Ketoconazole

kee-toe-KON-ah-zole

Conditioning Agent 6/10 Safety Not CGControversial Synthetic Vegan

What Is Ketoconazole?

A synthetic broad-spectrum antifungal medication used in shampoos to treat severe dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and fungal scalp infections. Available OTC at 1% and by prescription at 2%.

Source: Synthetic pharmaceutical compound

Origin: Synthetic

Also known as: Nizoral (brand name)

What Does Ketoconazole Do to Your Hair?

Kills the Malassezia yeast responsible for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis by disrupting fungal cell membrane synthesis. Also has mild anti-androgenic properties that may help with androgenetic hair loss.

Best For

Severe dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, fungal infections, pattern hair loss (adjunct)

Not Recommended For

Color-treated hair, dry hair, sensitive scalp

Concentration Matters

1-2% in medicated shampoos

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight
Color-treated: Use caution

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Avoid
CG Avoid

Safety & Regulation

6/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Effective and generally safe at OTC concentrations. Can cause scalp dryness and irritation. The 2% prescription strength may cause more side effects. Some evidence of hair growth benefits due to anti-androgen properties.

FDA Status: Approved

FDA-approved as OTC antifungal at 1% and prescription at 2% in shampoos.

EWG Score: 4/10

HairAide Verdict

The strongest OTC anti-dandruff option and arguably the most effective for severe cases. The anti-androgenic bonus may help with thinning hair. Use 2-3 times weekly, not daily, and condition well after.

Products That Contain Ketoconazole

Anti-dandruff shampoos, medicated scalp treatments, prescription shampoos

Alternatives to Ketoconazole

If you want to avoid Ketoconazole, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Zinc Pyrithione, Piroctone Olamine, Selenium Sulfide

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ketoconazole safe for hair?

Ketoconazole has a safety rating of 6/10. It's generally acceptable but may cause issues for some hair types. Effective and generally safe at OTC concentrations. Can cause scalp dryness and irritation. The 2% prescription strength may cause more side effects. Some evidence of hair growth benefits due to anti-androgen properties.

Is Ketoconazole bad for curly hair?

Ketoconazole is not CG-method approved. Curly hair types may want to avoid this ingredient or use products containing it sparingly.

Is Ketoconazole CG-method approved?

No, Ketoconazole is not approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Ketoconazole?

Some alternatives to Ketoconazole include: Zinc Pyrithione, Piroctone Olamine, Selenium Sulfide

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