Collagen is a protein that is found throughout the body, including in the skin. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure and elasticity of the skin. Collagen supplements have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people taking them to improve the health and appearance of their skin. But can collagen supplements help with seborrheic dermatitis?
There are no studies to suggest that supplementing with collagen is a treatment for seborrheic dermatitis. However, collagen supplements may improve your skin barrier and help with skin repair, potentially improving the symptoms of seb derm and preventing further flares. However, more research is needed to determine the role of collagen supplements in managing this condition.
Let’s take a deep dive:
What are Collagen Supplements?
Collagen is a protein that is naturally produced by the body and is found in the skin, bones, and connective tissues. It’s responsible for providing structure and elasticity to the skin and is essential for maintaining healthy joints and bones. As you age, your body produces less collagen, which can lead to wrinkles, sagging skin, and joint pain.
Collagen supplements are derived from animal sources, such as cows, pigs, and fish, and are available in various forms, including pills, powders, and drinks. These supplements may contain different types of collagen, such as type I, II, or III, which have different benefits for the body.
According to Healthline, collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity, reduce joint pain and stiffness, and promote healthy bones. However, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of collagen supplements for these conditions.
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Benefits of Collagen Supplements for the Skin
Collagen supplements may offer some benefits that can help with seb derm. Here are some of the benefits of collagen supplements for the skin:
- Improves skin hydration: Collagen is a major component of the skin, and taking collagen supplements may help to improve skin hydration, making it look more plump and youthful.
- Boosts skin elasticity: Collagen also plays a role in skin elasticity, making it less prone to wrinkles and sagging. There are quite a few studies finding that collagen supplements improved skin hydration and elasticity in a group of women with aging skin.
- Reduces inflammation: Collagen helps to reduce inflammation in the skin, which can help to alleviate symptoms of seb derm
While more research is needed to fully understand the benefits of collagen supplements for seborrheic dermatitis, these potential benefits make collagen supplements a promising option for improving your skin barrier.
Collagen Supplements and Seborrheic Dermatitis
There are no studies looking into collagen supplements as a treatment for seborrheic dermatitis. Nor are there any looking at the antifungal effects of collagen on Malassezia. Collagen doesn’t have any antifungal activity so this isn’t surprising.
However, an impaired skin barrier is one of the causes of seb derm and we know that collagen, taken orally, can help to boost your skin health and provide the building blocks for repairing your skin.
Collagen may also help to improve the overall health of the scalp. It may help to reduce scalp dryness, improving the symptoms of dandruff and itching.
While there are plenty of studies suggesting collagen supplements may improve your skin barrier, bear in mind that many of these studies are funded by the companies that make the supplements. Experts still recommend that if you have the time, drinking a collagen broth that you make at home is preferable.
If you’re time-poor like me, taking a daily collagen supplement instead will be a good second choice. My favorite is Bulletproof Collagen Powder. It comes in unflavoured, chocolate or vanilla, depending on your preference.
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To be clear, collagen supplements are not a cure nor a treatment for seborrheic dermatitis, and more research is needed to determine if they can help improve symptoms. However, if you are interested in trying collagen supplements, it wouldn’t aggravate seb derm and may even give you bonus benefits of having younger skin and nimble joints.
If you’re wondering if collagen creams work for seb derm, read this article.
What Happens If You Stop Taking Collagen Supplements?
Some people get concerned that once you sign up for collagen supplements, you’re hooked for life and coming off it will make matters worse. Chances are, once you start taking a good collagen supplement and see its benefits, you’ll want to continue.
However, if for whatever reason you stop the supplementation, nothing drastic will happen. The only thing that happens is that your body will not receive the additional collagen it needs.
The beneficial effects of collagen supplements on the skin can last up to one month after stopping the supplement. However, after that, the collagen levels in your body will begin to decrease, and you may notice a decline in your skin’s health.
Stopping supplemental collagen will not cause a seb derm flare or make it harder to control seb derm. You simply end up where you started before you took collagen.
