Caffeine As a Hair Loss Treatment

Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is a hormone that is the primary cause of androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, in men. Suppression of this hormone is necessary to prevent hair loss. According to recent research findings from the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the University of Jena in Germany, scientists have discovered that caffeine is shown to be helpful in stimulating the growth of hair and suppressing DHT. The findings were recorded in the January 2007 issue of the International Journal of Dermatology.

Growth Stimulator

• Scientists have found that caffeine stimulates hair growth and, therefore, is useful in promoting the growth of hair when used in a topical formulation. However, don't expect to grow hair from drinking coffee as it would take at least 60 cups per day to achieve the same effect.

Blocks the Effects of DHT

• Researchers also found that caffeine can block the formation of DHT, which is the primary cause of genetic hair loss in men and hair loss in women because of aging.

Further Research is Needed

• More studies need to be conducted to discover how much caffeine can be applied to the scalp to satisfactorily induce hair growth and stop further thinning and loss of hair.

Caffeine Formulations

• As a result of the findings, shampoo formulations have been manufactured that include caffeine in the ingredients to stimulate hair growth and reduce balding. It's been found the shampoos are effective as long as the caffeine formulation is allowed to stay on the hair for at least two minutes to penetrate the scalp and treat the follicles.

Topical Treatments Currently Available

• As of January 2010, Alpecin Cosmetics offers topical caffeine treatments. Such treatments promise to promote growth, prevent premature hair loss and enhance root production. No undesirable side effects have been noted.