This is the latest science on the relationship between creatine and hair loss.

Creatine is one of the most sought-after dietary supplements in recent times in the world of sports, backed by its benefits for the performance of those who exercise regularly, its increased muscle mass, and the strength it provides.

However, following a 2009 study, creatine's reputation was followed by a parallel demonization, as supplementation was linked to a higher incidence of hair loss. Now, a new, more comprehensive study refutes those beliefs and asserts that there is no scientific evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship between creatine and hair loss.

The investigation that led to the confusion, in 2009

The association between creatine supplementation (a natural compound made up of three amino acids: methionine, arginine, and glycine) and poorer hair quality and the risk of hair loss stems from a 2009 study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine.

At that time, researchers investigated how creatine monohydrate supplementation related to the ratio of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to testosterone in twenty rugby players. The athletes were subjected to creatine loading for seven days , and while serum testosterone levels did not change, the researchers found that DHT increased.

Despite the data, it has been shown that although creatine increases DHT, this increase is unlikely to cause further hair loss . Furthermore, Dr. Idris Mughal of the National Health Service in England states that, although the study identifies an increase in testosterone with creatine supplementation, there is no scientific evidence linking it to alopecia.

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The latest science on creatine and (non) hair loss

Years after such a study cast doubt on the issue, another study has now been published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, which directly evaluates hair follicle health after creatine supplementation . The conclusion? That the two circumstances cannot be linked.

In a nearly month-long randomized trial, researchers studied 38 men who regularly strength-trained . They were randomly assigned to receive creatine monohydrate (5 g/day) and placebo (5 g of maltodextrin/day). Participants continued their usual diet and training, and researchers collected blood and hair health data.

From there, the conclusion was that there was no evidence of a relationship between DHT levels, testosterone, and hair growth parameters between those who had supplemented and those who had taken the placebo.

References

Johann van der Merwe, Naomi E. Brooks, Kathryn H. Myburgh. 'Three weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation affects dihydrotestosterone to testosterone ratio in college-aged rugby players'. Clin J Sport Med. 2009 Sep. Published in National Library of Medicine. Accessed online at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19741313/ on June 17, 2025.

Mohammadyasin Lak, Scott C Forbes, Damoon Ashtary-Larky, Sahar Dadkhahfar, Reza Mahmoud Robati, Farshid Nezakati, Makan Khajevandi, Sara Naseri, Arvin Gerafiani, Neda Haghighat, Jose Antonio, Grant M. Tinsley. 'Does creatine cause hair loss? A 12-week randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 22(sup1). Consulted online at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15502783.2025.2495229?src=exp-la#d1e409 on June 17, 2025.