The beauty world never sits still! One week it is all about argan oil, the next everyone’s obsessed with snail slime, and suddenly, people are dumping coffee into their shampoo bottles. If you have scrolled through the various social media platforms lately, you would have probably seen folks raving about this coffee shampoo hack, claiming it makes hair shinier and fuller and keeps hair from falling out. Sounds tempting, right? But before you start raiding your kitchen, let us get real about what this trend can actually do.

Also Read: Caffeine For Beauty: Astonishing Benefits Of Coffee Powder For Skin And Hair Health

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Why Are People Mixing Coffee With Shampoo?


Coffee does more than wake you up in the morning; it is loaded with antioxidants and caffeine, which have been linked to potential benefits for your hair and scalp. Online, you will see people mixing brewed coffee into their shampoo and promising it will:


Bring dull hair back to life

Cut down on hair fall

Speed up hair growth

Boost scalp health


Honestly, the logic checks out at first glance. Caffeine has been studied for its possible effect on hair follicles. But does pouring your leftover espresso into your shampoo bottle really work?

Also Read: 7 Simple Winter Hair Care Tips For Stronger And Lustrous Mane

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What Science Actually Says About Caffeine and Hair?


Researchers have found that caffeine can get into hair follicles and might help stimulate growth right at the root. There is some lab evidence that caffeine can slow down the action of DHT; a hormone linked to thinning hair, and even keep hair in its growth phase a bit longer. That is why you will see caffeine pop up as an ingredient in some hair serums and tonics.


But, and it is a big but, most of these studies use pretty high doses of caffeine, applied directly to the scalp and left on for a while. Shampoo, on the other hand, gets rinsed out in a couple minutes. That doesn’t leave much time for caffeine to work its magic.


So, while there is a hint of science behind the caffeine-hair connection, there is not much solid proof that mixing regular coffee into your shampoo does anything special. At least, not yet.

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Will Coffee In Shampoo Make Your Hair Shinier?


Shiny hair comes down to how smooth your hair cuticle is. Coffee’s natural colour might coat your hair a bit, making it look glossier or giving darker hair a richer tone. It can also temporarily smooth the surface, so your hair feels silkier for a little while.


But don’t expect miracles. Coffee won’t fix split ends or actually repair damaged hair. If you are after serious shine, you will get better results from proven ingredients like argan oil, keratin, vitamin E, or a good silicone-free conditioner.


Can It Really Stop Hair Fall?


Here is the deal: there is zero hard evidence that any DIY coffee shampoo mix can stop hair fall. Hair loss happens for a bunch of reasons: genetics, stress, hormones, diet, scalp health, and a quick coffee rinse just isn’t going to make a dent.


If you are losing more hair than normal, here is what actually helps:


Talk to a dermatologist

Use products with real clinical backing (like minoxidil)

Eat enough protein, iron, and biotin

Keep stress and scalp inflammation in check


How to Try the Coffee Shampoo Trend Safely?


Still curious? If you want to test it out just for fun, here is how to do it without wrecking your hair:


Brew up some fresh, mild coffee; let it cool first

Mix a few tablespoons into a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo

Don’t go overboard; a little goes a long way

Rinse your hair really well (coffee can stain towels and your shower)

Skip daily use; too much coffee can dry out your hair or irritate your scalp


Who Should Skip This Trend?


If your hair is dry or brittle, coffee can make it worse

Sensitive scalp or scalp conditions like eczema? Best to avoid it

Blonde or light-coloured hair? Coffee can tint your hair


Conclusion


So, will mixing coffee into your shampoo give you glossy, thick hair and stop hair fall? It might boost shine a little if your hair is on the darker side and give your scalp a brief caffeine kick. But there is no strong evidence that it will actually prevent hair loss or transform your hair in any big way.

Try it if you are curious and want to mix things up, but don’t expect a miracle, and don’t skip out on tried-and-true hair care or professional help if you need it.


References:

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10670875/
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624002536
  3. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/1/167