Doctor says adding £1 household item to shampoo 'helps hair grow thicker'

If you are finding it difficult to encourage hair growth, a medical professional has revealed a straightforward adjustment to your hair washing regime that could prove transformative, and it could set you back as little as £1, so it's well worth a try.

Hair loss and sluggish growth can prove enormously frustrating, with innumerable products available claiming to assist - but where do you start when you're struggling with something like that? It can be so difficult to know what to do, and you want something that's really going to work for you so you're not wasting your time and money.

One doctor recommends incorporating a teaspoon of coffee into your shampoo, which could substantially enhance hair growth, as outlined by Dr Janine Bowring on TikTok.

The most prevalent form of hair loss affecting both men and women is androgenetic alopecia, also referred to as AGA. "In men, it's referred to as male pattern baldness, and in women, it's female pattern hair loss," she explained.

She noted that it "typically starts with the temple area" in men, and "over time that hairline recedes to form that characteristic 'M' shape". The hair also "thins on top of the head", and in women, the hair loss generally manifests "at the top of the head" where the hair progressively becomes "more and more sparse".

She continued: "So, caffeine has been proven to assist with that hair growth," and she presented a study on screen which backed up the assertions.

"My advice here is to add just a teaspoon of ground coffee into your shampoo when you're washing your hair, and then rinse it out," she recommended.

Dr Bowring then pointed out that "it will darken the hair slightly", rendering it "best for dark hair".

A jar of instant coffee can be purchased for approximately £1 at most supermarkets, although premium brands may cost more.

One user enquired: "Do you put it inside the shampoo bottle or on your hand with the shampoo to wash your hair?" Dr Bowring responded: "You can put it in your hand with the shampoo."

Meanwhile, another individual looking to promote hair growth commented: "I put rosemary essential oil in my shampoo, and my hair is coming back. I'll have to try the coffee too. Thank you!"

Other ways to stimulate hair growth

Hair growth starts from within, fueled by a nutrient-dense diet rich in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin D, all of which supply the essential building blocks for keratin production. Checking blood levels for common deficiencies like ferritin can quickly resolve underlying shedding.

Maintaining a clean, stimulated scalp keeps follicles active and clear of pore-clogging sebum and buildup. Daily scalp massage improves local microcirculation, while proven topicals like rosemary oil or over-the-counter minoxidil help prolong the growth phase.

Protecting the hair shaft from breakage preserves the length you gain. Avoid high-tension hairstyles that strain the roots, limit heat tools and harsh chemical treatments, and use wide-tooth combs or silk pillowcases to minimise mechanical damage.

Regulating stress and prioritising consistent sleep keep cortisol and androgen levels stable. Elevated stress can push active follicles prematurely into the resting phase, so healthy lifestyle habits directly support an uninterrupted growth cycle.

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