This rumor has been floating around gyms and Reddit for years. Let’s clear it up.
Creatine does not cause hair loss. And the fear comes from one small study that never even measured hair.
Here’s what actually happened.
Where Did the Creatine Hair Loss Myth Come From?
Everything traces back to one study from 2009.
Study:
van der Merwe et al., 2009
PubMed link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19741313/
What they did:
- 20 college-aged male rugby players
- Creatine loading: 25g per day for 7 days
- Then 5g per day for 14 days
- They measured testosterone and DHT in the blood
What they found:
-
Testosterone did NOT increase
-
DHT increased during the creatine phase
And that’s it.
They did not:
-
Measure hair shedding
-
Measure hair density
-
Take scalp photos
-
Track hair thinning
-
Diagnose hair loss
They only measured hormones. That single DHT increase started the rumor.
What Is DHT and Why Do People Panic?
DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone linked to male pattern baldness.
But here’s the part people skip: Hair loss is genetic. DHT only affects people who are already genetically sensitive to it.
And even then, it works locally at the hair follicle, not just based on blood levels. Blood DHT is not the same thing as scalp DHT. If blood DHT alone caused baldness, everyone with higher DHT would go bald.
That does not happen.
Has This Been Replicated?
No. In fact, newer and stronger research does not support the hair loss claim.
The Newer Study That Actually Measured Hair
In 2025, researchers finally tested this directly.
Study: Lak et al., 2025
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40265319/
Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12020143/
What they did:
-
38 resistance-trained men
-
5 grams creatine per day
-
12 weeks
-
Measured testosterone
-
Measured DHT
-
Measured actual hair metrics using dermatology imaging
What they found:
-
No increase in DHT compared to placebo
-
No difference in hair count
-
No difference in hair density
-
No difference in hair growth phase
-
No thinning
In other words: Creatine did not cause hair loss.
This study is stronger than the 2009 rugby study because:
-
It lasted longer
-
It used standard dosing (5g/day)
-
It actually measured hair
What Do Major Reviews Say?
A large review in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition addressed this myth directly.
Review: Antonio et al., 2021
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00412-w
They concluded:
-
The hair loss concern comes from one small study
-
It has not been replicated
-
There is no strong evidence creatine raises DHT consistently
-
There is no evidence creatine causes baldness
The International Society of Sports Nutrition also considers creatine one of the most studied and safest supplements available.
Does Creatine Increase Testosterone?
Multiple controlled studies show it does not meaningfully increase testosterone.
Example:
Eijnde & Hespel, 2001
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11252073/
Volek et al., 2004
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-1031-z
Creatine helps muscles produce energy faster. It does not function as a steroid. It does not act like testosterone therapy.
So Why Do Some People Think They Lost Hair on Creatine?
Three reasons:
-
Genetics
If you were going to lose hair anyway, it may happen while you’re taking creatine. -
Timing coincidence
Many men start creatine in their late teens or early 20s.
That is also when male pattern baldness often begins. -
Internet amplification
One study gets exaggerated.
Forums repeat it.
It becomes “common knowledge.”
But repetition is not evidence.
Is Creatine Safe Overall?
Yes. According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ExerciseAndAthleticPerformance-Consumer
Creatine monohydrate is considered safe for healthy adults at recommended doses. The International Society of Sports Nutrition states creatine is safe for short- and long-term use in healthy individuals.
Position Stand:
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z
Typical dose:
-
3–5 grams per day
-
Loading phase is optional
The 2025 hair study used 5g/day and found no hair changes.
Final Answer: Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?
No.
Here’s the simple breakdown:
-
One small 2009 study showed a temporary DHT increase
-
It did not measure hair
-
It has not been replicated
-
A newer randomized controlled trial measured hair directly
-
It found no hair loss and no DHT increase
-
Major reviews say the claim is not supported
If you are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness, that process can happen with or without creatine. Creatine does not cause it.
If You’re Still Concerned
If you:
-
Already have aggressive genetic hair loss
-
Have a diagnosed hormonal disorder
-
Are extremely sensitive to DHT
Talk to a dermatologist. But for the average healthy adult:
Creatine is not a hair loss supplement.
It is one of the most researched performance supplements in existence.
And the hair loss myth does not hold up under scientific review.