Nizoral for hair loss – Does Nizoral regrow hair?
Nizoral is one of the most affordable hair products available on the market that can truly help to prevent hair loss. It is advertised as an antifungal hair product for those who have dandruff. As it turns out, this is certainly not its only use! Nizoral – hair loss AND dandruff shampoo? I’ve received quite a few comments and private messages asking the question “Does Nizoral grow hair?”. Now that I have used it for quite a while, I’m happy to finally get around to posting an article about using Nizoral for hair loss.
I’m not going to recommend something unless I feel it will provide results. I added this shampoo to my routine for treating hair loss, and I’m convinced that it should be used as part of ANY serious hair loss treatment.
Does Nizoral regrow hair?
Nizoral could actually be one of the most essential parts of any effective hair loss treatment for both women and men. Nizoral is mainly an antifungal hair product that also has androgen obstructing attributes – which makes it an efficient anti-inflammatory for anyone with serious hair loss. Androgens are hormones, and both men’s and women’s bodies produce androgens, just in differing amounts. Excess amounts of androgens can pose a problem, resulting in such effects as acne, excess hair growth in “inappropriate” places for women, and thinning of hair on the head (balding) in both men and women.
Basically, hair thins due to bodily hormone action in your scalp. Androgen blockers slow down those systems, but if left uncontrolled, inflammation becomes an issue. Most people who start losing hair have tingling, itching, strong discomfort and even pain in their scalp. Using Nizoral for hair loss provides an antifungal hair product that detoxifies the scalp and also has the potential to block out androgen receptors. This results in lowering inflammation.
So, does Nizoral regrow hair? Well yeah, and perhaps with as much certainty as any other hair loss product, at a fraction of the cost. Using Nizoral for hair loss is effective mainly because the active ingredient in Nizoral is Ketoconazole. According to a study published in the Swiss journal, Dermatology, by a group of Belgian researchers, ketoconazole was effective for stimulating hair growth. It increased hair density, as well as the size and population of hair follicles during the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. The researchers believed that ketoconazole increased hair growth due to its antifungal activities and its anti-inflammatory properties.
In another study, a group of Japanese researchers applied ketoconazole or placebo on the dorsal skin of 7 week-old mice that were genetically modified (C3H/HeN) mice – after shaving their hair off. They applied the 2% ketoconazole and placebo solutions once daily for three weeks. The results showed that 2% ketoconazole did clearly stimulate the regrowth of hair in the subject mice, and were published in The Journal of Dermatology in 2005. The researchers even repeated the experiment and got the same results!
How to use Nizoral for hair loss
To be able to get the best results when using Nizoral for hair loss, it must be used approximately once every three days on a regular, ongoing basis. I make sure I get one application dose of the hair shampoo 3 times per week. I alternate the use of Nizoral with Alpecin shampoo for a total overall shampoo routine to attack hair loss from as many angles as possible. Also, both these shampoos last a long time and are very affordable!
Use Nizoral instantly when you get into the shower and get a quick first rinse. Then reapply, and let it soak while you shower. It is essential that you give the medicated shampoo the time and potential to do its job. Nizoral hair shampoo is available as a 1 percent option, and is also accessible in a 2 percent form. While many feel it necessary to try to get the 2 percent treatment form, the over-the-counter 1 percent is totally sufficient if using Nizoral for hair loss, and will not have any negative effects.
Are there any side effects of using Nizoral?
Here’s where you need to really do the research to clarify some confusion that may be caused by a few simple Google searches. You may come across a few sites that frighten the living daylights out of you when looking for the side effects of using Nizoral for hair loss – but it the important thing to understand here, is that there is a HUGE difference between applying ketoconazole topically with Nizoral, and taking ketoconazole orally. Oral ketoconazole has resulted in serious side effects, including liver injury, and the FDA have placed restrictions on the oral use. These side effects, as well as the restrictions do not apply to topical formulations of ketoconazole in creams, shampoos, foams, and gels.
As for the side effects of using Nizoral for hair loss…
Nizoral may be used with other prescriptions, and there are no significant side effects, but as with any treatment, tell your doctor all drugs and products you use. In pregnancy, Nizoral must be used only when prescribed by doctors, as it may be unhealthy for a fetus. Tell your doctor when you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant at the time of treatment.
Be sure to pay attention to any changes in your health as you begin using Nizoral for hair loss, and get urgent medical attention if you have any one of these symptoms of an allergic response; Hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat and difficult breathing.
Where to purchase Nizoral?
I purchase Nizoral for treating hair loss, though it is sold as a dandruff shampoo. I buy it from from Amazon, simply because I order several other hair products as well, and find it convenient to include a few bottles of Nizoral with other products I order from Amazon.
Conclusion
Whether your goal is to minimize hair loss, or to regrow hair, it is very important to try to keep your scalp relaxed and free of inflammation. This is where using Nizoral for hair loss comes in. While there are likely other products that serve as an androgen preventing treatment for hair loss, there is absolutely no other product quite like Nizoral, which provides the benefits above in the convenience of a shampoo. These benefits in particular include increased hair density as well as the size and population of hair follicles during the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle.
While I wouldn’t depend solely on Nizoral for treating hair loss, I can’t imagine not using Nizoral for hair loss as a part of my regular routine – until there’s a breakthrough in modern medicine that leads to a hair loss cure!
I agree totally. I added this to my hair loss approach and it DEFINITELY made a difference. I could see it in the fullness of my hair month over month, it was crazy. One thing I want to ask is do you think it would be OK to use conditioner with this stuff?
Hi Perry,
Glad to hear Nizoral has been working out for you! Using the conditioner should not be a problem with regards to interfering with the mild DHT blocking effect that Nizoral provided. However, if you plan to use minoxidil shortly after, keep in mind that most conditioners can coat the scalp and reduce the absorption of the minoxidil … or any other topical treatment for that matter.
So, to answer your question: You lather Nizoral in like any other shampoo, and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. This allows it to absorb into the scalp. Once it’s absorbed, it really should not reduce the benefits of the ketoconazole if you use a conditioner after that point.
I hope that helps clarify. Keep up the good fight against hair loss, and feel free to keep us updated on how you’re doing with it. Thanks for visiting the site!
So is it necessary to use this specific brand or it can be any shampoo that contains ketoconazole in it?
I imagine any shampoo that contains ketoconazole would be fine, but Nizoral is about as low in cost as it gets. It also last a long time since 3 times a week is all that is necessary!
Luckily enough my local pharmacy does have a shampoo that contains ketoconazole! But a different brand not Nizoral. The pharmacist also recommends using the shampoo twice a week.. So which should I follow? Is it necessary to use 3 times a week or is 2 times enough? The amount of ketoconazole is 2% btw.
Hi Danni,
I’d recommend twice one week, then three times the next week. Or simply use it every three days. I’m fairly certain that the difference in twice or three times is not going to make much difference. Just that you are using it is great for hair loss! 2% hey? That’s outside the US for now!
Ok then I’m gonna stick to using 2 times a week to save cost! Haha. Plus that is what instructed anyway for treatment. But do I have to use it twice a week on a long-term basis or is there a period of time using it with this frequency? The instructions stated that after 2-4 weeks of treatment, we can use the shampoo just once a week for maintenance. Advice please!
Great question. The instructions are meant for using the shampoo to fight dandruff. From what I understand, as a dandruff shampoo, this product is meant for a limited purpose (I.E. stopping scaling). Once that is achieved the application frequency can be reduced. The only danger of not reducing the application is that Nizoral could dry out your hair.
If using Nizoral for hair loss, the 2-3 times a week should continue ongoing to mitigate inflammation regularly, and address tingling or itching that may be caused by minoxidil use. Make sense?
Thanks
JB – HFK
I have just started using ALPECIN for hair loss.only used twice so to early to note any difference. But have lost hardly any when brushed when wet usually had been losing handfuls.also you don’t need conditioner as hair is soft and shiny when dry,I only wish I had started using over a year ago as iam 56 year old female with long hair.it has went so thin and few patches no hair.I had been tying back and had hair in bun to hide thinness. Probably hasn’t helped and was using a detangle brush which was pulling it out at roots,I don’t know if it’s to late to get regrowth but I’m hopeful.also on Internet saw advice to mix coffee with olive oil and and put on hair and scalp.which the coffee promotes hair growth and colours hair instead of using hair dyes.I was going to ask doctor for advice as he said it’s my hormones and also have hypothyroidism due to get bloods checked,good luck to all of us who are trying different brands,be wig next,lol.
Hi Ellie,
Alpecin can definitely make a positive difference but I’d add in Nizoral shampoo as well to address any inflammation in the scalp. Inflammation can contribute to hair loss and follicles getting weaker over time. Also, have you checked out Lipogaine for women? It’s always a good idea to blood work and check for anything out of the norm of course!
Good luck!
JB
I have been using Nizoral just recently for my beard, and dam I would have to say my sparse areas are definitely filling in and thickening.
This is great to hear! Anyone else out there considering minoxidil for their beard in thinning areas may very interested in knowing it’s worked for you.
Based on the mechanism through which minoxidil works, it really does make sense that it would work on the beard area as it does on the scalp.
Thanks for the update Jeff!
JB – HFK
Shampoo has caused my hair loss
Thanks for the visit. It is VERY unlikely that shampoo could cause hair loss. But if you really feel that it’s possible, I’d suggest a visit to your doctor to check for any kind of a reaction to some ingredient!
JB – HFK
Best shampoo for hair loss. Just make sure you do not over use it as you might get opposite effect and actually make your hair thinner. Overall…great to combat MPB.
Hi Artur,
Thanks for the insight!
JB – HFK
There is no doubt that Nizoral Shampoo can slow down male patterned baldness. Within one month of my started to apply this shampoo, i noticed an increase in thickness and my hair appeared stronger and the constant tingling subsided. Obviously there is still no cure for hair loss but this shampoo, even by itself, can show results within a few weeks of useage and is affordable. Recommended.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with Nizoral! I appreciate it, and I’m sure readers so as well. Some of the best information about a product comes from the people who use it.
Feel free to provide input anytime.
All the best,
JB-HFK
Hi, i just want to ask when you use Nizoral and when you use Alpecin? In same time, or seperate? I have researched in web and found out in many sources that shamponing your hair offen (daily) is bad for hair because it removes natural oils. But on Alpecin it’s writen that you should was your hair daily. What is your opinion about this ? And do you use any other shampoo for hair ?
Hi there, and thanks for your comment. I use Nizoral 2-3 times a week which is plenty in my opinion. I use Alpecin most days in between. I’ve also heard fantastic things about Lipogaine Big 3 shampoo.
As far as too much shampooing goes, this comes down to the lesser of two evils I suppose! Yes, shampooing your hair too often can wash away natural oils, which help to keep existing hair healthy looking, but if you think about it, most people these days shower at least once a day. Some people even more, if you count after the gym or a jog. If using shampoo that helps to stop or at least slow down hair loss, I’ll pick that for sure!
I hope that answers your question and thanks again.
HFK
Best shampooo everybody should use it trust me it makes difference in hair loss
Thanks for the input Aman! It’s always great to hear from others who use this and I’m really glad it’s working out for you!
HFK
Do you/can you follow Nizoral shampooing with a conditioner? Thanks!
Absolutely!