Caffeine for Hair Growth: Benefits & How It’s Used
Can caffeine stop hair loss? Or, even better, can caffeine help promote hair growth? The question may seem far-fetched or too good to be true, but we promise that the concept of caffeine to make our hair grow faster is definitely rooted in reality.
Caffeine can effortlessly help us from our cozy beds into the working world on a sluggish Monday morning, and a cup of coffee can give us the extra boost we need during a midday slump. Is it possible that the use of caffeine can have other benefits, extending to the keratin proteins comprising our hair?
Read on to find out how caffeine is used for healthy hair growth, if caffeine can prevent hair loss, and how caffeine can be used as a part of a beneficial hair care regimen for aging hair to combat issues such as thinning and hormonal hair loss.
Does Caffeine Support Hair Health?
The idea that caffeine can help prevent hair loss and protect our hairlines from receding has been around for a while, but many consumers and hair care companies are just starting to take notice – and for good reason.
It has been said that caffeine is an effective hair loss treatment, but how much impact can caffeine have on the hair growth cycle? We can take many supplements to keep our hair looking its best and retain the same integrity it once had when we were younger, including finasteride and minoxidil (the only two FDA-approved hair-loss products).
While your dermatologist may not prescribe caffeine shampoo, that doesn’t mean it might not be worth a shot. Hair care comes in many forms, such as oral supplements full of vitamins or serums to coax brilliance back into our hair.
Hair care routines can also be made complete by topical applications; for those who are proponents of caffeine for hair growth, this is most likely where your caffeine hair care journey will begin. But don’t start pouring an energy drink on your head just yet.
We will explore the best ways to take advantage of the benefits of caffeine for hair growth that don’t involve any wacky experiments. We’ve done the work for you!
Caffeine and Humans: A Love Story
It is believed that our first discovery of caffeine was in the way of tea, through leaves that fell into boiling water. The leaves changed the flavor and aroma of the water while having restorative qualities. How is that for fate?
This claim, made by Chinese emperor Shennong sometime in 3000 BCE, is a legend of Chinese culture. The first evidence that can be traced to a source of intentional caffeine consumption comes from the fifteenth century.
Coffee plants were found in a monastery in southern Arabia. The practice of drinking coffee spread slowly across the world thanks to the spice trade, and before long, there was a Starbucks on every corner.
Caffeine is a naturally derived substance commonly found in coffee beans, tea, and cacao (chocolate? Yes, please). Caffeine is used frequently in drinks like coffee for its stimulant properties.
The stimulation effects of caffeine go directly to the central nervous system to provide an energy boost. Those who drink caffeinated beverages or eat caffeinated foods often seek out the energy boost qualities of this substance to help them wake up and take on the day.
Caffeine is a stimulant and works by blocking adenosine. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that causes you to feel tired. Caffeine is absorbed into your bloodstream via your stomach extremely quickly. It takes only five to 30 minutes for the effects of caffeine to be absorbed, with caffeine levels peaking in our bodies at typically 75 minutes after a latte, energy drink, or espresso.
How Does Caffeine Affect Us?
The use of caffeine can come with some very positive benefits. Some of those benefits include increased performance in athletic abilities, a better mood, and can lead to better focusing. As the world's number one choice for a stimulant, caffeine is used for the energy effects as much as the health benefits.
Like everything in life, moderation is key, and too much caffeine can lead to issues. Overuse of caffeine can cause anxiety, increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, and shakiness. It’s even possible to overdose on caffeine, but luckily, that isn’t easy as long as you keep it in moderation!
Does Caffeine Stimulate Hair Growth?
Men and women can be prone to the effects of the androgen, dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT. Too much DHT in our systems can damage the follicles of our hair, which in turn, can lead to hair thinning or hair loss. DHT is directly responsible for hair loss around the hairline, known as “male pattern baldness,” and contrary to the term, it can also impact women.
A study has shown that caffeine did well in blocking the effects of DHT on the hair follicles of both men and women. Be careful, though – including a few extra cups of coffee a day won’t impact your hair much. We will touch upon any potential side effects of using caffeine for hair growth later, but for now, we will leave you with this advice.
The FDA recommends keeping caffeine consumption to about 400 milligrams a day to avoid any negative health effects. The amount of caffeine that helps restore hair growth exceeds this number, so topically applying caffeine is your best course of action.
Why Is Caffeine Good for Hair?
Caffeine takes to the root of your hair growth: literally. Since dihydrotestosterone is the culprit of hair loss for many, caffeine puts its gloves on and knocks DHT out of the ring.
Another way that caffeine can be used for hair growth is because of its use as a stimulant. This doesn’t just extend to keeping us awake during work meetings! Caffeine can stimulate the scalp through blood flow, supporting hair follicle health — specifically, the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle.
Our Superpower Fortifying Hair & Scalp Serum is a great example of the power of caffeine. The serum is lightweight and will absorb quickly into the scalp. The plant-based ingredients nourish the scalp to support strong hair and address the early signs of aging, leaving your hair feeling strong and healthy.
The caffeine in the Superpower Fortifying Hair & Scalp Serum rejuvenates the scalp, going straight to the roots. Used together with our Wake Up Call Volumizing Shampoo and Wake Up Call Volumizing Conditioner can help boost the effects even further.
Are There Any Side Effects of Using Caffeine for Hair Growth?
Much like we spoke about the not-so-fun side effects that can occur within your nervous system when you ingest too much caffeine, the same can be said for your hair health. Consuming more caffeine than recommended can slow down the hair growth cycle, having the opposite effect of what is desired!
When it comes to using caffeine for your hair in the form of topical applications such as hair masks and serums, there aren’t any negative effects. But before you use a coffee rinse, you will want to keep some things in mind.
If your hair is light, coffee can stain it. This is where a hair serum can come in handy! When you brew your coffee for a hair rinse, just ensure that the coffee isn’t too hot before treating your locks.
What Makes Hair Grow Faster?
Having a solid foundation for your haircare routine is the best way to set yourself up for success if you want to make your hair grow faster and focus on regrowth.
Starting from the inside out, our Significant Other Hair, Skin, & Nails Supplement provides the perfect mix of hair-healthy ingredients and vitamins. And as we take to our scalp and hair follicles, scalp serums and massaging applicators provide benefits at the source to support healthy blood flow for hair growth.
Harness the topical application of caffeine with products such as our dreamy Silver Lining: Purple Butter Mask that acts like a nutrient buffet for your hair!
Conclusion
There is a world of possibilities when considering the benefits of using caffeine to promote hair growth. Achieving thicker hair and embracing the beauty of your natural hair can come easy when you incorporate the wonders of caffeine into practice when it comes to hair care.
Next time you reach for a hair care product to help grow your hair, keep your eye out for caffeine in the ingredients! And if you’re still unsure what products are right for you, take our personalized hair quiz here.
Sources:
Caffeinated Concoctions | Naples Botanical Garden