Effects of Testosterone and Caffeine on Human Hair Follicles In Vitro

The study investigated the effects of testosterone and caffeine on human hair follicles in vitro, using hair follicles from 14 male patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The research found that testosterone significantly suppressed hair follicle growth, while caffeine at concentrations of 0.001% and 0.005% counteracted this suppression and even stimulated hair growth on its own. These findings were supported by Ki-67 staining, which showed increased keratinocyte proliferation. The study concluded that caffeine could be a promising candidate for stimulating hair growth and managing AGA, suggesting potential clinical applications.