Why does miconazole nitrate grow hair

But the internet's current fascination with using Monistat—yes, the cream used for vaginal yeast infections—as a hair growth treatment really left us scratching our heads.

So we asked trichologist and founder of Colour Collective Kerry E. Marie Hayag , founder of 5th Avenue Aesthetics to weigh in as to whether or not there's any legitimacy behind the buzz. The short answer? Kind of, but not really. Keep reading to learn more. Type of ingredient: The active ingredient in Monistat is miconazole nitrate, an anti-fungal ingredient. Main benefits: It can address fungal infections on the scalp, including seborrheic dermatitis. Who should use it: According to the experts we spoke with, Monistat is not an advisable hair loss treatment.

That being said, it would be most beneficial for those dealing with fungal infections on the scalp. Let's start with a big caveat right off the bat: " There haven't been any clinical studies or evidence that support Monistat as an effective hair loss treatment ," says Hayag.

I don't recommend trying this, as there are definitely other, proven treatments out there that are much better options. It has to do with the active ingredient in Monistat, miconazole nitrate, an anti-fungal that fights yeast infections. It actually isn't as entirely far-fetched as it may seem to apply it on your scalp because, believe it or not, there is fungus on your head.

He also points out that there are treatment shampoos out there that use similar anti-fungal ingredients to decrease scalp inflammation and hair loss, and that using Monistat is essentially a roundabout way of achieving the same effect. It all sounds good, in theory, but the point is that Monistat would only have any type of effect on hair loss if, in fact, the loss is being caused by an overgrowth of fungus , he explains.

Hayag agrees: "Monistat may be effective in clearing up fungal infections at the scalp, improving overall scalp health and facilitating hair growth, but only if the hair loss is related to scalp health," she says. But let's not forget that there are a litany of different factors that can cause hair loss—everything from stress to illness to hormonal issues to a diet deficient in certain nutrients And given the fact that it may be more than just one of these factors that plays a role, addressing hair loss and shedding isn't quite as simple as slathering some yeast infection cream on your scalp and calling it a day.

The other reason Monistat may be touted as a hair loss treatment has to do with the fact that miconazole nitrate has a similar molecular structure to ketoconazole, a medication that has been shown to treat hormonal hair loss, points out Hayag. A study published in Dermatologic Therapy found the ingredient to be a promising treatment option for male and female pattern hair loss.

In theory, the topical should work the same for all hair types and textures, though it is worth noting that a majority of the individuals singing the praises of Monistat as a hair loss treatment have natural hair.

Theoretically, given that those with natural hair tend to need to wash their hair less frequently, it might make sense that they may be more susceptible to some of the aforementioned scalp issues and potentially-related hair loss. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, all of the experts we spoke with agreed that there are far better and more effective ways to treat hair loss and underscore the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for said hair loss.

That being said, it is possible to have a fungal infection on the scalp. And in this case, you can bet that Monistat is going to work just as well on your head as it does down there. And that same study suggested that minoxidil Rogaine was more effective at hair regrowth.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews published a analysis of studies that researched the use of topical antifungal medication to treat the scalp condition seborrheic dermatitis SD.

After analyzing 51 studies, the review concluded that ketoconazole and another similar ingredient, ciclopirox , is more effective than a placebo for the treatment of SD. The study also noted that these ingredients have fewer side effects than steroid treatments. If you accept that antifungal medication can impact scalp health, the idea of using Monistat for hair growth starts makes sense. A healthy scalp is firmly linked to the strength, health, and longevity of hair follicles. Increased circulation and higher cell turnover can encourage a healthy scalp and may be helped by applying antifungal creams.

Some also claim that Monistat works better for certain hair types than others. People who claim that this treatment works for them tend to be women who have natural or curly hair.

But all evidence about using Monistat to treat hair loss is anecdotal. Take this information with a grain of salt as you consider using the treatment yourself. Monistat is considered safe for topical application to treat yeast infections. Typical side effects of using Monistat for yeast infections can include:. This can actually contribute to hair loss instead of preventing it. Try treating a small section of your scalp with Monistat first before you do a whole-head application.

This can help test the waters and see if side effects occur. If you have sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts on your scalp, definitely do a patch test first. Here are a few suggestions:. Well, the active ingredient in Monistat is called miconazole nitrate say that three times fast , which is an anti-fungal agent. One reason why people might see their hair start to thin, or even fall out, is due to an overgrowth of fungus yeast on their scalp.

There is a healthy amount of yeast that's normal and naturally occurring on the scalp, but when there's an overproduction of it, it's usually an indication that your hormones are a little out of wack. And that's when the bad shit, like hair loss , can happen. The active ingredient that's usually prescribed by a doctor to deal with fungal infections is called ketoconazole, and it's been shown in several studies to help treat hormonal hair loss, says Dr.

K, now stay with me here, because we're about to come full circle— ketoconazole has a similar chemical structure t o miconazole nitrate the active ingredient in Monistat which is why some people may see hair growth with Monistat. And while the link kinda makes sense, it unfortunately doesn't change the fact that Monistat still isn't proven to treat hair loss.

Like I said, there's no data to prove that Monistat is actually effective for hair growth, no matter what that influencer you secretly follow might say.

There are so many causes for hair thinning and hair loss , so if yours isn't fungal related, there's a chance that you could make your scalp condition even worse, slowing down your hair growth even more, says Dr. You could also end up with contact dermatitis aka an allergic reaction on your scalp. Which, uh, not cute. And if you're someone who isn't even dealing with hair thinning but wants something that'll make your hair grow faster, pls don't even think about using Monistat.

It's not going to do anything, and it could lead to problems for your already healthy scalp think: infections, irritation, and yes, hair loss. DW, not all hope is lost. If you're dealing with a scalp issue, Dr. Williams says that you should make an appointment with a dermatologist or a trichologist, so they can figure out what's really causing your hair loss and determine the best way to treat it.

If hair loss isn't necessarily a problem for you, but you're still trying to promote some healthy growth , there are two things Dr. Williams recommends. First, try eating a diet that's rich in proteins, vitamins, and omega oils, because long, healthy hair starts from the inside out. And, second, look for hair products that are filled with oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and peppermint oil.