Alpecin caffeine shampoo is widely advertised in the UK and has expanded to most countries worldwide. It originates in Germany by a company called Dr. Wolff Research.
They claim that the key ingredient of Caffeine in their original shampoo formula will help to restore lost hair through the promotion of natural hair growth and to “recharge” men's hair.
It does so while being silicone-free and claims to make hair stronger.
We decided to investigate these claims to see if Alpecin is really the best product for hair regrowth after hair loss.
How Does Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo Work?
Caffeine is said to help slow the loss of hair because of its effect on regulating testosterone. High testosterone levels are linked to high DHT levels which are thought to play a role in hair loss.
The makers of Alpecin say that when you leave the shampoo on for 2 minutes daily then rinse your hair will feel stronger and be “recharged”.
They also say that you won't receive the same benefits of topical caffeine application if you were to simply drink coffee.
Does Alpecin Work?
We know that Alpecin is absorbed by the body thanks to the clinical studies posted on its official website. The problem is that caffeine in the body could interfere with the absorption of iron, vitamins, and mineralsยน that are needed to maintain hair growth.
Caffeine is also linked to higher stress levels:
“Compared to placebo, caffeine caused more than DOUBLE the levels of epinephrine and cortisol, both involved in stress response.” – caffeine study
Which we know higher stress levels can lead to hair loss. It can cause the heads of blood vessels to constrict which can reduce blood flow to follicles. Follicles need a healthy blood supply to regenerate lost hair.
I also have to point out that Alpecin research has been carried out on men only, and no women. This needs to be highlighted because men and women's hair loss responds differently to hair loss and growth factors.
In the UK in 2018, Alpecin was banned by the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) from making hair growth claims about it:
“We concluded that the claim ‘it can actually help to reduce hair loss' had not been substantiated and was therefore misleading.” – ASA
To conclude, Alpecin is a cheap product to try for hair loss but please bear in mind that the claims that Alpecin can stop hair loss are unsubstantiated according to the ASA.
And that actually caffeine-containing shampoos might cause hair loss due to the high caffeine content.
What is the Best Hair Regrowth Product?
To stop hair loss you need a hair loss product that:
- Improves blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles
- Speeds up hair growth
- Causes lost hair to regrow
- Works for men and women
The best product I've found is a hair spray and pill combo called Har Vokse, a Norwegian formula that has a careful blend of ingredients that can achieve all of the above and more.
To find out more about Har Vokse:
Click here for my full Har Vokse review