Caffeine and Its Pharmacological Benefits in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

January 2020 in “ Skin Pharmacology and Physiology ”

Jörn Michael Völker, Nadine Koch, Maike Becker, Adolf Klenk

caffeine androgenetic alopecia hair growth hair thickness hair shedding topical solutions minoxidil caffeine-containing shampoos anagen maintenance apoptosis necrosis hair follicles ultraviolet radiation AGA Rogaine UV radiation

From the encyclopedia

Caffeine →

the stimulant you know and love can be used topically to stimulate hair

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This article discusses the potential for topical caffeine as a natural alternative for treating androgenetic alopecia due to its ability to penetrate skin, but it reports no new clinical findings. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This document is a review of studies on the use of caffeine in the management of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common form of hair loss. The studies suggest that caffeine can have a positive effect on hair growth and thickness, as well as reducing hair shedding. Topical solutions containing caffeine and minoxidil, as well as caffeine-containing shampoos, were found to be effective in improving hair loss in both male and female AGA. The studies also suggest that caffeine may promote anagen maintenance and inhibit apoptosis and necrosis in hair follicles. Additionally, caffeine was found to have protective effects on hair follicles exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Overall, the authors suggest that caffeine may be a promising treatment option for androgenetic alopecia, although further research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits.

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