Hair loss is a common problem. It affects millions of people across the globe. Having said this, ignoring the problem can lead to thinning of hair/baldness. No wonder people worried about their hair fall problems try out different remedies to control it. But dermatologists recommend the use of medicated shampoos for hair fall control as they try to tackle the root cause of the problem. Before we understand this remedy, let us first dig deeper into the science of hair fall.
Understanding Hair Fall
People typically lose 50 to 100 hair strands each day. These are replaced by new hair growth; hence the loss is not visible. The problem starts when one begins to lose more than the normal count of hair strands each day. The problem worsens when the lost hair strands are not replaced by the new ones. As the condition progresses, it leads to circular or patchy bald spots with receding hairline.
Certain risk factors are associated with hair fall. Family history, ageing, significant weight loss, certain medical conditions, chronic stress and poor nutrition have been linked to increased hair fall risk.
What Causes Hair Fall?
Hair fall is related to the following problems:
1. Genetics
Genetics is the most common cause of hair loss. It is typically linked to ageing. Medically termed as Androgenic Alopecia, it is caused due to impaired functioning of the DHT (dihydrotestosterone) hormone, making the hair follicles defunct by interfering with the growth cycle of hair. The condition is progressive and predictable. While signs of receding hairline and bald spots appear in men, women experience thinning of hair along the crown.
2. Hormonal Changes
Temporary and permanent hair fall can be induced by hormonal changes in the body. While hair fall triggered due to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause is self-limiting, hair loss caused due to the compromised immune system and thyroid problems requires medical intervention.
3. Unhealthy Scalp Conditions
Hair fall is caused by several reasons. Conditions like dandruff, skin disease, bad weather, almost anything can trigger hair fall. Thus, it is important to identify the cause of hair fall. The use of medicated shampoos that tackle the particular cause will yield results.
Do Medicated Shampoos Actually Work?
Medicated shampoos contain medicinal drugs that help control hair fall. Just like pharmacological drugs address a particular health concern, the drugs used as ingredients in these shampoos help control hair fall depending upon the underlying cause. Therefore, whether medicated shampoos will help with hair fall will depend upon the cause of hair fall.
Hair fall caused due to genetic reasons cannot be cured by medicated shampoos. Likewise, hair fall due to hormonal changes will require medical intervention other than anti-hair fall shampoos. The treatment will address the hormonal imbalance, which will auto-correct hair fall issues.
Medicated shampoos work best when treating unhealthy scalp conditions. Anti-hair fall shampoos are formulated to treat scalp conditions like dandruff and skin diseases like fungal infection, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. The medicated shampoos work directly on scalp issues. Antifungal dandruff shampoo contains ketoconazole, a potent anti-fungal medicine.
Best anti-dandruff shampoo suggested by dermatologist will also contain other ingredients like keratin, biotin, zinc, and natural elements that will further ensure healthy-looking and shining hair.
Likewise, for treating hair fall caused due to psoriasis, medicated shampoos are packed with over-the-counter steroids. This helps clear the skin condition and thus control hair fall.
But it is pertinent to mention that medicated shampoos only help to clear the scalp of any infection. Such shampoos do not stimulate the regrowth of hair follicles. To ensure the re-growth of follicles, proper diet, vital supplements, and hair care are important.
Once the scalp is free of any infection and hair follicles are healthy, hair fall is controlled and reversed.
Common Pharmacological Drugs Used in Medicated Shampoos
Different drugs in medicated shampoos help treat different scalp conditions. The most commonly used drugs in medicated shampoos include:
1. Ciclopirox
Ciclopirox, or Loprox, is one of the best medicated anti-dandruff shampoo drugs. It is a synthetic antifungal agent and is typically used for topical application. Available with a prescription, shampoos containing Ciclopirox help treat dandruff caused due to fungal infection on the scalp.
2. Clobex
Clobex contains 0.05% clobetasol propionate. A synthetic corticosteroid, it helps reduce scalp inflammation and treat moderate to severe cases of scalp psoriasis. Upon use, clobetasol propionate is absorbed through the scalp. It suppresses hypothalamic and pituitary functions, causing symptoms to subside.
3. Ketoconazole
The best anti dandruff shampoo suggested by dermatologist helps treat mild to severe scalp conditions. Ketoconazole is a strong antifungal agent that helps treat dandruff caused by the fungus Malassezia. Ketoconazole shampoos are available on prescription.
4. Pyrithione Zinc
Shampoos containing Pyrithione zinc are available over the counter. Pyrithione zinc possesses antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial traits and helps treat seborrheic dermatitis, the most common cause of dandruff.
5. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is revered for its exfoliating properties. These shampoos help exfoliate the scalp and remove dry, flaky skin. This removes dead skin and unclogs pores. It also helps correct hair fall spurred due to bad weather conditions. Salicylic acid shampoos are available without a medical prescription.
6. Selenium Sulphide
Shampoos containing selenium sulphide help slow down skin cell death. This helps in controlling hair fall. These shampoos are available over the counter.
7. Tar
Another over-the-counter available shampoo, tar, helps relieve scalp inflammation and calm itching. The ingredient also slows down skin cell death.
Shampoos to Avoid During Hair Fall
The use of medicated shampoos is a documented treatment for hair fall. However, some people still prefer to continue using regular shampoos simply to avoid the harsh chemicals in medicated shampoos. Ironically, ingredients in some regular shampoos also trigger hair fall. Therefore, if you are already experiencing hair fall, avoid shampoos that contain the following ingredients:
1. Sulphur
Sulphur is a common ingredient in shampoos. It allows the shampoo to lather well. But sulphur also strips the scalp of its natural oils, making the hair strands dry and prone to breakage. Furthermore, sulphur leads to thinning of hair which eventually results in hair fall.
2. Thickening Shampoos
Some shampoos and conditioners promise a thickening and volumising effect. But these shampoos clog hair follicles and cut down the oxygen supply to the scalp. This leads to aggravating hair fall.
3. Caffeine
Caffeine is a natural stimulant. But caffeine limits blood flow through vasoconstriction, a condition marked by the narrowing down of blood vessels. This restricts blood supply to the hair roots, leading to hair loss.
The Truth Behind Medicated Shampoos
Medicated shampoos contain potent chemicals that help fight hair loss. Much against popular belief, they do not cause hair damage. Instead, they are loaded with ingredients which improve hair quality. Some unknown facts about these shampoos are:
1. Improving Scalp Condition
As mentioned earlier, medicated shampoos target the root cause of hair fall. They clean the scalp and clear clogged pores. Once the scalp is healthy and clean, hair loss is controlled automatically
2. Nourishing the Hair
Medicated anti-dandruff shampoo is believed to make the hair dry and dull. But as a matter of fact, it contains nourishing nutrients like keratin, biotin, and more, which improve hair quality and strength. This makes your hair less prone to damage.
3. Eliminating Frizz and Removing Split Ends
Unhealthy hair is frizzy and loaded with split ends. Such hair is unmanageable and prone to breakage and hair fall. But moisturising ingredients in medicated shampoos address such issues, in turn reducing hair fall.
Conclusion
So, here’s the final verdict! Medicated shampoos are effective in treating scalp problems. Once the scalp turns healthy and is free of any kind of infections, the hair fall stops automatically. But hair loss is a two-stage process – hair fall and no new hair growth. Medicated shampoos only take control over the former. Thus, if the cause of hair loss is linked to an unhealthy scalp, medicated shampoos help settle the concern. New hair growth follows naturally. But if problems in hair growth are linked to genetic reasons or causes beyond unhealthy scalp, medicated shampoos may not prove effective in controlling hair fall.
Also, different drugs in these shampoos help treat different scalp conditions. For instance, the best-medicated shampoo for dandruff will be the one that addresses dandruff as a concern. Likewise, an antifungal dandruff shampoo or medicated shampoo to treat skin conditions like psoriasis will only prove effective in their concerned domain. So, correct diagnosis of the cause of hair fall is important to reap results.
