Do collagen supplements help with scar healing?
When your skin is healing ~ whether from surgery, injury, trauma or stretch ~ collagen sits at the heart of the repair process.
While collagen supplementation can’t remove scars (spoiler: nothing can) ~ collagen is the protein that gives skin structure, strength + elasticity. And it plays a major role in how scars form, mature + appear over time.
Collagen’s role in wound healing
Whenever the skin experiences trauma (from incisions, stretching or injury) your body begins the complex wound-healing process + collagen is involved at every stage:
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Collagen rebuilds damaged tissue
Collagen fibres act like scaffolding, giving structure to newly forming tissue so the skin can rebuild in a strong, organised way. -
Collagen influences scar formation
When collagen forms in a smooth, organised way, scars are often softer, flatter + less noticeable. When collagen fibres form too quickly or without structure, scars can be thicker, tighter or more visible. -
Collagen supports elasticity as the skin continues to heal
Healthy collagen networks help the skin stay more flexible as it continues to heal, which can improve a scar’s overall appearance over time.
This is why supporting your natural collagen production, especially during recovery, may be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your skin.
Simone’s story: supporting scar healing from the inside out
Nearly ten years ago, Simone Anderson went in search of products that could support her body’s healing + recovery before undergoing her first skin-removal surgery after losing 94kg.
After reading countless reviews + hearing real results from others, she began her daily Adashiko Collagen ritual ~ one scoop a day to nourish her skin from the inside out. She noticed improvements in her skin quality, hydration, strength + overall wellbeing. So much so that she’s taken Adashiko Collagen ever since.
Fast-forward to 2025.
Ahead of her second surgical skin revision, Simone focused again on preparing her body for healing ~ from nutrition + gentle movement, through to her commitment to consistent collagen supplementation.
Simone initially used our Ultra formula, but recently switched to Joint Collagen Powder after her mother-in-law, Wendy, raved about her own incredible results.
You can see exactly what Simone took into hospital with her in this reel.
And just weeks post-op? Simone shared that she couldn’t believe how her scars are healing this time around ~ the softness, colour, texture + overall strength are noticeably different from her first surgery.
"After taking Adashiko Collagen consistently for nine years, I’ve recently had revision surgery on my upper body, and the healing has been even quicker again. My scars are already going very light in colour, and the texture is incredibly smooth. Seeing that progression over time has been amazing.
Beyond skin and scars, collagen has also played a massive role in supporting my joints. I originally took the Ultra Collagen, but later switched to the Joint Collagen, and the improvement in my knees has been significant. I spent many years overweight, which put a lot of pressure on my joints, especially my knees. Since taking the joint collagen, I’ve noticed far less discomfort, better movement, and a real improvement in my ability to move freely, whether that’s on the Pilates machine or simply getting up and down from the ground.
For me, collagen hasn’t been a quick fix, it’s been a long-term, consistent addition that’s supported my body through major physical changes, surgeries, and everyday movement. And the results speak for themselves."
To see her healing process for yourself, visit Simone’s 3-week post-op update on Instagram where she shows how her scars are tracking.
While every body, surgery + recovery journey is unique ~ Simone’s experience has sparked a wave of curiosity about collagen’s role in scar healing. And it’s a great question to explore.
What the research says about collagen + scar improvement
A study published in 2018 followed patients who underwent abdominoplasty (tummy-tuck surgery) + received a collagen-rich dietary supplement during postoperative recovery. Compared with a control group, those taking supplementation saw faster wound healing (average healing in 25 vs 34 days) + significantly better scar appearance at one year.
Meanwhile, a 2019 systematic review of oral collagen supplementation found encouraging results for skin health including improved skin hydration, elasticity + dermal collagen density after consistent use ~ outcomes relevant to skin repair + scar support.
And in other contexts ~ such as burn recovery ~, hydrolysed collagen supplementation has been associated with accelerated wound closure, improved protein status + support for tissue regeneration ~ especially where the body’s collagen demand is high.
While no supplement can guarantee perfect scar results, emerging research (alongside countless real-world results like Simone’s) supports that collagen supplementation can aid healing speed, improve skin structure + help scars heal smoother + stronger, especially when combined with good overall care.
Can collagen supplements help with older scars?
A question we see often (it’s one that came up when we shared Simone’s story) is whether collagen powder, like Adashiko, can help with older scars.
Our perspective?
Collagen appears most supportive when the body is actively healing ~ such as after surgery, C-section, injury, or with newer scars. However, many people report that consistent collagen intake improves overall skin quality: hydration, firmness, texture + elasticity.
For older or well-established scars, that may mean the scars blend more naturally with the surrounding skin, even if the scar itself doesn’t dramatically change.
As we shared in response to a customer recently:
“Collagen primarily supports new wound healing + improving the texture of skin with newer scars, but it may also enhance overall hydration, elasticity + skin structure ~ helping older scars blend more naturally over time. Consistency is key.”
5 tips for supporting scar healing holistically
Scars are multi-factorial: genetics, surgical technique, postoperative care, skin type, lifestyle + nutrition all play a part.
Collagen is just one piece of the puzzle, alongside other holistic practices that may support healthy recovery:
1. Stay consistent with your collagen ritual
Daily intake keeps your body topped up with collagen peptides during the active repair phase. Most research examines usage over 8–12 weeks + beyond.
2. Keep your hydration up
Hydrated skin is more supple + resilient. Add your collagen powder to water, herbal teas or smoothies ~ whatever helps you stay consistent with your daily ritual.
3. Fuel your body with nutrients that support healing
Vitamin C, antioxidants, healthy fats, zinc + protein all contribute to tissue regeneration + inflammation control.
4. Listen to your surgeon or specialist
Follow professional instructions on scar taping, silicone use, compression, exercise + wound care. These are vital in early healing stages.
5. Be patient with the process
Scars can take months (often over a year) to fully remodel. Supporting your body gently + consistently is key.
While collagen isn’t a scar treatment, or a magic fix ~ it is a foundational protein in the skin’s repair process.
Supporting your natural collagen production may help create the best possible environment for strong, healthy healing.
Simone’s journey, alongside early research + what we hear so often from our community, suggests that collagen supplementation may play a meaningful role in:
- tissue strength
- elasticity
- texture
- ther scar appearance over time
Most importantly, Simone’s story is a reminder that nourishing your skin from the inside out can be a powerful act of care ~ especially during recovery.
If you’re preparing for surgery, navigating early scar healing, or simply looking to support your skin health with more intention, a consistent collagen ritual may be a beautiful place to start.
At Adashiko, we don’t do ordinary collagen + neither should you. Discover our collection of 100% natural, pure, high-potency, peptide collagen powders.
