Coffee for Hair: Benefits and How to Use It

Your favorite mug of coffee might have the best ingredients for your hair: caffeine, a naturally occurring substance in various plants.

Studies indicate that caffeine is helpful in hair shaft elongation, longer duration of hair growth, and better hair growth overall. (1)

Read on to know the connection between coffee and hair, how caffeine benefits the hair, precautions to take when applying coffee, and side effects to be aware of.

How to Use Coffee for Your Hair

Research shows that the caffeine in coffee helps hair to grow, (1) and nowadays, there are many caffeine shampoos available on the market that you can try.

The good thing is there are also many DIY hair masks and packs that you can make at home using coffee. Here are some of them:

1. Hair growth wash – coffee

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of brewed coffee
• Spray bottle
• Plastic shower cap

Method:

1. Pour the brewed coffee into the spray bottle.
2. Spray it on damp hair.
3. Massage it on your scalp using your fingers for 5–10 minutes.
4. Wear a shower cap to prevent it from running down your face.
5. Leave it on for 30 minutes on your head.
6. Rinse your hair with water.
7. Wash your hair with natural products such as coconut, (2) onion, (3) or coffee (1) shampoo and conditioner.

2. Hair growth hair mask – coffee + fenugreek powder + coconut oil

Coffee, (4) fenugreek powder, (5) and coconut oil (2) can work together to produce wonders for your hair as coffee induces hair growth, coconut oil cleanses the scalp, and fenugreek promotes hair growth and curbs hair loss.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of coffee powder
• 1 teaspoon of fenugreek powder
• 3–4 tablespoons of coconut oil
• Shower cap
• Hair application brush

Method:

1. Mix all the above ingredients in a bowl.
2. Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair with a brush.
3. Wear a shower cap and leave the mask on for 30 minutes.
4. Rinse it off with plain water.
5. Shampoo and condition your hair with a natural shampoo and conditioner.

3. Scalp exfoliation scrub – coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of ground coffee
• 1 tablespoon of sugar grains

Method:

1. Add the coffee to the sugar and mix them well.
2. Part the hair, and massage your scalp with this mixture in circular motions for 10–15 times.
3. Leave it on your hair for 30 minutes.
4. Wash it off with water.
5. Shampoo and condition your hair with a natural shampoo and conditioner.

4. Hair conditioner – coffee

Ingredients:

• Brewed coffee
• Hair conditioner

Method:

1. Shampoo your hair with a natural shampoo
2. Pour the brewed coffee into a container and add the hair conditioner.
3. Apply this mixture to your hair and rub it well.
4. Wash it off after 1–2 minutes.

5. Hair oil – coffee + coconut oil + essential oil

Usage of coconut oil, coffee, and essential oils (rosemary (6) or peppermint oil (7)) together as a hair oil can encourage hair growth.

Coconut oil softens the hair and provides antimicrobial effects to the scalp, while coffee keeps the hair in the anagen phase or growth phase for a longer time.

Research studies have proven the efficacy of rosemary oil and peppermint oil on hair growth.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons of ground coffee
• Essential oil of rosemary or peppermint

Method:

1. Heat the coconut oil in a pan.
2. Add the coffee and heat for 5–10 minutes.
3. Let it cool off.
4. Add a few drops of essential oil to the mixture.
5. Keep it in an airtight bottle overnight.
6. Apply the oil to your scalp and hair the next day.
7. Keep the oil for 30 minutes on your head.
8. Rinse it off with water, and use a natural shampoo and conditioner to wash your scalp and hair.

Benefits of Using Coffee for Hair Growth

Using coffee on your hair will provide the following benefits:

1. May promote hair growth

Hair fall can happen for reasons such as genetics, hormonal changes, serious illness, stress, and environmental factors.

Coffee can encourage hair growth by making the hair roots larger, lengthening the anagen phase, and stimulating hair cell production. (1)

In a study, caffeine in concentrations of 0.001% and 0.005% helped stop testosterone’s suppressive effects on hair growth. Increased hair growth was seen after caffeine administration.

This result clearly showed that caffeine can stimulate human hair growth, which can help treat androgenic alopecia, a hair loss that occurs in both men and women. In men, hair loss happens on the top of the head and at the temples, and in women, the widening of the center parting is a sign of it. (4)

2. Reduces hair loss

Hair loss and baldness can indicate weak hair follicles; the application of coffee to the hair and scalp can reduce hair loss and encourage hair growth. (8)

One of men’s most common reasons for baldness is the sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone affects the hair follicles and triggers hair loss in men and women.

Various studies on the efficacy of coffee in reducing hair loss have shown that it indeed can provide such an effect and helps in healthy hair growth. (9)

3. Softens the hair

Coffee is full of flavonoids, which are antioxidants that help in hair regeneration.

Dull and dry hair may result in hair loss, but coffee helps to retain the moisture in your hair and softens it. (10)

4. Exfoliates the scalp

Coffee grounds are a great exfoliator; they remove dead cells and buildup from the scalp (11) so that hair growth can happen properly as scalp condition impacts hair growth. (12)

Use a DIY coffee mask to exfoliate your scalp and keep it clean and healthy.

5. Naturally colors hair

Coffee is a natural hair colorant as the coffee stains can color and darken the shade of your hair. (13)

Use a DIY coffee hair mask to color your hair naturally instead of using chemical hair dyes.

Does Drinking Coffee Cause Hair Loss?

There is no evidence that drinking coffee can make your hair fall out, so it is not a problem. However, drinking too much coffee can cause nervousness, insomnia, and tremors. (14)

Precautions to Take Before Coffee Application to the Hair

Keep these things in mind when using coffee on your hair:

• The coffee should be cooled down completely before applying it to your hair.
• If you have light-colored hair, be careful when applying coffee to your hair as it might darken it.
• Do not use flavored coffee on your hair as it might have added coloring and flavoring agents that may cause skin allergies.

Side Effects of Using Coffee on Hair

There should be a balance in the use of coffee usage on your hair and scalp as, despite its benefits, excessive use may backfire. Unfortunately, scrubbing your head too much with coffee grounds may cause damage to the scalp and result in hair fall.

Also, use freshly ground coffee instead of instant coffee as the latter may contain preservatives that may not be favorable for the hair.

General Queries Related to Coffee and Hair

Final Word

Coffee can be a natural remedy for hair growth, hair loss, dull hair color, and more. You can simply purchase coffee-infused products or use DIY coffee hair masks once a week to reap its benefits.

Always do a patch test on your skin before applying coffee to your hair and scalp to check for allergies or rashes.