Caffeine and Hair Growth

[Carlos Wesley, MD]

For the curious folks, here is an interesting article that describes the mechanism by which caffeine can help slow hair loss. It's inhibition of the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT, or the enemy of scalp hair) is caffeine's primary benefit.

Now, this doesn't mean that drinking copious amounts of espresso will stimulate hair growth. Rather it is caffeine in its topical form that can have this beneficial effect.

[vtheripper]

caffeine

Dr. Wesley do you recommend any caffeine products/ shampoos etc.

[burtandernie]

So a shampoo like Alpecin with caffeine in it does have some legitimacy? I will say I tried that and I really did feel it helped for that day at least with the itch I get all the time. Although its pretty over priced for a shampoo that probably wont do much for hair loss long term anyway.
Okay so where are the caffeine topicals? With how common caffeine is the stuff should be dirt cheap.

[burtandernie]

This study really doesnt say anything specific about how caffeine alters androgens or DHT. It does not say how strongly caffeine or in what amounts it actually reduces or antagonizes DHT. It just says a few ways it might help hair grow like by suppressing DHT. It never says how.

[jamesst11]

this thread is completely useless

[newuser1]

i have always consumed tons of coffee

I forever would commonly drink multiple cups every day out of habit. Clearly it hasn't prevented anything with me. I don't believe any natural supplements can match the proven treatments out there, interesting article though. At least that means caffeine shouldn't hurt in any way.

[burtandernie]

He says right at the top - topical only probably not orally since everyone drinks coffee. Personally I dont put much stock in this paper its not the best done, and I suspect its partly based on that alopecin shampoo that uses coffee. You have to be careful with small studies funded by companies selling things with a vested interest good results. A lot of them are kind of biased.

[jamesst11]

o.k.. an article on caffeine, wow. Why not post another on rosemary, emu oil, blah blah blah... I am tired of this crap. :P

[burtandernie]

Well people are the point of desperation. The choices are very limited. What do you when desperate? Try anything and everything with any hint of evidence it could do something. That is the world of MPB.

[Hairbrain]

Well people are the point of desperation. The choices are very limited. What do you when desperate? Try anything and everything with any hint of evidence it could do something. That is the world of MPB.

Been that way for as long as history on the subject goes back. Saw palmetto anyone?

[MarieEvo]

Hi, everyone.

You might interested in checking out this thread:

https://www.baldtruthtalk.com/threads/24253-Dr.-Carlos-K.-Wesley-No-Surgery.-No-Pills?highlight=billena+hair+growth+blend

It is related to your discussion on the benefits of Caffeine, if applied topically.

Thanks and have a great rest of the day!