No study has shown that creatine gummies cause hair loss. The worry in the US traces to one 2009 study of 20 rugby players that saw DHT rise but never measured hair. A 2025 randomized trial that did measure hair found no difference from placebo after 12 weeks.
That is the short answer. The longer answer matters if you have a family history of thinning, because the research has real limits. This guide covers what each study measured, what it did not, and how to watch your own hair without guessing. For general safety questions, see our creatine gummies side effects guide. For serving math, see the creatine gummies dosage guide.
Why US Lifters Link Creatine to Hair Loss
Pattern hair loss is common. MedlinePlus, from the US National Library of Medicine, estimates that androgenetic alopecia affects about 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States, and that more than half of men over 50 have some degree of it. The same source notes it can start as early as the teens and that it is linked to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), with genetic and environmental factors also involved.
Put those facts together and the rumor writes itself. When a study reported that creatine raised DHT, the hormone tied to pattern loss, readers connected the dots, and the claim has circulated ever since.
The problem is that "raised DHT in one study" and "causes hair loss" are two different statements. Only the first was ever tested, and only once.
The 2009 Rugby Study: What It Found and What It Did Not
The study behind the myth is van der Merwe and colleagues, published in 2009 in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. Its design is described in detail by the 2025 JISSN trial and the 2021 JISSN review of creatine myths:
- 20 college-aged male rugby players, in a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover; 16 completed it.
- They took 25 g of creatine a day for 7 days, then 5 g a day for 14 days, with glucose.
- DHT rose 56% after the loading week and stayed 40% above baseline during maintenance.
- Total testosterone did not change, and DHT values stayed within the normal clinical range.
Three gaps matter. First, hair was never measured; the link to hair loss is an inference, not a finding. Second, the creatine group started with DHT about 23% lower than the placebo group, so part of the rise may reflect a low starting point. Third, the result has never been replicated. The 2021 review counted 12 other studies that measured testosterone at doses of 3–25 g a day for 6 days to 12 weeks. Ten found no change, and the two that found a rise called it small.
The 2025 Trial That Actually Measured Hair
In 2025, Lak and colleagues published the first trial built to answer the hair question directly, in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (full text on PMC).
- 45 resistance-trained men aged 18–40 were randomized to 5 g of creatine a day or 5 g of a maltodextrin placebo, for 12 weeks; 38 completed it.
- Researchers measured total testosterone, free testosterone, DHT and the DHT-to-testosterone ratio.
- They assessed hair at the crown with a trichogram and the FotoFinder system: hair density, follicular unit count, hair thickness, and the share of hairs in the growth (anagen) and resting (telogen) phase.
There were no group-by-time differences for any hormone or any hair measure. DHT, the DHT ratio and hair density all tracked the placebo group. The authors call it the first study to directly assess hair follicle health after creatine and describe the result as strong evidence against the hair-loss claim.
Side-by-Side: The Two Studies US Readers Cite
| Feature | van der Merwe 2009 | Lak 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Who | 20 male rugby players (16 finished) | 45 trained men, 18–40 (38 finished) |
| Dose | 25 g/day for 7 days, then 5 g/day | 5 g/day, no loading |
| Length | 3 weeks | 12 weeks |
| DHT result | Rose 56%, then 40% above baseline | No difference from placebo |
| Hair measured? | No | Yes: density, count, thickness, growth phase |
| Replicated? | No | First of its kind |
Sources: Lak et al. 2025 and Antonio et al. 2021.
What Is Still Unknown
The 2025 trial is good news, but it does not close every door. Its own authors list the limits:
- Men only. No trial has measured hair in women taking creatine.
- 12 weeks only. A longer or higher-dose study could find something this one did not.
- Blood levels only. DHT was measured in plasma, not in the scalp.
- No family-history data. The paper notes that men whose fathers had hair loss were about twice as likely to have it, and that history was not recorded for participants.
The honest summary: the one study that suggested a risk did not look at hair, and the one study that looked at hair found no effect over 12 weeks. The 2021 review states that no study has reported hair loss or baldness in humans from creatine. It also points out that hard resistance training on its own can raise androgen levels, which makes any small hormone shift hard to pin on the supplement.
Other Reasons Hair Sheds Faster
If you notice more hair in the brush after starting any new routine, look at the calendar before you blame the pouch. The American Academy of Dermatology says shedding 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. Heavier shedding, called telogen effluvium, often follows a stressor such as losing 20 or more pounds, a high fever, surgery, illness, high stress or giving birth.
The AAD notes this shedding tends to start a few months after the event, and fullness usually returns within 6 to 9 months. A hard cut for a competition, a crash diet or a rough quarter at work can all show up in the brush long after the cause has passed.
How to Take Creatine Gummies If Hair Loss Runs in Your Family
None of this is medical advice, and a board-certified dermatologist is the right person to assess thinning. If you are cautious, these steps keep the decision in your hands:
✅ Take photos of your hairline and crown in the same light before you start, then every 4 weeks.
✅ Skip the loading phase; the 2025 trial that measured hair used a steady daily dose.
✅ Note other changes at the same time: a diet, weight loss, illness or new stress.
✅ See a dermatologist if shedding is sudden, patchy or keeps going for months.
For more on whether you need a loading week at all, read creatine gummies and the loading phase.
Choosing Creatine Gummies in the US
A steady daily dose only makes sense if each serving delivers what the label says, so check whether a brand tests the finished gummy and not only the raw powder.
FusiForce Creatine Monohydrate Gummies list 5,000 mg of creatine monohydrate per 3-gummy serving, in Green Apple or Blueberry, at $69.99 one-time on wellnessnest.co. The product page states the finished gummies are lab-tested after cooking. You can also browse the men's essentials collection or the store's best sellers.
See the FusiForce Supplement Facts panel →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do creatine gummies cause hair loss?
No study has shown it. The only trial that measured hair directly, a 12-week randomized study of 45 trained men published in 2025, found no difference in hair density, thickness or growth phase between creatine and placebo.
Does creatine raise DHT?
One 2009 study of rugby players reported a 56% DHT rise during a 25 g loading week, but it has never been replicated. The 2025 trial at 5 g a day found no DHT change versus placebo.
Is creatine hair loss reversible if I stop?
There is no documented case of creatine-caused hair loss to reverse. If you shed more after starting, look for other stressors first; the AAD says stress-related shedding usually recovers within 6 to 9 months.
Should women worry about creatine and hair thinning?
No trial has measured hair in women taking creatine, so there is no direct data either way. Women with concerns about thinning should speak with a dermatologist.
Where can I buy creatine gummies in the US?
FusiForce Creatine Monohydrate Gummies are sold online at wellnessnest.co for $69.99 one-time. Check the Wellness Nest product page at checkout for current shipping options.
About the Author
Dr. Marcus Hale — Dr. Marcus Hale is the resident health researcher behind Wellness Nest's editorial team, translating peer-reviewed sports-nutrition and longevity research into practical daily guidance for US readers.
