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 caffeine shampoo is really the best product for hair regrowth after hair loss.
How Does Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo Work?
Topical 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 and 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.
Proper application is crucial for effectiveness. Caffeine needs to penetrate the scalp adequately, which requires sufficient contact time and thorough massage.
- Application – Apply a generous amount of caffeine shampoo to wet hair and scalp. Massage thoroughly to ensure even distribution and absorption.
- Leave-In Time –Allow the shampoo to sit on the scalp for a few minutes to maximize caffeine penetration.
- Rinse – Rinse thoroughly with water. Repeat as necessary, typically recommended for daily or frequent use.
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.
The effectiveness of caffeine shampoo can depend on the concentration of caffeine. Not all products contain sufficient amounts to impact hair growth significantly.
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
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 caffeine shampoo research has been carried out on men only, and not women. This needs to be highlighted because men's and women's hair respond 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 caffeine shampoo 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 supplement called Folexin, a formula that has a careful blend of hair growth-supporting ingredients that can achieve all of the above and more.
To find out more about Folexin:
Click here for my full Folexin review