Many people experience hair loss and baldness, especially as they get older. Baldness treatments and hair loss products are catering to quite a big market, although many products lack scientific evidence to support their claims. Some products use caffeine as a main ingredient. While caffeine may not harm your hair, it probably won’t slow the rate of hair loss. However, several medical treatments show promise in successfully treating hair loss and baldness.Hair Loss
Several factors can lead to hair loss. Physical conditions—such as hormonal changes, age and illness—can lead to hair loss. Chemotherapy is a medical procedure that often causes baldness. Improper styling techniques and harsh chemical treatments, such as bleaching and permanent waves, can increase thinning of the scalp hair. Hair loss is often a genetic condition that runs in families. Certain products and procedures may stop hair loss and help restore lost hair.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a drug that is present in the leaves and seeds of certain plants. Coffee, tea and chocolate naturally contain caffeine, while many soft drinks and medications contain added caffeine. Taken internally, caffeine stimulates the nervous system and may increase mental alertness and physical energy. Many cosmetic products also contain caffeine for use as a topical treatment.
Claims
Some shampoos and conditioning treatments use caffeine as an active ingredient intended to reduce hair loss. Manufacturers and marketers of these products claim that the caffeine can help stave off hair loss, extend the life cycle of the hair and encourage hair regrowth. Although caffeine can stimulate the nerves when consumed in a beverage, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that drinking caffeinated beverages or applying topical treatments that contain caffeine can improve hair growth.
Treatments
Although caffeine may not stop hair loss, other treatments and practices can be helpful in restoring a healthy head of hair. Determining the cause of hair loss is an important step in deciding on the proper treatment. Gentle styling practices can help limit hair loss due to improper styling techniques, such as overheating the hair with hot appliances and pulling out strands of hair by wearing tight braids and ponytails. Minoxidil is a topical treatment that can help restore hair in some individuals. Surgical hair restoration can help cover bald spots and hide thinning hair.
