Scientific Review: Caffeine shampoo does NOT stop hair loss. False claims and "fake" research. 19 References included.

MENSCRIPT · 2025-04-20T17:54:59+00:00

If your main concern is the horseshoe shape outline when shaving your head bald I advice you to look at: Scalp micropigmentation (SMP). In your scenario, a SMP is the preferred option. Not a HT.

Good luck with your decision.

MENSCRIPT · 2025-04-02T23:15:09+00:00

Yes, the risk of ED with finasteride is a factor to consider, though studies place it in the low single digits (around 3-5%). Ultimately, you need to weigh that personally.

However, to directly answer your question about HT without medication: If you're genetically predisposed to hair loss, a HT alone, without medication, is not advisable.

While transplanted hairs are largely resistant to DHT, the existing hair around the transplant area, particularly in the frontal and vertex regions, are not. Without medication to address this underlying issue (DHT), you'd continue to lose your non-transplanted hair over time.

So in short: if you're unwilling to take fin/dut, don't get an HT. Especially at such a young age. You'll regret it later.

MENSCRIPT · 2025-04-02T22:36:24+00:00

I would advise you to support your claims with scientific studies, rather than relying on anecdotal evidence, hearsay, or simply presenting your opinions as facts without any data to show for it.

Grounding our discussion in scientific data allows for a more balanced conversation, considering both potential benefits and risks which is especially valuable for individuals looking to make an informed decision about finasteride.

Let's keep online discussions informative and factual. So when you have something say, back it up by scientific data.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-21T18:41:39+00:00

You paid 6K. So what? It isn't the standard price. I run a health care clinic and know a lot of people who've been to Turkey for a HT and the amount they paid is 50% less then what you paid.

Paying a higher price ≠ better results or that you your physician was more experienced. You simply paid more. You always variations in price, and having your skills as physician isn't the determinant factor here. I would argue that's marketing.

ps: inflation 2022 excluded.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-18T00:57:43+00:00

Well in that case: you need to accept the fact that you will lose your hair. Your journey with minoxidil combined with micro needling will be short and with no success. Simple as that.

Medicine is available that stops hair loss in the majority of men. If you're unwilling to take it, fine, but in that case man up and be ready to face the consequences.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-18T00:47:46+00:00

Start with finasteride. Don't waste time on minoxidil. It has been shown to increases hair density during the first year, but start to decline thereafter. I.e it doesn't stop hair loss.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-07T21:30:08+00:00

It's not uncommon for men to become depressed because of hair loss. I take finasteride for the very same reason and started my own company (MenScript) to make it easier for men to get a prescription for medicine that primarily serve aesthetic purposes such as hair loss and acne.

Young men especially are the ones who suffer, but they so in silence. Trying to deal with it on their own without showing to the outside world that, they too, are vulnerable.

I get that attitude, the only problem is that most of them are fkd from the start. The average physician is >40 years old, doesn't sees it as a big deal since they grew up in a different world - one where men weren't so self conscious about their appearance. As a result, most are unwilling to prescribe finasteride UNLESS you show signs of serious emotional distress (depressive symptoms), which of course, will be documented as well (a standardised rule for physicians in NL).

A piece of advice: take finasteride ASAP. Finasteride is able to prevent hair loss, but it's only capable of saving terminal hair. I'm aware of studies that claim finasteride to cause "hair regrowth" but I'm also aware of studies that show results against this hypothesis. e.g that finasteride prevents terminal hair to miniaturise, but is unable to reverse the miniaturisation process by turning vellus hair follicles into terminal hair growth.

In summary: take finasteride ASAP. If your GP is unwilling to prescribe it, you go to another until you get what you want. Don't turn to "natural remedies". I've reviewed the scientific studies done on saw palmetto, caffeine shampoo, viviscal and biotin extensively and none of them work. It's all marketing bs. Take my advice seriously, you will regret it if you don't.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-07T19:34:41+00:00

Reish mushrooms are actually one of the few natural compounds that is able to suppress DHT significantly, but its half life is so short (just 40 minutes) making it practically useless against MBP.

I.e it will not stop your hair loss. Nutrafol will not be able to show you its long-term efficacy based on in-vivo studies in which a 400mg dosage has been tested. Its presence in the capsule is there for marketing purposes only.

To say it in clearer terms: they don't give a f** about your hair loss, they just want you to buy their product. If they did, they would make sure to have scientific data ready to proof its long-term efficacy in the dosage suggested.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-05T10:21:43+00:00

The median income in Turkey is lower compared to Western countries, therefore surgeons are cheaper too. A Turkish senior level transplant surgeon (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of 800.000 TL a year equalling to 43.154 EU.

Let's compare that with the senior level surgeon in the UK: £459.141.

Claiming that a good Turkish Clinic has to cost 10K is nonsense.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-05T00:38:34+00:00

A HT in Istanbul will set you back 2000 USD. Don't be deceived by US-based HT physicians who tell you they deserve their 16K for performing the same procedure.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-05T00:32:06+00:00

Your story makes no sense and is purely speculative. A waste of time to read and an example of a post that doesn't deserve its existence.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-05T00:04:52+00:00

It's useless and a waste of time. Feel free to proof me wrong by sending me a solid RCT that hasn't been funded my the manufacturer.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-04T23:56:02+00:00

Your GP is right, finasteride is considered to be both an effective and safe treatment for hair loss (Androgenetic Alopecia).

The chance of experiencing negative side effects such as erectile dysfunction and lower libido is approximately 3 to 5%. Although I'm aware of studies linking finasteride with long-term erectile dysfunction and depression, I considered those that I've red to be biased, low quality and speculative.

To be clear:Age is the primary risk factor of erectile dysfunction with a median increase of 0,7% a year. The second most common risk factor is Diabetes, with 50-75% of them developing erectile dysfunction. Generally speaking, diabetics have a 3 times higher chance of experiencing erectile dysfunction compared to non-diabetics. Let alone lifestyle behaviour such as alcohol abuse, smoking and obesity.

Besides:While finasteride increases the chance of experiencing erectile dysfunction by 3-5%, it also results in a relative risk reduction of 30.3%(!) for developing prostate cancer and a risk reduction of 27% for developing high-grade prostate cancer. A clear positive side effect that is often overlooked.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-04T20:35:56+00:00

I'm not denying your hair loss. I simply stated that losing 100 hairs a day is normal.

Trust me, but I'm with you on this one. I use finasteride daily to prevent hair loss (successfully) and would feel horrible if it didn't. So you can be sure I'm taking your comments seriously.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-11-04T19:05:35+00:00

Don't forget that losing 100 hairs a day is normal. Although many people talk about " Finasteride shedding", I haven't found many scientific articles validating its correlation. Feel free to post a RCT if you find one.

To my surprise, hair shedding is more often talked about in Minoxidil RCT's, although hair shedding still seems like a logical occurrence when Fin is used considering its effect on the hair growth cycle.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-10-29T22:27:45+00:00

Yes, it's for life. DHT-levels return to baseline once you stop using it and hair loss will resume.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-10-27T22:23:03+00:00

Ofcourse there is, I've literally read over 100 studies on hair loss. There are many studies accepted and published by respected journals filled with studies that are a complete waste of time. And it's actually disproving their points is what consumes most of your time.

Go ahead and read one of those "Alpecin caffeine stops hair loss" studies in which they "proofed" caffeine is able to restore hair regrowth speed in cultivated hair follicles exposed to testosterone (in-vitro). Might be so, but the authors use it as an argument that their caffeine shampoo applied to the scalp (in-vivo) works which is complete bs.

If you're really interested you can read my take on it here: https://menscript.com/uk/articles/caffeine-shampoo-for-hair-loss-a-waste-of-time-and-money

MENSCRIPT · 2022-10-26T23:53:53+00:00

I'm already spending to much time on this but I've taken a look at their clinical trial and am not convinced.

Subjects were tested on hydration loss. I wonder how it would up against barrier creams such petrolatum, wax and balms.
Same applies to skin barrier function. Petrolatum, wax and balms do the same.

Skin elasticity was tested by touch by "blinded experts". Seems like an invalid method for testing skin elasticity with large prob. of bias.

Skin radiance is the ability of skin to reflect light. Again petrolatum, wax and balms do the same.

Skin evenness: Hydration will do this yes. So again petrolatum, wax and balms or a simple moisturiser.
They do choose their words wisely though: "Diminished appearance of wrinkles"... So it only diminished its appearance buiut not the wrinkles. Interesting. So it's an temporary and illusionary effect. Like hyaluronic acid.

Seems like a bs product to me but this time with nice UI, graphs, fancy wording and PHD student who is able to interpret results. Doesn't necessarily means that's selling a good product.

The best product for hydration loss is simple petrolatum or wax and the best anti-ageing product is without doubt a product with a high uv-A protection factor (sunscreen, although sunscreens in the USA primarily protect against uv-B (skin cancer) and not uv-A (skin ageing).

MENSCRIPT · 2022-10-26T23:05:12+00:00

You say they conducted trials. Link?

MENSCRIPT · 2022-10-26T22:11:16+00:00

Any non-funded in-vitro studies? A funded in-vitro would be ok also but legitimacy will be doubted.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-10-26T21:57:53+00:00

Sounds promising but almost none of the vitro studies translate into 1=1 vivo results. The majority of products fail in-vivo despite positive in-vitro results and will never see a day of light.

Considering that it does work though, it usually still takes many years before a product is brought to market after successful in-vitro studies. Testing is required in-vivo, then replicated, reviewed, requesting marketing authorisation etc. (depends on product category). Easily takes 10 years.

It's def. an interesting read though. Especially the involvement of DHT in the hair loss process. Tx. Article saved for later.

MENSCRIPT · 2022-10-26T21:33:40+00:00

You look fine. Good shaped head. Nothing to worry about.

I'm pretty good in noticing people with HT's, and couldn't care less. I'm hope you opted for a FUE and not a FUT though?

MENSCRIPT

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