DMAE for Hair: What the Research Shows

DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) is a skin-care ingredient studied for wrinkles, not hair. We found no study of DMAE on hair growth or the scalp. The research that exists shows a modest effect on facial skin in one trial, and lab data suggesting its effect may involve a cell-swelling mechanism.

Here's what DMAE is, what the studies found, and what to know about its regulatory status in supplements.

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Key Takeaways

• DMAE is an analog of the B vitamin choline and a precursor of acetylcholine.
• In a randomized trial, a 3% DMAE facial gel applied for 16 weeks improved forehead lines and fine wrinkles compared with placebo.
• In cell studies, DMAE caused massive vacuolization in fibroblasts, and moderate cytotoxicity at higher concentrations.
• DMAE is listed as an unauthorized food and supplement ingredient by the European Commission.

What Is DMAE?

DMAE is 2-dimethylaminoethanol, also called deanol. It's used in topical anti-wrinkle products and has been sold in supplements.

Does DMAE Help Hair?

We found no evidence it does. All of the skin research is on facial skin, and none of it looks at the scalp or hair follicles.

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Using DMAE Carefully

• Don't expect hair benefits.
• Be cautious with supplements. DMAE is an unauthorized supplement ingredient in the EU.
• Ask your doctor before using it.

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What The Research Shows

Facial Skin Trial

A review describes DMAE as an analog of choline and a precursor of acetylcholine. In a randomized study, a 3% DMAE facial gel applied daily for 16 weeks was safe and improved forehead lines and periorbital fine wrinkles, with no differences in erythema, peeling, dryness, itching, burning or stinging versus placebo. An open-label extension to one year showed good safety (Grossman, 2005).

How It May Work

In cultured rabbit fibroblasts, 2.5 to 10 mmol/L DMAE caused massive vacuolization within hours. At 10 mmol/L it was moderately cytotoxic, and at 2.5 mmol/L it caused mitotic arrest. Topical 3% DMAE thickened rabbit ear epidermis. The authors suggested the vacuolar cytopathology may be the cellular basis of its antiwrinkle effect (Morissette et al., 2007).

Regulatory Status

A review of "nootropic" supplements noted that many popular nootropic ingredients, including dimethylaminoethanol, are unauthorized food or dietary supplement ingredients according to the European Commission (Jędrejko et al., 2023).

See also: Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) for Hair: What the Research Shows

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DMAE help hair growth?

We found no study showing that it does. The research is on facial skin.

Is DMAE safe?

In a trial of 3% facial gel, application was well tolerated with a good safety profile up to a year. In cell studies it was cytotoxic at higher concentrations. Talk to your doctor first.

Is DMAE allowed in supplements?

The European Commission lists it as an unauthorized food or supplement ingredient.

References

1. Grossman R. The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005. PubMed
2. Morissette G, Germain L, Marceau F. The antiwrinkle effect of topical concentrated 2-dimethylaminoethanol involves a vacuolar cytopathology. Br J Dermatol. 2007. PubMed
3. Jędrejko K, Catlin O, Stewart T, et al. Unauthorized ingredients in "nootropic" dietary supplements: A review of the history, pharmacology, prevalence, international regulations, and potential as doping agents. Drug Test Anal. 2023. PubMed