Ketoconazole shampoo may help treat dandruff: understand its benefits and how to use it

There are many ways to reduce the itching and flaking associated with dandruff. One way is to use ketoconazole shampoo, a topical solution with antifungal properties. It is primarily used to control dandruff, which causes white or yellowish dandruff on the scalp. Products containing the antifungal agent ketoconazole may also help people who suffer from hair loss and other skin conditions such as athlete’s foot. Using shampoo is very simple, but before washing your hair know the proportion of this agent. Although there are no serious side effects to using this hair care product, you should know more about this product before incorporating it into your daily life.

What is Ketoconazole shampoo?

“Ketoconazole is a molecule that belongs to the class of antifungal drugs and is used in the form of shampoos and creams,” says Dr. Reshma T. Vishnani, a dermatologist and trichologist. This powerful drug works by killing the fungus that causes the infection. Positive effects begin to appear after a few weeks of using ketoconazole shampoo.

You can easily buy it over the counter, but if you’re not sure about the concentration, consult your dermatologist. “The percentage of ketoconazole is usually 1 to 2, but doctors often recommend 2 percent,” experts say. A 2001 study published in the journal Dermatology showed that 2 percent ketoconazole had superior efficacy compared to 1 percent ketoconazole in treating severe dandruff.

What are the benefits of ketoconazole shampoo?

1. Treat dandruff

“Ketoconazole shampoo is primarily used as an anti-dandruff agent,” says the expert. A 2022 study published in the British Journal Of Community Nursing showed that the use of medicated shampoos containing ketoconazole as one of the main ingredients can help treat seborrheic dermatitis. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, dandruff is considered the mildest form of seborrheic dermatitis, a skin disease that causes scaly rashes on oily areas of the body. “This type of shampoo helps reduce fungal counts on the scalp,” says Dr. Vishnani.

2. Helps hair growth

Apart from treating dandruff, using ketoconazole shampoo may help treat hair loss. A 2020 study published in the journal Dermatologic Therapy found topical ketoconazole to be a promising alternative therapy in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, a common hair loss condition. “This type of shampoo has the effect of reducing scalp inflammation, so it may promote hair growth,” says the expert.

3. Reduces oil on the scalp.

An oily scalp can cause your hair to become flat and soft. If you don’t want to feel greasy, try a ketoconazole shampoo. “By reducing sebum production, you can reduce the oiliness of your scalp,” says the expert. This means that shampoo should only be used on the scalp. Applying it all over your hair may cause it to become dry.

Apart from shampoos, you can also use creams containing ketoconazole to treat fungal infections such as:

• Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that is known to affect the feet.
• Jock itch, genital infections.
• A rash that usually appears in the folds of the skin.
• According to Britain’s National Health Service, tinea versicolor is an infection in which small patches of skin change color and become scaly.

How to use ketoconazole shampoo?

• Dispense a small amount of shampoo into your palm.
• Apply to wet scalp. You can also mix it with water and apply it to your head and massage your scalp. Be careful not to get it in your mouth or eyes. Failure to do so may cause irritation and redness.
• Leave it on your scalp for at least 3-5 minutes. It will not be effective if you do not wash it off immediately after application.
• After washing, use a hair conditioner to prevent the ends from drying out.

You may need to use ketoconazole shampoo 5 to 6 times a month to get rid of dandruff. “You may need to continue using it for two to four months for hair growth,” says the expert. Basically, you can stop using ketoconazole shampoo once you feel that your scalp health has improved or the fungus has subsided.

What are the side effects of ketoconazole shampoo?

Ketoconazole shampoo is a medicated shampoo and should not be used every day. “It can be used every other day or twice a week,” says the expert. Some side effects of using too much ketoconazole shampoo include:

• If you use the right amount and do not overdo it, you are unlikely to experience any side effects while using ketoconazole shampoo. Using shampoos containing more than 2% ketoconazole can cause dryness and irritation of the scalp.
• Serious allergic reactions are not common but can occur. A rash, redness, hives, and swelling may occur.

Ketoconazole shampoo is a medicated hair care product primarily used to remove dandruff. It also helps to deal with oily scalp and promote hair growth. However, be careful with the concentration, as too much can dry out your scalp and cause itching.