You’re probably familiar with collagen, as it’s been the topic of conversation in the wellness industry for quite some time.
Research suggests that collagen can benefit your skin, hair, nails and even your bones and joints. So, it’s no surprise that people have been adding collagen supplements to their routine.
But we understand that you may be apprehensive about adding collagen, or any supplement for that matter, to your routine.
You may be sceptical about whether collagen supplements are worth it, and if they are, how long it takes for collagen supplements to work.
We’re here to answer all of your questions!
What is Collagen?
Before we dive into how long it takes for collagen supplements to work, let’s look at what collagen is.
Collagen is a type of protein and the most prevalent protein found in the human body. It supports our tissues and plays an integral role in vital bodily functions such as tissue repair and cellular communication.
Although our bodies produce collagen on their own, we can also enhance our collagen levels with supplements and by consuming the right foods.
There are at least 16 different types of collagen, but 80-90% of the collagen found in the body consists of types I, II and III.
How Long Does It Take for Collagen Supplements to Work?
Now that we know that collagen supplements are worth our time and energy, the real question is, how long does it take for collagen supplements to work?
Generally speaking, it takes about 8 to 12 weeks to see the effects that collagen has on your skin, joints and bones.
How Long Does Collagen Take to Work for Joints?
If you’re looking at taking collagen because you suffer from joint pain, it’ll take at least 12 to 24 weeks of regular collagen intake before you notice any visible effects on your joints.
Research suggests that taking collagen supplements regularly can alleviate symptoms of joint pain or discomfort within 3 to 6 months. You may notice other benefits on your joints much sooner, like better mobility.
How Long Does Collagen Take to Work for Muscles?
If you’re looking at collagen to enhance your gains at the gym, you typically won’t experience the benefits of increased muscle mass and strength until about 12 weeks.
How Long Does Collagen Take To Work On Skin?
You can expect to wait 6 to 12 weeks to see any changes in your skin's elasticity, hydration and density. Keep in mind that this is based on regular supplementation.
What Could Affect Your Results?
When looking at how long it takes for collagen supplements to work, it’s important to consider what factors could affect your results.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot of research on this. Most studies focus on the benefits of collagen rather than what could influence them.
It’s vital to understand how effectively our bodies can absorb and use a supplement. This is known as “bioavailability”.
A number of things can impact bioavailability, including diet, nutrient concentration, the overall health of an individual and age.
Personal Health and Lifestyle
Behaviours such as smoking, lack of sleep, drinking alcohol, stress and substance abuse are all factors that may affect the bioavailability of a supplement. This, in turn, can affect how long it takes for your collagen supplements to work.
Other personal health and lifestyle factors like age, diet, medications, medical conditions and metabolic issues can also determine your success with a supplement like collagen.
For example, someone with a vitamin C deficiency may not reap the benefits of a collagen supplement because vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis. Vitamin C helps enzymes make collagen strong and stable. Without enough vitamin C, our bodies may not be able to utilise the collagen we’re consuming.
Look for products that have undergone third-party testing. There are companies that test supplements to make sure you’re getting what you paid for—a quality product.
They test the strength, identity, and purity of a supplement to make sure you’re not getting any nasties, just what’s on the label.
Make sure to also buy from a trustworthy source. Choose brands that have a good rep, and test and certify their products. You can also scroll through reviews of the company and its products to see if past customers were satisfied with their purchases.
Studies show that hydrolyzed collagen, or collagen peptides, are especially effective, and our bodies can digest and absorb these the best. The type of collagen you consume will also play a role in how long it takes for your collagen supplement to work.
Think of hydrolyzed collagen or collagen peptides as the building blocks of collagen.
It’s important to remember that certain personal health and lifestyle factors, the manufacturing and quality of a product, as well as the ingredients, can all affect how long it takes for collagen supplements to work.
If you’re not seeing results and it’s been a considerable amount of time since starting your collagen supplement, you may want to look at these factors.
As we age, our bodies produce less and less collagen. This is what causes our skin to sag, wrinkles to form, and our hair to weaken.
Decreased collagen production also has an effect on our joint health, leading to pain and reduced mobility.
Introducing a collagen supplement into your routine can help counteract these signs of ageing. Collagen supplements, such as powders, can boost skin health and support joint flexibility and bone strength.
Studies have also shown that, in combination with exercise, collagen supplements can promote muscle growth.
So, are collagen supplements worth all the hype?
They have our vote. What’s not to love about a supplement that can fight the signs of ageing, both inside and out?
The Best of The Best: Choose Your Collagen
Now that we’ve covered how long it takes for collagen supplements to work, we can get into the good stuff—what collagen supplements you need.
We’re one of Australia’s leading suppliers of supplements, committed to providing high-quality and innovative products.
At Body Science, we use science-backed bio-active collagen peptides including Verisol®, Fortigel® and Tendoforte®. These peptides are designed to improve your health by increasing mobility, strengthening your muscles, hydrating your skin, helping your hair grow and reducing joint pain.
Explore our range of collagen supplements, including collagen coffee, collagen protein water and even vegan collagen supplements.
Please remember to always consult with your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
The Takeaway
In a world inundated with wellness supplements, collagen has emerged as a scientifically-backed supplement that can benefit skin health, joint flexibility and muscle enhancement.
Like all supplements, everyone will have a different experience, and there are multiple factors that will determine how long it takes for collagen supplements to work.
On average, you can expect to see results between 6 and 24 weeks with a high-quality collagen supplement.
For youthful skin, stronger muscles and better joint health, collagen supplements get our tick of approval.
Will you give them a try? Shop now!
