A new research has shown that that caffeine can induce hair growth proliferation of human hair follicles published by the prestigious "International journal of dermatology" in 2007. This is achieved by blocking the hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) produced by the male hormone testosterone. The hormone is considered to destroy hair follicles in hereditary hair loss or pattern baldness.

The researchers took Hair follicles from biopsies from male patients aged between 20 to 45 years that had Androgenetic alopecia (under local anesthesia) and grown in culture. The cells were then treated with 5 microgram/ml testosterone to suppress hair growth. This recession of hair growth was reversed by the addition of caffeine at concentrations of 0.001% and 0.005%. The results led to an amazing 78% increase.

This is good news for people wishing to regrow their precious crop. One would require drinking at least 60 cups of coffee a day to show any effect which is hardly practical. The next option would then be by topically applying on the scalp. There are companies that have started to manufacture shampoo with added caffeine in it that requires one to shampoo and leave for 2 minutes for the caffeine to penetrate the scalp and get to the hair follicles.

Another cheaper option with caution and medical consultation would be simply rubbing caffeine powder on the scalp for a few minutes before shampooing.

References

Effect of caffeine and testosterone on the proliferation of human hair follicles in vitro. 2007. Fischer TW, Hipler UC, Elsner P. Int J Dermatol. 46:27-35

Disclaimer

The information provided here should not be used during any medical condition or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. You need to consult with a qualified physician for diagnosis and before such experiments.