Hair loss is a concern for millions of people in the United States, but could anti-dandruff shampoos be the trick to preventing hair loss?
Across TikTok, dermatologists and other creators say anti-dandruff shampoos containing the active ingredient ketoconazole may help slow hair loss.
“Anti-dandruff shampoo, no, it’s not just good for dandruff. It’s also good for hair loss,” Dr. Shereen Idris, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idris Dermatology, said on TikTok. Her video, posted on March 9, has since been viewed more than 3.1 million times.
This hack was attributed to TikToker Dr. Anusha Vijayaragevan (Ph.D., PharmD), who said, “I refuse to be a gatekeeper as a pharmacist.” In her video caption, she endorsed ketoconazole shampoo as a way to prevent hair loss when used in conjunction with other treatments.
Certain anti-dandruff shampoos contain ketoconazole, which is primarily used to fight fungal infections of the skin. In addition to acting on scalp infections, ketoconazole is also found in creams used to treat athlete’s foot and hives. Ketoconazole shampoos are widely available over-the-counter and by prescription.
But do these anti-dandruff shampoos really help prevent hair loss? Here’s what dermatologists have to say about this hack and the best ways to protect your hair.
Mihailo Cukovlić / Stocksy.
Although the drug is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent hair loss, there is some evidence that ketoconazole, found in anti-dandruff shampoos, may be helpful, Idris told Health.
In particular, this hack may be effective against male pattern baldness (also known as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness), which is the most common cause of hair loss.
Ketoconazole has anti-androgenic effects, acting against sex hormones that can cause male pattern baldness. Specifically, it lowers levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with high levels of hair loss, and could potentially even stimulate hair growth, Idris explained.
“DHT causes the miniaturization of hair follicles that is characteristic of male pattern baldness and can ultimately lead to hair loss,” says Susan, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Masic, MD, told Health magazine.
Ketoconazole counteracts this by increasing the number of hairs and making them feel thicker, Masic said.
It is important to point out that although there are data showing anti-androgenic effects of oral ketoconazole, there is little evidence outlining its effects when used on the skin and scalp.
“Only a few studies have examined topical ketoconazole as a potential treatment option for hair loss in small numbers of participants,” Masic said.
That doesn’t mean using ketoconazole shampoo is ineffective, and one meta-analysis calls it a “promising” treatment for hair loss, but more research is needed to support this hack.
Besides the connection between ketoconazole and male pattern baldness, there are several other reasons why anti-dandruff shampoos may help avoid hair loss in general.
For one thing, the treatment may reduce scalp inflammation and prevent hair loss, says Ife J., founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics and professor of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.・Dr. Rodney said. Science.
“Inflammation can damage the hair follicles and cause hair to fall out when you scratch,” Rodney told Health.
Regularly using an anti-dandruff shampoo can also help promote scalp health by removing excess oil, debris, and dead skin cells, says the UC Davis Health Dermatology Clinic. Oma N. Agbai, MD, assistant professor, told Health.
“A clean and healthy scalp environment is very important to promote healthy hair growth and minimize factors that can cause hair loss,” she added.
People with male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness may want to try ketoconazole shampoo.
Prescription-strength anti-dandruff shampoos typically contain 2% ketoconazole, but “some over-the-counter versions have 1% ketoconazole, which can also be helpful,” Rodney said.
The actual course of your treatment will depend on the type of anti-dandruff shampoo you purchase and your body’s response to it.
Nizoral, a popular brand of anti-dandruff shampoo containing ketoconazole, instructs people to wash their hair with this shampoo about twice a week for eight weeks. Idris recommends using the product as directed.
However, Rodney said people may be able to use the product for longer than just two months.
“You can use ketoconazole shampoo indefinitely, as long as you are not experiencing any adverse effects such as itching, burning, rash, or excessive dryness of your hair,” Agbai agreed.
To use the shampoo, she said, it’s best to lather it in your hair near your scalp, leave it on for about two minutes, and then rinse it out.
Ketoconazole shampoo can be drying, so Rodney suggested that you might want to use a moisturizing hair product after washing off your anti-dandruff shampoo.
Ketoconazole anti-dandruff shampoos may be helpful for people with male pattern baldness, but they may not help prevent all types of hair loss and may not be effective for everyone. Effectiveness “depends primarily on the underlying cause of hair loss,” Agbai says.
However, this hack is not the only strategy to help those suffering from hair loss.
People with male pattern baldness may be prescribed topical treatments such as minoxidil, oral medications, and phototherapy. Treatments for other types of hair loss may be slightly different. For example, hair loss due to the autoimmune disease alopecia areata can be treated with topical steroids, while hair loss due to tinea capitis may require oral antifungal medications.
Agbai said lifestyle changes may also help prevent hair loss. Exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet containing protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, and biotin can help keep your hair healthy. Additionally, you can try regular scalp massages to improve blood circulation to the hair follicles, and you should avoid harsh hair care practices such as styling with excessive heat or tight hairstyles, he says. Recommended.
Rodney says it’s best to see a dermatologist as soon as you start noticing hair loss.
“Time is of the essence in hair removal,” she said. “It’s much easier to preserve the hair you have than to replace the hair you’ve lost.”
