Nudging Hair Shedding by Antidandruff Shampoos: A Comparison of 1% Ketoconazole, 1% Piroctone Olamine, and 1% Zinc Pyrithione Formulations
October 2002
in “
International Journal of Cosmetic Science
”
TLDR All three shampoos reduced dandruff and hair loss, but ketoconazole and piroctone olamine also made hair thicker.
In a 2002 study involving 150 men with telogen effluvium related to androgenic alopecia and dandruff, the efficacy of three antidandruff shampoos with 1% concentrations of ketoconazole (KTZ), piroctone olamine (PTO), and zinc pyrithione (ZPT) was evaluated. The men were divided into three groups of 50 and used their assigned shampoo 2-3 times a week for 6 months. The study concluded that all shampoos were effective in reducing pruritus, dandruff, and hair shedding, with KTZ and PTO also increasing hair shaft diameter and slightly decreasing sebum output, unlike ZPT. This suggests that while all three shampoos can control telogen effluvium, KTZ and PTO may offer additional benefits in improving hair shaft thickness.
