Can Creatine Cause Hair Loss? The Evidence

The Short Answer: Can Creatine Cause Hair Loss?

Based on current research, creatine does not appear to cause hair loss. The concern traces back to a single study from 2009 that found elevated DHT levels in rugby players taking creatine, but that study never measured actual hair loss. A 2025 randomized controlled trial directly tested creatine’s effect on hair follicle health for the first time and found no negative impact.

That said, the topic deserves a thorough breakdown. The science behind the claim matters, and there are nuances worth understanding before dismissing the concern entirely.

Where the Creatine Hair Loss Concern Started

The widespread concern about creatine and hair loss traces back to one study. In 2009, van der Merwe and colleagues published a trial involving 20 college-aged male rugby players in South Africa. The participants took creatine monohydrate using a loading protocol of 25 g per day for 7 days, followed by 5 g per day for 14 more days. [Source: van der Merwe et al., 2009]

The study found that DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels increased by about 56% during the loading phase. Since DHT is linked to androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness, people connected the dots: creatine raises DHT, DHT causes hair loss, therefore creatine causes hair loss.

That logic sounds straightforward, but there are several problems with it.

Why the 2009 Study Does Not Prove Creatine Causes Hair Loss

The van der Merwe study has serious limitations that are frequently glossed over or mentioned only briefly. Here is why the evidence is not as strong as it initially seems:

The study never measured hair loss. This is the most important point. The researchers measured DHT levels in blood. They did not look at anyone’s hair, scalp, or follicle health. Finding elevated DHT is not the same as finding hair loss. Many factors influence whether DHT actually affects hair follicles, including genetics, receptor sensitivity, and local scalp DHT levels versus blood levels.

The sample size was tiny. Only 20 participants completed the study. That is far too small to draw reliable conclusions about a hormonal response that varies widely between individuals.

The loading dose was unusually high. Participants took 25 g per day during the loading phase. The standard recommended dose is 3-5 g per day. Conclusions cannot be reliably drawn about standard 3-5 g doses based on results from a 25 g loading protocol.

DHT levels stayed within the normal range. Even after the reported increase, DHT concentrations remained within normal physiological limits. An increase within the normal range may have no clinical significance for hair health.

The study lasted only 3 weeks. Three weeks is not enough time to observe hair loss, which develops over months to years.

The 2025 Study That Directly Tested Creatine and Hair Health

For over 15 years after the 2009 study, no researcher directly tested whether creatine affects hair. That changed in 2025 when a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. [Source: 2025 RCT]

This study was specifically designed to answer the creatine hair loss question:

• 45 resistance-trained men aged 18-40 were randomly assigned to creatine (5 g/day) or placebo for 12 weeks
• Blood samples measured total testosterone, free testosterone, and DHT at baseline and after 12 weeks
• Hair follicle health was assessed using trichogram testing and the FotoFinder system, measuring hair density, follicular unit count, cumulative hair thickness, and the ratio of growth-phase to resting-phase hairs

The results were clear: there were no significant differences between the creatine and placebo groups in any hormone measurement or any hair outcome. Creatine did not raise DHT, did not raise testosterone, and did not affect hair density, thickness, or growth patterns.

What 12 Other Studies Show About Creatine and Hormones

Beyond the 2009 and 2025 studies, Antonio and colleagues reviewed all available evidence on creatine and hormones in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Their review covered 12 additional studies that tested creatine’s effects on testosterone levels, and none found significant hormonal increases at standard doses. [Source: Antonio et al., 2021]

Since DHT is produced from testosterone, stable testosterone levels make a meaningful DHT increase unlikely. Their overall assessment: the majority of available evidence does not support a link between creatine supplementation and hair loss.

The Fair Counterpoint: What We Still Do Not Know

Being thorough means acknowledging limitations in the evidence on both sides. The American Hair Loss Association raised valid points about the 2025 study:

• The study lasted only 12 weeks. Long-term effects over years of supplementation remain untested.
• Participants were not screened for genetic predisposition to hair loss. Someone with a strong family history of male pattern baldness might respond differently.
• The study measured DHT in blood, not at the scalp. DHT activity at the follicle level, where androgenetic alopecia actually occurs, was not assessed.
• The sample size of 45, while larger than the 2009 study, is still relatively modest.

These are fair criticisms. They do not invalidate the findings, but they highlight that the question is not fully settled for every individual in every scenario.

Understanding DHT and Hair Loss

To make sense of this topic, a basic understanding of DHT helps. Dihydrotestosterone is a hormone produced from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. DHT binds to androgen receptors in hair follicles and, in genetically susceptible individuals, can cause follicle miniaturization over time. This is the mechanism behind male pattern baldness.

The key phrase is “genetically susceptible.” DHT does not cause hair loss in everyone. It depends on the sensitivity of your androgen receptors, which is largely determined by genetics. Even if creatine did raise DHT slightly (which the 2025 study suggests it does not at standard doses), it would only be relevant if you already carry the genetic predisposition for androgenetic alopecia.

If male pattern baldness runs in your family, it is reasonable to monitor your hair while taking any supplement. But the current evidence does not single out creatine as a contributing factor.

Practical Recommendations

Based on the full body of evidence:

If you have no family history of hair loss: The current research suggests creatine at 3-5 g per day poses no risk to your hair, whether you take it as powder or gummies. The 2025 trial found no effect on DHT or hair health at this dose.

If hair loss runs in your family: The evidence still does not support creatine as a cause, but long-term studies in genetically predisposed individuals have not been conducted. If you are concerned, continue taking creatine and monitor your hair over several months. If you notice changes, consult a dermatologist, as the cause is far more likely to be genetic than supplement-related.

If you are already experiencing hair loss: Creatine is unlikely to be the cause. Genetics, stress, nutritional deficiencies, medications, and medical conditions are all more common and well-established contributors. See a healthcare provider for proper evaluation.

For information on proper creatine dosing, see our creatine timing guide.

The Bottom Line on Creatine and Hair Loss

The creatine hair loss concern started with a single, small, short study in 2009 that never measured hair loss. For 15 years, no study replicated its DHT findings. Then in 2025, the first trial to directly measure hair follicle health, found no negative effects from creatine supplementation.

The current weight of evidence, across multiple studies and reviews, does not support a link between creatine and hair loss. If you are taking creatine at standard doses of 3-5 g per day, the research suggests your hair is not at risk.