Dandruff can have many causes, from something as simple as a dry scalp, to something as complicated as a reaction to an increased population of a naturally occurring fungi or bacteria. When it comes to the latter, there are few better anti-dandruff shampoos out there than Nizoral Anti Dandruff, also called Nizoral AD. Its powerful active ingredient is an over the counter strength of a commonly prescribed medication used to treat severe dandruff that is resistant to other treatments.
Before using it, you should be aware that it is one of the shampoos with a specific target and will not likely work for your dandruff if its caused by something else. It should be used after you have determined the cause, either through ruling out with other treatments of doctors advice.
What the active ingredient is and what it targets
The active ingredient in Nizoral AD is a 1% solution of an powerful anti-fungal called Ketoconazole. It is extremely effective against the P. Ovale fungi that naturally occur on the scalp. Normally the fungi subsist on the natural secretions of the sebaceous glands in the scalp and are part of a natural balance. However, sometimes the fungi either over populate or the body simply has a reaction to them, similar to a typical allergic response where the body over reacts to a common stimuli. The result is a build up of dead skin cells that form scales and large flakes and the cellular renewal process is sped up in response to try and be rid of the fungi. Ketoconazole eliminates the excessive levels of fungi and is potent enough to work long after the shampoo has been washed off.
How Nizoral AD is used?
In fact, unless otherwise directed by a doctor, you only use it twice a week. It is safe for ages 12 and up and typically only needed for 8 weeks to initially manage the condition, and then only as needed after that. Like most treatments, it should be lathered in and worked over the scalp and let sit before rinsing and repeating. Conditioner can be used on the lower portions of the hair, away from the scalp afterward, but the head should not be shampooed again until your next regular shower. As its effects last a few days before needing to be reapplied, you use it as part of your normal haircare routine, not as a replacement for your regular shampoo.
The pros and cons of Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo
Pros:
- It is the closest thing to a prescription you will find over the counter for treating a very common and difficult to treat cause of dandruff.
- Doctors highly recommend Nizoral AD to patients based on the likeliness it will target the source of the problem and because has been proven effective time and time again.
- Like other targeting and powerful shampoos, it is not intended for every day use, so the twice a week usage means the bottle lasts longer than shampoo of comparable amounts.
- As an addition to their regular hair care routine, or even as part of an alternating cycle with other treatments, it is highly rated for being effective and easy to use with no unpleasant odors.
- There are few possible side effects and most just receive the powerful benefits.
- Customers who use it, for the greater majority, love it. In fact, it is so devoutly loved by its users that there was an outcry by many a few years ago when there was a manufacturing shortage.
Cons:
- For those who are not a fan of the shampoo, a lot of the dislike revolves around the cost. It runs around $15 for a 7 ounce bottle. Although, there was a lot more complaints during the shortage a few years ago, when the price on what was still available was nearly double that.
- The other major complaint is common to any type of dandruff treatment. As Nizoral AD is very selective in what it targets, if your dandruff is not caused by a fungal reaction, then it simply will not work.
Note: The bulk of any complaints is based around the fact of it being used to treat the wrong condition, which is naturally not its fault. Those who do find relief from their symptoms but still have complaints typically remark that it can dry out the scalp after a while. Though those reviews also fail to mention if it was even used in combination as recommended or if it was over used as a replacement to regular shampooing. It is not uncommon for adverse reactions such as drying out and irritation to occur from overuse of any medicated dandruff treatment.
After learning about Nizoral AD, what are your thoughts?
Highly effective, and highly specialized, the fungi targeting dandruff shampoo is greatly praised by its users and despite its pricing it’s still the number one selling product of its class in different markets.
What I’d like to know is have you tried Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo for yourself? What were the results? Did you find it worked better when combined with different types of regular shampoo, or did you alternate it with other treatments? If you would like to share your story, comments, or thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Thanks for this article tisma.I really appreciate your work on this, and I am actually considering to buy this shampoo, but hears what making me curious- you said that this shampoo will only cure a specific problem caused by a fungi, so all I want to ask is that, can this shampoo be used for other dandruff conditions also?
Hi, Lajweer and thanks for the questions. To give you a better answer or recommend you a better shampoo, I would need to know what causes your dandruff condition. Climate, heredity, diet, hormones and stress impact how your body reacts to the P. ovale fungus that causes dandruff. Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo kills that fungus. The main ingredient ketoconazole eliminates it`s excessive levels and is strong enough to work long after the shampoo has been washed off.
Hi Maja! First of all you look gorgeous! Second, I really appreciate your work and would like to say a big thank you! Now, I have a very serious dandruff problem since long and it has got worse as now I’m loosing a hell lot of hair. In fact, I’m now going bald at the crown area and my hairline is residing too! I used minoxidil 5% topical solution an year ago and felt like my face were swelling so i stoppe using it right after the first use. I’m now started using Ketoconazole 2%. I also wish to use minoxidil 2% after my dandruff issue is resolved. Please give me some advised or share anything you have to improve my hair condition as i do not want to wait to see myself all bald. Thank you so much
Hi Sanal, thank you very much for the compliment. Dandruff and Hair Loss can be related, especially if stress is present, read this article: https://www.shampootruth.com/does-stress-really-cause-hair-loss/ So yes, you firstly need to cure your dandruff problem, and you will also see that your hair loss will be better.
Have you consulted your doctor? Nizoral is a very good, medicated antidandruff shampoo with 1% Ketoconazole. But it`s strong, so if you feel that is not doing good to your scalp or has no effect, would be better to try with a more organic antidandruff shampoo like Pura D’or: https://www.shampootruth.com/pura-dor-anti-dandruff-organic-shampoo-review/ it`s very effective too and many users loved it. Pura D`or has a shamopoo for hair loss too that you my want to check: https://www.shampootruth.com/pura-dor-organic-anti-hair-loss-shampoo-review/
There are all kinds of foods out there that are going to help you fight dandruff from the inside out, but there are really four or five that will boost your immune system and skin health across the board – and they are (usually) really tasty to boot! Chickpeas, Ginger, Garlic, Sunflower seeds. So a good, healthy diet can help you have strong hair.
If you have any other specific questions, let me know. And I would love to hear back on your progress if the currently Ketoconazole 2% treatment works for you. You also need a bit of patience, because nothing can be cured by night, but in few washed you will have to see some improvments.
Hi, I have a question, I don’t have any dandruff issue but I am experiencing continuous hair loss, will this shampoo help me in stopping the hair loss.
I tried this. It didn’t help a bit. Well, maybe for a week, but this is no better than plain water would do.
Hi Niku, did your dandruff returned once you stopped using it? Than it worked when you washed your hair with Nizoral, you can`t say it`s not working. But if you prefer, you can switch to “no poo” method and wash your hair with water only. Regards.
Hi Maja! My friend has extreme dandruff condition and he has started to use nizoral 1%.
As you suggested in your comments that it should be used twice/thrice in a week as it has long lasting effect,
1) So is it safe to wash the hair with regular shampoo on other days( when not using Nizoral)? Would this not wash away the effects of Nizoral?
2) If it is safe to wash hair everyday, please would you recommend a shampoo that he can use for everyday hair wash and which can Complement the use of Nizoral ?
3) Also, does he need to first wash his hair with regualr shampoo and then apply Nizoral? What is the recommended method to use Nizoral?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Nainshi
Yes it`s safe. But washing your hair everyday is not advisable. It will not diminish the effects of Nizoral. Do not use Nizoral more often than directed on the table. If you need to use a shampoo to wash your hair more often, use your usual shampoo. If your hair is very thick, you can wash with your usual shampoo and then use Nizoral Dandruff Shampoo.
I don`t recommend washing your hair everyday. Read more
here: https://www.shampootruth.com/washing-hair-everyday-good-bad/
if you really need to, I recommend a natural shampoo that is still anti-dandruff. Pura dor is a great brand: https://www.shampootruth.com/pura-dor-anti-dandruff-organic-shampoo-review/
How to apply Nizoral:
– Wet hair thoroughly.
– Apply a small amount of Nizoral Dandruff Shampoo to your scalp and massage into a lather.
– Leave the lather on your scalp for 3 – 5 minutes.
– Rinse thoroughly.
What about the SLS in this product, it is an irritant won’t it make the problem worse !