Caffeine as an Active Ingredient in Cosmetic Preparations Against Hair Loss: A Systematic Review of Available Clinical Evidence

This systematic review analyzed 9 clinical trials with 684 participants to evaluate the efficacy of caffeine in treating hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia. The findings suggest that caffeine is a safe and potentially effective treatment, with reported improvements in hair strength and reduced alopecia progression. However, the quality of evidence is limited due to methodological flaws, such as lack of randomization and control groups, and variability in formulations. The review emphasizes the need for more rigorously designed trials, including placebo controls and precise caffeine concentration data, to confirm caffeine's effectiveness and understand its long-term effects on hair health. Despite these limitations, caffeine-based products may be worth trying as an alternative or complement to traditional treatments like minoxidil.