Caffeine and Hair Growth: Energy at the Root
Find out how caffeine stimulates follicle metabolism and offsets hormonal triggers of hair thinning.
Caffeine isn’t just for waking up — it may also energize your hair follicles. A new study tested caffeine-based topical solutions on patients with androgenetic alopecia to see if it could stimulate hair regrowth by improving cellular metabolism.
- Caffeine counteracted the effects of DHT (a hormone linked to hair miniaturization).
- Hair shaft elongation increased by 30% in treated samples compared to control.
- The compound stimulated ATP production, improving energy within follicle cells.
- No irritation or systemic absorption was reported.
This research supports caffeine’s role as a mild growth stimulant and a potential ingredient in over-the-counter formulations. It also underscores how metabolic pathways — not just hormones — shape follicle activity.
The study did not evaluate long-term efficacy past 6 months.
Citation & Review Team
Full Citation
Krüger N. et al., Int J Dermatol, 2024.Review Team
Author: Student Editor
Fact-Checker: Dermatology Researcher
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.