How does Nizoral work?

[mbehr22]

just bought a bottle ....

how is this supposed to help hair regrow - its a dandruff shampoo ...

does it work?

Thanks

 

[Sean68]

its good for your scalp health and is a weak anti-androgen....do a search man.

 

[westcovinajoe]

Exactly.

 

[CCS]

I'm not sure we know why it works. How strong is it compared to spironolactone? spironolactone is not that strong, but probably a lot stronger than nizoral, and sits on the head much longer.

The nizoral study was done by the company that sells it. I also can't find the study, and would like to know if it was done on men with male pattern baldness or some other type of hair loss associated with fungus.

I use it because it is very easy to use, and cheap at 1mL per use after a pre-wash, and everyone here seems to think it works.

 

[The Gardener]

What we do know of Nizoral focuses on two beneficial actions it offers. The first is that it fights the Malaseezia yeast, which naturally occurs on all human scalps. Compromised immune systems, or other environmental factors can cause this yeast to grow out of control resulting in dandruff and other conditions. This yeast is irritating to the scalp, and two of these studies cites that this irritation acts synergistically with the irritation caused by the hormonal actions of DHT in the follicle, which in turn miniaturize it. In other words, abating this yeast removes a domino, so to speak, from the irritation cycle and helps prevent or slows follicle miniaturization.

The second point, as mentioned in the HairLossTalk.com study and the Italian study I believe, points to the active chemical in Nizoral, ketoanalconahole, as having mild anti-androgenetic properties.

I believe there have been three Nizoral studies...

First, the infamous Italian study that has been often quoted here, but I can't find the link at the moment.

A second, cited here on HairLossTalk.com:
http://www.hairlosstalk.com/download/nizoral.pdf

And a third done in Belgium:

The effects of chronic use of 1% ketoconazole or a 1% zinc pyrithione shampoo on the general health of hair and scalp.
Authors G. Piérard 1and G. Cauwenbergh2

Institution Department of Dermatopathology, University of Liege, Belgium.

BACKGROUND:

March 04, 2001 - American Academy of Dermatology Meeting - Washington DC - Scientists working for McNeil, makers of Nizoral anti-dandruff shampoo, presented the findings of a study done on 1% Nizoral shampoo which has good news for hair loss sufferers.

It has long been known that 2% prescription Nizoral has beneficial effects on Androgenic Alopecia (male pattern baldness). It however has been unclear whether the same benefits can be obtained by using the non-prescription 1% version.

In the study presented (see below), one hundred male volunteers with mild to moderate dandruff and somewhat oily scalp, were using, in a double-blind fashion, either a 1% Nizoral shampoo or a 1% zinc pyrithione shampoo, 2-3 times a week for 6 months.

Analysis of the different parameters set up in the study shows that the hair diameter gradually increased with Nizoral use (+8.46%) over a 6 month period, whereas the diameter showed a trend to decrease with zinc pyrithione use over the same period (-2.28%).

The sebum excretion rate was reduced with Nizoral (-6.54%) while it increased with zinc pyrithione (+8.2%) over the same period of time. The number of hair shed over a 24-hour period was reduced by 16.46% with Nizoral and 6.02% with zinc pyrithione after 6 months.

Finally, the percentage hairs in anagen phase increased by 6.4% and 8.4% respectively during the study time. The results are similar to a previous study done on 2% prescription strength Nizoral where it was shown that use of 2% Nizoral yielded a 7% average increase in hair shaft diameter similar to what was achieved by the control group using 2% Minoxidil and a non-medicated shampoo.

So for any hair loss sufferer, this research clearly indicates that using 1% or 2% Nizoral 2-3 times per week, will have positive effects on hair growth as well as controlling dandruff.

It is still unclear at this time whether it's the anti-fungal properties or the anti-androgenic properties of Ketokonazole (active ingredient in Nizoral) thats responsible for the hair thickening effects, however because of the decrease in sebum rates as well, it is the authors opinion that the results are due to the anti-androgenic properties of Ketokonazole.

 

[BEHMESH]

Is Nizoral a must to have?

 

[Cassin]

Is Nizoral a must to have?

Very good question.

In my opinion it is a "should have." It probably won't make or break your regimen but it can very well help, but it can hurt as well. For some people it can have a drying effect on the scalp and it will cause them itching, like me. Any sort of benefit it may have for me is probably wiped out by this.

My scalp is calm for the first time since before I used treatments because I am using rogaine foam which has totally eliminated my scalp irritation and this was somewhat compounded I believe by nizoral. I am going to rotate it back in and if I get an itch back I will never try that stuff again.

It all depends on how sensitive you are. Every medication I use works very wellf or me but I typically get the side effects as well.

I would recommend that anyone who wants to try it buy the small bottle to make sure it agrees with you.

 

[BEHMESH]

Yeah I really don't know if I need it.

My scalp however is not very healthy and I use Head/Shoulders, and rarely tar shampoo.

 

[Bryan]

The nizoral study was done by the company that sells it. I also can't find the study, and would like to know if it was done on men with male pattern baldness or some other type of hair loss associated with fungus.

There are two such studies; the first and most famous one was done by a French doctor, and he specifically chose test subjects who didn't have seborrheic dermatitis, but they did have male pattern baldness. The second trial was done by the makers of Nizoral.

Bryan

 

[Bryan]

I believe there have been three Nizoral studies...

First, the infamous Italian study that has been often quoted here, but I can't find the link at the moment.

A second, cited here on HairLossTalk.com:
http://www.hairlosstalk.com/download/nizoral.pdf

And a third done in Belgium:

The effects of chronic use of 1% ketoconazole or a 1% zinc pyrithione shampoo on the general health of hair and scalp.
Authors G. Piérard 1and G. Cauwenbergh2

I think you're confusing "the infamous Italian study" with the one that was done on topical spironolactone. There are only two Nizoral studies (the second and third ones that you cited above).

Bryan

 

[CCS]

delete

 

[The Gardener]

I think you're confusing "the infamous Italian study" with the one that was done on topical spironolactone. There are only two Nizoral studies (the second and third ones that you cited above).

Yep, you are right. Thanks for the correction.

 

[CCS]

thanks for posting the studies and clearing this up. I feel a lot better now knowing the nizoral is good stuff.