Skin, hair and nails reflect what is happening inside the body, and collagen is the protein that gives skin its structure and bounce. Skin, Hair & Collagen Support gathers the products I commonly use to support skin elasticity, hydration and hair and nail strength from the inside.
Creating a Fullscript account is free, and you can look through every product before you decide anything.
The mechanisms this protocol supports
Collagen is constantly built and broken down, and production slows with age. Vitamin C is required for the enzymes that build collagen, and zinc supports skin repair and hair follicle function.
Sun exposure creates oxidative stress that speeds up collagen breakdown, and glycation, where sugars stick to proteins, makes collagen stiffer over time. Skin cell renewal also slows with age, and senescent skin cells build up.
Randomized trials have linked specific bioactive collagen peptides with better skin elasticity and nail growth, and trials have linked astaxanthin with better skin moisture and elasticity. Research has also linked low zinc status with hair shedding.
What is in the protocol
The exact products and directions are listed in the Fullscript plan, and here is what each one is commonly used to support.
- Whole Body Collagen from Designs for Health provides bioactive collagen peptides known as Verisol, Fortigel and Fortibone, which have been studied for skin, joint and bone support.
- Astaxanthin from Designs for Health provides a carotenoid antioxidant that has been studied for supporting skin moisture and elasticity and the skin’s response to sun exposure.
- Buffered Ascorbic Acid from Pure Encapsulations provides a gentle form of vitamin C, which the body needs to build collagen.
- Zinc Picolinate from Thorne provides a well-absorbed form of zinc, which supports skin repair and hair follicle function.
Related protocols you may find helpful include Longevity Foundation and Gut Barrier & Microbiome.
How to use it thoughtfully
- Please talk with your provider before starting, especially if you take medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have a health condition.
- This page does not list amounts, so follow the label or the specific guidance your provider gives you.
- When you can, add one product at a time so it is easier to notice how you feel.
- Sleep, nourishing food, daily movement and stress care are the foundation, and supplements are meant to build on them.
- The collagen in this protocol comes from bovine sources.
- Zinc used for long periods can lower copper levels, so check with your provider about how long to use it.
- Sudden or patchy hair loss should be checked with labs such as iron, thyroid and vitamin D.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to notice changes in skin?
Skin renews itself over several weeks, so most collagen studies look at changes after a couple of months of steady use.
Why is vitamin C included?
The body cannot build collagen without vitamin C, which is needed by the enzymes that link collagen fibers together.
Do I need an appointment to order these products?
No, you can create a free Fullscript account and order directly, although I always recommend checking with your own provider first, and a free 15-minute consult is available if you would like to talk it through.
Ready to see the full protocol?
Every product I use for this protocol is waiting for you in my Fullscript dispensary.
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Book a free 15-minute consult and we can talk it through together.
Educational purposes only. This page shares general information and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and these products are not intended to replace care from your own healthcare provider. Please talk with your provider before starting any supplement, especially if you take medications, are pregnant or nursing, or have a health condition.
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