Wondering how caffeine and hair growth are related? Welcome to our comprehensive exploration of how caffeine, a familiar stimulant found in your daily cup of joe, plays a pivotal role in the realm of hair care, particularly in Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) hair restoration treatments and hair growth.
While there’s some debate over limiting caffeine intake before PRP procedures due to its potential impact on blood flow and platelet function, the intrigue around caffeine doesn’t stop there. Recent studies have shed light on the complex relationship between caffeine and hair health. From its use in cosmetic formulations to combat hair loss, particularly in androgenetic alopecia, to its role in enhancing hair follicle vitality, caffeine has emerged as a significant player in hair care regimens. This blog post delves into the multifaceted effects of caffeine on hair, unravelling its dual role as both a substance to be moderated before specific treatments like PRP and a beneficial ingredient in topical applications for promoting hair growth and overall scalp health.
Caffeine before PRP treatments
Caffeine should likely be limited before Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) hair restoration treatments. The reason for this is that caffeine MAY potentially affect blood flow and platelet function. This isn’t conclusive though.
A 2021 systematic review investigated whether coffee or its components affected platelet regulators and aggregation (Gache et al., 2021). The study focused on human research related to coffee consumption and its impact on platelets, excluding in vitro or animal studies, reviews, editorials, and non-English studies. Out of 836 publications, 17 articles were analyzed. The findings were mixed: 10 articles reported no impact of coffee on platelets, 9 suggested an increase in platelet aggregation, and 8 indicated a decrease in aggregation with coffee consumption. The review concluded that the varied results make it challenging to definitively understand coffee’s interaction with platelets and regulators, suggesting that future research should focus on individual coffee components, different platelet regulators, and larger sample sizes for clearer insights. Therefore, caffeine could potentially influence how platelets function, although the exact impact may vary from person to person.
Additionally, caffeine is a diuretic, which can lead to dehydration. Good hydration is important for optimal blood flow and healing. If you are going to consume caffeine before your PRP treatment, it would be wise to limit consumption and to drink two cups of water for each cup of caffeinated beverage you consume.
At the same time, topical caffeine is quite powerful in promoting hair growth.
Here are 6 reasons you may want to consider including a caffeine-containing shampoo in your hair growth tool kit:
1. DHT Inhibition
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone known to contribute to hair loss, particularly in cases of androgenetic alopecia (commonly known as male or female pattern baldness). Caffeine has been suggested to counteract this effect by inhibiting the action of DHT on hair follicles. By reducing DHT’s impact, caffeine may help in slowing down the hair loss process.
2. Stimulating Hair Follicles
Caffeine is believed to stimulate hair follicles, encouraging them to grow hair. This is thought to occur because caffeine increases blood circulation to the scalp, which can improve the nourishment and oxygen supply to the hair follicles, thereby promoting hair growth. It should also be noted that female hair follicles appear to be more sensitive to caffeine than male hair follicles (Dejvani et al., 2023).
3. Prolonging the Anagen Phase of the Hair Growth Cycle
The anagen phase is the active growth phase of hair follicles. Research suggests that caffeine may help to prolong this phase, resulting in longer hair growth periods and potentially thicker, fuller hair. Specifically, caffeine blocks the action of the 5-α-reductase enzyme, enabling a new growth phase for the hair. (Fischer et al., 2007).
4. Increasing Hair Shaft Elongation
Some studies have shown that caffeine can enhance the length of the hair shaft, contributing to longer hair. Specifically, caffeine stimulates the microcirculation of capillary vessels in the scalp, enhancing the nourishment of hair bulbs. This regular nutrient supply through the blood promotes strong and rapid hair growth (Conney et al., 2008).
5. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Caffeine also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial in treating scalp conditions and creating a healthier environment for hair growth.
A 2010 study by Bussoletti et al. found that a caffeine-containing shampoo was highly skin-compatible and effective cosmetically in treating male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The pull-test results showed increased hair resistance to pulling and a decrease in hair loss, improving with continued product use. Dermatologists confirmed its cosmetic effectiveness, noting reduced premature hair loss, enhanced hair structure, improved scalp condition, and significant balding reduction. The study concluded that caffeine is a promising ingredient for cosmetically treating male AGA.
In a 2018 study by Bussoletti et al. (2018) focusing on hair disorders, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with women diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). In this study, participants who used a shampoo containing caffeine for six months experienced a reduction in hair loss, as evidenced by fewer hairs being removed during the hair pull test.
6. Enhancing Absorption of Other Ingredients
When used in combination with other hair growth products, caffeine may enhance the absorption of other beneficial ingredients into the scalp, potentially improving the overall effectiveness of hair care treatments. Specifically, caffeine relaxes the smooth muscles around hair follicles, facilitating better nutrient delivery to the hair through the blood vessels in the papillae.
Conclusion
Caffeine has successfully passed crucial stages of validation, starting from initial in vitro studies to controlled clinical trials. Clinical studies involving both male and female pattern baldness have demonstrated that topical caffeine-based products can reduce hair loss. One such study even found a caffeine-based lotion to be just as effective as minoxidil, a common hair loss medication, in a controlled trial with male AGA patients.
These findings suggest that caffeine treatments for hair loss can match the effectiveness of drug-based treatments, while also offering the safety benefits typically associated with cosmetic products.
However, the right dosage of caffeine is crucial to maximize its biological effects on hair follicles in both men and women. Therefore, the formulation of each caffeine-containing product must be carefully considered.
References
Bussoletti, C., Mastropietro, F., Tolaini, M., & Celleno, L. (2010). Use of a caffeine shampoo for the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Applied Cosmetology, 28(4), 153.
Bussoletti, C., Tolaini, M. V., & Celleno, L. (2018). Efficacy of a cosmetic phyto-caffeine shampoo in female androgenetic alopecia. Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia e Venereologia: Organo Ufficiale, Societa Italiana Di Dermatologia e Sifilografia, 155(4), 492–499.
Conney, A. H., Kramata, P., Lou, Y., & Lu, Y. (2008). Effect of caffeine on UVB‐induced carcinogenesis, apoptosis, and the elimination of UVB‐induced patches of p53 mutant epidermal cells in SKH‐1 mice. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 84(2), 330–338.
Devjani, S., Ezemma, O., Kelley, K. J., Stratton, E., & Senna, M. (2023). Androgenetic Alopecia: Therapy Update. Drugs, 1–15.
Fischer, T. W., Hipler, U., & Elsner, P. (2007). Effect of caffeine and testosterone on the proliferation of human hair follicles in vitro. International Journal of Dermatology, 46(1), 27–35.
Gache, L. S. da S., Vaz, J., & Almeida-de-Souza, J. (2021). Systematic review of the effects of coffee or its components on platelets and their regulators. Journal of Caffeine and Adenosine Research, 11(3), 51–64.
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