Is it bad to use both Nizoral and a caffeine shampoo?

[LeslieChimes]

I recently picked up both a bottle of Nizoral and a bottle of Alpecin C1 caffeine shampoo. After reading some threads on here, though, I'm thinking that they both shouldn't be part of a regimen. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Nizoral a vasodilator and isn't caffeine a vasoconstrictor? Wouldn't they work against each other?

Also, Nizoral's instructions state that you shouldn't use it when your scalp is irritated, and I've read that Alpecin C1 can irritate your scalp.

So, should these not be part of the same regimen? If you had to pick one, which one would you choose?

 

[ginner]

As far as I know, nizoral is not a vasodilator. Even if it were, that's not the effect it's used for in treating male pattern baldness so it should not be a problem if caffeine does in fact cancel it out. Maybe you could try the caffeine based treatment first to see if it irritates your scalp. If your scalp is ok, then you could add Nizoral to your regimen.

 

[LeslieChimes]

Thanks for the help! I'm having trouble finding thorough information on Nizoral's use in treating in male pattern baldness. Can you suggest a site or a thread in this forum that might go into the mechanics of it?

 

[ginner]

I don't think anyone is certain exactly how it works. This article talks about some possible mechanisms:

Medical hypotheses, 2004, 62(1):112-5, Ketocazole as an adjunct to finasteride in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men, Hugo Perez, B S,

And this study from earlier in the year showed some impressive results:

Journal of Dermatological Science Volume 45, Issue 1, January 2007, Page 66, Reversal of androgenetic alopecia by topical ketoconzole: Relevance of anti-androgenic activity, Shigeki Inui,and Satoshi Itami.

I can't link you to a specific thread I'm sorry, but it's been discussed here a lot. Basically people recommend using it [2-3] times per week and leaving it on your head for about 5 minutes. The consensus seems to be that the 1% version is just as good as 2%.

 

[hair_tomorrow]

As long as you use them on different days, I'm pretty sure it'd be fine.