Can caffeine affect hair growth
Raise your hand if you are like me and enjoy a cup of Joe in the morning to get your day started? Lately, I’ve been taking a break from my daily Starbucks routine (pray for me), so I’ve been making coffee at home. It saves money and time since the lines at ‘bucks have been insanely long these days. One day I asked my hairstylist self, can caffeine affect my hair growth? So I did some digging, and here’s what I found.
Did you know that drinking caffeine can affect hair and skin? Yup! Your morning iced or hot coffee or even tea might not be taking a significant toll on your hair, but it's been known to affect your skin. The funny thing about this is caffeine is also suitable for you when consumed in moderation. Who knew!
Listen, I'm a Starbucks-a-holic and am proud of it, but I've been making my coffee at home with the recent cut back in my budget aaaaand because I was using my favorite latte or frappucino to replace breakfast…not good. So my go-to drink lately has been iced coffee (in one of my Starbucks mugs) with International Delight Cold Stone Creamery Sweet Cream Coffee Creamer (it will change your LIFE), and while my bank account is happier, my skin is not.
Ok so here’s the deal, “caffeine has antioxidants that help protect our bodies from the cell damage free radicals pose. Here's how: As their name implies, antioxidants fight oxidation, a normal bodily process that can produce free radicals,” says Livestrong. But can it cause hair loss?
As a woman, caffeine affects our hair follicles more than our male counterparts, according to the British Journal of Dermatology. Who knew? We women also have to consider hormones, diet, illness (including Covid-19), and stress, to name a few. Not to say that men don’t, but I believe it affects us more.
Although there is currently no evidence to show that caffeine can make your hair fall out (insert happy dance), it can cause dehydration in the skin (stops happy dance). Dairy could also impact your skin if you're like me and your favorite drink is a latte or cappuccino. Milk and dairy block sebum production in the body and glue dead skin cells together, which is terrible for your skin.
SheThe People also report that experts warn that exceeding four or five cups of a caffeine-filled drink can cause migraines and jitteriness. And if you are drinking anything other than black coffee, the chances are that you may be consuming more calories than you realize. This can be the reason why you may be gaining weight. Ask me how I know?
Glad you asked! I have a Starbucks shot glass (I feel seen) to measure my delicious creamer. And if you know me, you know that I love coffee with my creamer instead of the other way around. One day I read the back of the creamer bottle to see what the serving size is. It is 35 calories per tablespoon. It took me seven tablespoons to fill that Starbucks shot glass which means I was consuming 245 calories of creamer in my 16 oz coffee…sheesh.
My advice…cut back on the caffeine for 2-4 weeks and see if you notice a change in your hair, skin, nails, and weight. You’ll thank me later.
Let's live long and prosperous!
