Caffeine shampoos appear most effective for early-stage thinning and may not completely reverse advanced pattern baldness.
There is no scientific evidence or research that directly shows that by using caffeine shampoo, you can reduce and/or help stop your symptoms of hair loss, thinning hair, or male pattern baldness. Also, the medical community does not endorse caffeine-based shampoos for the treatment of hair loss.
Can caffeine help with hair loss? Short answer: Potentially. "Caffeine is a stimulant that increases circulation, allowing beneficial nutrients and oxygen to be delivered to the hair follicles to keep them healthy," explains Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
In fact, we have quite a few studies showing that topical caffeine is effective for hair loss. There have even been randomized controlled trials of caffeine, which is the highest level of scientific evidence for a treatment's effectiveness.
Most of the time when people are chatting about the big 3 for hair loss, they are referring to Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Ketoconazole (Nizoral) shampoo. Although, there are some who feel like the third component of the big 3 should be microneedling in place of Ketoconazole shampoo.
In this study, a caffeine-based topical 0.2% liquid was found to be no less effective than minoxidil 5% solution regarding the percentage change from baseline in AR at 6 months in both the PP population (primary end point) and ITT population, using frontal and occipital trichograms.
Hair loss shampoos, even those that employ a DHT-blocker, mainly impact the scalp's surface. Some active ingredients penetrate to a small extent in the follicles, yet their potential to reverse large-scale miniaturization or to generate new hair growth in highly compromised follicles is often zero.
“Caffeine has been shown to block DHT to the scalp and can also push hairs into the growth phase for those suffering from thinning.
You can start by incorporating foods like green tea, saw palmetto, and pumpkin seeds into your diet, as they are believed to have properties that reduce DHT production. Additionally, managing stress and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can contribute to natural DHT reduction over time.
Caffeine does seem to have stimulatory effects on cells, according to Jodi LoGerfo, a dermatologist with the Orentreich Medical Group in New York City. Because of this, caffeine can potentially help with hair growth.
Telogen effluvium is a common type of hair loss that affects people after they experience severe stress or a change to their body. Symptoms include thinning hair, usually around the top of your head. Treatment exists to reverse hair loss, but hair will typically grow back in three to six months without treatment.
Currently, there is no clinically viable evidence that caffeine shampoos have a long-lasting effect on male pattern baldness. This type of hair loss occurs in men who have a sensitivity to the hormone DHT (a form of testosterone), which causes the hair follicles in the scalp to weaken and shrink.
A biotin deficiency may lead to hair loss, and supplements may aid hair growth. However, evidence has not shown that biotin supplements can boost hair growth in those without a deficiency. Biotin is an essential B vitamin that helps the body get energy and nutrients from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Yes, absolutely! Stress, excessive heat styling, age and even genetics can deplete your hair's thickness. Keeping your scalp and roots healthy is how you can promote the growth of thick hair. You can do the same by oiling regularly, refraining from wearing tight hairstyles and following a nourishing hair care routine.
While the treatments above may help reverse balding to an extent, a hair transplant is currently the only way to restore permanently lost hair. You'll get natural-looking regrowth in your thinning areas without the hassle of top-up treatments or daily maintenance.
Vitamin D.
Vitamin D is essential for creating the cells that develop into hair follicles. It also supports healthy bones and your immune system. If you have hair loss and low vitamin D levels, your doctor may recommend vitamin D supplements.