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How Effective Is Miconazole for Hair Growth?

Kathleen Howard
Kathleen Howard

Miconazole nitrate is a topical medication designed to treat various fungal infections, including vaginal yeast infections, athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch. Beyond its intended uses, many people believe it is also capable of increasing hair growth. In theory, it may work by dilating the blood vessels and increasing the supply of oxygen to the scalp. As of 2011, the use of miconazole for hair growth has not been the topic of scientific study, but many users have reported positive results. Before using miconazole nitrate, consumers should be aware of the possible side effects associated with using this medication.

Without scientific evidence supporting its use, it is impossible to say whether this treatment is effective. If it is effective in promoting hair growth, it is probably due to its oxidizing properties. When miconazole nitrate is applied to the skin, it causes the veins and capillaries to relax. This increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the scalp, which might promote hair growth.

Miconazole might promote hair growth due to its oxidizing properties.
Miconazole might promote hair growth due to its oxidizing properties.

Another theory is that miconazole might be mistakenly credited with increasing hair growth by eliminating tinea capitis. This is a fungal infection, similar to ringworm, that occurs on the scalp. Since tinea capitis causes the hair to break off, clearing the infection will help the hair to grow.

Consumers who choose to use miconazole for hair growth should follow all dosage instructions included with the medication. Miconazole nitrate is typically applied to the affected area once or twice a day. When using this medication to increase hair growth, the cream should be massaged into the scalp until fully absorbed.

Miconazole nitrate is used to treat fungal infections.
Miconazole nitrate is used to treat fungal infections.

Before using this treatment, users must be aware of the risks, since there are several side effects associated with using it. Common side effects include redness, itching, burning, peeling of the skin, dryness, and headaches. In some cases, they worsen with prolonged use. If a user notices these side effects, he or she should stop using the medication immediately.

Miconazole nitrate is often used to treat ringworm.
Miconazole nitrate is often used to treat ringworm.

In addition to the possible side effects, there are a number of drug interactions that users should know about. Miconazole nitrate should not be used in combination with anticoagulants, like warfarin, as this may increase the risk of bleeding. This medication should also be avoided by consumers who are currently using other anti-fungal medications. People who are not using these medications or experiencing irritation can experiment with miconazole at their discretion.

Discussion Comments

anon946729

This is a great growth aid. However, you must discontinue use after four months. My research stated if you use it longer and happen to get a yeast infection the medication will not work for you. Good luck on your hair Journey.

anon946690

@anon321330: I believe it the same cream. I can't say for sure without seeing it, but the miconazole cream I use is the generic for "Monistat 7." It is a 2 percent cream. I mix it in a spray bottle with water and try to apply it every two or three days. In my opinion, it can make your scalp somewhat oily, so you might want to adjust accordingly. I have very, very dry hair. Occasionally I will part my hair and apply it directly to my scalp but this (in my opinion) is time consuming. I haven't had any major side issues with it. My scalp tingles every now and then and sometimes I catch myself rubbing my scalp. But it's not painful or bothersome.

Side note: I also take MSM daily to aid in hair growth. Taking MSM alone took me from 1/4 inch a month to 1/2inch a month. I added in Miconazole for an average of 5/8-3/4 inch per month.

anon321330

Are you guys/gals using the antifungal cream (miconazole) or some sort of hair shampoo with miconazole in it? I have been prescribed plenty of miconazole cream for some skin issues. Can those be used?

bagley79

@golf07 - I don't know anything about the FDA approval, but I do know how it has worked for me.

When you read about this product being used for hair growth, you read both pros and cons - just like any product.

There are a lot of products and natural herbs that are used for more than one condition. Every person is different, and one thing that works great for me, might not work for other people.

Since using the miconazole, my hair has never been this thick or long. I have always had thin hair, and kept it short and layered so it would look fuller.

Now my hair is almost to my shoulders and I have never been able to wear it this long before. I have not had any side effects, so plan on using it for as long as I need to.

Hopefully you will find another product that works for you without the side effects you experienced with miconazole.

golf07

I tried using miconazole for my thinning hair, but it only made my hair and scalp itch like crazy.

It sounds like it has helped some people with dandruff, but I felt like all I was doing was itching my head.

My scalp ended up being very red and this did nothing to help my problem. I used this for about 3 weeks and didn't notice any difference in the thickness or fullness of my hair.

I couldn't stand the itching any longer, so didn't think it was worth it since I didn't see any difference.

It sounds like it has helped a lot of people, but it isn't for me. Since I stopped using it, I heard the FDA has not approved of using this for hair growth.

I know it is used for other things, but there aren't any studies proving it works for this.

StarJo

Miconazole made my hair grow like crazy. I haven't seen this much hair growth since I was an adolescent!

I started using it after seeing an article in a beauty magazine about it. Within a couple of weeks, I had clusters of new sprouts sticking out of my scalp.

I knew that meant that my hair would be getting thicker as well as longer. I couldn't be more happy with the results. I thought that thinning hair was just a part of the aging process that I would have to accept, but now, I will be able to have the hair I did as a teenager!

cloudel

@turquoise – That is great that miconazole can cure dandruff! I have been dealing with dandruff off and on for years, and I also would like to make my hair grow faster. Miconazole sounds like it would be perfect for me.

Dandruff shampoos work for awhile, but I always have to return to them after a month or so. Maybe miconazole could clear up whatever is causing the problem completely.

It sure would be nice not to have to keep using that nasty smelling shampoo. I am going to try miconazole, and hopefully, my hair will grow out more before long while flake-free!

seag47

@kylee07drg – You should not use miconazole if you had a reaction to tioconazole. They are too closely related to risk it.

When I went to my doctor to treat a stubborn yeast infection, I told her that I had once gotten a rash from using miconazole. She then told me that I should avoid all products in the “azole” family.

I had never heard of using miconazole to make your hair grow until I read this, but I know that I am not willing to experiment with it. I imagine that having a swollen scalp would be very painful, and it would make it impossible to lie down to rest.

kylee07drg

I am afraid to try miconazole on my scalp. I had an allergic reaction to a related drug, tioconazole, when trying to treat a yeast infection, and I'm scared that I might be sensitive to miconazole, as well.

The allergic reaction caused me to swell up. I was swollen and sore for days, and I had to keep taking antihistamine and applying ice packs. I was highly uncomfortable.

I guess if I applied it to my scalp, the reaction would only occur on my head. Still, I would hate to have a swollen scalp. Does anyone know if I would react the same way to miconazole as I did to tioconazole?

fify

@alisha-- I used miconazole nitrate cream for six months and it did nothing for me. I guess it doesn't work for everyone?

I used it like twice a week though, so maybe I didn't use it often enough for it to work. It might also be that it works better for people who have a fungal issue in their hair roots. Maybe their hair grows better just because the cream is killing the fungi.

I'm really not sure. I might give it a try again in the future. I wish some research was done on this though. All of the information on this seems like speculation so far. I know that there are people who have taken pictures of their progress with miconazole and that could be considered proof. But a scientific study is still needed.

turquoise

@alisha-- I've been using miconazole for three months and I definitely see an improvement. My hair is growing faster and feels a lot stronger. I actually didn't measure the growth rate per month, but it's definitely a half inch per month whereas it was not so much before.

Not just for hair growth but miconazole has also helped my itchy scalp. I used to have really oily itchy scalp with dandruff on and off. The itch is completely gone now.

What I did was I diluted the miconazole cream with water 1:1 ratio. I put this mixture in a spray bottle and sprayed my roots with it every day religiously for three months.

discographer

Miconazole has become extremely popular recently. I've heard it mentioned on all of the hair forums I've visited. There is clearly something there because there is a huge demand and I have heard from at least 20 people on these forums that they've started growing hair on their bald spots after using miconazole.

I'm actually not in the US, so I'm trying to find a topical cream with miconazole nitrate here in Canada. I think it has a different brand name but I definitely want to give it a try.

I've used numerous hair products and oral supplements for hair growth in the past six years with no results. Miconazole seems really promising, I hope it works for me.

Has anyone here tried miconazole nitrate topical cream on their scalp? Did you get results?

If so, what was your regime like? How often did you apply it and how long did it take to see results?

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    • Miconazole might promote hair growth due to its oxidizing properties.
      By: draganica
      Miconazole might promote hair growth due to its oxidizing properties.
    • Miconazole nitrate is used to treat fungal infections.
      By: Coprid
      Miconazole nitrate is used to treat fungal infections.
    • Miconazole nitrate is often used to treat ringworm.
      By: schankz
      Miconazole nitrate is often used to treat ringworm.
    • Regularly clipping away dead ends may help promote hair growth.
      By: Africa Studio
      Regularly clipping away dead ends may help promote hair growth.
    • Individuals with jock itch, which may be treated with miconazole, should refrain from sexual activity.
      By: Andrey Kiselev
      Individuals with jock itch, which may be treated with miconazole, should refrain from sexual activity.