Caffeine shampoo is a cosmetic product intended for hair cleansing whose composition is enriched with caffeine.
Caffeine is a purine-based alkaloid of natural origin contained in various plants, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, guarana and maté.
Editorial board Caffeine - Chemical StructureIt is a molecule which - when taken orally - is capable of exerting an "exciting action on the central nervous system and a" vasoconstrictor activity. At the same time, caffeine - used externally - is also attributed anti-edema properties, the ability to promote lipolysis and the ability to promote hair growth.
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Caffeine is part of the composition of various food supplements, parapharmaceuticals and even drugs, both for cumane use and for veterinary use. In addition to this, caffeine is used in the formulation of cosmetics used to counteract bags and dark circles and to reduce cellulite.
in predisposed subjects.
However, it is very important to remember that caffeine shampoos are NOT drugs, therefore, they cannot cure any type of disease that can cause hair loss and, in general, they are not able to hinder pathological hair loss. .
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There are different types of caffeine shampoos on the market. Some of these are added with additional substances in order to give the product a greater number of properties. For example, on the market it is possible to find caffeine shampoos which - in addition to being advertised as useful for preventing hair loss - can exert an "anti-dandruff action, can contribute to the maintenance of the dark color of the hair, can exert a" strengthening action on the hair. hair, etc.
Caffeine Shampoo on Amazon
Photo CourtesyThis shampoo, containing biotin, caffeine, Argan oil, rosemary extract, allantoin and hydrolyzed lupine protein (Anageline), has a regenerating effect on the skin, and thanks to the presence of vitamins and antioxidants it is useful to protect the scalp and strengthen hair.
Made in the UK, this shampoo is made up of ingredients whose effectiveness is scientifically proven. Specifically, it helps stimulate hair growth, strengthen hair follicles, improve scalp circulation, increase hair density and repair scalp damage. It is also a valuable aid for hair loss caused by hormonal imbalances that can occur, for example, during pregnancy or menopause.
To effectively activate the formula, it is recommended to leave it on for 2-3 minutes.
Buy Caffeine Shampoo with Biotin, Argan Oil, Allantoin and Rosemary
Photo CourtesyThanks to the presence of caffeine, this shampoo strengthens the weakened roots of the hair and helps slow down common hair loss. The active ingredients reach the hair roots during washing in just 120 seconds.
Since silicones with a softening effect are not used, there is an improvement in the structure of the hair and a greater vigor of the hair already after a few washes. Thin and weak hair becomes stronger and easier to comb.
Buy the pack of 3 250ml bottles of this caffeine shampoo
, from 2 to 5 minutes;The shutter speed should serve to facilitate the penetration of caffeine into the hair follicle.
from male patients with androgenetic alopecia. Research has shown that caffeine is able to stimulate hair growth in vitro, while reducing testosterone-induced suppression of hair follicle vitality. In fact, this hormone and even more its dihydrotestosterone derivative are involved in androgenetic alopecia.
The second study, on the other hand, was conducted in 2014 by taking hair follicles from male and female subjects, subsequently grown in the laboratory and subjected to various tests to evaluate the efficacy of the molecule in question. From this study it was observed that caffeine to which laboratory grown follicles were exposed:
- Prolonged the anagen phase of the hair follicle (growth phase);
- It favored the lengthening of the hair shaft;
- It stimulated keratinocytic proliferation on the hair matrix.
This study also showed that the follicles taken from female individuals were more sensitive to caffeine than those taken from male individuals.
To learn more, read also: Androgenetic Alopecia and Female Androgenetic Alopecia.
However, despite the results that appear to be very encouraging, it should be emphasized that such studies have been conducted in vitro and not in vivo and most importantly, they were made using pure caffeine and not a caffeine shampoo.
However, another more recent study ** was conducted in vivo, on female volunteers, using a real caffeine shampoo. One part of the volunteers used a shampoo containing this alkaloid, while the other part used a control shampoo without the molecule in question.
ShutterstockThe results were measured by carrying out a hair pulling test after 6 months of using the two cleansing products. The study showed that the amount of hair lost during the pull test by women who used caffeine shampoo was significantly less than in women who used control shampoo.
This study, therefore, seems to confirm the effectiveness of the caffeine shampoo. However, despite the potentially promising results, it is good not to get too enthusiastic. In fact, in order to scientifically demonstrate the real effectiveness of caffeine shampoos, it is necessary to conduct further and more in-depth research in vivo and, in particular, on volunteers with and without androgenetic alopecia. Only in this way will it be possible to determine if caffeine shampoo can be really useful in combating hair loss and in what concentration this molecule must be present to guarantee the desired effect without causing problems or unwanted effects.
*Fischer TW, Hipler UC, Elsner P. "Effect of caffeine and testosterone on the proliferation of human hair follicles in vitro". Int. J. Dermatol. 46: 27-35.
*Fischer TW1, Herczeg-Lisztes E, Funk W, Zillikens D, Bíró T, Paus R. "Differential effects of caffeine on hair shaft elongation, matrix and outer root sheath keratinocyte proliferation, and transforming growth factor-β2 / insulin-like growth factor -1-mediated regulation of the hair cycle in male and female human hair follicles in vitro ". Br J Dermatol. 2014 Nov; 171: 1031-43.
** Bussoletti C, Tolaini MV, Celleno L. "Efficacy of a cosmetic phyto-caffeine shampoo in female androgenetic alopecia". G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2018 Mar 6.