Skin, Hair & Collagen Support

Written by Dr. Ryan Kneessi, ND

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.

Clinical 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.

What the research shows

This protocol has not been tested as a whole in a clinical trial, so the studies below cover its main ingredients.

Collagen peptides have the most research. In a 2014 double-blind trial by Proksch and colleagues, 69 women aged 35 to 55 took 2.5 or 5 grams of specific collagen peptides or a placebo daily for eight weeks. Skin elasticity improved significantly in both collagen groups compared with placebo, while changes in moisture did not reach significance. The trial was short and industry-funded.

A 2021 meta-analysis by de Miranda and colleagues pooled 19 randomized trials with 1,125 people, mostly women aged 20 to 70, and found that hydrolyzed collagen improved skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkles compared with placebo. Many included trials were funded by manufacturers, which may make results look more favorable.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients 2017. PMID: 28805671. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5579659/
• Proksch E, et al. Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2014. PMID: 23949208. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23949208/
• Hexsel D, et al. Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. J Cosmet Dermatol 2017. PMID: 28786550. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28786550/
• Tominaga K, et al. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects. Acta Biochim Pol 2012. PMID: 22428137. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22428137/
• Kil MS, Kim CW, Kim SS. Analysis of serum zinc and copper concentrations in hair loss. Ann Dermatol 2013. PMID: 24371385. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3870206/

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