caffeine and baldness
Caffeine may help balding men and women regrow some hair.
Research published in the International Journal of Dermatology concludes that caffeine is " a stimulator of human hair growth "
Hair restoration is a multi-billion dollar industry and this research could eventually lead to safer, more effective cures for baldness.
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Caffeine and Baldness Research
The researchers who worked on this project were TW Fischer MD, UC Hipler PhD and P. Elsner MD.
- They took biopsies from the scalps of 14 men in the early stages of hair loss.
- They then exposed the hair follicles to solutions containing different levels of caffeine.
- They also exposed some of the follicles to DHT, the hormone responsible for hair loss.
- After 8 days, even the hair follicles exposed to the DHT showed growth.
- Growth was greatest in follicles that were placed in solutions of caffeine only .
See the full journal abstract here.
How Much Caffeine Are We Talking About?
Before you brew yet another cup of coffee, unfortunately, a few extra cups of coffee are not going to do much.
- Scientists estimate up to 60 cups a day would be needed for significant amounts to reach follicles in the scalp. (via Daily Mail )
So that's only about 6000mg of caffeine, which might regrow your hair after stopping your heart .
Instead of drinking it - it seems you need to rub a caffeine-rich solution into the scalp.
Fortunately there are some caffeinated shampoos on the market.