Active Ingredients: The Alpecin Caffeine Complex
Find out about the active ingredients we use to combat hereditary hair loss.
Prevent hair loss* with caffeine
Research confirms: Caffeine stimulates hair roots!
Caffeine: Natural growth booster for hair & vitality
Caffeine, a xanthine alkaloid, is used medically as a stimulant and diuretic. In everyday life, many know it from coffee, tea, or cola. Caffeine stimulates metabolism, heart activity, and respiration. But it can do much more: Discover on this page the positive effects caffeine has on our body and how it promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss*.
Effects: 6 positive effects of caffeine on our body
- Studies show: Caffeine promotes hair growth¹ Caffeine improves the nourishment of hair roots. Necessary amount = 50 cups of coffee or Alpecin caffeine hair care once daily.
- Caffeine can protect against type 2 diabetes² 7 cups of coffee daily halve the risk of diabetes. Caffeine lowers blood sugar levels and reduces insulin resistance.
- Caffeine has beneficial effects on breast cancer³ 2-3 cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Participants on average developed cancer 7 years later and less frequently. It is suspected that caffeine activates compounds used in breast cancer therapy.
- Caffeine can protect against liver cancer⁴ 4 cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of liver cancer, as caffeine positively affects metabolism.
- Caffeine helps reduce the risk of skin cancer⁵ More than 3 cups of coffee daily reduce the risk of basal cell carcinoma.
- Caffeine helps with weight loss⁶ The hormone adiponectin is considered a "fat brake." The more produced, the less we eat. Caffeine can increase adiponectin levels in the body.
Hair loss prevention: Caffeine as prevention against hereditary hair loss
Hereditary hair loss is often caused by hair roots that are overly sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT inhibits the formation of c-AMP, an energy messenger crucial for the hair root's metabolism. This can lead to shortened growth phases and hair loss.
Caffeine can counteract this by inhibiting the negative influence of testosterone on hair growth and compensating for the energy deficit. By extending the growth phases of the hair roots, caffeine supports hair growth well into old age.
Power for the hair root
Only when the hair root has enough energy and strength available can the hair grow healthily and strongly.
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 stimulate
Through the development of Alpecin products with the caffeine complex, optimally concentrated caffeine reaches the hair root directly. The caffeine-containing active ingredient combination counteracts the inherited and unwanted effects of testosterone – the growth phases extend back to a natural length, making hair growth possible well into old age.
Alpecin Coffein-Shampoos & Liquids
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
Long-lasting effect: Caffeine quickly penetrates the hair follicle and remains detectable even 24 hours later!
¹ Fischer T.W., Hipler U.C., Elsner P., int. J. of Dermatology, 2007, 46, 27-35.
² Blessels G. J., J. of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2010, 20, 143-150. Also Goto A., DIABETES, 2011, 60, 269-275 as well as Mark A. Pereira, Emily D. Parker, Aaron R. Folsom, ARCH INTERN MED., 2006, 166, 1311-1311-1316. 8 ) Sisto T., Bussoletti C., Celleno L., J. Appl. Cosmeto., 2013, 31, 47-56.
³ Williams C.J., DIABETES CARE, 2008, 31, 504-507.
⁴ Modi A. A., Feld J. J. et al, Hepatology, 2010, 51, 201-209.
⁵ Song F., Cancer Res, 2012, 72, 3282-3289.
⁶ Jernstroem H., Br. J. of Cancer, 2008, 99, 1534-1538.
⁷ Otberg N, Teichmann A, Rasuljev U, Sinkgraven R, Sterry W, Lademann J (2007): Follicular penetration of topically applied caffeine via a shampoo formulation. Skin Pharmacol Physiol.;20(4):195-8.
Guide: Recommended for you
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Causes and reasons for hair loss
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Product finder: Purely a matter of type: Find the ideal Alpecin for you
Discover which Alpecin product suits you best - tailored individually for strong hair and a healthy scalp.
* hereditary hair loss
** in vivo study, subgroup analysis, placebo-controlled, n=30 participants with hereditary hair loss