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Shampoo for Hair Loss – Does it Exist and Does it Work?

5 Min Read

There are as many different ways to tackle hair loss as there are reasons for why it happens, but shampoo for hair loss is actually a scientifically proven method that is easy to try at home. The shampoo contains ketoconazole, which primarily is an antifungal medication that is commonly used for treating different kinds of infections.

What is Ketoconazole?

Ketoconazole first entered the medical market in 1981 and was then an oral drug. Today it is available in various topical treatments, like gel, creams and foams. But later, it was discovered that it could be used as a shampoo to treat hair loss.

Does it Work?

Shampoo for hair loss, most commonly ketoconazole, is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. But several studies show that it is effective in combating hair loss.

One study from 1998 and one from 2011 show that ketoconazole shampoos are effective in treating men suffering from pattern baldness, also called androgenetic alopecia. In the older study, researchers compared the shampoo to the FDA approved hair loss treatment minoxidil. The results showed that hair density, size and proportion in the test subjects were improved almost equally by both medications.

The results in the more recent study were also positive and showed that it helped hair growth. In that one, the subjects used a 2% shampoo once every two to four days. They left the shampoo on the scalp for three to five minutes before rinsing.

Why Shampoo for Hair Loss Works

Shampoo for hair loss is effective because the medication inhibits the 5R enzyme, which is what converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, DHT. DHT can cause pattern baldness, which can affect both men and women. Some hair follicles are extra sensitive to this male hormone, and can shrink up and eventually die, causing hair production to stop.

Fights infection

Another reason why ketoconazole shampoo is effective is its ability to fight infections. It is mainly used for treating dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, which causes dry and itchy skin, mainly on the scalp. In many cases, hair loss is caused by a fungus infection or yeast on the scalp.

When your scalp is dry and itchy, more often than not you tend to scratch it. The constant rubbing and friction of the dry scalp can cause the hairs to fall out. So if you solve the irritation of the scalp first, the problem with hair loss may also disappear.

Hair Supplements Can Make Your Hair Healthy

We recommend also taking a hair supplement to help support healthy hair. These supplements can help make your hair and body healthy from the inside out. Make sure to use one with natural ingredients that provide your hair with all the essential nutrients it needs!

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.