I have the kind of hair that won't grow past a certain length. It's like it hits pause once it reaches my shoulder blades. After that, any growth I gain falls away in the form of breakage and split ends. So, I book a haircut, chop off a few inches, and repeat the cycle all over again.
That's not to say I haven't found products that help. There's an at-home hair treatment that's like a magic wand for split ends and there's this hair mask and oil combo that strengthens and smooths my strands. Together, these products have made my hair longer and healthier than it ever has been before. So, yeah, it's not all bad; there's been some good progress.
I'm expecting even more progress now that I know about a haircare ingredient that unlocks crazy-fast growth: caffeine. Yup, I'm talking about the same caffeine that's found in coffee and chocolate. Apparently, it's just as important to hair as it is to our morning energy energy levels. Keep scrolling to learn how it encourages hair growth, according to two top dermatologists.
How Does Caffeine Stimulate Hair Growth?
According to board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology, Geeta Yadav, MD, caffeine offers multiple benefits to the hair and scalp. First, it functions as an antioxidant. "As an antioxidant, it helps defend hair and scalp from free radical damage, allowing for smoother, shinier, and healthier-looking hair," she says.
That being said, she admits that the "most interesting" benefit is that it can help with hair growth, which it does by stimulating and actually enhancing blood flow. "In a study, caffeine showed the ability to improve skin barrier function, stimulate blood circulation, and promote new hair growth. It also inhibits phosphodiesterase, which means it can enhance blood flow, too, making for an excellent foundation for healthier hair growth."
Why is blood flow important, According to Brendan Camp, MD, double board-certified dermatologist, "Better blood circulation on the scalp may improve oxygenation and the delivery of nutrients to hair follicles." In turn, "Improved oxygenation and delivery of vitamins and nutrients to hair follicles may reduce the impact of oxidative stress on hair follicles. Oxidative stress refers to the damage caused by free oxygen radicals, which can have a negative effect on cellular structures." In other words, more blood flow means more nutrients and less damage to hair follicles. And as we all know, happy hair follicles result in strong, shiny hair.
Are There Any Downsides or Drawbacks?
The best part about caffeine is that there really aren't any negatives associated with its use in topical hair care products. "Most people will not have any issues or negative side effects when using a scalp treatment containing caffeine," Yadav says. "It’s worth noting that a lot of scalp treatments that stimulate hair growth feature ingredients like tea tree and peppermint, which can irritate some skin if it's in higher concentrations. I’d recommend patch testing on your inner arm before committing to full-scalp application."
Camp agrees, saying it's generally safe. "Those with sensitive skin or a known skin reaction to caffeine may want to avoid caffeine-based hair products or do a test spot prior to application," he says.
Both dermatologists say it can be used daily. In fact, Yadav recommends using it daily for best results. And while there are many caffeine-infused shampoos on the market, she recommends reaching for a leave-on product, like a scalp serum, instead. "Any product that you leave on will be more beneficial than one that you wash off," she says. "While you’ll see some benefit from a shampoo, especially if you let it sit on your scalp for two minutes before rinsing, a serum that you massage in and leave on overnight will deliver the best results."
Shop Caffeine-Infused Haircare Products
"I like this product because it also contains copper tri-peptides and amino acids to nurture healthier hair," Yadav says. "Additionally, it features humectants sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid, which help enhance the barrier function, supporting properties of caffeine. It’s all in a water and glycerin base, which is a nice feature as many scalp serums are in rich, oily bases that make the hair look greasy."
Camp recommends this shampoo. "An energy complex composed of caffeine, CoQ10, and green coffee oil is coupled with biotin, copper peptides, and zinc to improve microcirculation to deliver fuller, healthier-looking hair."
Another product from Briogeo, this one also contains caffeine and peptides to encourage thicker, fuller hair.
Not only does this serum feel cool and soothing on the scalp, but it's packed full of ingredients to support thicker, longer hair. Plus, it's lightweight and non-greasy, so you don't have to worry about shampooing after you use it.
Camp also recommends this shampoo from the luxe and editor-approved brand, Oribe. "A bio-restorative complex containing plant collagen, caffeine, biotin, and niacinamide is featured in this shampoo that gently cleanses with healing oils and extracts," he says.
"Caffeine powder and a proprietary hair growth-promoting ingredient called Redensyl are included in this overnight serum that is safe for color-treated hair," Camp says.
Caffeine and ginseng, both invigorating ingredients, make this shampoo perfect for anyone who wants to stimulate blood flow to their hair follicles.
This internet-famous hair serum promises to give your hair growth and density with a formula that contains caffeine as well as red clover, mung bean, and curcumin stem-cell extract. It works, too. For proof, check out my before-and-after pictures.
The first ingredient in this hair serum is caffeine, although it also includes peptides for thicker, fuller hair.
With caffeine and hydrolyzed rice protein, this shampoo promises to thicken and texturize fine hair for more bounce and volume.
A killer combo of caffeine, rosemary oil, and biotin make this hair and scalp serum powerful.
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