Caffeine Hair Growth

Caffeine and Hair Growth Stimulation

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In 2017, I briefly mentioned an interesting new study by Dr. Rachita Dhurat in regards to caffeine as a potential treatment for hair loss in men. The conclusion of that study was pretty unbelievable:

“A caffeine-based topical liquid should be considered as not inferior to minoxidil 5% solution in men with androgenetic alopecia.”

There have only ever been two hair loss treatments approved by the US FDA (Finasteride and Minoxidil). So how could an everyday product such as caffeine ever be as good as either of those two renowned hair loss treatments?

Surely there must be something wrong with Dr. Dhurat’s study methodology? Or perhaps the hairs that were being stimulated were just existing weak hairs getting stronger? Minoxidil actually causes brand new hair growth (or regenerates miniaturized vellus hair) in many responders.

Update: June 16, 2023 — Per a number of dermatologists, caffeine could help with hair loss and receding hairlines.

Update: January 30, 2023 — A new study examines the role and mechanisms of phytochemicals in hair growth. Caffeine and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) are both covered in detail. EGCG is the most abundant catechin in tea.

Caffeine Shampoos for Hair Loss

Caffeine Shampoo Alpecin
Caffeine Shampoo (Alpecin).

Interestingly, 6 of the 15 shampoos that I recommended in my best hair loss shampoos list contain caffeine as an ingredient. The most popular one is Ultrax Labs Hair Surge shampoo, which contains natural caffeine and saw palmetto.

Dr. Dhurat’s study also mentions that caffeine has been shown to penetrate the hair follicle when applied via a shampoo formulation . It mentions the Alpecin brand, which currently has an average customer rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on over 6,400 reviews.

Caffeine Follicle Energizer
Caffeine Follicle Energizer.

Also of note, BosleyMD sells a popular Follicle Energizer product that contains hair growth friendly natural ingredients caffeine and biotin. It currently has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars based on 700 reviews.

In 2022, there was an interesting discussion on caffeine and hair growth with Dr. Kyle Gillett. He says that the stimulant probably has a weak but still clinically significant effect on hair growth stimulation.

Caffeine and Hair Growth Research

Some other studies conducted in recent years also concluded a favorable impact upon hair growth after the application of topical caffeine.

  • In 2007, German researchers found that caffeine by itself was effective at stimulating hair growth.
  • In 2011, Italian scientists found a caffeine based lotion to be beneficial in treating androgenetic alopecia.
  • A 2013 report from Poland suggested that caffeine reduced 5-α-reductase activity, the main culprit (along with dihydrotestosterone — DHT) when it comes to male pattern hair loss.
  • In 2014, scientists from Germany found growth-promoting effects of caffeine on human hair follicles in both men and women at molecular, cellular and organ levels.
  • At the recently ended 2018 International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC) conference, there was a whole workshop (number 4) devoted to caffeine and hair growth. Dr. Dhurat was one of five presenters during this workshop.

Stimulation Effect

I doubt that caffeine can really be as effective as Minoxidil when it comes to hair growth. However, there does seem to be a decent chance that it at the very least stimulates faster hair growth. And perhaps a slight thickening of thinning hair.

We do know that the caffeine in coffee raises cortisol levels and acts as a central nervous system stimulus. It might also prolong the anagen growth phase of the hair cycle.

In a best case scenario, it could also counter the harmful effects of DHT by extending the anagen growth phase of the hair cycle. However, it is unlikely to regrow hair in totally bald areas of the scalp in those with male pattern baldness.

Silvio Berlusconi, Celebrity Hair Transplant

Silvio Berlusconi: Hair Transplant or Something Else?

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Update: June 12, 2023

RIP Silvio Berlusconi

Mr. Silvio Berlusconi passed away today at the age of 86 in Milan, Italy. The billionaire media mogul and former Italian prme minister had various old age related health issues, including leukaemia and a lung infection. Irrespective of what you make of his politics, it was great to see an old man still care about his hair so much. 92-year old William Shatner remains our geriatric hair loss hero.

March 4, 2018

Before there was Donald Trump, there was Silvio Berlusconi. Mr. Trump’s first time ascendancy to the US presidency in 2016 came at what most pundits at the time considered the old age of 70. However, Mr. Berlusconi is looking at a potential fifth time entry into the upper echelons of Italian politics in 2018. At the ripe old age of 81. Elections are going on today.

Both these two very vain men are controversial billionaires with highly sordid pasts. Moreover, both leaders have over the years undergone major cosmetic procedures to enhance their scalp hair and overall appearance. Both also seem to be huge fans of the tanned (sometimes orange colored) appearance. Berlusconi digged Barack Obama’s tanned look.

Mr. Trump and Mr. Berlusconi have over the years been obsessed about their own appearances as well as that of numerous other acquaintances. Berlusconi has in the past had hair transplants, used hair dye, used hair concealers and reportedly also tried out a hairpiece. Trump takes finasteride for his hair loss.

A Younger Silvio Berlusconi is Back

In today’s Italian general elections, a resurgent Silvio Berlusconi is expected to lead his party Forza Italia to garner the largest vote share, albeit not a majority. While Mr. Berlusconi has been banned from holding public office till next year due to a past fraud conviction, it is very possible that he will pick the next prime minister of Italy.

Moreover, he will become eligible to run for Italian prime minister next year at the age of 82. Considering that Italy has had 65 changes in governance over the past 70 years, it is not out of the question that Mr. Berlusconi will ascend yet one more time next year or thereafter.

Silvio Berlusconi's Hairline in 2018
Silvio Berlusconi’s artificial looking hairline in 2018.

During the latest election campaign, Mr. Berlusconi has made a number of appearances with a way too perfect looking hairline and wrinkle free wax-like face. This has as usual caused wild speculation in the Italian media.

Berlusconi Hair Transplant

Mr. Berlusconi has been confirmed to have had hair transplants and other cosmetic procedures many times in the past. He even told members of his own party to get hair transplants in order to be elected. In his latest public appearances in 2018, he joked that he can refer people to his excellent hair transplant surgeon.

Concealer

Bald Silvio Berlusconi
A balding Silvio Berlusconi before getting hair transplants.

Many people also think that Mr. Berlusconi is thickening his hair using hair loss concealers or by other means.

I would concur, since it is very rare for so-called “permanent” donor hair that is used in hair transplantation procedures to not thin at least moderately in men over the age of 80. My mother’s side grandfather had absolutely no donor hair left even in his 70s.

Moreover, Mr. Berlusconi’s latest photos and perfect frontal hair line arc seem to suggest more than just a hair transplant, although I am no expert in this matter. Whatever he has had done to himself, he clearly has much more hair (or hair-like camouflage) today in comparison to several decades ago.