Have you given caffeine shampoo a go, only to be disappointed with the outcome? A medical professional has opened up on whether its effectiveness is simply a "myth".
Caffeine shampoo has become a regular item on supermarket and pharmacy shelves in recent years. It's designed to boost hair growth using caffeine extract. The first brand hit the market after a 2007 study showed that caffeine stimulated hair follicles to regrow in a lab dish. This led researchers to create a shampoo aiming to replicate this effect on human scalps.
However, LloydsPharmacy has scrutinised all negative reviews of the four leading caffeine shampoo brands on Amazon, finding that 41% of users reported them as ineffective in promoting hair growth. This led the pharmacy's Dr Bhavini Shah to shed light on how caffeine shampoo works, potential side effects, and effective alternatives.
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According to LloydsPharmacy, it's still "unclear" if the shampoo actually works. "There is not enough evidence to prove it works with hair on the scalp," the pharmacy states. "There is a lot of debate surrounding whether caffeine shampoos can actually match the success of this initial study to prevent hair loss.
"Generally speaking, caffeine shampoos are not endorsed by the medical community to treat hair loss. Instead, most UK doctors recommend medical treatments such as finasteride or minoxidil, which have been proven in clinical trials."
Hair Transplantation and Restoration Surgeon, Dr Asi Peretz, who's popular on TikTok with his hair advice account Trichogenics (@trichogenics), has weighed in on the effectiveness of certain shampoos. In one video, he states: "There's many shampoos out there that promise to bring back your hair.
"There are some shampoos out there such as caffeinated shampoos and even ketoconazole that can reduce scalp levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). However, this is not going to bring your hair back to the levels you expect. It will not bring back the balding areas, but it might help slightly with a little bit of density."
In the UK, only two treatments for hair loss have been clinically proven effective: Finasteride tablets and Minoxidil lotion/foam. Aforementioned GP, Dr Shah recommends Finasteride for those struggling with hair loss, advising: "While caffeine shampoo may improve scalp circulation and stimulate hair follicles, its effects are generally less potent and less scientifically substantiated than those of finasteride."
Dr Shah continues to explain how Finasteride works: "Finasteride works by blocking the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme converts the hormone testosterone into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone. High levels of DHT can cause hair follicles to shrink, leading to hair loss. By reducing the amount of DHT in the scalp, finasteride helps prevent hair loss and can even promote new hair growth."
Helena, a TikTok aficionado, has trumpeted the transformative effects of her 18-month commitment to caffeinated hair care with her online following, however. "Omg so much new hair is sticking out," she excitedly announces in a clip adding: "It also feels so thick in a ponytail."
And in her own TikTok testimonial, Kathleen Ayald (@kathleenayald) echoes Helena's enthusiasm: "Been using this for 2 months already and it really helps." Kathleen reveals her secret as Dr. Wolff's Alpecin caffeine shampoo with detailed instructions: "I shampoo my hair with it, massage and leave it for 2 mins."
Nevertheless, Lloyds Pharmacy issues a cautionary note amidst the social media buzz: "Scan any negative reviews for caffeine shampoos and you'll also see mention of some unpleasant side effects, such as redness and burning of the scalp. Whilst it is important not to believe every word of a negative review, you should bear in mind that your hair and scalp may react badly to caffeine shampoo.
"Please check the label of your chosen shampoo for side effects before use, and consult a doctor at the first sign of an issue."
