Hair loss comes in many forms; diffuse thinning, autoimmune alopecia and telogen/anagen effluvium. But perhaps the most predominant form of hair loss is the so-called “hereditary” or “genetic” hair loss, commonly known as androgenic alopecia, or patterned-hair loss. Androgenic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss and affects both men and women. It typically begins by age 20 (when hormones are usually most optimal) and affects nearly 50% of men by the age of 50 years.
While the term “androgenic alopecia” alludes to androgens and genetics as the dominant cause of hair loss; the truth is, it is a systemic condition, driven by a number of key physiological imbalances. Fortunately, most of the imbalances that cause hair loss can be corrected by the use of every day caffeine.
Before we explain exactly how caffeine helps to promote healthy hair growth, let’s quickly review the underlying pathology of hair loss.
A Quick Lesson in Hair Loss
According to outdated research, the progressive thinning of the scalp hair that attributes to the most common form of hair loss; known as patterned hair loss, is considered to be mainly androgen and genetic driven. However, and as discussed very clearly in our Forever Healthy Hair course, DHT, which is the testosterone metabolite otherwise known as dihydrotestosterone, and even genetics are not the cause of hair loss.
Although the expression of the androgen receptors and even genetic factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hair loss, they are not the cause of it. [1] The truth is, there are many contributing factors to hair loss, all which are caused by stress.
In the androgen theory of hair loss, the proposed mechanism is that a person has a “sensitivity” to DHT and once elevated, induces the miniaturization of the hair follicle, which eventually leads to hair loss. However, there are many flaws with this theory. Perhaps the most obvious flaw is the fact that DHT is a youth-associated hormone that declines with age and is most abundant during youth. This is the opposite of what occurs under hair loss; typically younger people have much fuller, healthier hair (when DHT is highest) and significantly more hair loss later in life (when DHT is at its lowest). But this isn’t a post regarding the DHT-myth of hair loss; for more on that, be sure to enroll in the Forever Healthy Hair course.
Something that is overlooked, or outright hidden from the public, is the fact that DHT rises in response to elevated estrogen in the body in order to buffer its stressful effects. Estrogen is actually a stress hormone, and is known to elevate under acute stress. [3] People with hair loss are often chronically stressed and are overproducing estrogen as a result. Under stress, the thyroid function decreases, which increases the activity of the adrenals and the aromatase enzyme. The hair loss sufferer tends to produce excessive amounts of easily aromatizable adrenal steroids, which under the presence of the aromatase enzyme, turn into excess estrogen. This overproduction of estrogen can directly inhibit good hair growth by blocking thyroid function (necessary for proper hair growth), by causing hypoxia (oxygen deprivation to the scalp tissue) and by causing an over production of periphery DHT, which is why it is elevated in hair loss.
In summary, hair loss is a systemic condition mostly driven by stress, which involves the over expression of adrenal stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, androstenedione, which suppress thyroid function and increase estrogen, prolactin and DHT. Of these hormones, DHT is perhaps the only protective, hair-growth promoting one present. As we discuss often, cortisol, adrenaline, estrogen and prolactin all inhibit good hair growth by interfering with the hair follicles ability to produce energy and grow.
How Caffeine Helps
Research has found that the use of topical caffeine can indeed stop hair loss and promote hair growth, and does so in a more effective and safer way than minoxidil.
According to study, topical caffeine inhibits phosphodiesterase, which increases cAMP levels in cells and therefore promotes hair follicle proliferation by stimulating cell metabolism. [2]
A study conducted by Fischer et al. used hair organ culture model to investigate the effects of testosterone and caffeine on hair follicle growth stimulation. This in vitro study used scalp biopsy samples from male AGA patients which were cultivated using different concentrations of testosterone and/or caffeine for a period of 120-192 hours. Addition of caffeine in concentrations of 0.001% and 0.005% were found to counteract the suppressive effects of testosterone on hair growth, with a higher hair shaft elongation seen at 120 h after caffeine administration, compared to control group. This in vitro study thus clearly demonstrates that caffeine is a stimulator of human hair growth which may have importance in the treatment of AGA.[5] Brandner et al. proved by their double-blind placebo-controlled trial that caffeine application causes a substantial reduction in the transepidermal water loss in men compared to women, thus improving barrier function in men.[6]
Regarding the route of delivery of caffeine, hair follicles are considered an important route for drug delivery. A recent study which assessed the follicular penetration of topical caffeine in hair follicles proved hair follicles to be faster route of drug delivery for topically applied drugs.[7] An important requirement for the treatment of AGA is follicular drug delivery. A recent study assessed the follicular penetration of caffeine on topical application in a shampoo formulation for 2 min and showed that penetration via hair follicles was faster and higher compared with the interfollicular route and that hair follicles were the only pathway for faster caffeine absorption during the first 20 min after application.[8]
The beneficial effects of topical application of caffeine in AGA can thus be attributed to inhibition of phosphodiesterase, improvement in barrier function, follicular penetration, stimulation and promotion of hair growth. Thus it appears to be a useful adjuvant in the management of AGA. However, further studies need to be done to confirm and establish the role of caffeine in management of AGA.
For these reasons, caffeine is one of the star ingredients in Mane Stay. After just a few weeks of use, you will noticed improved hair growth, thickness and fullness!
