Study article link: Does creatine cause hair loss? A 12-week randomized controlled trial - PMC
Background and Purpose
Creatine is a popular supplement known for enhancing muscle strength and lean mass. Despite its benefits, concerns have circulated that creatine may promote hair loss by increasing levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to male pattern baldness. Previous evidence for this claim was limited to a single short-term study that found increased DHT levels but did not directly assess hair loss. This study aimed to directly evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of creatine supplementation on androgenic hormones and hair follicle health in healthy young males[1][2].
Study Design and Methods
Participants: 45 resistance-trained males (ages 18–40) were randomly assigned to receive either creatine monohydrate (5 g/day) or a placebo (5 g maltodextrin/day).
Duration: 12 weeks.
Assessments: Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks to measure total testosterone, free testosterone, and DHT. Hair health was evaluated using the Trichogram test and the FotoFinder system, focusing on hair density, follicular unit count, and cumulative hair thickness.
Analysis: Repeated measures ANOVA and sensitivity analyses were used to assess outcomes[1][2].
Key Results
Hormone Levels: No significant differences were found between the creatine and placebo groups in changes to DHT, total testosterone, or the DHT-to-testosterone ratio.
Hair Health: No significant changes were observed in hair density, follicular unit count, cumulative hair thickness, or any other hair-related parameters between groups.
General Findings: While both groups showed an increase in total testosterone and a decrease in free testosterone over time, these changes were independent of supplementation and likely unrelated to creatine use.
Adverse Effects: No side effects were reported in either group during the study period[1][2].
Conclusion
This was the first randomized controlled trial to directly assess hair follicle health following creatine supplementation. The findings provide strong evidence against the claim that creatine supplementation causes hair loss or increases DHT to a degree that would affect hair follicles. The study refutes the long-standing belief, primarily based on anecdotal reports and a single prior study, that creatine leads to androgen-driven hair loss[1][2][3].
Limitations
The study only included healthy young males and did not assess individuals with a genetic predisposition to hair loss.
The duration was 12 weeks; longer-term effects remain unstudied.
Only plasma androgen levels were measured, not scalp-specific DHT activity.
Family history of hair loss was not collected, which could influence susceptibility[4].
Broader Context
While this study is a significant contribution and directly refutes the link between creatine and hair loss in healthy young men, it does not entirely rule out the possibility for individuals who are genetically predisposed to androgenetic alopecia. The majority of scientific evidence to date does not support a causal relationship between creatine supplementation and hair loss[5][3].
Bottom Line
Creatine supplementation at standard doses does not cause hair loss or increase DHT in a way that affects hair follicle health in healthy, resistance-trained young men over 12 weeks[1][2][3]. Concerns about creatine and hair loss remain largely unsubstantiated for the general population, though further research could clarify risks in genetically susceptible individuals.
References:
Does creatine cause hair loss? A 12-week randomized controlled trial - PMC
Does creatine cause hair loss? A 12-week randomized controlled trial - PMC
Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? - PMC
Creatine and hair loss: What to know
Background and Purpose
Creatine is a popular supplement known for enhancing muscle strength and lean mass. Despite its benefits, concerns have circulated that creatine may promote hair loss by increasing levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to male pattern baldness. Previous evidence for this claim was limited to a single short-term study that found increased DHT levels but did not directly assess hair loss. This study aimed to directly evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of creatine supplementation on androgenic hormones and hair follicle health in healthy young males[1][2].
Study Design and Methods
Participants: 45 resistance-trained males (ages 18–40) were randomly assigned to receive either creatine monohydrate (5 g/day) or a placebo (5 g maltodextrin/day).
Duration: 12 weeks.
Assessments: Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks to measure total testosterone, free testosterone, and DHT. Hair health was evaluated using the Trichogram test and the FotoFinder system, focusing on hair density, follicular unit count, and cumulative hair thickness.
Analysis: Repeated measures ANOVA and sensitivity analyses were used to assess outcomes[1][2].
Key Results
Hormone Levels: No significant differences were found between the creatine and placebo groups in changes to DHT, total testosterone, or the DHT-to-testosterone ratio.
Hair Health: No significant changes were observed in hair density, follicular unit count, cumulative hair thickness, or any other hair-related parameters between groups.
General Findings: While both groups showed an increase in total testosterone and a decrease in free testosterone over time, these changes were independent of supplementation and likely unrelated to creatine use.
Adverse Effects: No side effects were reported in either group during the study period[1][2].
Conclusion
This was the first randomized controlled trial to directly assess hair follicle health following creatine supplementation. The findings provide strong evidence against the claim that creatine supplementation causes hair loss or increases DHT to a degree that would affect hair follicles. The study refutes the long-standing belief, primarily based on anecdotal reports and a single prior study, that creatine leads to androgen-driven hair loss[1][2][3].
Limitations
The study only included healthy young males and did not assess individuals with a genetic predisposition to hair loss.
The duration was 12 weeks; longer-term effects remain unstudied.
Only plasma androgen levels were measured, not scalp-specific DHT activity.
Family history of hair loss was not collected, which could influence susceptibility[4].
Broader Context
While this study is a significant contribution and directly refutes the link between creatine and hair loss in healthy young men, it does not entirely rule out the possibility for individuals who are genetically predisposed to androgenetic alopecia. The majority of scientific evidence to date does not support a causal relationship between creatine supplementation and hair loss[5][3].
Bottom Line
Creatine supplementation at standard doses does not cause hair loss or increase DHT in a way that affects hair follicle health in healthy, resistance-trained young men over 12 weeks[1][2][3]. Concerns about creatine and hair loss remain largely unsubstantiated for the general population, though further research could clarify risks in genetically susceptible individuals.
References:
Does creatine cause hair loss? A 12-week randomized controlled trial - PMC
Does creatine cause hair loss? A 12-week randomized controlled trial - PMC
Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? - PMC
Creatine and hair loss: What to know
