Yes, Caffeine Can Help Grow Hair!

by Christine Steele

Starting your morning out sipping a good cup of coffee is a great way to kick your day into high gear. The caffeine helps perk you up and makes you more alert. 

But did you know that the caffeine in coffee can also stimulate hair growth?

Hair loss occurs as we age, and affects both men and women, but studies have shown that applying coffee topically to the scalp can help stop hair loss and promote regrowth.

If you are experiencing thinning hair, consider using caffeine for hair loss. 

Since caffeine is a stimulant that helps wake you up, it can also help stimulate your hair to grow by increasing blood circulation to the hair follicles, which helps hair grow faster and stronger. 

The caffeine also blocks the effects of DHT, a hormone that can damage hair follicles and lead to baldness in both men and women. 

According to the study, the caffeine in coffee helped make the hair shaft longer, which resulted in longer, wider roots. It also noted that the caffeine prolonged what is called “anagen duration” which is the hair growth stage—proving that caffeine and hair growth go hand-in-hand.

Caffeine for Balding Men

The proof is in the results. In several studies and experiments with balding men conducted over a period of several months, the topical use of caffeine helped slow down their hair loss. 

One study involving 14 men aged 20 to 45 showed that their hair follicles treated with caffeine grew 33 to 39% longer than follicles not treated with caffeine.   

In another study, a group of 40 men used a caffeine-based hair lotion for four months. At the end of that time, 83% of the men showed a decrease in hair loss. 

Other Benefits of Coffee on Your Hair

Promotes Soft & Shiny Locks—Treat dull, brittle locks with a coffee rinse. Coffee contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants that promote hair regeneration.  The coffee smooths your hair shaft, which helps prevent the frizzies, and leaves your locks with a natural sheen.

Fights the Gray Naturally—If you have darker hair, a rich espresso rinse can stain those gray strands and help them blend in with your hair more naturally.

Detoxifies & Exfoliates Your Scalp—Coffee’s acidic properties can detoxify and rebalance the pH of your hair and scalp. A homemade scrub or mask made with coffee grounds or coffee powder can also help remove dead skin cells and product buildup. 

Detangles—Got the tangles? A spritz of coffee will soften and smooth the hair shaft, and make detangling a breeze.

5 Ways to Include Caffeine in Your Hair Care Routine

Coffee Rinse
Rinse away the gray and give your hair a boost with this rich rinse. Take 2 to 4 cups of cold, black coffee or espresso and put in a spray bottle. Spray wet hair with it and massage into your scalp and hair. Tuck hair into a shower cap or wrap in an old towel and let coffee sit on your hair for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. 

Coffee & Coconut Mask

Moisturize those locks with this concoction. Mix ¼ cup warmed coconut oil with 1 tablespoon of coffee powder and massage into your roots. Leave on for 15 minutes. Shampoo out and follow with conditioner. 

Coffee, Honey & Olive Oil Mask

Treat dry hair to this rich, moisturizing combo. Combine 1 tablespoon of coffee with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 of olive oil and apply to hair from root to tip. Let sit for 30 minutes, then rinse out and wash hair with a mild shampoo.

Coffee & Sugar Scalp Scrub
Give scalp a good cleansing with this exfoliating scrub. Mix ground coffee beans with powdered or granulated sugar and massage into your scalp while wet. Massage for 10-15 minute, then leave on for 30 minutes. Wash out with warm water and a mild shampoo. 

Thickening Mask
Plump up those locks with this enriching blend. Combine 3 tablespoons of coffee grounds with 1 tablespoon each of almond oil and aloe vera gel and massage into hair and scalp. Let sit for 20 minutes then wash.