Every once in a while, science turns out to go along with what we hope for or want. Remember when they told us red wine was good for fighting radiation sickness? That is definitely a win.
So, with the internet abuzz about the idea that caffeine might be good for your hair… it is hard not to wonder if science has decided to do us a solid again. After all, what could be better than knowing that your morning cup of joe is also helping you fight premature hair loss?
Well, do not start celebrating just yet. This might be another time when science has decided that the things we love are not actually bad for us.
Does Caffeine Reduce Hair Loss?
Back in 2012, this information published by the National Institutes of Health suggested that caffeine might play a role in preventing the absorption of DHT and help to promote healthier hair or possibly even hair regrowth. The problem was the study suggested the most effective way to get a benefit was not the consumption of caffeine, but the topical application directly to the scalp.
Simple explanation? Caffeine might help your hair if you put it in your shampoo – but drinking it likely would not help much. That spawned the development of Alpecin and other caffeinated hair products which are generally well-reviewed by consumers. But does it actually work?
In 2025, researchers published a review of the caffeine and hair loss studies published before November 2024. That review of the highest quality previous studies showed that topical application of caffeine might help, but that there simply is not enough good research to say for sure.
“Results from studies published to date suggest that topical caffeine preparations are safe and effective against hair loss. Nevertheless, better-designed clinical trials of well-defined caffeine products are required for an ultimate statement. Commercial hair products with caffeine offered on the market nowadays may be worth a try, but due to incomplete scientific data and product information, satisfactory outcomes are not guaranteed.”
Is Caffeine Good for the Scalp?
According to Healthline, the answer is a resounding yes.
The health magazine suggests that using well-cooled coffee as a rinse for your hair can help remove excess DHT around the hair follicles, leading to stronger and thicker hair that is less prone to fall out. They even claim that if you have dark brown or black hair, using an espresso rinse can help you hide gray hairs.
A more recent interview with dermatologists and published by Real Simple, suggests that the benefits of caffeine applied to scalp may include renewed hair growth and more.
“Caffeine by nature is a stimulant that increases circulation, which could have the capacity to bring nourishment to the hair follicles,” one doctor reports. Another suggests that the antioxidants in caffeine may help protect hair from damage due to pollution and other sources. However, it can also make the scalp drier or even irritate the skin, so using caffeinated hair products infrequently (no more than 1 to 3 times a week) is important.
Talk to Precision Hair Restoration About Effective Hair Loss Treatments
Caffeine treatments may be promising, but will not work for advanced hair loss, and there are more effective solutions for lesser degrees of hair loss. Start with a consultation at Precision Hair Restoration so we can evaluate the cause of your hair loss and effective treatments – whether that’s nonsurgical options like topicals or LLLT caps to surgical solutions. Precision Hair Restoration will determine the best customized treatment for your specific needs.
