Alpecin Caffeine Liquid reduces hereditary hair loss in men
Conducted at the Centre for Cosmetic Research at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome
Summary
This study investigated the effectiveness of Alpecin Caffeine Liquid in treating hereditary hair loss in men.
The results show a significant reduction in hair loss after 2 and 4 months, with improvements in hair structure also observed with the use of the caffeine liquid.
Background
About half of all men aged 50 suffer from hereditary hair loss. Due to genetic predisposition, this number could even increase in the future. Therefore, great efforts are being made to achieve effective prevention against early hair loss. Caffeine is a particularly interesting substance because its performance-enhancing effects are already known.
Ex-vivo studies have shown that caffeine can achieve growth effects at the hair root. However, the exact mechanism is still unclear. The already known effect of caffeine on energy metabolism may be a key to its effectiveness against early hair loss.
The aim of this study was, therefore, to confirm the clinical significance of caffeine in a caffeine-containing liquid for use in hereditary hair loss.
Method
To examine the cosmetic effect of the caffeine-containing liquid (which also includes zinc, niacin, menthol, vitamin E, and A) for treating male hair loss, an application test was conducted at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.
The 4-month study involved 40 male participants aged 18 to 56, with an average age of 37, who had early to advanced hair thinning. The liquid was applied once daily in an amount of approximately 7 ml to the scalp, massaged in, and not rinsed out. The use of other hair loss treatments was prohibited throughout the study period. The assessment of hair loss intensity was conducted using a hair pull test at the beginning, and then after 2 and 4 months of application.
Additionally, the participants were asked for their subjective evaluation of the cosmetic effectiveness of the test product through a questionnaire. This personal questionnaire was reviewed alongside an assessment by the clinical study staff.
Result
The hair pull test showed a significant reduction in telogen hairs (hairs in the non-active resting phase) after just 2 months of using the caffeine-containing liquid, which further significantly decreased after 4 months (Graphic 1).
The proportion of participants with a positive outcome was 78 % after 2 months and 83 % after an additional 2 months (Graphic 2).
This objective finding correlated very well with the assessments of the participants and the study director. After 2 months, 30 % of the participants subjectively reported a reduction in hair loss, and after 4 months, this increased to 85 %. Before the application, 77 % of the participants rated their hair loss as "moderate to severe." After 4 months of using the caffeine liquid, 68 % of the participants rated their hair loss as "very low to low." Consequently, satisfaction was high at the end of the study, with a recommendation rate of 85 %.
In addition to reducing hair loss, the liquid also showed very good cosmetic product properties, as the hair was judged to be strong, robust, and well-groomed due to daily use. Since combating male hair loss must be done consistently and continuously, product acceptance is of high importance. Only in this way can long-term success be ensured.
Conclusion
The caffeine-containing liquid is a very convenient active ingredient solution with excellent skin and hair compatibility. The active ingredient base ensures good availability of caffeine in the hair root and scalp. After just 2 months, users noticed a significant reduction in hair loss, with an even more pronounced reduction after 4 months. The effects are statistically significant.
In summary, after this clinical study, it can be concluded that the caffeine-containing liquid is very well-suited for long-term use against hereditary hair loss and represents an interesting and promising solution to the problem.
Source
C. Bussoletti, F. Mastropietro, M.V. Tolaini and L. Celleno (2011): Use of a Cosmetic Caffeine Lotion in the Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia. Journal of Applied Cosmetology. 29, 4 (Dec. 2011), 167/180.