Tag Archive for: Caffeine

Is Caffeine the Next Hair Loss Solution?

 

If you’re losing your hair, you may be rethinking your diet.  After all, diet does affect the quality of your hair.  We know that processed foods and too much alcohol aren’t recommended if you are experiencing hair loss.  If you’re one of those people who can’t get your day started without a steaming hot cup of coffee, though, you may be excited to learn what you thought was a vice may actually help you.  Yes, it’s true.  Researchers have been studying the effects of caffeine on male and female pattern hair loss.  So, here’s the million-dollar question.  Is caffeine the secret weapon to fighting genetic hair loss?  Grab a cup, find a comfortable chair, and keep reading.  

Caffeine:  Drink or Drug?

You’re probably very familiar with caffeine found in coffee, tea, chocolate, some sodas, pain relievers, and other over-the-counter medications.  But, this may come as a surprise to you. Caffeine is categorized as a drug by the FDA.  The reason why is that caffeine stimulates the nervous system.  That causes you to be more awake after downing a cup of coffee, tea, or energy drink such as Red Bull that contains caffeine. Caffeine is also found in many pain relievers, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.  Research shows that when caffeine is added to ibuprofen and other common analgesics, patients experience a higher level of pain relief. (01)  Caffeine increases the absorption and strength of the medication.  Patients with migraines are often told that caffeine can help relieve their symptoms.  

What’s the Connection Between Caffeine and Your Hair?

If you are experiencing androgenetic alopecia, you may be wondering whether caffeine can contribute to your hair loss.  The good news is that you don’t have to go into panic mode.   Caffeine won’t make you lose more hair.  Dr. Ben Behnam, board-certified dermatologist, hair specialist, and founder of Happy Hair hair loss solutions, doesn’t mind when his hair loss patients indulge in coffee or tea.  Although he recommends avoiding energy drinks and processed foods, he gives thumbs up to caffeine.  

Does Caffeine Stimulate Hair Growth?

Not only is caffeine not harmful, research indicates that caffeine can help patients who are experiencing male or female pattern hair loss.  In one study,, concentrations of .001 percent and .005 percent caffeine led to growth of hair follicles preserved in test tubes. (02)  Another study on the effects of caffeine contained in cosmetics discovered that caffeine acts as a DHT blocker. (03)  As a stimulant, caffeine can also increase circulation to your hair follicles, allowing it to work similarly to Minoxidil. (04)   

Can You Substitute Caffeine for Hair Loss Treatments if You Have Male or Female Pattern Hair Loss?

Don’t abandon your Minoxidil, Finasteride, or other prescription hair loss treatments just yet.  More research needs to be conducted on the most effective amount of caffeine and the best delivery method.  Low to moderate amounts of caffeine are safe; however, you would need to ingest a large amount of caffeine to prevent genetic hair loss. Yes, you can buy caffeine pills, but they come with many potential side effects, including high blood pressure, increased urination, and heartburn.  

What About Using Caffeine Topically to Treat Hair Loss?

Another option to try caffeine to treat male or female pattern hair loss is applying it topically.  One research study indicated that a .2 percent topical caffeine solution worked almost as effectively as Minoxidil. (05)  Caffeinated shampoos are an option.  When selecting a shampoo, however, keep in mind that the concentration of caffeine will most likely not be as high as the formula used in the study.  Many shampoos do not include the concentration of caffeine on their ingredients list.  Another option is a coffee rinse.  Again, there isn’t a guarantee that a coffee rinse will work, but if you try it, make sure that the coffee you use is completely cool before you pour it into a spray bottle and spray it on.

Other Hair Loss Treatments

If experimenting with caffeine isn’t for you, other hair loss treatments are worth using.  Prescription medications have been proven to be the most effective for treating male and female pattern hair loss and other forms of alopecia.  FDA-approved Minoxidil and Finasteride are first-line treatments for male and female pattern hair loss and produce measurable results in many people.  Minoxidil enlarges the hair follicles so hair can grow healthy and strong.  Finasteride is a hormone blocker that prevents testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  Minoxidil and Finasteride are often used at the same time.  Although Finasteride works for most, some people need to step-up to Dutasteride, a more potent DHT blocker.  Women who need a stronger prescription may try Spironolactone, another pill with a different formulation that is also stronger than Finasteride.  Combination topical prescription medications are also available and more convenient than using multiple medications.  

To sum up, research indicated that caffeine may be a viable hair loss solution.  However, if you’re thinking about using caffeine to prevent hair loss and to grow new hair, look carefully at the percentages of caffeine in the product you plan to use.  Odds are that the concentration won’t be high enough to prevent further hair loss and stimulate regrowth.  Additional research and product development still needs to occur.  

In the meanwhile, if your hair is thinning or balding and you would like to start treatment, customizable Happy Head hair loss solution may be just what the doctor ordered.  Contact us so that one of our board-certified dermatologists can review your case and determine whether you would be a good candidate for our topical prescription hair loss medication.  

 

Resources:

(01) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6485702/

(02) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2007.03119.x

(03) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23075568/

(04) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5804833/

(05) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5804833/

 

Choosing the Best Shampoo for Thinning Hair

If you have thinning hair, you probably shampoo your hair as gently as you can to keep as much hair on your head as possible. But are you using the right shampoo for your hair? There are a broad range of shampoo and conditioner options to help prevent further hair loss. However, the ingredients and results may differ for each. Understanding product contents and how they work can help you figure out which hair loss shampoos are best for you. 

How do shampoos for thinning hair prevent hair loss? 

Hair loss shampoos are also known as “hair thickening” shampoos. These products aren’t an overnight solution to thinning hair, but they can make a difference in two ways: 

  • Fortifying, thickening, and strengthening individual hair strands to give the illusion of thicker hair. Many hair loss shampoos work with the hair that you do have by making each strand fuller and thicker. Some ingredients in these hair thickening shampoos penetrate into the hair shaft and fill in any spaces, causing the strand to swell and bulk up. These thicker strands then create the appearance of more hair. 
  • Encouraging the growth of new hair. Over-the-counter shampoos for thinning hair aren’t typically medicated, but they do contain ingredients that promote hair growth. For example, some may include vitamins and minerals that are known to make scalp healthier and boost hair growth. 

Shampoos for thinning hair contain ingredients that are categorized as thickeners, but they may also contain ingredients called opacifiers. (01)  These ingredients are added to improve the appearance of the existing hair, like pearlescent flakes to make hair appear thicker and healthier. Before taking a deep dive into the ingredients of hair loss shampoos, it’s important to remember that most of the results from thickening shampoos are temporary. That said, they’re still an excellent choice for someone concerned about hair loss. 

Most Common Ingredients In Hair Loss Shampoos

What sets hair loss shampoos apart from average run-of-the-mill shampoos are their ingredients. (01) Average shampoos often contain elements that are too harsh for thinning hair, raising the potential of further hair loss. Hair loss shampoos are much more forgiving, cleaning the hair without disrupting the hair’s full life cycle. 

The following are the most common ingredients found in hair loss shampoos. 

Biotin

Look at any hair strengthening shampoo on the market, and you’ll likely find biotin on the ingredient list. Why? Because biotin deficiencies result in weak and brittle hair and nails. (02) Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is a water-soluble vitamin that’s crucial for keratin production. Keratin and collagen are the primary structural components of each strand of hair, essential for hair growth. Many foods contain biotin, and this nutrient works best when consumed. Biotin is also available through supplements as a nutraceutical. However, hair loss shampoos and conditioners also contain biotin to help strengthen hair from the outside. 

Essential Amino Acids

Shampoos for thinning hair often include essential amino acids on their ingredient list. Like biotin, amino acids are vital for the production of keratin and collagen. Keratin and collagen require the following amino acids: (03)

  • Lysine
  • Arginine
  • Methionine
  • Cysteine
  • Proline
  • Glycine

To generate enough keratin and collagen needed for sufficient hair growth, the body needs a steady supply of amino acids. In particular, lysine and methionine are the most essential amino acids for hair. Hair thickening shampoos that contain these amino acids can help combat hair loss and encourage growth. 

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto, also known as serenoa serrulata, serenoa repens, or sabal serrulata) comes from palmetto berries (also called serenoa repens, serenoa serrulata or sabal serrulata). Studies show this berry extract acts as an anti-inflammatory for the scalp and skin. Furthermore, saw palmetto extract decreases sebum production and increases hair density in cases of androgenetic alopecia and polycystic ovary syndrome. (04, 05)

Niacin

Niacin (Vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid)  is a common ingredient in hair growth shampoos because it increases blood circulation, especially through the scalp. Improved blood flow feeds nutrients to hair follicles and encourages hair growth. Niacin also repairs DNA and boosts keratin production, helping to keep hair strong. (03)

Caffeine

Caffeine not only boosts the energy in your body, but it can protect hair follicles from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is converted from testosterone and – when linked to receptors in hair follicles – results in hair loss. By preventing DHT from negatively impacting hair follicles, caffeine encourages hair growth and retention in both female pattern hair loss and male pattern hair loss. Additionally, caffeine may stimulate already weakened hair follicles, potentially repairing damaged roots. (06)

Zinc

Known for its immune boosting properties, zinc is also a hair-strengthening mineral. Zinc balances sebum production and boosts scalp health. Many dandruff shampoos contain zinc because of its dandruff-busting capabilities. Shampoos for thinning hair, however, also include zinc for its ability to strengthen hair and keep hair follicles free from obstructions like oil and dandruff. (03)

Green Tea

Green tea is a popular drink, but it’s also a common ingredient in hair growth shampoos. Green tea inhibits the production of a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is responsible for the conversion of into DHT.  5-alpha-reductase inhibitors prevent the production of DHT, reducing hair loss. An additional benefit of green tea is its high antioxidant consent. Antioxidants combat environmental cell damage from free radicals, keeping your scalp and hair healthy. Green tea may also improve scalp health, balance sebum production, and treats dandruff. (07)

What to keep in mind when choosing shampoos for thinning hair? 

Choosing the right hair loss shampoo can be overwhelming, but following three simple rules can help you choose the one for you. 

Stick With Companies that Specialize in Hair Loss

When finding shampoos for thinning hair, stick to hair products from businesses that specialize specifically in hair loss. While cosmetic companies may know all about healthy hair, they may be unfamiliar with hair loss or balding. Whenever possible, take the time to find products sold or endorsed by reputable hair-loss companies. Although you may have to wait for shipping or make a special trip to another store, using shampoos from reputable companies that specialize in hair loss can make all the difference in how your thinning hair progresses. These companies understand hair loss and all its nuances, therefore their products are more likely to suit your needs. 

Pay Attention to the Ingredient List

Just like the way you check ingredient lists on food, you should check the ingredient lists on products you place on your body. When looking at the ingredient list, keep an eye out for items listed above. Furthermore, if you’re thinking about buying more than one product, keep using the same company product line. For example, a manufacturer of a hair loss shampoo may also have hair loss conditioner and hair loss hair spray from the same product line. 

Choose For Your Hair Type

Thickening shampoos may target various hair types. For example, one shampoo may be ideal for fine hair while another may be best for dry hair. Because these shampoos are formulated to work with a specific type of hair, you may need to find the one that matches with your hair type. The results can vary wildly depending on the different formulations, so finding the right shampoo for your hair type is essential. 

Don’t Wash Your Hair Away

Keeping your hair healthy means keeping it clean, but you don’t need to wash your hair away in the process. Finding an excellent quality shampoo for thinning hair may take some research, but it’s worth it to keep as much hair on your head as you can. Matching the right shampoo to your hair’s needs can help you resolve trouble spots and help reduce further hair loss. 

If you’re thinking you may need more than shampoo for thinning hair, contact our specialists at Happy Head. Our physicians tailor each hair treatment for every client, ensuring safe treatment aimed at your unique situation. Happy Head is so confident you’ll be satisfied with our services, we offer a six-month money-back guarantee. Contact us today for your personalized hair loss treatment! 

 

Resources:

(01) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4458934/

(02) https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/hair-loss/does-biotin-really-prevent-hair-loss

(03) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/

(04) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2840915/

(05) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2840915/#CIT2

(06) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32599587/

(07) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6930595/

Diet and Hair Loss: Is There a Relationship?

 

When you’re losing your hair, you’ll try just about anything to make it stop.  Shampoos, conditioners, essential oils, vitamins… they’re all fair game.  The easier and less invasive, the better.  So, it’s only natural that diet is a hot topic.  Diet is a manageable lifestyle change that could make a difference.  

But, if you’re like most people, you probably have more questions than answers when it comes to how diet and nutrition affect your hair.  According to a 2017 study conducted by the International Food Information Council (IFIC), there’s a lot of conflicting information, causing confusion about what to eat.  Determining whether specific foods will help or hurt your hair loss condition is even more challenging.  We hear it all the time from patients.  “Can alopecia be reversed by changing my diet?”  “Which diet will best reduce the inflammation on my scalp?”  “Do I have to go gluten, dairy, and sugar-free?”  

Before you resort to radical measures, keep reading.  We’ll help you separate truth from fiction and share firsthand information from our own Dr. Ben Behnam, board-certified dermatologist and co-owner of Happy Head hair loss solutions.  

Can Improving Your Diet Prevent Further Hair Loss and Stimulate Growth?

Does what you eat affect your hair?  That’s the question that most people want to be answered.  After all, why bother changing your diet if it won’t make a difference?  The answer is yes; nutrition may indeed affect your hair.  One study found that nutritional deficiencies can cause telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, or alopecia areata. It also found that over-supplementation can lead to hair loss as well.  

The Wrong Diet Really Can Cause Scalp Inflammation

Nutritional deficiencies aren’t the only problem.  Scalp inflammation caused by an unhealthy diet is another issue.  A high fat, high-cholesterol diet has been found to stimulate the inflammatory process on the scalp.  A study conducted in 2018 found that mice who were fed a traditional western diet experienced skin discoloration, inflammation, and hair loss.  The mice’s hair turned black, gray, then white before falling out.  The diet, which induced inflammation, mimicked the aging process in humans and aged the mice’s hair by 36 weeks.  The hypothesis is that when what you eat generates an inflammatory response, it causes your hair to age prematurely.  

Which Diet Should You Choose to Prevent Hair Loss?

Now that we’ve established that the wrong diet is a recipe for disaster when it comes to your hair, which diet should you consider?  Keto, Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), Mediterranean… the list of possibilities seems endless.   The truth is that further research is needed on the use of diet in alopecia treatment.  One study indicates that the Mediterranean diet, which contains foods with anti-inflammatory properties, may stimulate hair growth and health among people with androgenetic alopecia.  Figuring out the differences between each diet gets tricky, though. In many cases, overlap exists in the philosophies behind the diets.  

A Protein-rich Diet Helps Build Keratin

Regardless of which diet you choose, it’s important to select a protein-rich diet filled with fresh, unprocessed foods.  Hair is primarily composed of keratin, a mixture of filament-forming proteins.  To make keratin, your body needs protein.  All protein is not created equal, though, according to Dr. Behnam.  “Select pasture-raised chickens, raised on a farm and not in a cage,” says Behnam.  “When chickens are trapped in a cage, their testosterone levels increase from the stress of being in the cage.  When you eat caged chicken, you get extra testosterone that can potentially convert to DHT leading to more hair loss.”

Vegetarians Often Lack Enough Protein in Their Diets

Dr. Behnam finds that his patients who are vegetarians tend to lack the protein and vitamins necessary for adequate hair growth.  We’ll talk a little more about vitamins later, so let’s focus on protein for now.  Some excellent sources of plant protein can compensate for animal protein.  Those sources include nuts and nut butter, lentils, beans, peas, leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and brussel sprouts.  

Dr. Behnam is a big advocate of protein powder, not only for vegetarians, but for all of his patients.  It’s important to use the right type, though.  According to Behnam, “Two types of protein powder are on the market.  One is whey protein isolate. Whey protein isolate powder is easily found in retail stores in muscle milk, and other types of sports shakes.  It’s less expensive.  The only problem is that whey protein isolate increases the concentration of amino acids such as valine and isoleucine, which lead to higher testosterone production.  That extra testosterone has the potential to convert to DHT and cause hair loss.  The solution is to use whey protein concentrate.  Whey protein concentrate is harder to find, but it will boost your protein without increasing your testosterone or DHT levels.”  

Do You Have to Give Up Caffeine?

If you can’t seem to get moving in the morning without a cup of coffee, don’t despair.  “Caffeine doesn’t affect testosterone levels,” says Dr. Behnam.  “You can enjoy it without worrying.  I recommend that you stay away from energy drinks, soy milk, and anything high in MSG, though.”  

Nutritional Supplements

Vitamins and supplements aren’t a big deal to most people.  You don’t need a prescription to get them, so they’re safe, right?  Not so fast.  Vitamins and supplements aren’t always as innocuous as they seem.  There are a couple of things you need to know:

  1. The FDA does not regulate dietary supplements
  2. Over-supplementation of selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and other vitamins have been associated with hair loss

That said, Dr. Behnam usually tests his patients’ Vitamin D and iron levels because deficiencies are prevalent and are well-documented reasons for hair loss.  Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the hair growth cycle.   While the exact reason why iron deficiency causes hair loss is unknown, reversal of iron deficiency in mice led to a reversal of hair  loss.  

Here’s the inside scoop on other essential vitamins:

Biotin

There has been a lot of hype about biotin supplements, shampoos, conditioners, and more.  Truth be told, biotin deficiency is rare.  Clinical trials have not shown biotin to be effective in stimulating hair growth without a true deficiency.  

Zinc

Zinc deficiency can be either acquired or inherited.  It is common among vegetarians since vegetables contain less zinc than meat.   Zinc deficiency causes telogen effluvium and brittle hair.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is the main ingredient in retinoids and retinoic acid.  It has been proven to work in conjunction with Minoxidil and Finasteride to increase absorption of the medications.  Vitamin A deficiency does not cause hair loss, although a connection between over-supplementation and hair loss has been found.  

Vitamin E

It’s not common for people to have vitamin E deficiencies.  More research needs to be conducted, but in one small study with 21 participants, people who received vitamin E supplements had an increase in hair count compared to people in the placebo group.  Too much vitamin E is too much of a good thing.  It can increase the risk of bleeding and decrease thyroid hormone production, resulting in hair loss.   

Balancing Your Diet Is A Process

Learning how to eat for healthy hair takes time.  Sometimes you don’t know if changing your eating habits or adding a particular vitamin will help until you try it.  If you’ve already been diagnosed with male or female pattern hair loss or some other type of alopecia, supplementing your diet with topical medications such as Minoxidil, Finasteride, Spironolactone, or Duasteride may be a good option for you.  Topical medications have been found to be as effective as oral medications without the bothersome side effects.  Even better, like your diet, our formulas can be customized to meet your specific needs.  For more information, contact us to determine whether you are a good candidate for Happy Head or one of our other prescription-grade hair loss solutions. 

Resources:

(01) https://foodinsight.org/survey-nutrition-information-abounds-but-many-doubt-food-choices/

(02) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/

(03) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6065400/

(04) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7109385/

(05) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/

(06) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/

(07) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/

(08) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5582478/#:~:text=Despite%20its%20popularity%20in%20the,multiple%20factors%2C%20including%20patient%20history.

(09) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/

(10) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/

(11) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/