Q. Do you recommend any specific shampoo?
A. Not really. However most patients are benefited by using shampoos/conditioners that contain humectants (moisturizers). It may be to the patients' advantage to use two totally different shampoos in succession or on subsequent days, e.g. use Neutrogena's Clear shampoo, which gently cleanses the scalp, and subsequently or alternatively, Nexxus' Therrapy shampoo. If two such shampoos are used together on a daily basis or on alternative days, the hair will likely look and feel its best. However, it is not necessary to wash your hair on a daily basis.
Q. What about Nizoral shampoo? Hasn't it been proven to destroy DHT?
A. Yes, it has. With the introduction of Nizoral 2% shampoo, there is now a shampoo that does have an impact on hair growth and regrowth. It is a fine shampoo, and produces regrowth results similar to 2% minoxidil solution. However, Nizoral 2% is fairly expensive and requires a prescription in the U.S. Recent studies have shown that the use of Nizoral 1% shampoo is almost equally effective in promoting thicker hair growth.
Q. Is there an alternative that is as effective, or even better, than Nizoral 2% shampoo?
A. Regrowth, LLC has formulated a shampoo that contains 2% ketoconazole and 3% salicylic acid, simply called Regrowth Treatment Shampoo.
Q. How does ketoconazole work to reduce the DHT in the scalp?
A. One of the pharmacological actions of ketoconazole is to inhibit biosynthesis of ergosterols and other sterols. It is this inhibition of sterols that decreases the amount of testosterone and DHT in the scalp, when Nizoral 2% is used topically.
Q. What is the benefit of having salicylic acid in the shampoo?
A. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic, i.e. it loosens and breaks up clumps of keratin (dandruff), allowing them to be more easily removed from the scalp. Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos such as Neutrogena T-Sal and Scalpicin.
Q. Why have both ketoconazole and salicylic acid in the same shampoo?
A. Ketoconazole and salicylic acid may act synergistically. Since the salicylic acid can remove some of the dead skin layers of the epidermis, the ketoconazole can be more effective in reducing the DHT in the scalp. Using Regrowth Treatment Shampoo alone gives you the benefits of both Nizoral 2% shampoo and Neutrogena T-Sal shampoo.
Q. How should the Regrowth Treatment Shampoo be used?
A. Apply a small amount of the shampoo to the wet hair and work it into a rich lather, massaging the lather onto the scalp. Allow the lather to remain on the hair and scalp for five minutes before rinsing with warm water. This process can be repeated, if desired. Since the Regrowth Treatment Shampoo has potent cleansing abilities, it will remove most of the sebum from the scalp. You may wish to follow the shampooing with the application of a hair conditioner of your own choice. Nizoral's Daily Conditioner is generally available at large drug stores and pharmacies, and is an excellent choice for use with any ketoconazole shampoo. It comes in a 12 fluid ounce bottle, and retails for around $6.00 in the U.S.
Q. How often should the Regrowth Treatment Shampoo be used?
A. It can be used daily. However, as is true of all shampoos, you may want to alternate its use with another shampoo, so that the cosmetic effects of shampooing are optimal.
Q. Can I use the Regrowth Treatment Shampoo as the sole treatment for male pattern baldness?
A. For those patients who are not sufficiently motivated to apply topical 5% minoxidil or Xandrox on a daily basis and/or have reservations about the use of Propecia due to cost and/or side effects, the use of Regrowth Treatment Shampoo is highly recommended. Since everyone with (or without) male pattern baldness is going to shampoo anyway, it is only rational to use a shampoo that has proven benefits in the treatment of male pattern baldness.
However, for most patients, Regrowth Treatment Shampoo is recommended as an adjunctive treatment for the prevention or reversal of male pattern baldness. Ketoconazole is not a substitute for the use of topical minoxidil, but it may enhance the actions of azelaic acid or finasteride or spironolactone in suppressing DHT in the scalp
Sorry man, that doesn't exsist. (Though there is the Wesada regimen) As Bruce said, your best option is minoxidil + Nizoral + Finasteride.
