No, Creatine Won’t Make You Bald

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Despite long-standing rumors, creatine doesn’t appear to raise dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels or affect hair follicle health, according to new research.

Testosterone is a hormone that helps build muscle, and it can be converted into a stronger version called DHT, which plays a role in male physical traits but is also linked to male pattern baldness.

Creatine is a popular supplement used to improve muscle strength and increase lean body mass — especially among athletes and people who lift weights. However, concerns have circulated for years that creatine might cause hair loss by increasing levels of the hormone DHT.

A small 2009 study found that short-term use of creatine might increase DHT levels and some athletes have also reported losing hair while using creatine, but these personal stories were not backed by research. Until now, no study had directly tested this theory.

In this clinical trial, investigators set out to answer the question: Does creatine actually affect your hair? They evaluated 38 healthy, resistance-trained men between the ages of 18 and 40 years. Half of the group took a standard dose of creatine (5 grams daily) for 12 weeks, while the other half took a placebo (maltodextrin). All participants kept their usual workout and diet routines, including a required minimum of three resistance training sessions per week.

The scientists tested each participant’s hormone levels, including testosterone, free testosterone and DHT, before and after the 12-week period. They also carefully evaluated hair health using high-tech imaging tools and hair follicle assessments. Both patients and investigators were blinded to the group assignment.

Ultimately, creatine had no significant effect on hormone levels related to hair loss, nor did it impact hair density, follicle count or hair thickness. Even though there were minor hormonal fluctuations over the 12 weeks, they happened equally in both the creatine and placebo groups — meaning the supplement wasn’t responsible.

While the study offers strong evidence that creatine supplementation does not contribute to hair loss in men, investigators noted there are some limitations that should be considered. The research was conducted exclusively in males, as DHT is more closely linked to male pattern baldness. However, this means the findings may not apply to women, and future studies should explore creatine’s effects in female populations.

Additionally, although no changes in hair or hormone levels were observed within the 12-week time frame using a standard creatine dose, it is possible that longer-term or higher-dose usage could have different effects. The study also did not collect information about participants’ family history of hair loss, which is an important factor, since men with fathers who experience hair loss are more likely to have it themselves.

“These results refute the common claim that creatine causes baldness,” the team of investigators concluded.

Key Takeaways:

• Creatine does not cause hair loss. Creatine supplementation had no effect on DHT levels, hair density, follicle count or hair thickness in healthy men.
• Hormonal changes were minimal and unrelated to creatine. Any changes over the 12-week period occurred in both groups, suggesting they were unrelated to the supplement.
• Hair health remained stable. Advanced tools showed no decline in hair follicle health or structure from creatine use over the 12-week study period.
• Bottom line: For healthy, resistance-trained men, creatine at standard doses appears safe for hair and hormone health — countering long-held concerns about baldness.