Can Creatine Cause Hair Loss? What a New Study Found
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Introduction
Creatine is one of the most popular supplements among gym-goers and athletes. It’s known for helping boost muscle strength and improve exercise performance. But despite its benefits, a lingering concern has always followed it — does creatine cause hair loss?
A recent scientific study set out to answer this question once and for all.
What Was the Study About?
The study, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, focused on understanding whether creatine actually causes hair loss. Researchers conducted a 12-week randomized controlled trial with 45 healthy men aged 18 to 40 who regularly did resistance training.
Participants were split into two groups: one group took creatine monohydrate (5 grams per day), while the other took a placebo. Both groups continued their usual diet and training routines. The researchers measured hormone levels and hair health before and after the 12-week period.
Why the Concern About Hair Loss?
The fear that creatine causes hair loss comes from a single small study done in 2009. That study found an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a hormone linked to male pattern baldness — after short-term creatine use. Since DHT can shrink hair follicles and cause hair to thin and fall out, many people began to worry that creatine might trigger baldness.
But that early study was limited — it was short, used a loading phase (high doses), and didn’t actually measure hair loss directly.
How Was Hair Measured in This New Study?
This new study went a step further. Researchers didn’t just look at hormone levels — they used detailed hair assessments too. Hair density, follicle count, thickness, and growth phase were all measured using advanced tools like the FotoFinder system and Trichogram tests. These tests allowed the scientists to look closely at hair health in the scalp’s vertex area, which is where hair loss usually begins in men.
What Did the Study Find?
Here’s the good news: the study found no link between creatine use and hair loss.
- Hormones: While testosterone levels increased slightly and free testosterone dropped a bit in both groups over time, these changes happened regardless of whether participants took creatine or placebo. DHT levels didn’t change at all.
- Hair Health: There were no differences in hair density, follicle count, hair thickness, or hair growth patterns between the creatine and placebo groups. That means creatine didn’t negatively affect hair in any way.
- Kidney Health: The researchers also checked kidney function markers like creatinine and eGFR — and found no harmful effects from creatine.
So, Is Creatine Safe for Your Hair?
Based on this study, the answer is yes. Creatine doesn’t seem to increase DHT or cause changes in the hair that would suggest hair loss. For the first time, a well-controlled and long-term trial has provided strong evidence that creatine supplementation does not lead to hair loss in healthy men.
Are There Any Limitations?
Of course, no study is perfect. This one only included men, so we don’t know how women might respond. It also lasted 12 weeks — longer studies could be useful. And it didn’t take into account participants’ family history of baldness, which can be an important factor.
Still, this research gives a much clearer picture than we’ve had before.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been holding off on using creatine because you were worried about losing hair, this study should bring some relief. Creatine is not only effective for improving strength and muscle size — it’s also safe when it comes to your hair.
Remember, as with any supplement, consistency, proper dosage, and an overall healthy lifestyle matter most. And if you ever have specific concerns, especially related to hair or hormones, it’s always best to speak with a doctor.