Caffeine
A supporting active that helps keep follicles in their growing phase, used in our custom hair and beard serums.
Caffeine is a stimulant found naturally in coffee and tea. Applied to the scalp, it acts directly on the hair follicle. It is one of the few non-prescription hair ingredients with genuine research behind it, which is why it appears in so many shampoos and serums. That research is still early. Most of it comes from laboratory studies rather than large trials in people. So we use Caffeine as a supporting active, not a treatment on its own. Your doctor may include it in a custom hair loss or beard growth serum, alongside the medicines that treat what is driving your hair loss.
What Is Caffeine and How Does It Work?
Caffeine is a stimulant that belongs to a group of compounds called methylxanthines. Applied to the scalp, it is absorbed into the skin around the follicle, where it appears to act on the follicle directly rather than on the body as a whole.
Hair grows in cycles. Each follicle spends a long stretch in its growing phase, then rests, then sheds. In pattern hair loss that growing phase gets shorter with each cycle, so hairs come through finer and shorter until they stop coming through at all. Laboratory work on human follicles suggests Caffeine may help keep follicles in their growing phase for longer, and that it may counteract some of the suppressive effect of DHT on the follicle. DHT is the hormone behind androgenetic hair loss. There is also work suggesting Caffeine supports growth signals and blood flow around the follicle.
This is where the honesty matters. Nearly all of that is laboratory and small clinical work, not the kind of large randomised evidence that sits behind agents like Minoxidil or Finasteride. Caffeine is a useful supporting active. It is not a treatment for pattern hair loss on its own. The benefits it may bring to a hair or beard formula are:
- Supports the growing phase of the hair cycle
- May counteract some of the effect of DHT at the follicle
- Supports blood flow and growth signals around the follicle
- Well tolerated, so it sits easily alongside stronger actives
- Works best as part of a formula rather than as a treatment on its own
How City Skin Clinic Uses Caffeine
Here is the difference between an over the counter Caffeine shampoo or serum and a formula from us. On the shelf, Caffeine is sold as the main event, the thing that is going to regrow your hair. That is exactly where its evidence is thinnest, because it asks one modest active to carry a whole treatment on its own. In our serums it does the job the research actually supports. Your doctor treats what is driving your hair loss with prescription actives, then uses Caffeine to support the follicle alongside them, in one serum, in a base and at a strength they set for you. That formula then changes at each course as your hair responds. We often use Caffeine in these treatments:
Which actives sit alongside it depends on your pattern of loss, your health and your goals. Below are some of the ingredients our doctors may include alongside Caffeine for hair growth:
- Minoxidil: the most established topical hair loss treatment. It stimulates the follicle directly and is the active most of our serums are built around.
- Finasteride: blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, the hormone behind pattern hair loss.
- Dutasteride: blocks DHT production more completely than Finasteride, for hair loss that needs it.
- Spironolactone: an androgen blocker we may use instead of Finasteride or Dutasteride, particularly in premenopausal women.
- Melatonin: supports the hair growth cycle and helps protect follicles from oxidative stress.
- Tretinoin: a retinoid that can improve how well the other actives absorb.
- Hydrocortisone: calms scalp irritation that the stronger actives can cause.
How Do You Get Topical Caffeine in the UK?
Caffeine is not a prescription-only medicine, so there are two ways to get it. You can buy it over the counter, in shampoos and leave-on serums sold as cosmetic products, with no consultation needed. Or it can be included in a compounded prescription formula, made by a specialist pharmacy based on a doctor’s prescription. That second route often pairs Caffeine with medicines like Minoxidil, Finasteride, Dutasteride or Spironolactone. Compounded formulas are unlicensed treatments designed for each individual patient by their doctor.
We offer custom hair or beard treatments designed for you, using Caffeine alongside other hair growth actives that suit your needs. To start, complete an online consultation form or book a virtual video consultation with one of our doctors. Your doctor will design a treatment that is suitable for you, taking your wishes and preferences into account wherever possible. They will also look after you throughout your treatment and are available by email at any time.
Personalised Treatment Fees (3 Month Supply)
VIRTUAL CONSULTATION£30
Your doctor designs your treatment and looks after you throughout. Consultation fee credited in full against your first treatment.
PERSONALISED HAIR LOSS TREATMENT£120
A 3 month supply (100ml) of a serum designed around your hair loss, health and goals.
PERSONALISED BEARD GROWTH TREATMENT£120
A 3 month supply (100ml) of a serum designed for your beard growth goals.
Treatment Time
15 Minutes
Duration of effect
3-4 Months
Back to Work
Same Day
There is no subscription. You order your next course only when you are ready.
Over the Counter vs Compounded Caffeine
If Caffeine is what interests you, there are two routes in front of you and they are not really competing for the same job. A shampoo or serum from the shelf is a cosmetic product you can buy today. A compounded formula is a prescription treatment built around the cause of your hair loss, with Caffeine as one part of it. This is how the two compare:
| Regulatory status | Cosmetic product sold on the shelf | Unlicensed medicine, prescribed and made individually for each person |
| What else is in it | Caffeine with cosmetic ingredients | Can include actives like Minoxidil, Finasteride, Dutasteride, Spironolactone, Tretinoin, Melatonin or Hydrocortisone |
| How you get it | Bought directly from a shop or website | Prescribed after a consultation and made by a specialist pharmacy |
| Medical assessment | None | Required. A doctor assesses you, prescribes the formula and reviews your treatment |
| Best suited to | Supporting general hair and scalp condition alongside other measures | Hair loss that needs prescription actives, or a formula built around the cause and adjusted over time |
| Side effects | Mainly local scalp irritation | Mainly local, and depend on the other actives in the formula |
Neither route is wrong. If your hair is in good shape and you want something supportive in the shower, a Caffeine shampoo is a reasonable thing to use. If your hair is thinning and you want it treated, you will likely need more than just Caffeine.
How Effective Is Topical Caffeine?
Caffeine has more evidence behind it than most non-prescription hair ingredients, and less than the medicines it sits alongside. Most of what we know comes from laboratory studies on human follicles and from small clinical studies, some of them run by the companies selling the products. There is no large randomised trial establishing that topical Caffeine regrows hair on its own. Concentration is the other reason to be measured about it. In a compounded formula we use Caffeine at up to 2%, set by your doctor, and there is no meaningful case for pushing it higher.
So the honest answer is that Caffeine is worth having in a formula and is not worth building one around. Where it earns its place is alongside actives that do have the evidence, supporting the follicle whilst they treat what is driving the loss. If you want to read more about what it does, our guide to Caffeine for hair goes through the research in detail.
What Are the Side Effects of Topical Caffeine?
Caffeine is one of the better tolerated hair actives, which is part of why it combines well. Side effects are usually local and mild:
- Scalp irritation, itching or dryness: most common when you first start, and it usually settles.
- Redness where you apply it: more likely on skin that is already sensitive or inflamed.
- Allergic reaction: uncommon, but stop and speak to your doctor if you develop a rash, swelling or significant irritation.
Applied to the scalp, Caffeine is not expected to cause the effects you would associate with drinking it, because very little reaches the bloodstream. In compounded formulas, most side effects come from the stronger actives rather than from the Caffeine, so your doctor will go through what to expect from your particular formula and can adjust it if your scalp does not settle.
Who Should Not Use Topical Caffeine?
Caffeine itself suits most people, but a formula containing it is a prescription treatment and it is not right for everyone. Your doctor will not prescribe one if it is not safe or suitable for you. In particular, our treatments are not suitable for:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: we do not treat hair loss during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. The safety of these formulas has not been established, and several of the actives we use are unsafe in pregnancy.
- Anyone under 18: we treat adults only.
- Broken, infected or badly inflamed scalp skin: anything applied to the scalp should wait until that has settled. If you have scalp psoriasis or seborrhoeic dermatitis, tell your doctor, because that changes what your formula should be.
- Anyone who has reacted to Caffeine before: if a Caffeine product has irritated your scalp previously, say so at your consultation and your doctor will leave it out.
Google Reviews
I would highly recommend City Skin Clinic. I have had a great experience with Dr Amel so far. She is extremely knowledgable and has explained my treatment plan in detail. I had a lot of questions initially and this was met with fast and in depth responses by Dr Amel. The ordering and delivery of the product is quick and easy and Dr Amel has remained in contact throughout my treatment to check progress. It has only been a couple of months but I have already seen an improvement in my hair and trust that I will continue to do so.
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I’ve been going to see Amel for about a year now and am very happy with the results. The service she provides is very personalised and has made a real difference to how my skin looks and feels. I would definitely recommend City Skin Clinic even if you have tried other, similar services.
Dr Amel is fantastic - she was very transparent in her call with me in terms of what she thought would be best for me, and has over the course of the year since always been very prompt and generous in her responses to my email queries. Highly recommended!
City Skin Clinic allows me to get tretinoin delivered when I am running out rather than a subscription basis. Not only that but I cannot praise their customer service enough. They have been so helpful in all skincare advice not just the tretinoin. The response times are incredible and I feel like a valued customer with a personalised advisor. I have used other companies before and have been recommended others, but I’m not even tempted to move away from City Skin Clinic. They really are amazing.
I'm very pleased with the service and product I have received from City Clinic. The process for prescription is easy enough to follow and I'm very satisfied with my skin improvement.
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I appreciate the prompt responses and the treatment I am receiving is going well.
I used the online consultation form and received a very quick response with detailed advice about a treatment plan. My two prescription products arrived a couple of days later in the post and I've already had great results in reducing pigmentation on my face after only 4 weeks of use. I'm really pleased with the results and the service and advice I've received from City Skin Clinic has been excellent.
City Skin Clinic helped me find a Treatment plan that really helped my skin problem of pigmentation /malasma.
Amel is amazing she always takes time to understand your concern and will always give you the best treatment and advice and the results have been amazing. Thank you!
I’ve been receiving treatment at City Skin Clinic with Dr Amel and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the start, Dr Amel was professional, knowledgeable and genuinely attentive to my skin concerns — she took the time to listen and tailor a plan that suited my needs. Many aspects of the process were clear and reassuring, and I felt well supported throughout. What stood out most was the ongoing support: Dr Amel has continued to check in, answer my questions promptly, and adapt my plan as needed, which has made a real difference in my progress. Overall, a thorough, caring and highly recommended clinic experience.
I cannot recommend Dr Amel highly enough. She is genuinely the best skincare specialist I’ve ever worked with. From the very first consultation she took the time to understand my concerns in detail, explain the science behind everything, and create a personalised plan that actually delivered results rather than promises.
My skin has transformed under her care. Years of stubborn hyperpigmentation, uneven tone and texture that I thought I’d never get on top of have improved more than I thought was possible. Every step of the process has been guided, monitored and adjusted so thoughtfully. She never rushes, she always explains the why behind each change, and she makes you feel like you’re in the hands of someone who genuinely cares about your outcome.
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If you want a clinician who is knowledgeable, meticulous, honest, and truly invested in achieving the best results for you, Dr Amel is exactly that. My confidence in my skin has never been better, and I’m so grateful to her for the care, patience and expertise she’s given me.
I got in touch having been frustrated with breakouts and early ageing signs. I have been so impressed by the level of communication, empathy and support I have received. It feels so much more caring/personal than booking with other well known brands in this space (who often more of a subscription based model) I would really recommend this company - and Dr Amel - to anyone wanting professional advice and support with their skin concerns
In desperation I trawled the internet looking for alternatives and found this wonderful company. From the very first video consultation, I was listened to and given a plan which worked! I cannot praise Amel enough. She has given such good advice; she responds almost immediately and is so very sensible. I feel cared forand know I am in the most professional and capable hands. My skin has improved significantly and is now brighter, more even toned and hydrated. I am impressed to the extent that I paid for my darling daughter to have a consultation as well. In her words- "Amel is just lovely. She is THE best!" What more can I say??? I won't be going anywhere else as I have complete faith in the company and highly recommend them.
I had a fantastic experience with CitySkinClinic. The online consultation was incredibly convenient and cost just £30 - excellent value for such a professional and personalised service. I was pleased and surprised that the cost of the consultation came off the price of the treatment Dr Amel was extremely easy to talk to, answering all my concerns with great care and professionalism. She was very prudent and thoughtful in her recommendations which made me feel confident and well looked after
Since using the cream my skin has noticeably improved in texture and firmness making me look healthier and less tired. My sun damage spots have also disappeared
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I'm not even halfway through my treatment for hyperpigmentation and I've achieved amazing results thanks to City Skin Clinic. The service has been effortless, professional, reliable and most of all very personalised unlike some of the other online clinics where you just fill in a form and wait for treatment in the post. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants even looking skin!
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Frequently asked questions
Authored by:
Aesthetic Doctor & Medical Director BSC (HONS) MBBS MRCS PHD
Founder City Skin Clinic
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Associate Member of British Association of Body Sculpting GMC Registered - 7049611