Most people focus on hair treatments but overlook the scalp itself. Yet the scalp is skin, and like the rest of your skin, it depends on collagen for strength, hydration and resilience.
Structurally, your scalp is made up of the same layers as the rest of your skin, the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. However, because it contains a higher density of hair follicles and sebaceous glands, it is more vulnerable to congestion, inflammation and structural decline over time.
Collagen plays a critical role in maintaining the scalp’s integrity. It provides the structural framework that keeps the dermal layer firm, hydrated and resilient, creating the optimal environment for healthy hair growth.
As collagen naturally declines, beginning at approximately 1–1.5% per year from your mid-20s, the scalp’s structure becomes weaker and less supportive. This can affect follicle stability, nutrient delivery and the overall hair growth cycle, contributing to thinning, reduced shine and slower regrowth.
Pro Tip: Massage your scalp regularly to stimulate circulation and support nutrient delivery to the follicles. Pair this with daily ProPlenish Marine Collagen to help reinforce the scalp’s structure from within.
Collagen acts like the scaffolding of the scalp, supporting the connective tissue and anchoring hair follicles securely within the dermis. When collagen levels drop, the dermal layer that houses these follicles becomes thinner and weaker, reducing each strand’s ability to grow strong and healthy.
Studies show that supplementing with hydrolysed marine collagen can help stimulate fibroblast activity, boosting collagen and elastin production within the scalp’s dermal layer.¹ ² This promotes improved blood flow, nutrient delivery and follicle strength, the essential foundations of thicker, shinier hair.
Pro Tip: Hydration is key to scalp health. Drink 2–3 litres of water daily to complement your collagen routine and support the scalp’s barrier function.
Inflammation is one of the most overlooked causes of poor scalp health and hair thinning. Factors like stress, pollution, product buildup and hormonal changes can trigger low-grade inflammation that damages collagen fibres in the dermal layer.
When this happens, the scalp’s structure weakens, circulation is impaired and follicle function declines leading to fragile, slower-growing hair. Chronic inflammation also increases oxidative stress, which accelerates collagen degradation and disrupts the hair growth cycle.
Marine collagen’s amino acid profile (particularly glycine, proline and hydroxyproline) helps counteract this process by supporting the regeneration of healthy collagen fibres and strengthening the scalp’s extracellular matrix. This improves resilience against inflammation and environmental stressors, restoring the foundation for optimal hair growth.
Pro Tip: Reduce inflammatory triggers by managing stress, eating antioxidant-rich foods and avoiding harsh hair products that strip the scalp’s natural oils.
As your scalp loses collagen, it becomes drier and less elastic. This affects the hair follicle’s microenvironment, the nutrient-rich layer where new hair cells form. A weaker dermal structure means follicles receive less nourishment and are more easily damaged by UV exposure, oxidative stress and hormonal changes.
Over time, this can lead to increased hair shedding, brittleness and reduced volume. Supporting collagen levels from within helps counteract these effects, reinforcing the scalp’s foundation and promoting thicker, more resilient strands.
Pro Tip: Combine ProPlenish Marine Collagen supplementation with gentle scalp exfoliation once a week to remove buildup and allow oxygen and nutrients to reach the follicles more effectively.
If your hair feels weaker, thinner or drier despite using quality products, the issue may be deeper than the surface, within the scalp’s skin structure.
By replenishing collagen daily with ProPlenish Marine Collagen, you’re supporting the very framework that keeps your scalp healthy and your hair strong.
Healthy scalp, healthy hair, it really is that simple.
References: 1.Proksch, E. et al. (2014). Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2. Asserin, J. et al. (2015). The effect of oral collagen peptide supplementation on skin hydration and dermal collagen density. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
