You’re the type of person who takes coffee three to four times a day and then you start to notice your hair falling out, you start panicking and think, maybe it’s the coffee that has caused your sudden loss of hair.
Is it really the coffee? Can coffee actually cause you to lose hair? There has been a lot of debate about this.
Well, let’s find out.
Coffee doesn’t necessarily or has not been proven to be the cause of hair loss. Although, excessive intake of coffee prevents the absorption of iron and other important minerals into the body causing Iron deficiency and this causes hair loss.
Is Caffeine Bad for Your Hair?
Baldness starts with hair follicles that have a genetic sensitivity to DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a by-product of testosterone. When these sensitive hair follicles get exposed to DHT for a prolonged amount of time, they start to shrivel up and reduce in size and eventually stop the production of hair.
Taking too much caffeine decreases the levels of vitamin B which is very important in growing healthy hair.
Large amounts of caffeine have also been said to increase levels of Cortisol, which is a stress hormone, and stress causes hair problems.
These effects can only be experienced when you consume a large quantity of coffee.
In contrary to the above, a 2007 lab study found that caffeine helps to restrict the effects of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) in the hair follicles causing them to grow stronger and healthier.
Caffeine helps to retain the moisture in hair giving it a natural sheen. Increased circulation of blood caused by drinking coffee, helps to move nutrients to the hair roots creating shinier and healthier hair.
There are three stages in a hair growth cycle, the Anagen (active growth), Catagen (transition), and Telogen (rest) stages. Caffeine prolongs the Anagen phase counteracting the effects of DHT resulting in hair growth.
Caffeine has a lot of benefits to hair when consumed proportionally, but when taken in large quantities can prevent the absorption of Iron leading to gradual hair loss.
Does Caffeine Help in Thickening Your Hair?
Caffeine affects the hair follicles positively causing the hair cells to produce ATP (cell energy). When a lot of ATP is produced, it increases the active growing process of the hair follicles resulting in continuous growth.
Caffeine stimulates elongation of the hair shaft causing longer and wider roots. It significantly increases hair length from thirty-three to forty percent.
So, Yes. Caffeine does help to thicken hair.
What Amount of Coffee is Healthy for Your Hair?
It has been estimated that 60 cups of coffee are needed to ensure that the right amount of caffeine reaches your hair follicles. However, this amount could be detrimental to your health and could cause anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and depression.
So, instead of binging on coffee, another alternative is a caffeine-rich solution that is applied to your scalp. It is the best treatment for your hair. There are a bunch of caffeinated shampoos that can buy.
You can also make your DIY caffeinated shampoo at home. All you need are green or roasted coffee beans, coconut oil, and shampoo.
Steps:
- Pour the coconut oil into a small crockpot.
- Then add 3 ounces of coffee beans into the oil.
- Cover and let it cook for five to six hours over slow heat making sure to check it regularly and make sure that it’s not burnt.
- Make sure to stir it every half hour.
- Once the mixture is cooked, strain the oil using a paper coffee filter and remove the beans.
- Pour the hot coffee-infused oil into a container.
- You can apply the oil directly into your scalp or combine it with your shampoo.
- Leave it for five to eight minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cold water.
In Conclusion
Overall, caffeine benefits hair in so many ways. It helps your hair grow long, thick, shiny, and healthy. As long as it is taken in the right proportion or applied externally, it is very useful in hair growth but excessive intake could cause hair loss and other health risks.
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