Can
shampoo make a difference in treating hair loss?
A:
Sometimes, as a percentage of the active ingredients
gets absorbed into the scalp and left behind after
rinsing. For instance, seborrheic dermatitis ("seb
derm," a bad case of dandruff) is now thought to play
a minor role in pattern loss. In the Propecia trials,
researchers had test subjects use T/Gel shampoo (one
of the many treatments for seb derm) as a means of
leveling the field and cutting out this factor as a
variable in determining results. Also, 2% prescription
strength Nizoral shampoo used 2 - 4 times weekly was
shown in one study to produce hair growth results comparable
to 2% minoxidil used once daily in a small group of
group of test subjects. It was also shown in a larger
group to increase the number of hairs in the anagen
(growth) phase and to increase average hair shaft diameter.
There are almost certainly other shampoos that can
positively influence hair growth, as medication can
reach the hair follicle fairly easily when the scalp
is in a well-hydrated state. Water is a superb penetration
enhancer that is, in fact, added liberally to many
medicated penetrating creams. |
