Caffeine shampoo helps stem hair loss in women – research

A caffeine complex has been scientifically shown to help stem hair loss in females, providing hope for millions of women suffering from what was once widely believed to be an exclusively male problem.

Millions of women the world over lose hair after menopause, largely due to decreasing estrogen which protects roots against the male hormone, testosterone. After menopause, estrogen levels drop and the impact of testosterone increases, sometimes resulting in a receding hair line, hair becoming thinner and hair falling out prematurely.

Surveys in various European countries show that about one in four women are affected by hair loss, while in Germany, more than one in seven elderly women are acutely affected.

“Most women hit a psychological low when they notice increased hair loss,” said adjunct professor Dr Gerhard Lutz of Jena University, Germany. “Depression, introversion and embarrassment are sometimes the consequences.”

Now, German shampoo manufacturers, Dr. Wolff, say there is hope for women affected by hair loss.

In collaboration with the dermatological department of the Jena University Clinic in Germany, researchers at Dr. Wolff discovered that a caffeine-based shampoo helps prevent the negative effects of decreasing estrogen and increasing testosterone on hair roots. They have since developed the new Plantur39 Phyto-Caffeine shampoo.

The Phyto-Caffeine complex in the Plantur39  range for women includes highly active caffeine, which penetrates the hair follicles, providing them with sufficient growth energy, preventing testosterone from attacking the hair roots

The discovery is impacting positively on thousands of women in Europe who have discovered the effects of using Plantur39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo, according to Dr Wolff.

Prior to launching, the products were tested at the Clinic for Dermatology and Dermatological Allergology at Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, and by adjunct professor Dr Gerhard Lutz. Test subjects in both instances noticed a significant reduction in hair loss.

Test subjects between the ages of 39 and 60 who suffered from androgenetic or diffuse hair loss, regularly used Plantur 39 Caffeine Tonic and, after four months, two-thirds of the test subjects noticed a significant reduction in hair loss. The test subjects also noticed a drop in scalp itch, dandruff and oily scalp.

The scientists concluded that, dermatologically, Plantur 39 products can be recommended for patients with androgenetic hair loss.

Plantur39 is available at Clicks, Dis-Chem and at large pharmacies.

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