Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?

If you’re trying to build muscle, you may have considered using creatine supplements to bulk up. But what are the side effects? And does creatine cause hair loss?  

Contrary to popular belief, it’s actually not clear whether creatine baldness is a thing or not. In fact, the rumor that creatine causes hair loss may stem from a single study that isn’t even conclusive. 

Below, we outline the research on creatine hair loss. We also go over the general side effects of creatine and explain what to do if you think you’re experiencing hair loss. 

It’s not entirely clear whether creatine causes hair loss. 

However, most of the worry about creatine and hair loss comes from one study, and the evidence is weak.

The Study In Question

This 2009 study looked at college-aged rugby players who took a creatine supplement or a placebo for 21 days. It was a small study, involving only 20 participants.

Testosterone levels didn’t change for those who took creatine, but their dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was up 56 percent by the seven-day mark and remained 40 percent higher than baseline levels after the full 21 days.

Let’s back up for a second: what is DHT? DHT is an androgen — a male sex hormone — that plays a role in male pattern baldness. DHT can bind to androgen receptors in hair follicles, which causes the follicle to shrink. Eventually, this can cause pattern hair loss.

Back to the study. Based on the results, researchers concluded that creatine may increase the rate at which the body converts testosterone into DHT.

So creatine might increase DHT, potentially impacting your hairline. 

But, this is far from concrete evidence. Again, the study didn’t find a direct link between creatine and hair loss. Plus, the sample size was small and it only looked at the effects of three weeks of creatine supplementation. 

And the evidence hasn’t gotten much stronger since then.

Additional Research 

A 2021 review published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition looked at the evidence, including the 2009 study mentioned above. The researchers concluded that the participants’ levels of DHT, although higher than the placebo group, were well within typical clinical limits.

Plus, pre-supplementation DHT levels were 23 percent lower in those who took the creatine supplements than those who took the placebo. This may account for the significant difference in DHT levels between the two groups at the end of the experiment.

The 2021 review included 12 other studies on creatine and testosterone. Ultimately, researchers concluded that there’s no evidence linking creatine supplements to increased testosterone or DHT — or hair loss or baldness. 

So, does creatine increase DHT? Maybe. But, ultimately, there’s no real evidence hair loss is a side effect of creatine supplementation.

Now that we’ve looked at the research on creatine and hair loss, let’s brush up on our knowledge of creatine.

Creatine is an amino acid your body naturally produces. 

You can also get it through red meat and seafood and in supplement form as creatine monohydrate, creatine ethyl ester, and buffered creatine.

It’s a popular supplement among bodybuilders and lovers of high-intensity exercise who use it to improve physical performance and muscle mass. Creatine helps you produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy your muscle cells need to function.

As a dietary supplement, creatine may help with: 

• Muscle strength and power 

• Athletic performance in areas like sprinting, rowing, jumping and soccer

• Gains in fat-free body mass 

• Post-exercise recovery 

• Injury prevention 

Don’t confuse creatine with steroids. While creatine provides quick-acting energy, steroids affect muscle growth, helping you increase muscle mass over time. Creatine and steroids also have completely different safety profiles. 

One paper highlighted about 300 studies on creatine and its effects on physical performance. Of those studies, about 70 percent report statistically significant positive results like the above, and no studies link creatine to decreases in performance.

Although it has a good safety profile, creatine does have potential side effects.

The possible side effects of creatine supplementation include: 

• Weight gain from water retention 

• Muscle cramps

• Nausea

• Dehydration

• Diarrhea

If you have kidney issues, you should speak with a healthcare professional before taking a creatine supplement. It may impact your kidney function.

To reduce your risk of side effects, it’s important to take the recommended dosage of creatine. To find the right creatine dosage for you, talk to a healthcare professional — your dosage depends on your goals and personal biology. 

Additionally, choosing high-quality supplements is a must. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate supplements like it does medications, so it’s up to you to do the research.

Look for third-party tested supplements or ask a healthcare professional for a recommendation.

Does creatine make you lose your hair? There’s not much evidence to suggest a link between this popular supplement and baldness. 

So, if you’re experiencing hair loss or thinning, don’t throw out your creatine supplements just yet. Something else may be to blame. 

Common causes of hair loss in men include:

• Stress

• Illnesses, such as a severe infection 

• Autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata  

• Medications like beta-blockers, retinoids, or cancer treatments

• Vitamin deficiencies, such as iron or zinc deficiencies

• Hairstyles that tug on your scalp   

• Certain medical conditions

Also, you might just have genetics to thank for your hair loss. Male pattern hair loss seems to have a major genetic component. 

Speaking to a healthcare professional about your hair loss symptoms is a great place to start. They can assess the type of hair loss you’re experiencing and guide you on potential treatment options.   

Hair Loss Treatments 

Depending on the cause, your hair loss may be permanent or temporary. The good news is that you can slow many types of hair loss.

Effective hair loss treatments include:

• Minoxidil. This topical, over-the-counter (OTC) medication can stimulate hair growth and slow down hair loss. You can buy the FDA-approved treatment as a foam or solution.

• Finasteride. Another FDA-approved hair loss medication, finasteride is available by prescription only. It can help slow androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness).

• Combo treatments. You can use both finasteride and minoxidil together. Our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray combines the best of both FDA-approved treatments in one product.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the earlier you start treatment, the more likely you are to experience regrowth. Most types of hair loss get worse over time, so it’s important to get help ASAP.  

If you have significant hair loss, a hair transplant is an option — but it can be pricey. Instead, try to tackle balding early. Prevention is often the best (and most affordable) solution. 

Want to learn more about hair health? Read our guides to hair care, science-backed tips for growing thicker hair, and tips for natural hair growth.

So, does creatine make you bald? Probably not. There’s no definitive proof it causes hair loss. 

Let’s recap what we know:

• There’s little scientific evidence that creatine use causes hair loss. One small study suggests creatine increases DHT, the hormone linked to male pattern baldness. But no other studies have drawn the same conclusion.

• Creatine is generally considered a safe supplement. It’s been shown to help with muscle strength, athletic performance, and recovery.

• Hair loss has many possible causes. Stress, a vitamin deficiency, or genetics are all potential causes of hair loss.  

If you’ve noticed signs of balding or hair thinning, it’s probably not your creatine supplement that’s causing it. 

Either way, get in touch with a healthcare professional ASAP. The sooner you treat hair loss, the better. 

We can help you book an online consultation with a healthcare provider. They can recommend treatment options to slow hair loss and promote hair growth. Get started today!