How Topical Caffeine for Hair Growth Works to Reverse Thinning and Hair Loss If You’re Over 50

There's no better start to the day than sipping on a cup of coffee. Not only does it taste great, but its caffeine works wonders to perk us up for the day ahead. And what if we told you that giving hair a caffeine boost can help reverse thinning — it would sound too good to be true, right? Well, there have been studies done that report caffeine to be as effective as a hair loss treatment like minoxidil. To learn more about topical caffeine for hair loss and how it actually works to thicken hair, we turned to top hair experts. Read on to see what they had to say about the energizing ingredient.

Does topical caffeine for hair loss work?

In short, yes and no. “There are some consumer perception studies that suggest when applied topically, caffeine will stimulate the follicle, helping to feed the follicle and therefore causing it to grow, " says Kerry E Yates, trichologist and founder of Colour Collective. “Honestly, I think it is more of the massaging action that assists in follicle health vs. the addition of caffeine.”

Yates goes on to say, “Caffeine is purported to stimulate the follicle and some brands will even talk about the addition of caffeine will lift the individual strands improving volume. There is no real evidence that caffeine delivers hair growth or hair volumizing benefits. With that being said, caffeine does provide antioxidant benefits which will help maintain a healthy scalp.”

On the other hand, dermatologist and hair expert Jodi LoGerfo, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, DCNP, notes, “Studies have highlighted the potential benefits of caffeine as a stimulant for hair growth, particularly in the context of androgenetic alopecia, commonly referred to as male and female pattern hair loss. The findings from these investigations suggest that caffeine may serve as a viable therapeutic option for individuals experiencing hair thinning or loss, given its ability to stimulate hair follicles and prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.”

“The mechanism behind caffeine's efficacy appears to involve its ability to penetrate hair follicles and block the action of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair loss in genetically predisposed individuals,” says Dr. LoGerfo. “By inhibiting DHT, caffeine may help to mitigate one of the primary causes of androgenetic alopecia.”

And like Yates, Dr. LoGerfo also calls out caffeine’s antioxidant benefits. These antioxidants protect hair “against environmental aggressors such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation,” she says. “The oxidative stress caused by UV exposure can lead to hair damage and degradation, making antioxidants a potential valuable asset in maintaining hair health. The presence of antioxidants in caffeine may help shield hair follicles from environmental assaults, promoting hair vitality and resilience.”

Another pro of topical caffeine use for hair? Caffeine can enhance hair quality, adds Dr. LoGerfo. “People have anecdotally noted improvements in hair texture, including a reduction in frizziness and increased shine after using caffeine-infused hair care products,” she says. “This enhancement in hair quality can be attributed to caffeine's ability to nourish hair and improve scalp health, leading to stronger and more lustrous hair.”

Is topical caffeine for hair loss as effective as minoxidil?

This answer isn’t so black and white to this question as well. But there have been studies about topical caffeine being an alternative to minoxidil as a way to treat androgenetic alopecia. TikToker and dermatologist Neera Nathan, MD, shared this news in her video below. She also mentions that caffeine can be helpful in treating stress-related hair loss, which is also called acute telogen effluvium. So if you’re looking for a drug-free way to help hair loss, topical caffeine is an option.

Dr. LoGerfo also acknowledges the study mentioned above and how “caffeine may help block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, the hormone that turns off hair in those who are genetically susceptible—in androgenetic alopecia, male, or female, patterned hair loss, but further study is needed.”

Can a coffee rinse boost hair growth?

The experts we spoke to are also torn on this. Yates says, “Honestly this will not help in stimulating growth and will just be a waste of good coffee.” While, Dr. LoGerfo says, “Maybe? I’m sure pouring a cup of coffee on your hair or scalp could have similar effects of using caffeinated or coffee infused hair products. After all, all of these are also used topically. It is important to keep in mind, though, that more study is needed.”

But at the same time, trying a DIY coffee rinse won’t hurt your hair either. One caveat though, the tannins in coffee can stain hair so this trick is best used on brunettes and those with darker locks. To do: Pour 2 cups of cooled, brewed coffee onto damp hair and massage on the scalp for one minute. Let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse.

Watch the below video from YouTuber and hair expert @AskDebbieAboutHair for more information on topical caffeine for hair growth.

See more tips and tricks that reverse thinning hair:

11 Best Hair Growth Products for Women Over 50 to Treat Thinning, According to Hair Loss Experts

Doctor-Recommended Best Treatments for Hair Loss That Work No Matter the Cause of Thinning

How Laser Hair Therapy Reverses Thinning Hair! Plus the Best at-Home Devices to Use