This post reviews the Keeps 2% ketoconazole shampoo – I’ve compiled my favorite shampoos for hair loss previously but I want to dive a bit deeper into each specific product in their respective posts.
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Introduction
Ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is a topical medication used as an antiandrogen, antifungal, and antiglucocorticoid. (Wikipedia) More on ketoconazole here.
Although it is mainly used for fungal infections ketoconazole is now also used off-label for hair loss due to these effects. This means that it decreases androgens in the scalp, targets fungus, and reduces inflammation through various mechanisms.
All of these benefits are extremely powerful in the context of fighting hair loss. If nothing else, it appears to be safe in regards to side effects – especially when compared with some of the other major hair loss compounds. Your risk-to-reward ratio is great here.
Efficacy
I cannot in full transparency comment on the raw efficacy of this product as I haven’t scientifically tested how much/little it’s helped my hair.
All I comment on in this series of posts is a view on the products themselves not on the efficacy of ketoconazole shampoo – I’ve covered that information in the link mentioned above.
Keeps Overall Review
Hair Appearance
I don’t like the way this shampoo makes my hair look – and that’s important when choosing a product you’ll be using weekly for an indefinite period.
I am being harsh here though – when compared to Nizoral and Intelligent Shop’s products and their impact on my hair’s feeling and appearance it’s hard to compete.
It just makes my hair feel a bit flat or lighter compared to these other brands but you may prefer this feeling over other formulations.
Smell
Doesn’t smell as “old” as the Nizoral 1% formulation – it still smells like a medical product though, but that isn’t necessarily bad. If you’ve ever tried the DS Laboratories orange density shampoo it smells most similar to that brand.
Lather
This lather isn’t great – the shampoo itself doesn’t spread easily so it feels like to cover the entire scalp you are using much more product compared to other brands of ketoconazole shampoo.
Cost
I paid $33 for 4 fl oz which is one of the most expensive products I’ve tried – when you factor in the provider verified my need for the prescription product and the fact that this is a prescription product in America the price starts to make a bit more sense.
However, it is disappointing only because this is a generic over-the-counter product easily available in other countries and through gray market sellers online.
If you want the quality and reputation of this brand you are paying for it.
Convenience
This is likely the most intensive process I’ve gone through for a shampoo product but it still wasn’t bad at all when you consider the fact that this is a prescription product.
With 2% ketoconazole (in America) you need a prescription which is why I tried this brand in the first place.
With Keeps though the process is incredibly streamlined, all you need to do is provide identification and photo evidence of your current hair situation and they take around a day to verify with a medical provider and then ship out my medication.
I’ve talked about this before but I truly love the telehealth space and I think it cuts out so much inefficiency that traditional medicine is full of – for a reputable quality source of medical grade products that vets your situation I am extremely happy with Keeps (coming from someone who’s been through at least 10+ telehealth services/products).
Conclusion
Being completely honest this is not a product I would personally purchase again. I’ve more recently come across studies showing the efficacy of 1% ketoconazole shampoo so I feel better not always having access to a 2% formulation for full efficacy.
However – if you do want that full strength (2%) and can’t get it reliability from a trusted source anywhere else conveniently (America) – then I would 100% recommend this brand and product.
For something I care about as much as hair, why would I trust a product from a gray market seller – there could be anything in there. With Keeps, I know they are a reliable, quality brand.