Protecting your hair is crucial for healthy locks, but there are different hair challenges depending on the season. Autumn is a glorious burst of red, crunchy leaves, golden sunsets, and pumpkin-spiced everything. However, it also brings wind, rain, and a lack of sunlight - just a few things that can affect your hair during autumn.
In this article, we’re looking at how collagen can protect your hair in autumn. You’ll discover how collagen helps hair loss, strength, and growth and the best collagen supplements for hair.
Protecting your hair in autumn with the power of collagen
There are many ways collagen can help hair in autumn. In the following section, we’re breaking down each one and the best collagen supplements for hair.
Collagen for hair loss
A small amount of hair shedding is normal as it’s part of the hair growth cycle known as the exogen phase. However, this is different to hair loss, which is when an unusual amount of hair falls out.
The most common cause of hair loss is stress, which tends to heighten around autumn due to a lack of sunlight and the busy holiday season.
Read more: How Stress Affects Your Body.
When you’re stressed, your body releases the hormone cortisol, which triggers inflammation. Cells begin to swell, reducing the size of your hair follicles (the minuscule openings in your scalp that hair grows out of). The reduced size of the follicles means that the hair stand’s circumference may be thinner than usual.
If the inflammation in your hair follicles is too severe and lasts too long, it eventually cuts off the blood supply. As a result, the hair growing from the follicle dies and drops prematurely from the scalp. You may notice large clumps of hair in the shower or bald patches where the hair has suddenly come out. But how does collagen help hair loss?
Collagen is an anti-inflammatory, so it actively reduces swelling in the cells, including your hair follicles. It also improves blood flow so oxygen and nutrients can easily reach your scalp. This helps to give your follicles the vitamins and minerals they need to regrow hair.
Read more: How to Get Rid of Inflammation in the Body Fast.
Collagen to strengthen hair
Collagen helps create keratin, a protein that makes up your hair strands. When you lack keratin, your hair can become weak and brittle, causing it to break or split. When your strands snap easily, it seems like your hair isn’t growing. When, in actual fact, it’s breaking off faster than it can grow.
Your hair may be more susceptible to breakage during autumn because of wind, cold air, and friction-causing fabrics such as coats, scarves, and jumpers. Therefore, taking collagen supplements for hair is crucial during autumn to produce high amounts of keratin and keep your hair strong and healthy.
Combine biotin and collagen for hair growth
The best collagen for hair growth reduces inflammation, which boosts circulation to the hair follicle and encourages hair growth. Collagen is also an antioxidant that defends hair from free radicals, which can break down the collagen cells that produce keratin (the protein that makes up your hair strands). But where does biotin for hair growth come in?
Biotin is a b-vitamin, which is essential for healthy hair. Therefore, combining collagen and biotin may enhance hair growth, particularly if you have a biotin deficiency. Arella Beauty’s Collagen Supplement is formulated with biotin to top up your biotin levels while delivering amino acids and vitamin C for collagen production.
Eat autumn collagen-rich foods for hair
As you snuggle under a blanket on a rainy autumn day, it can be tempting to reach for high-sugar snacks. You might also crave foods that deliver a quick energy burst to keep you warm on chilly days. However, sugary foods trigger inflammation, which slows blood flow, shrinks hair follicles, and can cause hair loss.
Instead of high-sugar snacks and processed foods, opt for autumn collagen-rich foods. The right autumn foods are bursting with vitamin C, amino acids, protein, and the vitamins and minerals needed to speed up collagen synthesis for healthy hair growth.
Exercise to protect collagen in your hair
Exercise regulates the stress hormone cortisol, improves blood flow, and defends against collagen degradation. During autumn, it can be easy to slip into the habit of spending evenings sitting in front of the TV and neglecting exercise. However, moving your body during autumn is vital to encourage collagen synthesis and protect the collagen you already have.
Engage in gentle autumnal exercises, like a stroll through the park, slow, gentle yoga, or pilates as a simple collagen hair treatment.
Read more: Does collagen help with weight loss?
Extra ways to protect your hair in autumn
Collagen for hair is an excellent way to protect your strands in autumn. And because we want you to feel your best, we thought we’d throw in some bonus tips for luscious locks all season.
Keep your hair in braids and loose buns
Protective hairstyles that don’t tug on the roots, such as braids and loose buns, are essential during autumn. They stop your hair from rubbing against rough materials and getting tangled in the wind, minimising seasonal breakage.
Get high-quality sleep
Sleep is essential for healthy hair growth because it reduces inflammation, helps detoxification, and regulates stress.
The shorter daylight hours mean needing more sleep during autumn and winter is normal.
However, modern indoor lighting and blue screens can keep you up late and impact sleep quality. Ensure you establish an evening routine for better sleep and use collagen to help you sleep.
Try: Arella Dream - Calming Sleep Supplement.
The best liquid collagen for hair growth in autumn
You don’t need a collagen supplement specifically targeting hair growth because the best collagen should be infused with additional ingredients to nourish your hair. Arella Beauty’s Collagen Supplement contains supportive hair health ingredients, including;
- Panax ginseng - Ginseng is widely known to enhance growth within the hair follicle and minimise hair loss by tackling inflammation throughout the body.
Read more: The Truth About Ginseng For Your Skin.
- Retinol - The vitamin retinol may increase the growth phase of the hair’s natural cycle. This allows baby hairs, which are prone to breakage, to develop into long-term hair growth, which can improve hair density.
Read more: 5 Reasons Why You Need Retinol in Liquid Collagen.
- Hyaluronic acid - The humectant hyaluronic acid draws water from the air and into the body to increase moisture. This helps to keep hair soft, supple, hydrated, and shiny.
Read more: 7 Unique Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid to Reduce Wrinkles.
- Niacin - Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, boosts blood circulation, helping oxygen and nutrients reach the scalp for improved hair growth. This can also reduce hair fall and minimise hair thinning.
Read more: What is a Niacinamide Supplement Good for?
Beautify your hair with Arella Beauty’s Liquid Collagen Supplement, and enjoy reduced hair loss, enhanced hair growth, and luscious, healthy locks all autumn long.
Read next:
- 7 Reasons Collagen Is The Secret To Hair Growth
- The benefits of collagen for skin and hair
- Does Vegan Collagen Help Hair Growth?
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Written by Emma Carey for Arella Beauty.
Emma is a holistic beauty and wellness writer. She has three years of experience in the well-being industry and a Master’s degree in Creative Writing and Wellness. Check out her portfolio and follow her on Instagram.