The Best Hair Loss Shampoos Contain Anti-Inflammatory Topical Ingredients

In addition to the clinically proven ingredient 'ketoconazole' that prevents androgen DHT-related genetic hair loss, the best hair loss shampoos also contain various anti-inflammatory and moisturizing ingredients that can offset potential dry scalp and inflammation that hinders healthy hair growth.


While the best hair loss shampoos contain ketoconazole, a topical anti-fungal ingredient that is clinically proven to topically inhibit the synthesis of dihydrotestosterone or DHT (the primary hormone responsible for hair loss), the best hair loss shampoos should also contain a variety of anti-inflammatory ingredients.

There are two reasons for this.

The first reason is to prevent dry scalp. Ketoconazole, while moderately to extremely effective at preventing androgen-related hair loss, is often quite harsh on the scalp. Ketoconazole is actually a high-powered anti-fungal ingredient that helps prevent dandruff. Ketoconazole is considered so strong that the 2% version is available by prescription only.

For years, the only mainstream shampoo that contained ketoconazole was Nizoral. Thousands of people figured out that anti-dermatitis shampoo Nizoral would help prevent male pattern baldness – especially bodybuilders and athletes who were experiencing hair loss from steroids. While Nizoral shampoo is effective, it does not contain any anti-inflammatory ingredients and even the label suggests that it is not ideal for daily use. Most guys that use Nizoral (and especially the 2% strength Nizoral) report having dry scalp or non-dandruff flakes. Anti-inflammatory and moisturizing ingredients can prevent ketoconazole induced dry scalp.

The second reason is that anti-inflammatory ingredients may help prevent hair loss. While the hormone DHT is undoubtedly the main culprit of pattern balding, a seldom-discussed component of hair loss is inflammation. DHT, by nature, is a very inflammatory hormone. This inflammation disrupts the normal growth of scalp hairs that are prone to androgenic alopecia (ironically more often increases the growth of body hairs).

Since the body of research linking inflammation to hair loss is just developing, this is in no way to suggest that simply lowering inflammation (with reducing scalp or systematic DHT) on your scalp will prevent genetic hair loss. Unfortunately, certain “anti-hair loss” shampoos that do not combat DHT or address the hormonal pathways of genetic alopecia claim that they will reduce hair loss because they contain certain moisturizers or anti-inflammatories. These are not among the best hair loss shampoos and will not work.

The combination of topical ketoconazole with anti-inflammatory moisturizing ingredients will prevent androgen DHT-related hair loss and prevent your scalp from becoming dried out. The three best ketoconazole shampoos for preventing hair loss or hair loss from steroids are Regenepure, Perfect Image Solutions’ Hair Regrowth Shampoo and Revita Shampoo by Divine Skin Laboratories. All of these shampoos contain anti-inflammatory and moisturizing ingredients to off set dry scalp and may help further minimize hair loss.

These ingredients include: emu oil, jojoba seed oil and cocamidopropyl betaine – among several others.

In a 2003 study in the journal “Lipids” scientists found that emu oil, when topically applied, reduced inflammation in CD-1 mice. Regenepure, Revita and Perfect Image Solutons’ Hair Regrowth Shampoo all contain emu oil.

In a 2008 study in the “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” scientists found that jojoba seed oil had a clinically significant protective effect on the conditioning on Afro-ethnic hair chemically treated with thioglycolate-based straightening emulsion. Regenepure contains this ingredient.

Cocamidopropyl betaine is a more common ingredient. It can be found as a moisturizing ingredient in most shampoos. Like emu oil and jojoba seed oil, it is clinically proven to reduce inflammation when it is topically applied.

For more information on clinically proven ingredients, treatments and shampoos that can reduce or prevent androgenic alopecia please visit: Best Hair Loss Shampoos
 
Christian Martinez has nearly a decade of experience combating androgen-related male pattern baldness. For more professional, academic and personal research visit Best Hair Loss Shampoos

The Best Hair Loss Shampoos Have the Ingredient “Ketoconazole”

The best hair loss shampoos have the ingredient ketoconazole - it is clinically proven to inhibit the synthesis of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which cause male pattern baldness. While there are several shampoos that claim to prevent hair loss, only the formulas that contain ketoconazole will effective as preventing or slowing androgenic alopecia. Make sure you don't waste your money, time or hair on a shampoo without ingredients that have not been proven to be clinically effective in peer-reviewed academic or professional studies.

The best hair loss shampoos contain an ingredient called “ketoconazole”.  According to the National Library of Medicine, ketoconazole is actually used to treat fungal infections. When topically applied (on to your scalp), it has been used for about a decade to treat dermatitis in various shampoos such as Nizoral.

It just so happens that ketoconazole was found to be clinically effective in inhibiting the synthesis of DHT in legitimate peer-reviewed medical studies, published in academic and professional medical journals.

DHT or dihydrotestosterone is the primary hormone that is responsible for androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness. By inhibiting DHT on the scalp, in theory, your hair follicles will not undergo progressive thinning.

The first such study dates back to 1998, published in “Dermatology,” where Belgian scientists found that ketoconazole, when topically applied, was as or more effective than 2 percent-grade minoxidil at combating androgenic alopecia. Belgian researchers when recommended it for the “long-term treatment” of androgenic alopecia.  

Subsequent studies confirm these findings as well.

A 2002 study in the “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” found the 1 percent-grade ketoconazole was superior to prevent “hair shedding” than more traditional anti-dandruff shampoos that contained 1 percent-grade piroctone olamine or 1 percent-grade zinc pyrithione – the active ingredient in Head and Shoulders.

A 2004 study in the publication “Medical Hypothesis” found that ketoconazole in combination with finasteride (generic for Propecia or Proscar) was more effective at combating androgenic alopecia than finasteride alone.

A study in the 2005 “Journal of Dermatology” found that ketoconazole could even stimulate hair growth.

To my knowledge, however, there are only 4 mainstream shampoos that actually contain ketoconazole. The first one, the eldest, is Nizoral. Nizoral is actually marketed as an anti-dandruff shampoo. While Nizoral is effective at combating androgen-related hair loss, since it is an anti-dandruff / anti-fungal shampoo, it can be harsh on your scalp. Especially if you commonly experience dry scalp.

The other 3 shampoos: Revita, Regenepure-DR and Perfect Image Solution’s Hair Regrowth Shampoo all contain ketoconazole as well. They also contain other ingredients such as emu oil, jojoba seed oil and cocamidopropyl betaine which moisturize your scalp and can help prevent flaking. They are marketed for to prevent hair loss and are viable to daily use since they should not irritate your scalp.

In my experience, these three shampoos are the best hair loss shampoos. Regenepure-DR has the highest ratings on Amazon.com by the most people. Perfect Image Solution’s shampoo has the same rating, but by less people. I currently use it and can vouch for its effectiveness.

There are a lot of other shampoos such as Nioxin or certain “organic” shampoos that are marketed to prevent hair loss that sell quite well. Unfortunately, these shampoos do not contain ketoconazole or absolutely any other ingredients that are clinically proven to combat hair loss. These types of shampoos have ingredients that may encourage hair growth – but will not prevent androgen-related hair loss. They may also give you a healthy scalp, the appearance of thicker hair or may reduce inflammation – but they will not be effective at preventing hair loss since none of the ingredients address the hormonal cause and pathway of hair loss (DHT).

For the best hair loss shampoos to prevent genetic pattern baldness, I encourage you to try a ketoconazole shampoo that is acceptable for everyday use. In combination with a minxodil and finasteride regimen, as of September 2011, this will be the most effective treatment to prevent or slow male pattern baldness.

If you would like more information, list of ingredients, video reviews or links to professional studies or academic resources please visit: Best Hair Loss Shampoos

Kris Martinez has nearly a decade of experience combating androgen-related male pattern baldness. For more professional, academic and personal research visit Best Hair Loss Shampoos