I’m always on the lookout for natural ways to increase hair growth. We all know that length retention is the key to longer hair, but getting a boost in hair growth rate is an equally important part of the equation. It’s common knowledge that vitamins and protein-rich foods (ex. eggs) help to improve your hair’s growth rate. A less known product is gelatin.
I recently met a lady and the topic of hair came up (naturally). She started telling me how she uses gelatin as a part of her daily diet and that she noticed improvement in her hair’s growth rate. My initial reaction was gelatin, like jello? After we shared a good laugh, she shared her regimen (she drinks it as a tea) and the details about the type of gelatin she uses.
Gelatin is derived from collagen and can be used both internally and externally to benefit your hair and skin. As a supplement, you can add it to your herbal tea or make homemade jello. It can also be added to your conditioner to create a protein treatment.
Here are some recipes for using gelatin:
- Tea – Mix a small amount with cold water and stir well. Allow it to sit for 2 minutes before mixing it with your tea of choice.
- Hair treatment – Add a teaspoon of gelatin to 1/2 cup of cold water. Stir well and let sit for 2 minutes. Add another 1/2 warm water, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey. Be sure to test this on a small section of hair first.
- Coconut Water Gelatin – Pour 2 cups coconut water into a bowl; sprinkle with 1/2 ounce gelatin. Let gelatin soften, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, bring 2 cups coconut water, scraped vanilla bean, and sugar to a boil in a saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Pour over gelatin mixture and stir until gelatin has dissolved and mixture is combined. Discard vanilla bean and pour mixture into an 8-inch-square baking dish. Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours and (covered with plastic wrap) up to 3 days. [Source]
You can order gelatin on Amazon. The lady who told me about it said she uses one that is derived from grass-fed animals, so she’s confident that it is a healthy source.
I’m a firm believer that the absence of research proving that an item is beneficial doesn’t mean that item is not beneficial. In order words, just because Western scientists haven’t confirmed whether gelatin does increase hair growth doesn’t mean that it won’t. But as with any supplement, it is important to talk to your doctor before adding it to your diet (especially if you’re currently taking medications).
Do you use gelatin as part of your diet? Have you noticed improvement in your hair and skin?