What is the best way to drink collagen shots?
Do men need collagen? An honest look at what it can and can't help with
Collagen supplements are often marketed at women, but the underlying biology applies equally to men. Male collagen production follows the same age-related decline — roughly 1% per year from around age 25 — and shows up in similar ways over time: fine lines, less skin firmness, stiffer joints, changes in hair. This article looks honestly at what marine collagen can support for men, where the evidence is strongest, and where the marketing (including some of what we used to say) gets ahead of what's actually supported.
Why collagen matters for men
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body — it provides structure and elasticity to skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. From around age 25, natural collagen production declines at roughly 1% per year. Over the following decades, this can show up as:
- Fine lines and less skin firmness
- Stiffer joints or slower recovery from exercise
- Changes in nail strength
- Changes in hair thickness or feel
Marine collagen supplementation provides amino acids the body uses in its own collagen production — glycine, proline and hydroxyproline — giving the body the raw materials to support these tissues over time.
Where the evidence for marine collagen is strongest
Skin
Clinical research consistently shows improvements in skin elasticity, hydration and the appearance of fine lines with daily supplementation of hydrolysed collagen peptides at around 10g per day, over 8-12 weeks. This is the same for men as for women — the biology is the same, even if skincare products tend to be marketed at women. Read our guide on dose and how often to take collagen for more.
Joints
For men who exercise regularly, joint recovery matters. Emerging evidence supports collagen supplementation for joint comfort and function, with the strongest effects when paired with an exercise programme. The joint research uses doses in the 5-15g per day range, over 12+ weeks. Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen delivers 10g per sachet, which sits comfortably in that range.
Hair
Hair changes affect men too — pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) is common, and general changes in hair thickness or feel come with age for many men. Marine collagen isn't a treatment for pattern hair loss, but emerging evidence suggests it may support general hair condition. For pattern hair loss specifically, minoxidil and finasteride are the treatments with actual clinical evidence — worth a conversation with your GP if that's the concern. Read our collagen and hair guide for more.
Nails
Some evidence for improved nail strength over 4-8 weeks of consistent supplementation. Often one of the earlier changes people report.
Where marine collagen isn't the right tool
Muscle building
Being straightforward here: collagen isn't the strongest protein for muscle building. It's an incomplete protein, low in essential amino acids like leucine and tryptophan, both of which are important for muscle protein synthesis. Whey protein and other complete protein sources have significantly better evidence for muscle building.
Some research does show benefits for older adults with age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) when collagen is combined with resistance training — a 2015 study by Zdzieblik and colleagues in the British Journal of Nutrition is often cited. But that study was in elderly men doing structured resistance training at 15g of collagen per day, and the resistance training was doing most of the work. For general muscle-building purposes, complete protein sources are the better tool.
Weight loss
Marine collagen isn't a weight loss supplement. It doesn't burn fat and it doesn't reliably suppress appetite — despite what some marketing claims. It contributes to overall daily protein intake, but for weight management, the foundations (consistent eating patterns, movement, sleep, stress management) are what actually drive change. Our collagen and weight management guide covers this in more depth.
Gut health
You'll sometimes see collagen marketed for gut lining and digestion. The evidence base for oral collagen supplementation and gut health specifically is limited, and the argument that collagen provides amino acids like glutamine that support the gut lining doesn't hold up on closer inspection — collagen actually isn't a rich source of glutamine.
Erectile dysfunction and libido
ED and reduced libido are common in midlife men, but they aren't collagen problems and shouldn't be positioned as solvable by supplements. Both can be signs of underlying issues (cardiovascular, hormonal, psychological, medication side effects) and benefit from a proper GP conversation. Effective medical treatments exist for ED, and if libido or performance concerns are affecting you, that conversation is worth having — supplements don't fix it.
Featured Product
Premium Liquid Marine Collagen
10,000mg of clinically studied marine collagen daily — for visibly smoother, firmer, more hydrated skin in as little as 28 days.
Shop Liquid Collagen →What Kollo customers say
James, 40
"Since starting Kollo, I've noticed a real difference in how I feel. My skin looks healthier, and my nagging joint pain has all but disappeared. As a busy dad, it's been a game-changer to have a supplement that fits easily into my routine."
Individual results vary — this is one customer's experience rather than a clinical claim.
How Kollo fits into a men's routine
Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen delivers 10,000mg of Naticol® marine collagen peptides per daily sachet, alongside vitamin C, a B vitamin complex (B1, B5, B6, B12) and l-lysine. It's a liquid sachet rather than a pill or powder — tear, drink, done. Every batch is Informed Choice certified, independently tested for over 250 prohibited and potentially harmful substances. Not suitable for anyone with a fish allergy.
Alongside collagen, the men's health foundations that actually move the needle:
- Enough sleep (7-8 hours where possible)
- Regular movement — a mix of cardio and resistance training, which supports joint health, bone density, testosterone and body composition together
- Enough protein across the day (spread across meals, from complete sources)
- Sensible alcohol intake
- Not smoking
- Sun protection — men often skip this, and it matters as much for skin ageing
- Regular GP check-ins — especially past 40, for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and prostate health
Frequently Asked Questions
Do men actually need collagen supplements?
The age-related collagen decline that starts around 25 applies equally to men. Whether you "need" a supplement depends on your goals — for skin, joint comfort and general connective tissue support in your 30s and beyond, marine collagen has genuine evidence and is a reasonable daily supplement. For muscle building or weight loss, other approaches have significantly better evidence.
Does collagen help with muscle building for men?
Collagen isn't the strongest protein for muscle building. It's an incomplete protein — low in leucine and tryptophan, both important for muscle protein synthesis. Whey protein and other complete proteins have significantly better evidence. Collagen may support connective tissue and joint recovery around training, which is different from being a primary muscle-building tool.
How much collagen should men take?
Same as for women — the clinical research uses around 10g (10,000mg) of hydrolysed collagen peptides per day for skin outcomes, and 5-15g for joint outcomes. Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen delivers 10,000mg per daily sachet.
Can collagen help with hair loss in men?
Marine collagen may support general hair condition, but it isn't a treatment for pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), which affects a significant proportion of men. For pattern hair loss specifically, minoxidil and finasteride are the treatments with actual clinical evidence — worth a conversation with your GP.
Should men on medication check with their GP before starting collagen?
Yes — as with any supplement, if you're on regular medication, it's worth a quick check with your GP or pharmacist. Our collagen and warfarin guide covers a specific case in detail, and the general principles apply to other prescription medications too.
More honest guides on collagen and specific concerns: how often to take collagen, collagen and hair, collagen and weight management, biotin and collagen together, collagen and warfarin, menopause supplements with HRT, and collagen during menopause.
Kollo Health was co-founded by Jenni Falconer — TV presenter, Smooth Radio breakfast host, ten-time London Marathon runner and host of the RunPod podcast. Read her story and why she created Kollo.
