According to one survey, the average woman spends more than $50,000 on hair over her lifetime! That breaks down to a staggering $1,130 per year on hair care.
The figure might even be lowballing it for some people. A Huffington Post article asked women how much they spend on their hair each year and many of them reported well over $3,000 per year. One woman reportedly spends more than $10k per year to maintain her “crown” of “vintage lace.”
While I personally understand the drive to have great hair, I’m truly shocked that people are shelling out so much money for fancy hair care products.
Why?
Because they could easily make their hair stronger and shinier with a cheap, readily-available product: gelatin.
How Hair Grows
In order to understand how gelatin improves hair, you’ve got to understand how hair grows.
- Follicles: Hair grows out of follicles in the skin. Follicles are basically sheaths of collagen which hold the hair in place and nurture them.
- Papilla: The papilla is what links the follicle to the rest of the body. It is also made from collagen.
- Hair Bulb: The hair bulb is located right above the papilla. The papilla provides the hair with nutrients to make new hair cells.
Here is how it works:
Your hair starts growing from the matrix. Protein cells divide and are pushed up through the hair shaft. The papilla provides nutrients for the cells.
As the protein cells are pushed upwards, they go through a process called keratinization. The hair cells are filled with fibrous proteins and lose their nucleus (which is why we say hair is dead).
As the dead hair cells stack up, the hair is pushed out of the follicle and our hair “grows.” The hair that exits the skin is just a strand of woven keratin proteins – about 91% proteins to be exact.
You’ll notice that there are sebaceous (oil) glands near the hair shaft. This is what oils our hair as it comes out to make it look shiny or, in some cases, greasy. (Source 1, 2, 3)
How Gelatin Supports Hair Growth
If you want to have strong, thick hair, it is really important that your hair follicle and papilla are healthy. And what are the follicle and papilla made of? Collagen.
Collagen is a type of protein that primarily consists of the amino acids glycine and proline.
What else is collagen? Yes, gelatin.
Gelatin is just boiled-down collagen which has been dried and pulverized into a powder for easier use. In the past, people used to naturally eat a lot of gelatin in the form of bone broth. Today, we no longer consume the parts of the animals which are rich in collagen. As a result, we are getting too many of the amino acids which are found in muscle meat and not enough collagen amino acids. This is not only bad news for our hair, but for our entire health!
By consuming gelatin, you will be giving yourself a much-needed source of collagen. The extra collagen supports your hair follicles and papilla. The larger and stronger they are, the stronger and healthier your hair will be. (Source 1, 2)
You Need to EAT the Gelatin
You’ll note that I said you need to consume gelatin if you want to make your hair stronger and healthier.
While there are benefits of using a gelatin hair mask (more on that below), you can’t just rub collagen into your scalp and expect your follicle and papilla to get stronger. Some nutrients do get absorbed through the skin (such as zinc) but collagen isn’t one of them.
I like the analogy used at Smart Skincare:
“Imagine you live in a brick house and your neighbor is throwing bricks at it. Will your walls become stronger or smoother? Of course not: those bricks will simply lay scattered on the ground.”
Unfortunately, it will take a long time before you see results from eating gelatin – especially since hair takes so long to grow.
However, while you are eating all that gelatin for your hair, you’ll also be doing a lot of other good for your body.
- Gelatin is a source of protein: Not only is this good for your muscles, but since hair is made from protein, the extra protein will ultimately help your hair too.
- Gelatin is good for your skin: As a source of collagen, gelatin can even help you fight wrinkles!
- Gelatin improves mental health: The neurotransmitter glycine in gelatin is calming and fights anxiety.
- Gelatin is great for bones and joints: Considering that gelatin is made from bones and connective tissues, it shouldn’t be surprising that it is good for your bones and joints.
- Gelatin helps your digestive health: This is the most important benefit because health starts in the digestive tract. You can read more about this here.
To learn more about the health benefits of gelatin, read The Gelatin Secret. You’ll get lots of information about gelatin, how to use it, and dozens of great recipes too!
Gelatin Hair Mask Recipe
Again, you can’t just rub gelatin onto your hair and expect your hair health to improve. You must eat gelatin to get real benefits. In this sense, beauty really does come from within!
However, gelatin hair masks skill can help your hair (and are a lot cheaper than those expensive salon treatments).
The reason that the gelatin hair mask works so well is because gelatin is a protein (remember, your hair is 91% protein). Collagen also remarkably resembles keratin in that they are both types of fibrous proteins. They even share some of the same amino acids. (Source)
After doing this gelatin hair mask a few times, you’ll notice that your hair is softer and shinier without being greasy.
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp gelatin powder: I use this brand of gelatin.
- ½ cup cool water
- ½ cup warm water
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions:
- Mix the gelatin powder with the cool water
- Then add the warm water and mix
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix
- Apply to your hair and let sit at least 5 minutes
- If your hair is really lackluster, you might need to do this 3x a week for starters
Note: you can also make your own hair gel out of gelatin! Mix ¼ tsp gelatin with ½ cup hot water. Let it set and add essential oils if you want. Now you’re ready to go! Just remember to keep it stored in the refrigerator and it will last about 2 weeks.
Want to get lots of great gelatin recipes? Download The Gelatin Secret. You’ll learn how to transform your health and beauty without having to spend a fortune. Buy The Gelatin Secret Here.
Have you tried gelatin for your hair? How did it work? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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Hello,
how can i consume granulated gelatin to feed myself from within, instead of going for a mask?
I have been buying a boxes of sugar free jello, Walmart brand, and eating or drinking one each night. The whole box has 40 calories, and 0 grams of carbs. I put boiling water in a coffee cup, approx. 1/3 cup, stir it with a whisk, then add ice cubes to make less than a total cup of liquid. Then I pop it in fridge for approx. 30-45 min at my work and add a dollop of sugar free whipped cream to it and do it every single night. It has had AMAZING results on the feel and health of my hair. I also take the gelatin tablets and the hair, skin and nail gummy vitamins. I am 58 yrs old, and feel great.
In the 70’s I drank something we called hair nail cocktail. It helped hair growth and total health of my hair. Also did wonders for nails. 1 cup milk, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon olive oil. Heat on stove and add one package unflavored gelatin. Stir until disolved.
I have been mixing 1 tbs of powder in my coffee for a month and my hair has grown a half inch and my facial skin is younger looking! It works!
Wow! Thanks for sharing Stacy 🙂
Hi Sylvie ! Thankyou for all that you are doing with all this information. I am in my 50’s and really struggling with the hair loss and the change in texture so hormones are changing. Can the gelatin help people in my situation with the hormone situation? Also my anxiety has been very challenging as well.
If I just drink the bone broth every day, will my hair feel the same benefits as drinking the gelatin?
If it’s quality broth, Kimberly, yes it will. 🙂
I use gelatin capsuls daily and feel unpleadent effect of increades gas. Is it a known effect?
For my hair its realy working.
I think you meant “annually” in the first paragraph of this page. You need to re-read what that survey link says Sylvie.
“According to one survey, the average woman spends more than $50,000 on hair over her lifetime! That breaks down to a staggering $1,130 per month on hair care.”
$1,130 per MONTH? I don’t think so.
(I just thought you would not want to spread misinformation.)
Oops! Thanks for catching that! It should be $1,130 per YEAR not per month! Ha! Updating…
I heard from a friend about this yesterday, using Gelatin to improve overall health for hair, nails and joints etc. so I went and bought some from the grocery store today:) I’m just curious as to how I can make it, simple, tasty recipes to ingest the gelatin? I looked in the recipe tab listed above however couldn’t really find recipes for gelatin?
Hoping you could help.
Thanks!!
Hi Brenda,
We have an entire ebook all about gelatin with plenty of recipes here: thegelatinsecret.com
Here are a couple of recipes as well:
https://hollywoodhomestead.com/homemade-orange-jello/
https://hollywoodhomestead.com/lemon-gummies/
Hope that helps,
Sylvie
I am on a personal quest as a mid 60 year old woman to be the best I can be for my age that means a lot of work and investment to improve my overall well being, along with my research and trying a variety of products I added fruit flavoured jelly, the sort you buy for any store and make up 8 pots of fruit jelly pop them in the fridge and one or two per day really nice to finish off a main meal, I am also using a variety of supplements focusing on hair I have been noticing some real changes in my condition hair loss reducing, in fact along with treatments there is regrowth in areas where the hair was thinning. Aim now to reduce my weight, start focusing on skin de wrinkling the face and developing a really good head of hair – its a lot of work and self discipline but worth the gains
What type of gelitin can you use with Sibo?I have been drinking bone broth and bone broth collagen protein but was wondering if gelitin is better for skin and hair. I think my hair and nails got very thin when I had Sibo. Any amount that you should start of using and what kind?
…”gummies that my husband had made”… – that sounds intriguing. Would you happen to have a recipe for that? Or a link to a recipe?
I am vegetarian and find the thought of making and eating bone broth extremely unpleasant and will therefore not be able to actually make it – BUT eating gummies would be o.k. for me as it is not so “close” to the animal… I know, sounds a bit awkward, but that’s the way it is. A month ago I bought a pack of powdered gelatin (the stuff one needs for homemade jello etc.), because I had such a craving for gummie bears and did not want to continue to buy them (because of sugar, added flavors etc.). I stirred half a pack in a yogurt, which was not a gourmet experience and did not make me want to repeat it.
But I still have this craving for gummie bears and think I should listen to my body… Any advice would be great!
Hi Tina, of course! Here’s a good recipe: https://hollywoodhomestead.com/paleo-orange-gummies/
I do have a blog post coming up soon on the different brands of gelatin compared. You’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for that (I’ll email when it’s up!).
Thank you Sylvie!
Hi Sylvie, I bought everything to make the gummies – then, while I was continuing with my SIBO research, I came across a statement saying that gelatin is not allowed on the strict SCD/Fodmap diet (I can’t remember where I read it). I was really surprised as gelatin mostly consists of protein…
What is your take on that?
hi!! I am on Elemental Diet to treat SIBO following your tips in your GREAT book. I wonder how long you had to wait until you could tolerate gelatin . Did you start progressively ? Can you share when and how did you do it? 🙂
Hi Anna,
So happy you’re on your way to getting better! Some SIBO patients have an easier time with gelatin than others. For me, I started with bone broth, just sipping it. As long as the fat had been skimmed I didn’t have any trouble with it at all. I wasn’t super systematic with re-introducing gelatin. It just sort of happened when my kids were eating gummies that my husband had made and I grabbed a few as well- no probs.
My suggestion would be start small. See how you feel. It can be incredibly healing for the gut post SIBO treatment if you tolerate it of course. If you want to be super strict about it, make broth with large beef bones as opposed to bones with lots of cartilage and start there.
Hope that helps!
Sylvie
uooooooouuuh! thanks for the reply! you gave me (even more) ideas. Can’t wait to get rid of this. I feel super positive and motivated. I did the 1st round of ED (2 weeks) with no luck but I added prokinetics as you suggested and allicin and others… I will be 3 weeks this round, I feel mentally strong. Thanks for all, I spend years reading A LOT, I wish I found your book before: easy to understand and full of useful and practical information 🙂
I am very grateful to you! <3
Super happy to hear that Anna 🙂 Wishing you all the best!
I am a 62 year with gray hair. It has been dry and flyaway since going all gray! This gelatin masque made a world of difference! It is still somewhat flyaway but softer and shinier and smoother than has been for years. I have tried olive oil, coconut oil, eggs, honey, yogurt with minimal results. I plan to do this again next week!
Hi, can I sprinkle gelatin powder over yogurt and eat immediately without blooming it first? I use Great Lakes brand. Thx!