Ninon D’s delightful question: I’ve been reading an interesting thread on the Long Hair Care Forum. It seems that some of the women there are using a cream marketed to treat thrush on their scalps to boost hair growth. The mind somewhat boggles at how anyone stumbled upon this idea, however lots of the women are reporting increased growth from creams containing miconazole nitrate such as Monistat. I’d be curious to know what your take is on this – genuinely beneficial, benign or bonkers?
The Left Brain’s skeptical response: 
You’re right Ninon, the idea that miconazole nitrate (the active ingredient in Monistat) can stimulate hair growth is all over the Long Hair Forum. They make several mentions of medical studies that says miconazole works, but I was unable to find any such studies. (If anyone from the Long Hair Forum reads this, please let me know which reports you’re referring to.)
Can anti-fungals help hair growth?
The only credible research on this topic that I could find comes from a report issued by the Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland entitled “Ketoconazole Binds to the Human Androgen Receptor.” Ketoconazole, for those of you not up on your imidazole chemistry, is another antifungal which is a cousin of miconazole. The Bethesda report says that lab tests showed ketoconazole can interact with androgen receptors and therefore can inhibit testosterone levels.
What does all this mean?
Since androgen and testosterone levels are associated with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness), it’s THEORETICALLY possible that this chemical could affect hair loss. However, this test did NOT evaluate hair growth, it only showed that this drug MIGHT be involved in PART of the metabolic pathway that leads to baldness.
Furthermore, the study also says that “ the dose of ketoconazole required for 50% occupancy of the androgen receptor is not likely to be achieved in vivo…” So even if this reaction can be observed in the laboratory it doesn’t seem very realistic to expect it would work on people.
So should I put Monistat on my scalp or not?
And what about our miconazole? The researchers said “androgen binding studies performed with other imidazoles, such as clotrimazole, miconazole, and fluconozole, revealed that in this class of compounds only ketoconazole appears to interact with the androgen receptor.” So even in lab tests at high levels, miconazole DOES NOT show any effect.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
The only report I was able to find does not support using miconazole for hair growth. Of course it’s possible that there are other studies out there showing a cause and effect. If anyone comes across them, please send them to me for review. I’ll gladly revise my position based on new data. But without some kind of study and plausible mechanism, I remain skeptical that yeast infection creams can increase hair growth.
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I have been using monistat in combination with neosporin for almost six months. I have never experienced anything better for hair growth. My hair has went from ear length to the middle of my back. It is very healthy, shiny and super thick and strong. Since this achieved length I had to stop using it because my hair was still growing and I have cut it twice because it was more than I expected to manage.
This forum is an example of Godwin’s Law in action – ha ha!
How on earth did this turn into a ‘black women do this’ issue? I’ve been on all these hair boards. One of which is PREDOMINANTLY WHITE! And they all have members trying this yeast infection cream. So how did this become a black women’s issue???? Seriously??!
I don’t condone the use of such growth aids, but I just don’t see why this can’t be discussed without bringing in race, because race is clearly irrelevant here.
I’m a 56 yo white female and have been suffering post stroke, possibly drug induced hair loss ( cholesterol statin and high blood pressure meds )
With obesity on the rise so is diabetes..those who are obese but not yet diabetic have an excellent chance of being insulin resistant ( pre diabetic state fasting blood sugar 100 to 125 )
MANY diabetics have an overgrowth of yeast ( candida ) as well as those who eat sugar and grains. Grains are loaded with mycotoxins. Candida is a real health issue. Many Drs do not believe that UNTIL yeast is detectable in the blood, by that time you are seriously ill and it will take a lot of IV antifungals to save your life. The head is a perfect environment for overgrowth of bacteria and yeast, moist and dark. So I have no doubt that a fungus killer could very likely promote hair growth by controlling fungi. There are oncologists and drs worldwide who believe CANCER IS A FUNGUS. ( book by that name ) Ancient treatment of molds is outlined in the Old Testament of the Bible.
PS..another far out use for Tinactin ( another antifungal ) heal anal fissures and Hemmorhoids and external rectal irritations. ( Miconazole for women also works, a vaginal antifungal )
I read that on other discussion board.
I’ll start with- I am white, however my husband is black and my kids are mixed. I have a pretty equal mix of friends. We do discuss racism. I came here because my hair is falling out and was amazed to see all of the comments about racism. Other than the people who are fighting over it, I don’t see any sign of racism. I don’t see the picture as being racist anymore than I see a picture of “Leave it to Beavers” mother as being sexist. If June Cleavers picture was there with her apron on in the kitchen, I wouldn’t take offense. I do take offense at racist comments from acquiantances regardless of which race they are directed towards.
Maybe the blog author just saw this picture and happened to like it.
I guess I should preface this by saying that I too am a black female. And I have read what was written. While I didnt find the blog at all racist, the comment about blacks not growing long hair and our hair not being as strong as whites is not only naive but also in my opinion horribly untrue and indeed racial in undertone. With that said I have read what TBB has to say about the matter and I feel it is information that I can take or leave…I am choosing to leave it. Some of the rest of you should do the same.
I am very interested in trying the cream. Please tell me how to use it to get the best results. My hair is falling out, breaking off, and is very dry. Thank you in advance for your help.
You have a really nice blog here, just wondered where you got the theme.
Has anyone thought that the reason that yeast infection cream may work for some women could be that they have Seborrheic Dermatitis, which is a yeast infection to the head and some areas of the trunk. This type of infection is more common in men than woment, but in the African American community it is more widely diagnosed. In women it is someitmes brought on with changes in hormone patterns which is why so many are diagnosed after puberty or after menopause.
IHAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THIS TOPIC. i SAY DON’T KNOCK IT UNTIL YOU TRY IT. TODAY IS JULY 15′. i JUST WENT TO BUY A TUBE AND SOME HAIR OIL TO PUT IT IN. SO NOW I WILL BE THE BARER OF GOOD NEWS OR BAD NEWS IN THRE MONTHS SO WE CAN STOP ALL THIS FUSS. THOSE WHO ARE TURNING THIS INTO A BIG WHOPLA YOU ALL NEED TO FIND JESUS. VIA CON DIAS!
I am a White Male using Miconazole Cream/ Monsate for about a month and my hair is growing pretty fast. I heard this product may help with Androgenic alopecia/ male pattern baldness. I tried to mix with minoxidil.. but it only dried out my hair- so no no no. My hair feels good and results are interesting – as i said my hair is growing fast but So I am giving it 2-3 more months to see what happens with the area’s i do not have as much hair. Lastly with ketoconazole cream i am going to mix it with Miconazole and see what happens to my thinning locks. I have pictures from start to finish so- CROSS YOUR FINGERS
Oh yeah FYI– Do not mix or use monoxidle- it only thickens hair and does not grow it back. Specially if you have as sensitive skin/ hair as i do – take care.
Also, does anyone know about testosterone cream??
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