It’s day 1 of your collagen supplement. The next morning, you look excitedly into the mirror and inspect your skin. Hmm, nothing yet. Oh well, you’ve only just started. Day 2, and you eagerly look again. Is it just your imagination, or is your skin less red and your joints less achy? By the fourth day, you could swear your acne was fading, but it could be a trick of the light.
You’re unsure if something is changing or if collagen supplements are one big dud. You could keep going, or you could give up now. Frustrated, you wonder, ‘How long does it take for collagen to work?’
In this article, we’re diving into the world of supplements and exploring the question, ‘How long does it take for the benefits of collagen?’ Keep reading to find out the answer because (spoiler alert) we have one.
What is collagen, and why should you take it?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. Its role is to provide strength and elasticity to skin, tendons, and muscles. This allows your complexion to stay taut and your muscles to move and snap back into place—a bit like an elastic band.
There are different types of collagen, but types 1, 2, and 3 play the most significant role. You naturally produce all kinds of collagen in cells called fibroblasts, but the rate starts dropping after your mid-twenties. We know - youth is wasted on the young.
You may feel pangs in your knees, notice lines on your forehead and experience weaker and slower hair growth. So, taking a collagen supplement to replenish your levels is an ingenious idea. At least, we think so!
Read more: How Do Collagen Supplements Work?
Your body makes collagen, so you can’t directly consume it. Some companies sell marine and bovine collagen, which is crushed-up scales, hide, bones and tendons. The idea is that you’re consuming ‘premade’ collagen. But human collagen and animal collagen aren’t the same. Close, but not identical. So, your body can’t absorb 100% of the animal collagen supplement you’re taking.
Read more: The Terrifying Truth Behind Animal Collagen and Deforestation.
However, there is a way around it, and that’s giving your fibroblast cells the exact ingredients they need to make collagen. But more on that later. First, we’re looking into your burning collagen question, ‘How long does it take to see results from collagen?’
How long does it take for collagen to work?
Using collagen supplements sounds exciting, but how long does it take to see the benefits of collagen? Will you have to take the supplement for 3 months, 6 months, or a year before the effects kick in?! Well, not quite…In fact, it’s far more speedy than you think.
How long it takes collagen to work on skin
Collagen keeps everything tight and flexible, knitting skin cells together for a firm and watertight derma barrier. However, as collagen decreases, the cells lose strength. They start to dip, settling into creases that appear as fine lines and wrinkles. These creases are particularly prominent in places where the skin moves a lot, such as the forehead and around the eyes and mouth.
Your derma barrier also holds in moisture, which plumps and hydrates skin. But as it loosens, water molecules start escaping, causing dryness and increasing the depth of wrinkles. Skin becomes parched, and you may struggle with sensitivity, such as redness and acne, even if you’re not a teenager (which certainly doesn’t seem fair). So, what do you do?
Read more: 5 Breakthrough Ways to Treat Acne With Liquid Collagen.
A 2018 study found that participants had improved skin hydration and reduced skin wrinkling after taking collagen peptides for 6-12 weeks. A 2020 study reinforces the findings, showing that collagen peptide supplements increased the baseline markers for skin hydration and elasticity after 6-8 weeks. But we can do better.
After just 4 weeks of using Arella Beauty’s Liquid Collagen Supplement daily, 80% of our participants saw a 13% reduction in wrinkles. That’s at least 2 weeks faster. So, in answer to your question, ‘How long does it take for collagen to start working?’ when it comes to skin, it could only be 4 short weeks.
Read more: 5 Powerful Ways Liquid Collagen Revitalises Your Skin.
How long it takes collagen to work on hair
Hair grows through follicles called dermal papilla cells and is mainly made from a protein called keratin. Your stands have a four-stage cycle: anagen (growth phase), catagen (transition phase), telogen (resting phase), and exogen (shedding phase). As you age, the resting phase gets longer, causing hair growth to slow.
Keratin is a hair growth stimulator and helps during the anagen (hair growth) phase. It also gives your strands bounce, elasticity and strength. And how does your body produce keratin? By using collagen.
A 2022 clinical trial found that collagen supplements rapidly enhanced the number of dermal papilla cells. It also suppressed hair growth inhibitors and ‘significantly enhanced hair regrowth’ in mice. It did all of this in only 6 weeks. Not too shabby. Especially considering that clinical trials of our collagen skyrocketed collagen production by an incredible 134%.
Read more: Does Vegan Collagen Help Hair Growth?
How long it takes collagen to work on bones, tendons and joints
Joint pain comes from weakened bones and tendons, which happen as collagen decreases. Cells can’t maintain their shape, losing elasticity and causing rubbing and weakness. But there’s good news.
Read more: This Is The Way To Treat Joint Pain Quickly.
A 2012 study discovered that participants with hip and knee pain had improved physical activity and less joint pain after taking a collagen supplement for 10 weeks. After 4 weeks of taking our supplement, collagen density was 4.7% higher in participants than in week 1. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, collagen production doubled in the fibroblasts in just 2 days of taking the Arella Beauty collagen supplement.
Revitalise your health and beauty fast with Arella Beauty Collagen
Arella Beauty’s Liquid Collagen Supplement isn’t marine or bovine collagen. It’s made using the precise amino acids your body needs for collagen production. Instead of an animal replica, you receive plant-based, vegan-friendly ingredients to make collagen from scratch. And that’s why you’ll see results in as little as 4 weeks. Try the award-winning Arella Beauty Collagen Supplement today.
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