Piroctone olamine

Piroctone olamine, also known by the brand name Octopirox, is a compound that has a similar effect on dandruff to the well-known ingredient ketoconazole.

Hair and scalp health

Studies on the effectiveness of Octopirox show that it also stimulates hair growth and helps combat hereditary hair loss. Dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis can lead to hair loss and thinning hair. These conditions are caused by Malassezia globosa, a single-cell fungus found only on the scalp. In most cases, the problem does not resolve on its own and requires continuous treatment.

Piroctone olamine compared to ketoconazole

A study on 150 men with hereditary hair loss and dandruff compared shampoos containing 1% ketoconazole and 1% piroctone olamine, used two to three times per week for six months. Both reduced itching and dandruff within 2 to 6 weeks. However, piroctone olamine showed better results on several parameters:

  • Hair loss severity decreased by 16.5% with piroctone olamine and 17.3% with ketoconazole.
  • The percentage of hairs in the anagen (growth) phase increased by 7.9% with piroctone olamine and 4.9% with ketoconazole.
  • Hair diameter improved by 7.7% with piroctone olamine and 5.4% with ketoconazole.
  • 33% of people had over 10% more hairs in the growth phase with piroctone olamine.
  • 88% of users experienced thicker hair with piroctone olamine, compared to 78% with ketoconazole.
  • Overall hair shaft diameter increased by 34% with piroctone olamine and 28% with ketoconazole.

Scalp Therapy Exfoliating Shampoo

This exfoliating shampoo effectively treats scalp problems like dandruff, itching and seborrheic dermatitis. With anti-fungal and soothing ingredients, it calms and restores the scalp, offering a powerful non-pharmaceutical solution for maintaining a healthy, balanced scalp environment.

  • Improves overall scalp health
  • Relieves itching and irritation
  • Controls dandruff and flaking
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What results can piroctone olamine help achieve?

Zara

Within 4 weeks of using the Neofollics Scalp Therapy Exfoliating Shampoo and the Neofollics Scalp Therapy Nourishing Mask, significant improvements were observed in cases of seborrheic dermatitis and a sensitive scalp. The scalp became calmer, and hair density increased. At the end of the clinical study, 96% of participants reported being satisfied with the Neofollics Scalp Therapy product line, and 90% said they would recommend it to others. These results highlight how effective and reliable the products are for improving scalp health and supporting hair growth.

Zara uses:

Scalp Therapy Nourishing Mask

Elena

After six months of using the Neofollics Hair Growth Stimulating Shampoo and Hair Growth Stimulating Conditioner, the hair became healthier and fuller. After a few months, new hair growth also became visible, providing more confidence in the results.

Elena uses:

Hair Growth Stimulating Conditioner

Key learnings

The above results show that piroctone olamine works effectively against dandruff and itching and stimulates hair growth in multiple ways. It stimulates hair growth by decreasing hair loss, increasing the number of hairs in the growth phase and increasing the hair diameter. When compared to the well-known ingredient ketoconazole, it has a similar effect on itch and dandruff and scores better when it comes to hair growth. That is why we at Neofollics are using this ingredient as one of the active ingredients in our shampoos.

88%

of people using a shampoo with piroctone olamine experienced thicker hair, even in cases of hereditary hair loss

33%

of individuals saw an increase of more than 10% in the number of hairs in the growth phase when treated with piroctone olamine compared to ketoconazole

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Hair Growth Stimulating Shampoo

This shampoo reduces hair loss, improves thickness and supports healthy growth within 90 to 180 days. With 1% piroctone olamine and 12 active ingredients, it nourishes the scalp, offering an effective, gentle solution for men and women.

  • 90% reported an improvement after 90 days
  • 80% experienced more hair growth
  • 80% reported improvement in their scalp health
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Our expert answers

Which Neofollics products contain piroctone olamine?

Neofollics offers four products that contain piroctone olamine as an active ingredient: Hair Growth Stimulating Shampoo, Scalp Therapy Shampoo, Scalp Therapy Mask and Anti Grey Hair Shampoo. Each of these formulas uses piroctone olamine for its proven effectiveness in controlling dandruff and supporting a healthy scalp environment, which in turn helps reduce hair thinning and promotes stronger, fuller hair.

Why does Neofollics use piroctone olamine?

Neofollics uses piroctone olamine because it effectively controls dandruff and combats the fungus responsible for scalp issues like seborrheic dermatitis. By reducing scalp irritation and maintaining a healthy environment around the hair follicles, piroctone olamine helps minimise hair thinning and supports the growth of stronger, healthier hair.

Scientific studies

Anti-dandruff shampoos reduce hair shedding

“Nudging hair shedding by antidandruff shampoos. A comparison of 1% ketoconazole, 1% piroctone olamine and 1% zinc pyrithione formulations”
Piérard-Franchimont C, Goffin V, Henry F, Uhoda I, Braham C, Piérard GE