Despite decades of research confirming its safety, creatine still gets a bad rap. One myth that refuses to die? That creatine causes hair loss.
Earlier this year, I shared a comprehensive scientific review busting many of these myths. And now, for the first time, we have a study that directly investigates how creatine affects hair follicles.
Photo by Nartan Büyükyıldız on Unsplash
Where Does the Hair Loss Theory Come From?
It all stems from the idea that creatine might increase levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a hormone linked to shrinking hair follicles and thinning hair. That theory has led some to suspect creatine could accelerate hair loss.
What Did the Study Look At?
The study involved 45 resistance-trained men between the ages of 18 and 40. Participants were split into two groups:
- One group took 5 grams of creatine monohydrate daily for 12 weeks
- The other group received a placebo
Researchers collected blood samples before and after the intervention to track changes in testosterone and DHT levels. They also used a Trichogram test and the FotoFinder system to assess hair follicle health — including hair density, thickness, and follicle count.
What Did They Find?
There were no significant differences between the creatine and placebo groups when it came to:
- Hair density
- Hair thickness
- Number of hair follicles
- DHT levels
While some might argue that 12 weeks isn’t long enough to detect meaningful changes in hair loss (which tends to develop gradually), this is the first study to directly assess hair follicle health after creatine supplementation.
And the verdict?
Creatine does NOT cause hair loss.
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