Every year I promise myself I’m going to chop off my hair and get one of those cool choppy bobs. (Ever since I saw Terence Trent D’arby’s
Sign Your Name video back in the 90s!) But I just can’t do it! So until I gather the cojones, I will keep my hair long but work on keeping it healthy, shiny and strong! I have found that infrequent blow drying (for shine maintenance), supplements (for hair health) and gelatin (for hair growth) have been the keys to hair success. Now let’s get into the details!
GELATIN FOR HAIR GROWTH
Anyone who is concerned with hair/skin/nail health already knows that biotin has been the go-to supplement to amp up beauty. And I’m not poo-pooing its beneficial properties.
Biotin plays a crucial role in achieving healthy hair, skin and nails! But in this blog post, I will tell you that many (including myself) have been turning to gelatin to get their hair long and healthy, their skin glowing and their nails strong. It turns out that biotin and gelatin both have their unique benefits and can work together symbiotically.
WHAT IS GELATIN
But what is gelatin in the first place?
Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen (when you cook collagen, you get gelatin), and has a unique combination of amino acids. It has become popular over recent years, especially for the role it plays in brain function, joint health, and healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Collagen is well-studied for being the most abundant protein found in all animals (humans included), primarily in bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin. You can think of it as basically providing structure to our tissues, such as skin flexibility and tendon strength. You wonât get collagen by just eating meat or animal products because it is found in parts of the animal that arenât directly edible (like bones).
Collagen is extracted and gelatin formed by cooking broth from the bones and body parts of animals. Gelatin has a thick, jelly-like consistency when cool, but dissolves when heated. This is why your broth will become congealed when you put it in the fridge.
Gelatin is made up mainly of the amino acids glycine, proline, valine, hydroxyproline and glutamic acid. – Vitamin World
Gelatin is recommended for joint and ligament pain (hello Torn ACL!), arthritis (which is why I give this to my mom), digestive issues (I used to have plenty) and yes – skin, nail, hair health.
THE BEST TYPES OF GELATIN FOR HAIR GROWTH
These are my favorite types of gelatin for hair growth. Not just for its efficacy but for the ease and simplicity in the intake. You can take gelatin in the form of powder, pills — or a hair mask!
GELATIN POWDER FOR HAIR GROWTH
Gelatin powder is pretty much my go-to in terms of consumption. I use YouTheory or Great Lakes collagen hydrolysate often due to the simplicity of using it. I add it to my smoothies and oatmeal as well as my lattes and bulletproof coffees. You can even add it to soup or bone broth for an extra ummph! (You’re always welcome to just add it to hot water (or cool water) if you really are on the go and have zero time for any sort of prep!)
YouTheory Collagen is pretty rad and super well equipped. Their formula is enhanced with Vitamin C to promote internal collagen production and Biotin to support factors important to health and beauty. It’s kind of a great all-in-one!
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Great Lakes’ collagen is made of one simple ingredient with a unique combination of beneficial amino acids (lanine, glycine and proline). Not only is their product wonderful for hair growth, but the amino acids are concentrated at levels that have been shown to promote healthy bones, joints and the digestive system. This is what it looks like. (It fits perfectly next to your oatmeal containers – which is perfect since I add it to my kids’ oatmeal!)
Another brand I like is
Musely’s Hello Beautiful Collagen Powder. I add the unflavored one to my bulletproof coffee — but I add the berry one to water and use it to wash down my supplements! Kill two birds, right?!
VITAL PROTEINS is another very popular brand – and it’s grass-fed and clean. I just haven’t tried it yet. It’s on my list!
DRINKING GELATIN FOR HAIR GROWTH
Here’s a recipe to my
bulletproof coffee! All you have to do is add a tablespoon or so of gelatin (see above) to your drink — and Voila! You’re golden!
GELATIN PILLS FOR HAIR GROWTH
As for supplements…
I know that not all of us have time to actually make food — so sometimes it’s easier to just pop down supplements.
SOLGAR is a brand that I trust – and Whole Foods is always bound to carry it. If you really want to up your gelatin intake, then just add them to your supplement regimen.
NEOCELL is another great reputable brand. I actually discovered it through one of my NEW HOPE BLOGGER BOXES! The collagen peptides in this Super Collagen support collagen in tendons, ligaments, hair, skin, nails, and lean muscle.
GELATIN HAIR MASKS
You read that right! A gelatin hair mask!! And the best part is that you can make it yourself.
All it requires is 1 T of gelatin powder, 1/2 cup of cool water, 1/2 cup of warm water, 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp of honey.
Directions:
Mix 1 tablespoon of gelatin powder in 1/2 cup of cool water until it’s thoroughly mixed. Add 1/2 cup of warm water, the apple cider vinegar and the honey to create a thick gel. Massage it into the hair and scalp and leave it on for 5 minutes. Voila! Rinse with warm water and shampoo as normal.
OTHER BENEFITS OF GELATIN
Aside from the aforementioned benefits of gelatin for hair growth and skin and nail health, gelatin can also be a helpful tool for
weight loss! It is high in protein and low in calorie — so it can help satiate the consumer which decreases the likelihood of overeating. Plus – gelatin may also play a role in controlling hormones associated with hunger.
It also helps with cellulite!
++ And there you go, beauties. The secrets behind gelatin and the power it holds. Drink up, wash it down, mask it in — just get in with the trend.
