How To Use Ketoconazole Shampoo For Hair Loss Prevention
Understand how this shampoo can keep your scalp healthy and contribute to healthy hair.
Ketoconazole is an antifungal agent used to treat a range of scalp and hair problems. This might explain the recent interest in ketoconazole shampoo for hair loss. Even though further research is needed to prove ketoconazole’s efficacy as a hair loss treatment, preliminary results are encouraging. Furthermore, it has anti-androgenic effects and can help control pattern baldness (1). This article discusses how to use a ketoconazole shampoo to manage scalp and hair-related problems. Take a look.
What Is Ketoconazole Shampoo?
Ketoconazole shampoo is an over-the-counter medicated shampoo used to treat fungal infections of the scalp like dandruff and helps manage psoriasis. It helps control flaking, scaling, and itching and reduces inflammation by slowing down the fungal growth (2). This keeps your scalp healthy and helps manage hair loss issues.
In the next section, we have explained how ketoconazole may prevent hair loss.
Does Ketoconazole Shampoo Prevent Hair Loss?
The answer is perhaps yes. Your hair health depends on your scalp condition. Fungal infections and other issues often damage the hair follicles. Further irritation and itching can aggravate the condition and cause hair fall.
Ketoconazole shampoo or a topical solution can prevent infections, keep the scalp healthy, and prevent hair loss. It can also promote hair growth. Several studies have indicated the hair growth-promoting effect of ketoconazole:
- Topical ketoconazole was found to improve female pattern hair loss. Researchers found that 2% ketoconazole had a trichogenic effect (hair growth-promoting). However, compared to topical minoxidil, ketoconazole has a delayed effect (1).
- According to another pilot study, ketoconazole inhibits 5-alpha reductase (the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT) and improves hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia (3).
- Animal studies reported that 2% ketoconazole shampoo stimulated hair growth and had a clinically therapeutic effect on androgenetic alopecia (4).
Although studies show promising results, more research is required to establish a correlation between ketoconazole shampoos and reduced hair loss.
Ketoconazole is a medicated ingredient, and any product containing it should not be used without consulting a doctor.
How To Use Ketoconazole Shampoo
- Apply it to your wet scalp and hair and massage.
- Leave it on for 2-3 minutes.
- Rinse the scalp and hair thoroughly.
- Follow your usual conditioning routine.
Note: Do not use ketoconazole shampoo on cuts and wounds.
Ketoconazole is also available in the form of creams and ointments. These are used for fungal skin issues like ringworm, tinea cruris(jock itch), and tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) (2).
Ketoconazole may cause allergic reactions and other side effects. Let’s take a look.
The Side Effects Of Using Ketoconazole Shampoo
Ketoconazole shampoo may cause (1):
- Allergic reaction
- Change in hair texture
- Scalp irritation
- Oily or dry scalp
It may also cause serious side effects like:
- Hives
- Rashes
- Difficulty in breathing
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Pain or warmth on the area of application
If you experience these or any other unusual problems, consult your doctor immediately.
Ketoconazole shampoo effectively treats fungal infections and helps minimize hair fall. It also promotes hair growth and it could play a role in the management of androgenic alopecia. However, it may cause allergic reactions. Hence, consult a doctor before using a ketoconazole shampoo.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I use ketoconazole shampoo for hair loss?
It depends on the severity of your condition. Follow a routine as prescribed by the doctor.
Key Takeaways
- Ketoconazole shampoo helps alleviate scaling, flaking, and itching, courtesy of its anti-fungal properties.
- A healthy scalp tends to witness reduced hair loss and improved hair growth.
- Several studies have highlighted the therapeutic effects of this shampoo.
- However, you should use this medicated shampoo after consulting a doctor and avoid applying it on cuts and wounds.
References:
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Trichogenic effect of topical ketoconazole versus minoxidil 2% in female pattern hair loss: a clinical and trichoscopic evaluation,
https://biomeddermatol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41702-019-0046-y - Ketoconazole Topical,
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605014.html - Pilot Study of 15 Patients Receiving a New Treatment Regimen for Androgenic Alopecia: The Effects of Atopy on AGA,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3262531/ - Topical application of ketoconazole stimulates hair growth in C3H/HeN mice,
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15863844/
