Active Ingredients: The Alpecin Caffeine Complex
Find out about the active ingredients we use to combat hereditary hair loss.
Why coffee does not work against hair loss
And how caffeine really reaches the hair root
A revitalising coffee in the morning is part of many people's morning routine. But can it also stop hair loss? Many believe so, as caffeine is known to help against hair loss. In this article, you can find out why you shouldn't use the popular hot drink for hair care.
Effect of caffeine: Why caffeine in a shampoo helps against hair loss
Caffeine is known for its stimulating effect on the human body, including energising, pain-relieving, and sleep-delaying effects. Additionally, it has a positive impact on hair physiology. In 2004, Dr. Wolff Research demonstrated that topically applied caffeine combats hereditary hair loss.
Alpecin products are scientifically tested and proven to be effective against hereditary hair loss.
We use innovative formulas to specifically combat hair loss* and promote hair growth.
With years of experience, we are leaders in the development of products that ensure healthy and strong hair.
Caffeine stimulates the hair roots
Caffeine has been known for more than 20 years for its growth-stimulating effect on hair roots. It inhibits the breakdown of the intracellular messenger cAMP. As a result, more energy is available to the cells and cell growth is stimulated.
Caffeine is therefore the most researched active ingredient of plant origin against hereditary hair loss.
Complementary active ingredients
Zinc and niacin promote energy metabolism and can improve nutrient supply to the hair roots.
Caffeine hair care products: Caffeine shampoos & liquids
Through the development of Alpecin products with caffeine complex, optimally concentrated caffeine reaches the hair root directly. The caffeine-containing formula counteracts the inherited and undesirable effect of testosterone. The growth phases of the hair can be prolonged, making hair growth possible even into old age.
Do you want even more power?
New: Caffeine DMG Shampoo
Active complex with caffeine + dimethylglycine (DMG)
- Effectively reduces hereditary hair loss
- Can boost hair growth**
- Only available here in the Alpecin shop
Coffee myths: Why drinking coffee does not help against hair loss
Coffee is consumed orally and passes through the body, but only reaches the scalp and hair roots in small amounts. This amount isn't enough to stimulate the hair roots or protect against hair loss. Therefore, a direct supply of caffeine to the hair roots is necessary, which is achieved with Alpecin shampoo. The caffeine in coffee cannot penetrate the scalp; a special carrier is needed, as developed in the caffeine-containing Alpecin products. Applying coffee directly to the scalp is not an effective solution.
Coffee cannot replace Alpecin caffeine products for hair loss*
Even consuming 50 cups of coffee in a day would not transport enough caffeine to the hair roots to protect against hair loss - but a single hair wash with Alpecin caffeine complex would.
Coffee grounds as a home remedy for hair loss?
The advice to use coffee grounds or cold coffee for a DIY caffeine shampoo or rinse is widespread. However, it is not recommended, as the tailored carrier base to transport the active ingredient to the hair root is missing. Additionally, the caffeine concentration is too low to prevent hair loss. In contrast, a caffeine shampoo offers an optimised carrier base and more than ten times the caffeine dosage of filtered coffee.
Conclusion: The right carrier base determines the effectiveness
Not only the concentration of an active ingredient is crucial for its effectiveness and tolerability, but also its ability to reach the site where it is supposed to act and to be protected from degradation there. Therefore, the right carrier base is just as important as the active ingredient content.
In the development of Alpecin shampoos and caffeine liquids, special emphasis is placed on effective product performance. The formulation, effect, and concentration of the ingredients are carefully coordinated. The product's tolerability and effectiveness are dermatologically tested and confirmed in external application tests.
1 Völker JM, Koch N, Becker M, Klenk A (2020): Caffeine and Its Pharmacological Benefits in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 33(3):93-109
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* hereditary hair loss
** in vivo study, subgroup analysis, placebo-controlled, n=30 participants with hereditary hair loss