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This is probably the number one concern people have about creatine. You see it in every gym forum, every Reddit thread, every comment section: “I want to take creatine but I am scared it will make me go bald.”
I have been taking creatine for years. My hair is still on my head. But anecdotes are not science, so let me break down what the research actually says.
Quick Answer
There is no strong evidence that creatine causes hair loss. The entire concern comes from a single study in 2009 that has never been replicated. The overwhelming body of evidence — hundreds of studies on creatine — shows no link to hair loss.
If you are avoiding creatine because of hair loss fears, you are almost certainly missing out on one of the most effective supplements available based on very weak evidence.
Where Did This Myth Come From?
It all traces back to one study. In 2009, a group of South African researchers studied 20 college-aged rugby players who took creatine for 3 weeks. They found that creatine supplementation increased levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) by about 56% during the loading phase.
DHT is a hormone linked to male pattern baldness. Higher DHT levels can accelerate hair loss in men who are genetically predisposed to it. So the logic went: creatine raises DHT, DHT causes hair loss, therefore creatine causes hair loss.
The internet ran with this. One study became “creatine makes you bald” in every gym forum overnight.
Why This Study Is Not Enough to Worry About
Here is why the scientific community does not consider this strong evidence:
1. It was only ONE study
Science requires replication. A single study with a surprising finding needs to be repeated by other researchers to be considered reliable. In the 15+ years since this study was published, no other study has replicated these findings. Not one.
2. Tiny sample size
The study only had 20 participants. That is an extremely small group from which to draw conclusions that affect millions of creatine users worldwide. Small studies are prone to statistical noise and anomalies.
3. They measured DHT, not actual hair loss
The study measured hormone levels in blood. They did not actually look at whether participants lost hair. A temporary increase in DHT does not automatically mean hair will fall out, especially in people who are not genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness.
4. The DHT increase was during loading phase only
The biggest DHT spike occurred during the loading phase (20g/day). During the maintenance phase (5g/day), DHT levels were much closer to baseline. Most people today do not even use a loading phase.
5. Hundreds of other studies show no such effect
Creatine is one of the most studied supplements in history. Over 700 studies have been conducted on it. Not a single other study has reported DHT increases or hair loss as a side effect. If creatine consistently raised DHT, it would have shown up in other research by now.
What the Research Actually Shows
A 2021 systematic review examined all available evidence on creatine and DHT/testosterone. Their conclusion:
There is no substantial evidence that creatine supplementation increases DHT, testosterone, or causes hair loss.
The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the most authoritative body on sports supplementation, has reviewed all available creatine research and does not list hair loss as a side effect or concern.
What ACTUALLY Causes Hair Loss
If you are losing hair, it is almost certainly due to one of these factors — not creatine:
| Cause | How Common | Can You Control It? |
|---|---|---|
| Genetics (male pattern baldness) | Very common — affects ~50% of men by age 50 | No (but treatments exist) |
| Stress | Common | Yes — manage stress levels |
| Poor diet / nutritional deficiencies | Moderate | Yes — eat better, supplement where needed |
| Hormonal changes | Common with age | Partially |
| Medical conditions | Less common | Consult your GP |
| Creatine supplementation | No credible evidence | N/A |
If your father and grandfather lost their hair, you are genetically predisposed regardless of whether you take creatine. Blaming creatine is easier than accepting genetics, which is probably why this myth persists.
My Personal Experience
I have been taking creatine monohydrate consistently for years — 5g every single day. My hair has not changed. But I also recognise that I am one person and my experience does not prove anything on its own.
What I can say is that among the dozens of training partners and gym friends I know who take creatine, none of them have reported hair loss that they attribute to creatine. The guys who are losing hair are the ones whose dads lost their hair — creatine or no creatine.
But What If I Am Genetically Predisposed?
This is where it gets nuanced. If you are already genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness (your father or grandfather lost their hair), you might be more cautious. Even though the evidence is very weak, I understand the concern.
Here are your options:
Option 1: Take creatine anyway
The evidence linking creatine to hair loss is extremely weak. You would be giving up a proven, highly effective supplement based on one unreplicated study from 2009. Most experts consider this an acceptable risk.
Option 2: Take creatine and monitor
Start taking creatine and pay attention to your hair over 3-6 months. If you notice increased shedding (beyond normal — everyone loses 50-100 hairs daily), you can stop. Creatine effects are fully reversible when you stop taking it.
Option 3: Skip creatine
If the anxiety about hair loss outweighs the performance benefits for you, skip it. You can still build plenty of muscle without creatine. It helps, but it is not essential. Focus on the supplements in Tier 1 of my supplement guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has anyone actually gone bald from creatine?
There are no documented cases in medical literature of creatine directly causing baldness. Anecdotal reports online exist, but these are impossible to separate from normal genetic hair loss that would have happened regardless of creatine use.
Does creatine increase testosterone?
The evidence is mixed but mostly no. Some studies show a very small, temporary increase in testosterone. Most show no significant change. Any increase is well within normal physiological ranges and far below what would cause side effects.
If I stop taking creatine, will my hair grow back?
If creatine was somehow contributing to hair loss (which is unproven), stopping would allow DHT levels to return to normal within weeks. However, male pattern baldness is progressive — hair lost due to genetics does not typically regrow without medical treatment regardless of creatine use.
Are there any actual proven side effects of creatine?
The only consistently reported side effect is a small amount of water weight gain (1-2kg) due to increased water retention in muscles. This is actually desirable for most gym-goers as it makes muscles look fuller. Creatine has an excellent safety profile across hundreds of studies.
Should women worry about this?
Women are much less susceptible to DHT-related hair loss than men. The concern is even less relevant for female creatine users. Creatine is safe and effective for women.
The Bottom Line
The “creatine causes hair loss” claim is based on a single, small, unreplicated study from 2009 that measured DHT levels — not actual hair loss. Fifteen years of subsequent research has failed to confirm any link.
Creatine monohydrate remains one of the safest, most researched, and most effective supplements available. Avoiding it because of hair loss fears means missing out on proven strength and muscle-building benefits based on very weak evidence.
If you are genetically predisposed to hair loss, your hair will likely thin regardless of whether you take creatine. If you are not genetically predisposed, creatine is almost certainly not going to start the process.
Take the creatine. Train hard. And if you are worried about your hair, see a dermatologist — not a supplement forum.
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Read more:
- Creatine Monohydrate: Complete Beginner Guide
- Creatine Loading Phase: Do You Need It?
- Do You Actually Need Supplements?
- My Complete Daily Supplement Stack
Last updated: March 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns about hair loss.