Creatine and Its Side Effects

[lucifer.ra]

First thread here, so go easy on me

Creatine is one of the most popular supplements out there, known for boosting energy, strength, and overall performance in the gym.

But instead of the benefits, I’m more interested in the potential downsides and long-term effects.

Here are a few questions I’ve been thinking about:
1. Does creatine cause hair loss?
2. Can it increase body hair or cause acne?
3. Even if you stay well-hydrated, is there any risk of damage to organs (like kidneys or liver)?
4. Since creatine causes water retention in the body, can it also make your face look more bloated or less defined?

I’d like to hear both scientific insights and personal experiences from people who have used creatine long-term.

 

[JoeMamaMama]

No
No
No
Maybe

 

[lucifer.ra]

No
No
No
Maybe

Do you have any scientific evidence that it doesn’t cause hair loss? Because as far as I know, taking creatine speeds up the process if you’re genetically prone to hair loss

 

[just a chud]

First thread here, so go easy on me

Creatine is one of the most popular supplements out there, known for boosting energy, strength, and overall performance in the gym.

But instead of the benefits, I’m more interested in the potential downsides and long-term effects.

Here are a few questions I’ve been thinking about:
1. Does creatine cause hair loss?
2. Can it increase body hair or cause acne?
3. Even if you stay well-hydrated, is there any risk of damage to organs (like kidneys or liver)?
4. Since creatine causes water retention in the body, can it also make your face look more bloated or less defined?

I’d like to hear both scientific insights and personal experiences from people who have used creatine long-term.

Creatine sideeffets🫩

 

[JoeMamaMama]

H

Do you have any scientific evidence that it doesn’t cause hair loss? Because as far as I know, taking creatine speeds up the process if you’re genetically prone to hair loss

Here is a 2025 study https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12020143/
Here is an article by a medical dietician with the cleveland clinic https://health.clevelandclinic.org/does-creatine-cause-hair-loss
Here is another article https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7871530/
Creatine is a safe supplement. The only study that "linked" creatine to hair loss is this https://journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/abstract/2009/09000/three_weeks_of_creatine_monohydrate.9.aspx
Since this study there has been no further link to increased DHT or hair loss, at least to my knowledge.

 

[Punished Soygoy]

Do you have any scientific evidence that it doesn’t cause hair loss? Because as far as I know, taking creatine speeds up the process if you’re genetically prone to hair loss