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If I'm going to leave a legacy as a care writer, let's leave it at that: Let's stop believing that there is such a thing as an “anti-hair loss shampoo.” Consider how little time any shampoo actually stays on your head; It will be very difficult for most active ingredients to penetrate the scalp and fulfill their promises.
But there like that It's a content I make an exception for (sort of). Even better, it will prevent dandruff too. It is actually the best anti-dandruff shampoo. Moreover The best shampoo against hair loss (in fact, perhaps the only shampoo that works in this regard).
You may have noticed that some hair care brands promise the sun and stars for hair regrowth with shampoo ingredients such as saw palmetto. (Yes, it's in a supplement like Nutrafol, but does it work to lower DHT levels when taken in shampoo? No.) First of all, when dealing with hair loss, you need to build a hair maintenance routine around ingestible or topical medications like finasteride. or minoxidil.
Related: 9 best dandruff shampoos to get rid of pesky flakes
However, the only recommendation I can make in this category is ketoconazole, which is one of the best ingredients against dandruff. Ketoconazole, an antifungal medication, kills the Malassezia yeast that causes dandruff and can reduce inflammation around your dome. And, as numerous studies suggest, it may even reduce the presence of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) around hair follicles. DHT is a byproduct of testosterone and is the culprit behind follicle miniaturization in male pattern baldness. (This is also what finasteride targets, whether applied topically or taken orally.)
These studies differ. Most were performed using 2% ketoconazole, and shampoo is generally not used to test the effectiveness of the ingredient. But the collective evidence points to ketoconazole being a true foe against any DHT accumulation. You can find ketoconazole shampoo over the counter in 1% formulations that primarily target dandruff, or you can get a prescription for a 2% formulation for extreme cases of seborrheic dermatitis (read: chronic flaky, flaky scalp skin). The ketoconazole shampoo I keep in rotation is and always will be Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, aka Nizoral AD. It's probably your dermatologist's and your wallet's favorite option, too.
Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoo to Fight Hair Loss
Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Courtesy Image
Let's temper expectations once again, though: Yes, ketoconazole can neutralize dandruff-causing yeast in just a 30-second rinse, but I low to medium Prospects regarding its ability to interfere with DHT and thus prevent further hair loss (especially when it comes to the 1% over-the-counter options we have available). Now, low to medium It's actually a pretty good level for shampoos and hair loss, as most of them will give you zero benefit in terms of actual hair retention. Not only does the DHT itself sit on the scalp waiting to be rinsed out, but if you let the shampoo sit on your scalp for a few minutes, you're giving it a chance to be further absorbed and interfere with DHT formation. So: There may be longer showers in your future.
I recommend using this every two weeks as a way to combat dandruff (which is very effective) and, as a little added bonus, reduce DHT buildup in any way possible with a quick rinse effort like shampoo – assuming you're not. I don't use finasteride for DHT intervention anyway. I wouldn't rely on ketoconazole shampoo (or any dandruff shampoo) as my only daily rinse. This ingredient can seriously dry out your strands. Be for this reason definite Follow the instructions for use with conditioner for a minute or two after shampooing. (It's even better if this conditioner thickens to help strands visibly plump.) And then use a more moisturizing or stimulating shampoo for any other washes you do in between ketoconazole-based rinses.
It is imperative to manage expectations when it comes to hair loss, its permanence and regrowth. So I don't want to give you false hope; Big brands already do this a lot. However, if there is any shampoo, I would say it is worth including in your routine. especially combating male pattern hair loss/balding And pesky dandruff flakes would be one that contains ketoconazole. Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, specifically.
Remember that any effective hair loss solution must penetrate your scalp or circulate through your system. Telemedicine sites such as XYON, Hims, Feel Confident, and Ro all have prescription and over-the-counter solutions for hair loss.
Related: Best Hair Loss Treatments of 2024, Tested and Reviewed