy to support strong hair.

However, the research on collagen’s effect on hair in humans is limited. Also, taking collagen supplements can induce side effects such as heartburn, bloating, and allergic reactions in a few instances.

Which Is Better for Hair Loss?

Both biotin and collagen are available as supplements and topical applications and are helpful for hair and skin health as they contribute in different ways. While the body produces collagen, biotin can be obtained only through a good diet or supplements.

Some things to consider before taking biotin or collagen include the following:

• A biotin supplement may be efficient only if there is a lack of vitamin B7 in the body. A collagen supplement may work better for older individuals because collagen naturally decreases with age.
• While a biotin supplement is suitable for all, collagen supplements usually contain animal-derived collagen that may not suit vegans and vegetarians.
• Hair loss can occur due to an underlying cause that may not be helped by supplements. As such, it is essential to consult a medical practitioner first.

Can You Take Biotin and Collagen Together?

Absolutely! Both biotin and collagen are required for good hair and skin, and there is no evidence till now to indicate that taking both together may be harmful to health.

A combination of biotin and collagen may be doubly beneficial as you get to enjoy the benefits of both these nutrients. Just remember to check labels for ingredients or ask your doctor to recommend the best one for you.

Best Supplements for Hair Loss

The market is flooded with various kinds of hair loss supplements. A wise choice is to select a well-known, branded supplement such as Hairprin natural hair support that has a blend of nutrients to promote hair health and thereby prevent hair loss. Other choices include Nutrafol, Viviscal, and Nature’s Bounty Biotin.

Biotin and collagen are two natural nutrients that are required for overall health and can help reduce hair loss by nourishing the hair. Supplements recommended by a practitioner can definitely help bridge diet deficiencies, but you should also make sure to include foods rich in biotin, collagen, and other micronutrients to help sustain good hair health and strength.