Ketoconazole 2% shampoo- let’s see what the experts say

em.f.2002
Haircare and hair growth
3 min readMay 22, 2024

With the hundreds of new products, innovations and devices it can sometimes be hard to know what’s best for us. Sometimes even doctors and experts contradict themselves on what’s healthy for us and what isn’t. But when it comes to haircare, the words ‘ketoconazole 2% shampoo’ are in fact ones many experts speak positively and highly about. So, let’s learn about this shampoo, its benefits, what the experts think, and what the best ones on the market potentially are.

The source WebMD describes this shampoo as a medication used to control dandruff, use of this medication may help to relieve the flaking, scaling and itching associated with dandruff. Another source describes it as having the primary use of treating fungal and yeast infections. So this is no shampoo that you may have previously used, this is a shampoo used as a form of medication for people with the issues mentioned above.

What are the benefits of using ketoconazole 2% shampoo?

Whilst your hairdresser may have recommended you one incredible shampoo, your friend recommends another. On tiktok, you see a viral video about a great new shampoo, it becomes difficult once again to know what to believe or which will be best for you. So to keep things nice and easy for us to understand, here are the main benefits of this shampoo:

  • The most seen benefit is the reduction of the levels of yeast in the scalp. Ketoconazole reduces these levels and restricts the yeast from regrowing by removing the environment in which yeast production thrives.
  • Once the yeast has been reduced, it subsequently reduces any inflammation and redness previously seen on the scalp, caused by the growing adigated yeast.
  • With less inflammation, less aggravation is seen within the scalp. This reduces the scalp flaking, itchiness and an issue many people face, dandruff.

The most interesting benefit of using this shampoo was actually found and proven in a study in 1998. This study compared the hair density and size of people using ketoconazole vs people who didn’t use it. The study finished with the results showing that the density and size of the hair grew from the people who had used ketoconazole. This finding has been further supported by other tests and studies, more of which you can read here.

  • Meaning that another amazing benefit of using this shampoo is that it helps with hair growth, something that many of us aim to see.

If you are now thinking this shampoo sounds perfect for your hair, maybe you suffer from dandruff and have been on the hunt for a new shampoo, here you can find a list of some of the most recommended ketoconazole shampoo, NiceHair.

  1. Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo
  2. Lipogaine Big 3 Premium Hair Loss Prevention shampoo
  3. Ultrax Labs Hair Surge
  4. Perfect Hair Anti Hair Loss Shampoo
  5. Boots Anti Dandruff Shampoo

Whilst recommendations and articles recommending products are great, nothing beats trying a product for yourself and making your own mind up. So next time you are due to purchase a conditioner, consider finding one with ketoconazole and see for yourself if it’s worth recommending.

Our experts:

WebMd, Ketoconazole Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing — WebMD

Singh, Ketoconazole for Pattern Hair Loss: How Effective Is It? — Hairverse

NiceHair, 6 Shampoos that Contain Ketoconazole — which is the best? — nicehair.org

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