Caffeine And Hair Loss

Who would have thought that caffeine can give much more than an energy boost? In recent studies about caffeine and hair loss, it has been proven that not only does the substance stimulate hair growth; it can also reduce hair loss and be quickly absorbed by the body through topical application.

Before you get the nitty-gritty about the researches done by University of Jena and the experiment conducted by Dr. Fischer and his team and the subsequent one by Teichmann's (all German organizations) which was about the caffeine absorption in topical formulation application, it will help to understand the hair growth cycle. At any one time, our head has 85% of hair in the growth stage, which actually takes 2 to 6 years. After that, there is the short transitional phrase of one week by which the follicle starts to shrink, sort of in preparation for the resting phase. At any one time, 10 to 15% of our hair is on the resting stage.

Now, this study of caffeine as a hair loss treatment was geared specifically toward those who suffer from AGA or Androgenetic Alopecia – which is actually just a clinical term for common pattern baldness. The study carried out by Dr. Fischer involved taking samples from 14 men in the early stages of AGA. Now, in that study, there were four experiment groups, the control group being one that has nutrient-bases. Another group was treated with testosterone; another with caffeine and the last experimental group was treated both with caffeine and testosterone.

The findings established that there are significant differences in hair growth among the samples. The group found out that caffeine countered growth suppression in the samples treated with testosterone and caffeine. Not only that, the caffeine-without-testosterone sample also proved that caffeine does stimulate growth. It worked this way: caffeine blocks the effects of Dihydrotestosterone on the skin. This means that it is especially helpful for people whose cause of baldness is the skin's sensitivity to DHT.

Now, on to the other experiment. Since it was proven that caffeine does stimulate hair growth, the only remaining problem is how it can be applied on the hair on a regular basis. After all, we can't put our hair on test tubes. Caffeine was added to a shampoo formulation. The study proved that after two minutes, the substance was able to penetrate to the scalp though the hair follicles and the outermost layer of the skin, which is called stratum corneum.

The lab used ultra sensitive surface ionization as well as mass spectroscopy – methods that enable detection of small quantities of substances that pass through the skin and are absorbed by the blood. The study means that caffeine absorption is possible; only, you have to leave the shampoo on for two minutes at minimum. It's not at all a bad thing if you consider previous statements about how it would take 60 or 80 cups of coffee for your scalp to receive caffeine dosage recommended for hair growth stimulation.

Keep in mind that this form of treatment only works for AGA. Ironically, too much caffeine intake is said to increase DHT levels, which was proven to cause hair loss. This means that for caffeine, topical application is the only way to go. Another thing is that since so little is known about hair follicles, more research should be done about caffeine and hair loss. There is also the matter of the dosage to be recommended.

Baldness can cause much unhappiness. What is even sadder, is when one finds out that there is a cure and still does nothing about it. Finding out more about hair loss and various treatments is a god way to start acknowledging the problem, and eventually reaching a solution. Hair loss need not keep you unhappy for long.