👨‍🦲 Creatine & Hair Loss – Real Scientific TRUTH For 2024

I remember the first time I found out about creatine. It was super expensive like 4 oz was $100 or $120, and you know what, I HAD to have it. It was the early 90s, I didn’t have much money, I gave it a try and well, it never worked like it claimed it would – at least not for me.

However, now it’s 2024  and there are numerous studies linking creatine to increased strength, muscle, and athletic performance, as well as improved recovery post-workout.

And the good news is that creatine is one of the most studied sports supplements in history and has a safe track record – IF you use the correct dose and the right type – which, I’ll tell you about in a minute.

However, today’s topic is about creatine and hair loss, which is what a few of my readers have asked about.

Is there any proof either scientifically with clinical studies, or empirically with real-life feedback?

Creatine And Hair Loss Connection – Scientific Evidence

There’s only ONE study in 2009, connecting creatine to hair loss.² It consisted of only 20 rugby players who took 25 grams of creatine daily for 3 weeks.

The researchers found that creatine may increase the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is believed to be ONE of the hormones behind male pattern baldness in men genetically predisposed to hair loss.

And I’ll give you a link to another very important article about the REAL cause of hair loss, at the end of this one because DHT is NOT the primary hormone.

However, the study did NOT prove that creatine can actually cause hair loss. Not only did the research not mention hair loss, but it was also extremely small with only 20 people, and limited to a very narrow time frame, only 3 weeks.

Lastly, the increase in DHT was not large and was still within the normal range.

BOTTOM LINE: No, taking creatine will not cause hair loss! Genetics aside, hair loss has a hormonal and inflammatory cause. As stated earlier, I’ll give you the link to an important article about hair loss and everything you need to know about it.

Anecdotal Evidence

If you do a search online, you will see a few guys saying that they noticed hair loss when they started taking creatine. However, this is all anecdotal and what someone thinks or feels. It’s not scientific in any way, shape, or form.

These same guys have stated that when they stopped taking creatine, their hair loss stopped and the hair grew back.

BOTTOM LINE: IF you are concerned about hair loss, then my suggestion is don’t do anything that could potentially turn ON or accelerate the process, and thus, just do NOT take creatine or take a lower dose – 3-5 grams daily. No loading and make sure you cycle it. Then, see how your body responds.

Important Links

With that said, I have an entire series of hair loss articles – causes and solutions. You can check out the first one, which is “How Baldness & Hormones are connected”.