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Research so far has shown no direct connection between hair loss and using creatine as a supplement, but that it can increase the release of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT is produced by the breakdown of testosterone. If the DHT level is increased, the inflammation of the hair follicles is intensified.
The hair roots are more severely damaged and can no longer produce new healthy hair. The remaining hair can grow weak and fall out prematurely.
So there might be an indirect connection there.
Which vitamin deficiency causes hair loss?
However, if you suffer from vitamin D deficiency, your hair suffers too. Vitamin D plays an important role in managing hair cycles.
Acting as a controller of hair follicles' biological functions, vitamin D helps maintain normal follicle functions (Ruiz-Tagle et al., 2018). Otherwise, hair follicles will not be able to function normally and start shedding prematurely (Almohanna et al., 2018; PMC12747802, 2025).
Interestingly, you can produce vitamin D with the help of your skin. According to Ruiz-Tagle et al., (2018), about 80 to 90 percent of all vitamin D needed is produced by the sun-exposed skin. If you stay in the shade, it will stop working.
References
Almohanna, H. M., Ahmed, A. A., Tsatalis, J. P., & Tosti, A. (2018). The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. Dermatology and Therapy, 9(1), 51–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6
Cited by: 578
The role of vitamin D receptor signaling in hair follicle health and alopecia: Current understanding and therapeutic implications. (2025). PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12747802/
Ruiz-Tagle, S. A., Figueira, M. M., Vial, V., Espinoza-Benavides, L., & Maria, M. (2018). Micronutrients
What causes hair loss?
Alopecia is when hair continuously falls out and does not grow back. Normally you lose around 70 to 100 hairs a day. These are the hairs you find on the pillow, in the hairbrush or the shower, for example. They usually grow back.
However, almost everyone's hair thins with age. If you lose more than 100 hairs a day over a longer period of time, this may indicate alopecia.
The loss of hair is initially visible in a few hairless patches, which become larger over time. The cause of this so-called alopecia can usually be determined by a dermatologist.
Causes of hair loss
Various triggers can be responsible for the loss of hair. One of the most common causes, in both men and women, is congenital alopecia. Almost two thirds of men and around one in two women are affected.
In men, the roots of the hair on the head gradually shrink. They react hypersensitively to the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) so that strong hair no longer develops.
Why women suffer from hereditary alopecia has not yet been clarified. It is suspected that the hair roots also have an inherited high androgen sensitivity.
Around one million people in Germany are affected by circular hair loss (alopecia areata). It mainly affects children and young adults (up to around 30 years of age). This type of alopecia is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own tissue is attacked. This is either the hair roots on the scalp or elsewhere in the body. The disease is significantly more common in women of all ages than in men.
There are various possible triggers for diffuse hair loss (alopecia diffusa). These include a dysfunction of the thyroid gland and iron deficiency, but some medications and stress also cause hair to thin.
It is also known that hormone treatments such as hormone therapy during menopause or taking the contraceptive pill can have an influence on the reduction in hair density. Women are affected much more frequently than men. Children can also suffer from diffuse hair loss.
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Alopecia due to inflammatory diseases: If the scalp is inflamed, this can also cause hair loss in places. The sooner treatment is carried out, the better the chances of preventing scarring and permanent hair loss.
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Alopecia due to excessively tight hair plaits: If high pressure or tension is constantly exerted on the scalp when wearing a plait, this can promote alopecia.
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Alopecia due to pathological pulling out (trichotillomania): In this impulse control disorder, those affected pull out their own hair. This can lead to the hair on the head thinning out considerably. In some cases, the scalp even becomes scarred so that the hair there no longer grows back.
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Alopecia due to pseudopelade Brocq: The cause of this rare form of scarring alopecia is not known. It usually affects women between the ages of 30 and 55.
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Covid hair loss is also a thing, but please note that it is totally normal to experience higher numbers of fallen hair after a fever. This is rather shedding than hair loss and normally not a reason to be concerned.
Hair loss in women
In women, the reasons for hair loss are often more varied than in men and range from stress, to braids that are too tight, to hormones.
The exact reason should be diagnosed by a doctor so that you do not take measures that can worsen the condition.
However, wearing your hair down more often or switching to twisted hair ties can already help. After an accurate diagnosis, women also have a wealth of hair loss treatment options available to combat hair loss. For example, you can also use a special shampoo for hair loss. Another option is finasteride for hair loss.
7 best ways to prevent hair loss
How can you effectively prevent alopecia? We give you tips for beautiful and healthy hair.
Tip 1. Adjust your diet
If the body has an abundance of nutrients such as zinc, biotin, folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids, as found in oily sea fish or high-quality vegetable oils, it can also put beneficial nutrients back into hair and nails.
A vitamin B complex also has a supporting effect. Avocados, dairy products, egg yolks, pulses and fish are the ideal hair superfoods. Nuts and seeds, mushrooms and broccoli also provide the body with valuable nutrients and vitamins.
Tip 2. Improve drying process
Exposure to high heat during hair styling is one of the hidden causes of hair loss as the hair dryer you may be using essentially boils the water inside your hair shaft.
Using the advanced ionic hair dryer such as the Laifen SE 2 High-Speed Hair Dryer is a great step towards preventing hair loss.
The difference between ordinary and advanced hair dryers lies in how they dry hair. While the former uses damaging high temperature, the latter uses the advanced brushless motor for drying hair through the use of high speed air flow rather than high heat.
Tip 3. Food supplements
Most people suffer from a vitamin D deficiency in the winter months, due to lack of sunlight, so taking vitamin D is recommended during the darker months.
A vitamin and nutrient deficiency caused by prolonged stress can be prevented with a high-quality dietary supplement and a balanced diet. This supports your hair from the inside out and can stimulate healthy hair growth.
Tip 4. Regular visits to the hairdresser
Blow-drying, straightening or friction (e.g. on clothing) promote the development of split ends (brittle hair ends).
Once the hair is damaged, it can no longer be easily repaired. To limit the damage at an early stage, we recommend regular visits to the hairdresser to have the ends of your hair trimmed.
Tip 5. Correct shampooing
Dermatologists recommend not washing your hair unnecessarily often. Hair should be washed every 2 to 7 days with a shampoo with a slightly acidic pH value and a water temperature of up to 37 degrees. Do not rub your hair dry, just dab it with a towel.
Tip 6. Do not neglect the scalp
A healthy scalp with good circulation is the basic prerequisite for healthy hair. The scalp can be specifically cared for with special serums, masks or oils.
It is best to massage these into the scalp with gentle pressure for around 10 minutes to stimulate blood flow to the hair roots and thus improve the effectiveness.
Tip 7. Consistent sun protection
Not only our skin but also our hair needs comprehensive protection from damage caused by UV rays, especially during summer. A head covering works wonders here. Special sun protection products prevent the lengths from fading.
Sum up
Getting past hair loss calls for distinguishing between the myths and biological facts. Even though taking creatine will not lead to baldness, it shows how hormones play a part in regulating hair root biology.
The absence of vitamin D produced by the sun is capable of entirely disrupting the normal functioning of hair growth. Regardless of whether your case deals with hair loss caused by genetics, auto-immune problems, or the stresses of living life, what happens with your hair is an indication of what’s going on in your body.
FAQs
Does creatine cause alopecia?
No correlation has been proven yet; however, creatine can increase the concentration of DHT. In case of high genetic sensitivity, this increase in hormones leads to follicle inflammation, thus resulting in weaker growth and shedding of hair prematurely.
How can a lack of sunlight cause hair falling out?
The vitamin D is responsible for controlling the hair growth process. Given that 80% of this vitamin is created through sun exposure, remaining inside results in follicles lacking it, thus malfunctioning.
Why does genetic hair loss affect different genders?
Genetic alopecia causes roots shrinking due to hypersensitivity to the hormone DHT in men. The reason behind this process in women still needs further research, although experts believe it to be related to hypersensitivity to male hormones.
How does patchy autoimmune hair loss occur?
This condition develops because of the immune system attacking hair roots. Affecting one million Germans, this alopecia affects mostly women, children, and young individuals up to the age of thirty.
Does diet prevent hair loss effectively?
Yes, since eating large amounts of zinc, biotin, and omega-3 makes it possible for follicles to create a sufficient amount of keratin. Eggs and fish serve as superfoods for hair growth.
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