There are a variety of different products on the market that contain caffeine and are thought to promote hair loss. However, some of these products don’t actually help with hair loss.
Today we’re looking into Caffeine and the effect it actually has on our hair, does it cause or prevent hair loss?
Hair loss can be caused by a number of different factors from stress to genes. Male pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss. Male pattern baldness is caused by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a by-product of testosterone.
Our hair follicles are sensitive to DHT and if they are exposed to the hormone for a long period of time the follicles can begin to shrink and eventually the hair follicles will stop producing hair. This can cause male pattern baldness.
I drink a lot of coffee, is that why I’m losing my hair? This is a question we see a lot. Too much caffeine is not good for you for a lot of different reasons, but hair loss isn’t one of them.
Caffeine is a naturally occurring chemical stimulant. Caffeine is found in beverages we drink on a daily basis such as tea and coffee and is also found in a variety of different fizzy drinks and energy drinks. A number of different studies show the effects of caffeine and hair loss, and they’re positive. Caffeine does not contribute to hair loss or baldness.
Caffeine helps to promote hair growth as the chemical targets DHT, which is the hormone responsible for hair loss. When the hormone DHT attaches itself to the hair follicles it prevents the vitamin, proteins and minerals from providing the hair with the nutrients needed to keep the hair growth cycle going.
Caffeine has a positive effect on the hair follicle; the chemical causes hair cells to produce more ATP (ATP is the energy of our biological cells). The production of more ATP helps the hair follicle in it’s active growing phase, this results in the hair continuing to grow, rather than shrinking.
When we drink products that contain caffeine the chemical can get into our system and actually reach our hair follicles and promote growth. Hair products that contain caffeine are not able to reach the hair follicle and therefore can’t promote growth. Most of these products just give the appearance of fuller and thicker hair.
Although caffeine can help to promote hair growth, it is not a miracle worker and drinking a lot of coffee will not stop your hair loss. Hair loss can be caused by a number of different reasons and it is important to find out what is causing your hair loss to find an appropriate treatment.
If you would like more information on hair loss and what treatment could work for you, please contact us for a no obligation consultation.