What is Ketoconazole?

Ketoconazole is an antifungal compound originally developed to treat conditions such as dandruff and severe psoriasis. It is often used in the form of a shampoo called Niazerol, the brand name for Ketoconazole shampoo. While primarily aimed at treating fungal infections, it has shown effectiveness in increasing the number and diameter of hair, thus being used as a treatment for hair loss. Ketoconazole appears to disrupt fungal growth on the scalp and can mildly reduce Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with hair loss. However, its exact mechanism in how it impacts hair growth is not clearly understood. For treating hair loss, it is typically recommended to use Ketoconazole shampoo two to four times per week, allowing it to remain on the scalp for three to five minutes per use. This regimen has been shown to maintain hair that might otherwise be lost, with about an 80% response rate, though its ability to stimulate new hair growth is less clear 1 2.