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??
People that have not tried this cannot say that it does not work. I HAVE tried this cream and have been using if for a bit over a month. I had just chopped off all of my relaxed hair on December 29, 2009- at that time I could not even put my hair in a pony tail. As of today, March 3,2010, I am able to put my hair in a low or high ponytail and still have at least two inches of hair sticking out of the ponytail holder. Since my hair is soft but pretty culry (3b -3c hair), I could only imagine how long it will be once I decide to straighten it. I have no idea WHY or how this works…but I know that Miconazole WORKS!! It is amazing to me…my hair grows but NEVER EVER this quickly. In fact, it has grown so quickly that the guy that I am dating even noticed…he is the one that pointed out to me just how long my hair had gotten since I first cut it. For a man to notice the growth means quite a lot!
wow nice post.. very informative. Thanks
hi! I would just like to you say please consider the nitrate effect and not just the miconazole effect on the scalp. its the nitrates that stimulate the blood flow to the scalp and gives the hair nourishment to grow.
Idk… seems like some ppl have taken this topic in a weird direction.. this post is old and probably irrelevant.. but i had to post my 2 cents.
I havent tried the miconazole cream as a growth aide, although I have heard of it & i’m kinda thinking about trying it. But honestly ladies, just because SCIENCE hasnt proved it, or agrees with it doesnt mean that it doesnt work. If scientist told you to stab yourself in the foot b/c it will make you loose weight, would you do it? HECK NO! Well I hope you wouldnt. lol.. Science isnt perfect. Its crazy to me how much people lean on every word that some self proclaimed scientist has put in a book , or in a medical journal..*no offense to anyone* but its just like scientist and their BIG Bang foolishness.. they feel that b/c there is no Scientific evidence to support the idea of God’s existence, that he isnt real. Well the wind blows and you cant see it. Does that make it not real? NO. You can believe what you want. Its the beauty of a free country, but I dont think you should not knock what works for other people. Just like one person posted. Aspirin wasnt created to heal pimples, but guess what it helps w/ acne inflammation. So just b/c the initial intention for a product isnt what people use it for doesnt make it wrong. If it works.. then it works.. big deal… I know a guy who put windex on a zit.. and I was like WTF? thats crzy.. but guess what. the next morning the Zit was gone.. lol.. now will i try that.. Nah… 
but hey..to each his own..
peace n love
I don’t see racism in this at all. If you want to figure out the evidence behind something, and someone kindly gives it to you, does it make it mean, or a personal racist attack, if the truth of the matter goes against what you want? Why are you looking for proof about MN cream if you’ve already made up your mind that it works, and anything against it is just a personal offence? Your just looking for praise, or a fight.
And secondly, hair growth is not a race-specific issue, anyone with hair, can have hair growth problems obviously. Most people in the US at least, don’t care to offend your black hair, and really aren’t racist. I think your hair is awsome!
Samba is a racial slur? So everytime my sister dances she’s offending a black person. Great. And it’s just a picture of a WHITE or non-black woman! how can you get so offended? The author explained she thought it looked like the chaquita banana lady, and thought it was funny. Calling someone racist or being un-sensitive to racism over that, is overly sensitive and more offensive.
I agree that the author should have left this unsaid: “If you want to believe it works, feel free. There are people who still believe in astrology, psychics and ESP even though that is total bunk.”
Just say “you may believe what you will, but until we have more solid evidence that it really works, we can’t recommend it.” or something.
But wasn’t that already made clear from your article? It seems that people have tried it and see something, maybe growth, perhaps there aren’t any accurate formal studies, but if you don’t know, you don’t have the authority to go either way and act like those who have actually tried it are idiots! That can be a logical opinion, but this is supposed to be about the science, the “brains” and a resource center, not a place for the author to un-professionally harp on the readers.
Whoever said anyone was being racist is ignorant. I am black my hair grows fast, I don’t relax my hair though. You make us look bad when you say ignorant things like that. You will be a lot happier when you become colorblind. Because you sound like the one who’s so concerned about color
what’s all this talk about race?
I thought the topic was weather or not pussy cream helps with hair growth. CAN YOU PEOPLE PLEASE STICK TO THE TOPIC.
Thank you
Sam from Trinidad
If you think about this logically, Monistat is applied to a region of the body with a nice patch of hair and if the active ingredient truly increases hair growth it would have been reported as a side effect during clinical trials. And if by chance it does increase hair growth, there’s no possible way a pharmaceutical company wouldn’t exploit that kind of side effect.
If you massage your scalp a few times a week with dog food you can stimulate hair growth. You’re massaging your scalp!
As a member of the LHC, I’ve read through most of the threads on miconazole nitrate, and I’ve found something there a bit more concerning than just whether or not it grows hair faster: many people that have used it report migraine-like headaches and head rushes while the m.n. is on their heads. Apparently these symptoms stop with repeated use of the product, but the fact that they occur at all is a bit disturbing. Does anyone happen to know why these headaches, etc. would occur? Also, the people using m.n. are using it 2-3 times per week. For months at a time sometimes. I don’t know if it’s a good idea to use a drug intended for occasional use as a yeast-infection treatment should be used that much. I’m concerned about the long-term side effects of this prolonged use. Should I be?
SDunford, whats the word? Please tell me if it is at all helping with your thinning or bald areas? Thanks so much. [email protected]
Hi,
In high school I noticed that there were more girls with short hair than long.
So the way I see it, long beautiful flowing hair, is just down right pretty.
Not saying that short hair isnt beautiful, because it is. If cut right
I found NO racial problems in the above artical until the first person commented on racism.
Say you and I were in an argument, and a black woman called me a white bitch..no big deal right?
But if I were to call the black women a black bitch..all hell would break loose.
I think the black community needs to let go of what happend in the past with all the slavery, and move on.
There will always be racism, hell, im pretty sure my cat looks at my dog in a weird way everytime she walks past.
But its something we have to live with, considering most of the population is stubborn, Im stubborn and I can admit that. I have already made up my mind to try this fungal cream, and nothings gonna stop me
P.s White women have just as much difficulty growing our hair as black women, mine stopped growing when I was 12.
So thats why Im so desperate to have it all nice and long and pretty-ful
But, FYI I had hair extensions a little while ago, and i noticed when I got them removed, my hair was thinning so its never the solution
tahnks for the information, although you are having a conflict!lol
funny! I had a yeast infection and theres is nothing wrong with the hairs. but around 1 month of having it. the hairs suddenly grow fast, then i search sites to find out if it is about the yeast infection. then i found this site.!=)
but i’ve seen this tinyurl(dot)com/endyeast then there are ways on how to prevent on boosting hair growth!
I can’t believe this topic turned into a black/white racism thing. Shut up everybody the President is half-black and half-white, it’s time for this slavery thinking to end. OVER. I just started using MN% on two patches of my hair where it is so thin that the scalp can be seen-through. I’m going to give it a month to see if it if thickens up considerably.
I for one am trying it for a racial reason. Being mixed my mother didn’t know what to do with my hair beyond what she was told to do. My hair’s not so called “black” hair but it’s not common “white” hair either. It’s in between the common/stereotype texture of both. So my mom yanked my french braids tight. As tight as she could because she was told you have to make them tight for them to last. My hairline has been wonky ever since…
When I read it helps with hair loss due to different types of alopecea I figured I’d give it a shot. $1 for a tube of clotrimazole cream that’s made in the USA + a tiny bit of my dignity purchasing jock itch cream @ the dollar store isn’t very expensive. I’m pretty sure my scalp though “tender headed” isn’t nearly as sensitive as someone’s private parts and it has been reported to make that hair grow in denser…
I’m just running a search to double check that I use it the “right” way. Yes I hemmed and hawed, BUT two top selling cosmetic pharmaceuticals were never developed for their most popular uses. Botox wasn’t invented to stop wrinkles, the wrinkle smoothing is actually a side effect.
Latisse makes lashes grow longer but lash growth is a side effect. It’s actually a treatment for glaucoma.
I suspect someone had a fungal infection on their scalp. God knows how it got there. But the doctor recommended an OTC and a side effect was increased hair growth. I don’t know that’s what happened. It’s just a logical guess. That or equally logical is that they were desperate and noticed increased growth of pubic hair while using it per package instructions and figured [it might work @ the other end so why not give it a shot?].
We spend our lives being told that our hair’s our crowning glory. Following trends, creating our own styles, etc. I find it interesting that anybody would be shocked @ the lengths any of us are willing to go through to maintain our “crowning glories”.
When shampoo ads start using models with “real” hair that’s not magically made shiny and flowing by the products, then maybe, just maybe we’ll try fewer crazy things.
I am wondering how this stuff comes out of your hair. Isn’t this in
a base with oil? I have thin fine hair and don’t want to have to
use tons of shampoo to get it out. Does anyone have one they find
is non greasy at the Dollar Store??? I really want to see if it will thicken
my hair.
The race arguement began when some misinformed person stated that black people cannot grow their hair like white people. This is obviously not true, so leave it alone. Those who say black people need to forget slavery, black people get away with calling white people “white b*****”, are showing their ignorance.
Anyway, I wanted to say while yes there are no studies that prove monistat aids hair growth that does not mean it doesn’t. I did a 4 month experiment with using it every 4 days and leaving it in until my next wash. My growth bumped to 1.5 inches per month. Once stopping the monistat my growth returned to .7 inches per month. I am very healthy, exercise and eat well. I don’t know how it works but it did for me.