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A cup of coffee (or two!) in the morning is a ritual many Americans wouldn’t want to miss, but it turns out that the caffeine that helps kick-start your morning routine could have other benefits as well. Because caffeine is found in many popular drinks such as coffee, tea, and soda, there are new studies being conducted all the time about its effects on the body. These investigations cover a wide range of topics, from skin cancer prevention, to memory, to overall health. A 2007 study linked the substance to changes in hair growth, which could make a difference for people with hair loss. So what was the study, and what do the findings teach us about caffeine and hair growth?
Studies on Hair Growth
In the 2007 study (published in the International Journal of Dermatology) about the effects of testosterone and caffeine on hair growth, researchers exposed hair follicles to growth inhibitors, then tested the effect of caffeine on these follicles. The results showed that the stimulant did, in fact, help aid in hair growth, with even the hair treated with growth inhibitors showing improvement. It seems that the caffeine both stimulates the hair shaft and blocks the effects of growth inhibitors such as testosterone. So how does this affect your hair loss, and is caffeine a viable hair loss treatment?
Don’t Drink It
Changing your coffee consumption based on hair loss studies is misguided and can affect your overall health in a negative way. It would require far more coffee daily than is considered safe to notice any effect on the hair follicles. Fortunately, there are several types of products containing caffeine that can give more direct aid to the hair follicles, including shampoos and tonics. These products should be left on for several minutes at least, to help the caffeine reach the hair follicles.
How Much Can It Help?
While caffeinated products could be a good idea for aiding in hair regrowth, they probably won’t do enough to help people with significant hair loss. Study results indicated that women’s hair tended to respond better to caffeine than men’s, so caffeinated products are more likely to work for women than for men—a less common demographic for hair loss. If you are considering caffeinated shampoos or tonics, you may want to also seek traditional methods for hair loss treatment.
Treating Hair Loss
Hair loss can be temporary or permanent and often involves genetic factors (men are more susceptible than women), occurring when the hair follicles stop producing new hair growth. This process can greatly affect self-confidence and cause other emotional issues, though fortunately, hair loss is rarely linked to serious health problems.
When it comes to hair loss, it is best to start treatment as early as possible to help prevent further loss and improve chances for success without hair transplant surgery. Today, there are a number of treatments and procedures available that have a more solid track record than caffeine for boosting hair growth.
A Knowledgeable Provider
If you’re noticing the first signs of hair loss, then it may be time to speak to an expert about the problem. Many board certified dermatologists offer hair loss treatments, especially those who specialize in cosmetic treatments, such as Dr. Diane Walder in the Miami area. Dr. Walder offers a range of topical, supplemental, and laser treatments to help with hair loss issues, and can customize the treatment plan to suit each patient’s needs.
Dr. Walder is an acclaimed, board certified dermatologist with a distinguished clientele and ties to national publications like Allure and Glamour magazines. If you are ready to see if hair loss treatments can help with your problems, call 305-866-2177 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Walder or her associate Dr. Chimento, to discuss your options and plan your treatments.
