Creatine is one of the most popular supplements around the world. It is widely used for benefits related to muscle and cognitive function. However, concerns have circulated about a possible link between creatine use and hair loss. This post will cover what creatine is, the science behind the hair loss claims, and whether people should be worried about it.
What Is Creatine?
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in certain foods and produced by the body. It helps supply energy to your muscles, especially during high-intensity activities like weightlifting or sprinting. Many athletes and gym-goers take creatine to enhance their performance and muscle growth. The most common form is creatine monohydrate.
Although it is possible to get creatine through food, supplementation is often beneficial since it makes it more feasible to reach the optimal dosage.
Where Did the Hair Loss Concerns Come From?
The association between creatine and hair loss largely stems from a single study conducted in 2009 involving a group of male rugby players.
The study found that after three weeks of creatine supplementation, participants showed elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair loss in men.
What Does the Research Say?
While that 2009 study did show a rise in DHT, it’s important to note a few key points:
- The study only involved a small number of participants.
- The study did not actually measure hair loss. It only measured hormone levels.
- Hormone levels remained within range. DHT levels didn’t exceed the healthy range.
- Other things, like lifting weights, increase DHT levels but are not linked with hair loss.
- To date, there have been no large-scale studies confirming that creatine supplementation leads to increased DHT or hair loss in the broader population.
Beyond that, we now also have a randomised controlled trial looking directly at hair loss. This 12-week study was the first to directly measure this and found no difference.
While we do not have heaps of evidence, the evidence we do have strongly supports creatine not contributing to hair loss.
Other Factors to Consider
Male pattern baldness is primarily influenced by genetics and age. If you are genetically predisposed to hair loss, factors like elevated DHT can play a role, but creatine itself hasn’t been shown to trigger hair loss directly. Other lifestyle factors, such as stress, poor diet, or certain medications, may also contribute to thinning hair.
From another angle, many people who anecdotally link the two potentially were already on a path towards hair loss that coincided with starting creatine supplementation. It is very likely to just be coincidental.
Summary
No direct scientific evidence properly links creatine with hair loss. The main study linking creatine and hair loss only showed increased DHT, not actual hair loss. At this stage, it is highly likely that there is no link between the two.
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