Vasodilatory, lipolytic, toning... we already know that caffeine can be beneficial for the skin. However, this ingredient is starting to appear in discussions about hair growth. Indeed, caffeine is being touted as a "natural" solution to aid in hair regrowth and prevent further loss. Find more details here about these claims related to hair growth.
The benefits of caffeine on hair growth.
Summary
Published on August 2, 2023, updated on July 31, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 9 min of reading
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Caffeine to stimulate hair growth: what does the research say?
Hair loss is a widespread issue affecting many men and women globally. Over 80% of men and more than 30% of women report suffering from hair loss for one reason or another. Others are concerned about their thin or sparse hair. It's not surprising, then, that scientists have sought solutions to stimulate hair growth and give existing hair a thick and "plumped" appearance. One of the leading ingredients is caffeine . Indeed, according to available research, it appears to have a stimulating effect on hair follicle growth, improving hair density and strength by acting on various parameters. Here's what has been discovered.
Caffeine enhances the ability of hair to grow and extends its growth phase (anagen phase). A 2017 study revealed that when caffeine was topically applied to human hair follicles ex vivo at concentrations of 0.001% and 0.005%, researchers observed an extension of the anagen phase and an elongation of the hair shaft, resulting in longer and thicker hair roots. They demonstrated that caffeine can counteract the suppressive effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the hair follicles of both men and women on hair growth.
Indeed, when this androgen is present in excess, it induces a gradual shortening of successive anagen phases in favor of longer resting phases (telogen phase), followed by a gradual "miniaturization" of genetically predetermined hair follicles. Over several growth cycles, these follicles eventually stop growing, leading to androgenetic alopecia. Caffeine acts by inhibiting the activity of 5-alpha reductase, an intrafollicular enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT.
The transition between the different phases of the hair follicle cycle is a process controlled and regulated by growth factors. However, in another study, it was shown that caffeine also allowed for a higher expression of IGF-1, a promoter of hair growth in both male and female hair follicles, and a lower expression of TGF-β2, a significant regulatory factor that opposes hair growth in male hair follicles and promotes the catagen phase (regression phase). These conditions are favorable for maintaining the anagen phase. Therefore, caffeine could potentially prevent hair loss and encourage hair growth.
Caffeine stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes in the hair matrix. In a study, it was demonstrated that caffeine could increase keratinocyte proliferation in the dermal papilla. However, higher concentrations of caffeine (100, 500, and 1,500 μg/mL) had inhibitory effects, potentially causing over-stimulation of hair follicle metabolism, significant consumption of energy reserves, and exhaustion of the proliferation capacity.
These growth-stimulating effects can be explained by its ability to inhibit the activity of phosphodiesterase, an enzyme responsible for the degradation of cAMP into 5-AMP. This then leads to an increase in cAMP levels within the cells, thereby promoting their proliferation by stimulating cellular metabolism. This mechanism can counteract the miniaturization of the hair follicle induced by DHT.
Caffeine facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. Caffeine is known for its vasodilatory properties, meaning it has the ability to improve the microcirculation of blood vessels in the scalp, thereby increasing hair density. This effect can be enhanced by an active scalp massage to allow it to penetrate the skin and act during the application of the hair product. However, the concentration of caffeine must be sufficiently low to increase flow and not cause the opposite effect, which is vasoconstriction, or a limitation of blood flow.
Note : Female hair follicles appear to be more sensitive to caffeine than male hair follicles,
Thus, it has been proven that caffeine has stimulating effects on hair growth. It appears to be a promising candidate in the prevention of hair loss and the management of alopecia. It can either exert a complementary effect by targeting other mechanisms, or act in synergy with established anti-androgenic medications. Beyond alopecia, caffeine can also be used as part of a beneficial hair care routine for aging hair to combat thinning and hormonal hair loss, for example.
Moreover, unlike the topical solution of 2 or 5% minoxidil (for men and women) or orally administered finasteride (for men only), two drugs approved for the treatment of alopecia, the use of hair products containing caffeine does not present any obvious side effects or contraindications. As always, it is advisable to conduct a patch test before using any new product to reduce the occurrence of potential irritation risks.
However, it is crucial to note that additional research is necessary to confirm and establish the role of caffeine in hair growth, and that there is no "miracle molecule" capable of independently promoting hair growth.
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Scalp: How to use caffeine?
To reap the benefits of caffeine for hair, thetopical application on the scalp is the fastest and most suitable route of administration, through a shampoo, conditioner, or serum. A number of studies have even shown that caffeine can penetrate both the skin of the scalp and reach the hair follicle. However, for the caffeine to penetrate to the root of the hair and produce an effect, rub your scalp or let the hair product sit for a minimum of 2 minutes. It can remain there up to 48 hours even after washing the hair.
Note : The amount of caffeine to be consumed orally (equivalent to 50 to 60 cups of coffee) to achieve noticeable results in hair growth is higher than the recommended amount, set at about 400 milligrams per day (about four or five cups of coffee) by the FDA. This limit is generally not associated with dangerous and negative health effects (risk of myocardial infarction, epileptic seizure, addiction, anxiety, headaches, etc).
A caffeine-based hair care product to take advantage of its benefits at Typology?
Following our understanding of caffeine's effect on hair growth, we were led to include it in our densifying shampoo. Besides its ability to cleanse the scalp, it helps to reduce hair loss, strengthen the hair and follicle, and encourage microcirculation in the scalp and hair root to give hair a fuller and healthier appearance. Moreover, the formula combines caffeine with acetyl tetrapeptide-3 and phytokeratins (INCI: Hydrolyzed Sweet Almond Protein), designed to create an optimal environment for better hair growth.
Sources
LADEMANN J. & al. Follicular penetration of topically applied caffeine via a shampoo formulation. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (2007).
LADEMANN J. & al. The role of hair follicles in the percutaneous absorption of caffeine. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2007).
PANDEY S. S. & al. Role of caffeine in the management of androgenetic alopecia. International Journal of Trichology (2012).
HERMAN A. P. & al. Caffeine's mechanisms of action and its cosmetic use. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology Journal (2013).
PAUS R. & al. Differential effects of caffeine on hair shaft elongation, matrix and outer root sheath keratinocyte proliferation, and transforming growth factor-β2/insulin-like growth factor-1-mediated regulation of the hair cycle in male and female human hair follicles in vitro. British Journal of Dermatology (2014).
ELSNER P. & al. Effect of caffeine and testosterone on the proliferation of human hair follicles in vitro. International Journal of Dermatology (2017).
KLENK A. & al. An open-label randomized multicenter study assessing the noninferiority of a caffeine-based topical liquid 0.2% versus minoxidil 5% solution in male androgenetic alopecia. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology (2018).
BERTOLINI M. & al. Transepidermal UV radiation of scalp skin ex vivo induces hair follicle damage that is alleviated by the topical treatment with caffeine. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2019).
CELLENO L. & al. Efficacy of a cosmetic phyto-caffeine shampoo in female androgenetic alopecia. Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia (2020).
KLENK A. & al. Caffeine and its pharmacological benefits in the management of androgenetic alopecia: A review. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology Journal (2020).
OHYAMA M. Caffeine relaxes hair follicles in androgenetic alopecia. British Journal of Dermatology (2021).
FDA. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
