Nizoral better than Regenpure DR?

[doubleindemnity]

I started to use Nizoral shampoo a few weeks ago. I was pleased with it. What I observed is that, when I washed my hair the day after I had used it, there was much less shedding from the thinning areas (crown and frontal region). Before using Nizoral, I used commercial hair products and always had a lot of shedding in the shower (say, 15 hairs per daily use, compared to around 5 when "on" Nizoral, counting only the thinning areas). I think that this Nizoral effect lasted even up to the second day after applying Nizoral, but I can't be sure about this because I loved Nizoral's effects so much that I've very rarely gone more than one day without it since I tried it.

Anyway, I have been watching videos online about these shampoos (particularly those by Chris from the "hairlossfromsteroids" website) and they seem to recommend a gentler shampoo like Regenpure DR. I purchased some and liked the fragrance, feel, etc. But, after using it for 2 days, the shedding was pretty much at its normal level. I blame this on the fact that Regenpure DR only contains 1% Ketaconazole, while Nizoral contains 2%. I tried to compensate for this by using twice the amount of Regenpure, but it's clearly not as simple as that.

So, would you say that I am fine using Nizoral every other day? What gentle product (to balance out the harshness of the Nizoral) would you recommend on the non-Nizoral days? Alternatively, note that Regenepure recommends alternating between their DR and NT shampoo, or maybe even using them both during the same shower. Could I do something like this (both in the same shower) with Nizoral in place of the DR? Would my scalp be fine? I know that I'm making a big deal of this, but I was really excited with the reduction in shedding due to Nizoral. I am not using anything else. Once I get this shampoo sorted, I want to try Minoxidil. Thanks for any help.

 

[Captain Hook]

I'd be wary of Chris' videos, he definitely provides a good starting point but there are definitely some holes in his logic, like the fact that he recommends azelaic acid to inhibit DHT (check my reply on the fitness section of this forum where a user asked about prevention of hair loss from steroids, I explain why azelaic acid is probably useless for this indication)

Another thing is that while Regenepure DR contains ketoconazole, it actually isn't known how much, the same argument could go for S5 Cream but I believe it's been around longer and most people report results, not to mention the fact that you can literally smell the spironolactone in the cream, it's hard to mistake a mercaptan-like odour. There's no easy way to tell how much ketoconazole is present in Regenepure DR, if any is even present at all.

Anyways that being said, studies done on ketoconazole shampoo were done with pharmaceutical grade preparations such as Nizoral or generics. The study that proved ketoconazole shampoo regrew as much hair as 2% minoxidil was done with the 2% strength, not 1% so that is something to think about if you're keen on regrowth.

The main reason Chris is against Nizoral is because it contains sodium laureth sulphate, which can be irritating in some individuals but I personally have never had any problems with Nizoral. There's also no need to use it every day, 2-4 times a week will suffice with the package insert stating you should use it twice a week or every 3 days in the case of Nizoral 2%. Reason being is that ketoconazole persists at therapeutic concentrations on the scalp anywhere from 4-10 days (Kucer's The Use of Antibiotics medical text states this)

I'd definitely follow up with a conditioner after Nizoral since it can be drying and harsh, let the conditioner sit for 2-3 minutes and then rinse it out. If the 2% proves to be too harsh for your scalp even with a moisturising conditioner, just use the 1%.

Another thing to mention and I have no idea if this is true as no one replied to my thread on this subject is that on Regaine Australia's website it mentions that silicones can impede the absorption of minoxidil and possibly other topicals, Regenepure DR contains dimethicone, a silicone derivative. Something to think about, hopefully someone with more knowledge and experience in this matter can comment on it.