New Research Debunks Viral Claim Linking Creatine to Hair Loss
Published: Oct 9, 2026 - 2:18 p.m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The fitness world is rarely short on rumors, but few have persisted as stubbornly as the link between creatine supplementation and hair loss. For years, the trade-off seemed clear: You could have the increased muscle performance that comes with the supplement, or you could keep your hair, but you could not have both. The panic did not come from nowhere. It traces back to a 2009 study involving college rugby players that has been cited in countless locker rooms and online forums. According to the study, published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, players who took creatine saw a significant rise in dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Since DHT is the primary hormone linked to male-pattern baldness, the connection seemed like a logical leap for many to make. That specific study never actually measured hair loss. It only measured the hormone. For more than a decade, this single data point fueled a viral narrative that was not backed by direct evidence. That changed with a new randomized controlled trial published in 2025. In this more recent study, researchers followed a group of resistance-trained men taking 5 grams of creatine daily for 12 weeks. This time, they did not just stop at hormone levels. They looked at the actual physical indicators of balding, including hair density, follicle count and hair thickness. The results showed no significant differences between the men taking creatine and those taking a placebo. Even with the rigorous measurement of every follicle, the supplement did not seem to trigger the thinning that so many feared. It is a classic case of a scientific finding being stripped of its context and turned into a digital urban legend. There are still limitations to what we know. The 2025 trial was relatively small and focused only on men over a three-month period. There is no long-term data spanning several years, and the effects on women have not been studied with the same level of scrutiny. While the current evidence suggests that creatine is safe for your hairline, those with a strong family history of male-pattern baldness should still monitor their own changes. Patients with specific concerns about hair thinning or hormone levels can contact the Cleveland Clinic Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute at 216-444-5725. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.
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