Somebody is going to be recycling the grounds.
What Is Caffeine Shampoo, and What Can It Do for Your Hair?
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Caffeine is commonly used to wake up in the morning or get over the midday hump. You might be surprised to learn that it has other benefits, especially for hair.
What is caffeine shampoo?
Why was caffeine shampoo invented in the first place?
A 2007 study indicated that washing hair with a shampoo containing caffeine or coffee bean extracts may stimulate hair growth.
Does it work?
There are a lot of claims that caffeine shampoo works well. However, there isn’t clinically viable evidence that caffeine shampoo has prevents or stops the loss of hair long-term.
While the 2007 study cited above showed that caffeine causes hair follicles to regrow in a lab, there isn’t enough evidence to prove that caffeine works with hair on the scalp.
These results may be enough to be cautiously optimistic, but more research is needed.
These experiments found that caffeine could be absorbed through hair follicles.
It’s not uncommon for companies to provide evidence that their product does what it says it will do. When it comes to caffeine shampoo, evidence is often privately funded and not backed by the greater scientific community.
BOTTOM LINE
Lab studies show promising results, but real-world studies remain rare. As a result, caffeine shampoo isn’t recommended by doctors and dermatologists.
Benefits of caffeine as shampoo
Caffeine may offer several benefits for hair, including:
- suppressing the hair loss hormone DHT
- stimulating hair growth
- encouraging elongation of the hair shaft
- supporting strong, healthy hair growth
Stronger and healthier hair
Coffee drinkers will be happy to hear that coffee is rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants may benefit hair, too.
Treating damaged hair regularly with coffee allows the properties of the antioxidants to repair and prevent further damage.
Caffeine shampoo is also useful for:
- removing product buildup without synthetic chemicals
- rebalancing pH levels of the hair and scalp
- softening and smoothing dry, frizzy hair
- acting as a natural hair dye
Side effects
Side effects from caffeine shampoos are minimal, but can include:
- scalp irritation
- hair browning and discoloration
- less effective results with prolonged use
How to use it
For coffee to help prevent hair loss and promote regrowth, it must be applied topically.
How long
Even after rinsing out caffeine shampoo, the caffeine is absorbed into the scalp. The active ingredient moves through the hair shaft to the hair follicles.
Due to the quick absorption, you only need to wash your hair with caffeine shampoo for about 2 minutes.
How often
You’ve likely heard about consuming too much caffeine. Luckily, the same risks don’t apply when using caffeine shampoo.
It’s safe to use it daily, if desired. But using it more often isn’t likely to have much effect, and it may cause irritation.
DIY recipes
It’s relatively easy to create your own caffeine shampoo. Here are a couple recipes to get you started.
Recipe #1
Coffee grounds can be dried and infused in oil. This oil can then be rubbed on the scalp directly or combined with pre-made shampoos and leave-in conditioners.
Ingredients
- 3 oz. of whole coffee beans
- 3 cups of coconut oil
Directions
- Pour the coconut oil into a slow cooker.
- Add coffee beans.
- Cover, and cook on low for approximately 5–6 hours. Stir every 30 minutes.
- Strain the oil and remove the beans.
Recipe #2
This recipe is even simpler. Change it up by adding some baking soda to clean your hair and scalp from product buildup.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. of coffee grounds
- 3–4 tbsp. of shampoo
- 1/4–1/2 tsp. baking soda (optional)
Directions
- Pour the shampoo into a small bowl.
- Add coffee grounds and baking soda, if desired.
- Mix well.
Takeaway
Though more studies are needed, there is some research that suggests caffeine may benefit your hair.
It may help fight off hair loss by encouraging quicker, more lustrous hair growth.
Full article here.
It can give you that a.m. boost, but can coffee help grow thicker, more lustrous hair?
www.healthline.com