Creatine supplementation does not influence hair growth or hormone levels even after three months of usage, undermining theories of its potential link to hair loss. Digest
Concerns about hair loss have long surrounded creatine, one of the most widely used and extensively studied supplements for enhancing muscle strength and lean mass. Although these claims persist, they are primarily based on anecdotal reports and limited evidence. A recent study found no support for the idea that creatine contributes to hair loss.
Researchers administered either 5 grams of creatine monohydrate or a placebo daily for 12 weeks to 45 healthy, resistance-trained men aged 18 to 40. They excluded participants who had used anabolic-androgenic steroids (which can promote hair loss) or other hormonal enhancement agents within the preceding six months. At the beginning and end of the study, researchers measured testosterone levels, free testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone and assessed hair density and growth. The men maintained their regular diets and workout routines throughout the intervention.
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The men taking creatine showed no significant changes in hormone levels or hair health compared to those taking the placebo. Both groups experienced a modest increase in total testosterone—about 15%—regardless of which supplement they consumed. Free testosterone dropped slightly in both groups, while levels of dihydrotestosterone and hair growth measurements remained stable.
These findings suggest that creatine does not harm hair follicle health or elevate dihydrotestosterone levels in healthy men, even after three months of use. Learn more about creatine supplementation in this episode featuring Dr. Darren Candow.