Collagen, hydrolyzed keratin, amino acids, protein shakes…a whole category of wellness products are aimed at your hair. Can they do anything?
Scroll through your social media accounts for five minutes and there’s a good chance somewhere, someone will try and sell you on a hair product. A bunch of those will be of the supplemental variety. Protein powders, collagen gummies, as well as a host of other supplements (like biotin) aimed at “feeding” your hair to new volume heights.
There’s a logic behind the sales trend; hair is made of protein, so more protein might mean more hair, no?
Unfortunately, the only thing these kinds of products will grow is credit card debt.
Read on for why these hair targeted protein boosters are a waste of time and where you should put your money instead.
Hair is made of protein so more protein must help make it grow? Not true. Photo by Alex Saks on Unsplash
Hair = Protein… So More Protein = More Hair?
The supplement industry hates nuance (and data, but that’s another battle). Your hair is protein, yes, but for most people, thinning and other changes in the hair are not caused by a shortage of dietary protein or amino acids. Unless you have a genuine dietary protein deficiency (rare but serious), adding more protein powder, collagen, or keratin on top of what you're already eating won't meaningfully speed up hair growth or reverse thinning.
The most common cause of hair thinning is androgenetic alopecia, and protein and diet have no effect on the hormonal driver, DHT. Very few things will compound hormonal hair loss, but they tend to be serious and require medical intervention — like undiagnosed thyroid conditions or diabetes.
While weight loss can contribute to thinning, it’s not protein specific, but more due to a shock to the system. While a protein shake might be beneficial if you’re hitting the gym regularly, it won’t help your hair specifically. A healthy diet is a great thing, but for your overall health, not your hair.
It is true that a real nutritional deficiency can affect hair (iron, biotin, zinc, protein, etc) but we almost never see these — there is so much supplementation in the foods we buy (milk, pasta, cereal, juices, fortified grains, etc) that they’re incredibly rare.
And supplementing beyond what your body needs won’t catalyze ‘bonus growth’ and can lead to serious medical issues. For example, mega-dosing biotin, while not dangerous on its own, can throw off the same lab tests that are used to diagnose a heart attack.
You’re better off putting your hair supplement budget towards healthy, high protein foods with a good array of nutrients. Photo by Foodie Factor for Pexels.
Where Protein Can Maybe Make a Difference
Topically, keratin-based hair masks can temporarily fill in damage along the hair shaft, making existing strands look and feel stronger and maybe reducing breakage. But it's entirely a cosmetic enhancement and the repair-like effects don’t last.
What Really Helps with Combatting Thin Hair?
If you’re concerned about thinning hair, the best thing you can do is obtain a proper diagnosis. Androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, age-related thinning, telogen effluvium — they all have different root causes and different treatment plans. Medical hair loss therapy is still the gold standard for treating androgenetic alopecia, which is why we’ve partnered with an accredited telehealth provider.
At home, choosing haircare that includes ingredients backed by real research can help support other therapies and make sure that your scalp and follicles are getting the most from your routine.
Our ROOTDefense® blend is built around ingredients studied for their role in supporting a healthier scalp environment: saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, curcumin, and caffeine. An independent, 12-week clinical study showed a statistically significant increase in average hair fiber diameter and a 40% reduction in shedding after washing. Our Thickening Scalp Serum goes even further with niacinamide and peptides, targeting the very scalp environment your follicles need to thrive.
Protein isn't the enemy, but it's not the hero either. Don't let supplements distract you from treatments that can really help your hair.
