Green Tea (EGCG) for Hair: What the Research Shows

EGCG is the main polyphenol in green tea, and it is promoted for hair. The evidence is mostly from lab work on hair follicle cells, plus one placebo-controlled trial of a combination product containing green tea extract. We found no trial of EGCG or drinking green tea on its own for hair.

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Key Takeaways

• In lab studies, EGCG promoted growth of cultured human hair follicles and the proliferation of dermal papilla cells, the cells that help control follicle growth.
• A second cell study linked EGCG to higher VEGFA expression in those cells.
• In an 88-person, 24-week placebo-controlled trial, a combination of persimmon leaf with green tea and sophora fruit extracts increased hair density and diameter versus placebo. It was a mixed product, so EGCG's own role is unknown.
• We found no trial of EGCG alone or of drinking green tea for hair.

What Is EGCG?

EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) is the primary catechin in green tea, studied for its antioxidant effects.

Does EGCG Help Hair?

Not shown by itself in people. The cell results are early, and the clinical trial used a blend.

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Using Green Tea Sensibly

• Cells aren't people. Lab results often don't carry over.
• Ask your doctor before taking concentrated extracts.
• See a doctor for hair loss to find the cause.

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What The Research Shows

Hair Follicles In The Lab

In a study of EGCG on human hair follicles grown ex vivo, EGCG promoted hair growth and the proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells. The authors linked this to increased phosphorylated Erk and Akt and a higher Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and suggested EGCG stimulates human hair growth through proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects on those cells (Kwon et al., 2007). It is a lab study.

A Second Cell Study

A later study found EGCG promoted proliferation and migration of dermal papilla cells and raised the expression of VEGFA and several other genes. The authors concluded EGCG possibly regulates cell viability by inducing VEGFA (Yu et al., 2025). Again, this was cells, not people.

A Combination Trial

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 88 participants took a complex of persimmon leaf extract with green tea and sophora fruit extracts, or placebo, twice a day for 24 weeks. Hair density and diameter were significantly higher than placebo at week 24, while gloss was not significantly different (Ham et al., 2023). The product had several ingredients.

See also: Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) for Hair: What the Research Shows · Milk Thistle for Hair: What the Research Shows

Frequently Asked Questions

Does green tea help hair growth?

We found no trial of drinking green tea for hair.

Does EGCG block DHT?

One abstract mentions that other work reported inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase, but the studies above measured follicle cell growth.

Is green tea extract safe?

We did not review its safety here. Talk to your doctor before taking concentrated extracts.

References

1. Kwon OS, Han JH, Yoo HG, et al. Human hair growth enhancement in vitro by green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Phytomedicine. 2007. PubMed
2. Yu Y, Zhao B, Li J, et al. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate promotes the dermal papilla cell proliferation and migration through the induction of VEGFA. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2025. PubMed
3. Ham S, Lee YI, Kim IA, et al. Efficacy and safety of persimmon leaf formulated with green tea and sophora fruit extracts (BLH308) on hair growth: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Skin Res Technol. 2023. PubMed