The Hype Surrounding Caffeine

Caffeine shampoo, eye rollers, anti-wrinkle and cellulite creams with caffeine, you name it. Does it really work though? Whilst I was still recovering from the dramatic outcome of the Netherlands- Argentina World cup game and having just decided that this gloomy Thursday would be spent in my pyjamas and without make-up! (those bags could no longer be concealed), a chirpy reporter from Editie NL phoned to ask if she could come over and interview me about the effects of caffeine. And, oh yes, they were already on the way! Caffeine is the new hype ingredient and, if the claims are to be believed, they eliminate cellulite, bags, wrinkles and hair loss just like snow melting in the sun. I did write a blog 3 years ago about it but, research doesn’t stop and so in the meantime there has been a whole load of new information. I can certainly reveal that from these recent studies no evidence has been found to suggest that caffeine takes years off you, firms your skin or that it gives you a fuller head of hair. What has been found is that it is an excellent substance for protecting your skin against the sun. Watch the report here if you would like to find out more… (It’s a Dutch televison programme)

But these stories surrounding caffeine shampoo must come from somewhere… Which is true. Various research carried out has certainly shown that the ingredient can make the hair remain in the so-called anagen phase for longer, this is the growth phase of hair. But in these studies it was, first of all, used in very high concentrations, which is not comparable to the percentages in shampoos and creams. And in this recent study, for example, it was tested as an addition to a solution with the male hormone ‘testosterone’. With good results, but it is not that this ingredient itself is a wonder treatment which makes hair grow, but that by being added to another treatment it enhances the effect.

Roll bags away with caffeine?
Sounds logical doesn’t it, after all it can make us stay awake.. Caffeine is a diuretic which means that it stimulates water release from the kidneys, which could potentially, in turn, improve the bags under your eyes. Sadly most cosmetic products contain too little of it to have an effect on the skin. And another point is that you have to manually stimulate the fluid removal with one of those rollers. But seeing as you can also achieve the same by massaging, I wouldn’t waste any money on this.

Lastly, smooth away cellulite with caffeine?
The most commonly used substance in cellulite cream is caffeine. Theoretically caffeine can break down the fat cells. But (!) the concentration necessary for this would actually be toxic. In addition to this, fat has a high blood flow which makes the caffeine flush away more quickly, as it were. So you would therefore need a constant supply… Cellulite creams are actually fantastic moisturisers which make the skin smooth and soft again.

It is clear that the effectiveness of caffeine has been taken well out of context. But rest assured, although it is not able to give you a full head of hair or make your life cellulite free, it still remains a top anti-oxidant!

Regards Jetske,

(Dr. Jetske Ultee-Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology)

You can also read the blogs:
‘Caffeine‘,
‘Is There a Cure for Bags?‘,
‘Slimming Creams‘.