Does anyone else wonder if Nizoral really does anything?

[Sir Guy of Frizzbourne]

Nizoral has such a good rep, being part of the Big 3 and all, but how many people can honestly say they KNOW it has worked for them? How did it get such a good rep? I know there have been studies on it, but it's never really been proven like minoxidil and finasteride, right? I mean, spironolactone's had research done on it, but it's not included in this ultimate regimen. What makes Nizoral stand out?

 

[ripple-effect]

Good question, hopefully someone can answer this.

 

[blueshard]

The inclusion of Nizoral is highly based on the convenience factor.....imo.

 

[dietcola]

nizoral acts as an anti-inflammatory in it's mission to stop dandruff. inflamation due to male pattern baldness can actually cause more hairloss, so stopping any scalp inflammation is a good thing. it also acts as a DHT blocker for the scalp.

this is just what i understand, if i'm mistaken someone please correct me.

i like the way nizoral has made my hair feel healthier, i'm going to keep using it for that purpose alone. it's DIRT cheap when you only use it 3 times a week, just pre-wash with a cheap shampoo first.

 

[ripple-effect]

I don't believe Nizoral is a DHT blocker. I believe it's part of the big three because it's been proven that Nizoral helps maximize the effectivness of Minodixil & Propecia by clearing out sebum on the scalp. I guess I can understand how cleaning out sebum glands on the scalp can help minodixil since it's a topical application, but I dont understand how it helps propecia when fights hair loss internally.

 

[Guest]

nizoral actually grows and thickens hair

 

[The Gardener]

I love it. When I can't use it for a week or so for whatever reason, I start to notice my scalp not feeling as good.

 

[Bryan]

I don't believe Nizoral is a DHT blocker.

Ketoconazole has been shown to have antiandrogenic properties.

I believe it's part of the big three because it's been proven that Nizoral helps maximize the effectivness of Minodixil & Propecia by clearing out sebum on the scalp.

Two points to make here:

1) It has NOT been proven that Nizoral helps maximize the effectiveness of minoxidil & Propecia by clearing out sebum on the scalp.

2) ALL shampoos clear out sebum on the scalp.

Bryan

 

[Pondle]

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 and G. Cauwenbergh
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.