Written By Taiwo Kazeem
Does Caffeine Promote Hair Growth? A 2025 Guide
As we step into 2025, it's time to explore how caffeine goes beyond boosting your energy levels. This natural stimulant, found in coffee, tea, and cacao, also offers surprising benefits for your hair! Curious about how caffeine can transform your hair care routine? Read the full article to discover its benefits, how to use it, and what to avoid in your caffeine-hair journey
How Caffeine Promotes Hair Growth
Before proceeding, it is important to note that using caffeine for hair growth doesn’t mean raising your caffeine intake as doing this will harm your cardiovascular health in the long run. That said, let's talk about ways caffeine promotes hair growth:
Improved Blood Circulation
As a stimulant, caffeine improves blood circulation and oxygen, increasing the delivery of nourishment to the scalp leading to healthier growth.
Restores Hair Growth
Pouring coffee into your hair can help manage hair loss by prolonging the growth phase and shortening the dormant phase. It may also increase intracellular ATP, and ATP, in turn, supports the anagen phase of hair growth.
How to Use Caffeine for Hair
Let's explore some ways caffeine can be used to promote hair growth:
Coffee Hair Rinse
To do a coffee hair rinse, pour a cup or two (depending on hair mass and volume) of cool coffee on your hair.
Alternatively, apply coffee to your freshly shampooed hair with a spray bottle and leave it on for up to 20 minutes. You can use a shower cap during this period to ensure maximum saturation. Afterwards, rinse off with water or a conditioner. In place of shampooing before application, you can add coffee to damp hair and shampoo afterwards.
Coffee hair rinse can act as a natural hair dye so if your hair is light-colored, you might want to avoid it so it doesn’t discolor your hair. Lastly, proceed with caution as some studies have shown that direct contact with your hair may be too harsh or drying. Thorough rinsing followed with a hydrating conditioner can mitigate this risk, and you can avoid this risk by opting for hair products that contain caffeine.
Coffee Hair Mask
A hair mask is helpful for hair growth and health, and one with caffeine is even more beneficial for your hair. You can get one of your normal hair masks and infuse it with caffeine from coffee. Alternatively, you can make a coffee hair mask or buy one.
To infuse hair masks with coffee, simply mix a tablespoon of coffee with your mask. However, to make a hair mask, do the following:
- Combine ½ tablespoon of ground coffee, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 teaspoon of honey in a bowl
- Apply all over damp or dry hair and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing.
Coffee Scalp Scrub
A scalp scrub gets rid of dead skin cells and other impurities in the hair, clearing the path for hair growth and improved circulation. You can make a coffee scrub following these steps:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of coffee grounds, 3 drops of rosemary oil, and ½ tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Rub gently onto damp scalp for a minute, then let it sit for another minute before rinsing.
Alternatively, you can buy one.
Coffee Shampoo
You can mix coffee grounds with your shampoo for a homemade caffeinated shampoo. Since store-bought caffeinated shampoo may not always be healthiest due to the presence of chemicals like sodium laureth sulphate and sodium lauryl sulphate, making your coffee shampoo might be the better option.
Are There Side Effects of Caffeine for Hair?
Yes, there are side effects of caffeine when applied to hair. Too much caffeine can cause hair loss, dryness, breakage, slow hair growth, and discoloration, especially in light-colored hair.
Final Take
When used topically, caffeine is a go-to for people looking for non-pharmaceutical solutions for hair loss. Using coffee in hair care can give promising results, especially for those dealing with thinning hair.
That said, consistent use, combined with a healthy diet and proper hair care routine, can further enhance caffeine’s benefits for your hair.