Revita includes ketoconazole because the powerful antifungal agent reduces scalp irritation, removes excess sebum, and inhibits the hormones associated with male pattern baldness. Ketoconazole is shown to combat inflammatory fungal colonization (below) and remove excess sebum, the fatty substance that often clogs follicles.

The anti-androgenic effect of ketoconazole, demonstrated through studies of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is even more promising. DHT, the hormone associated with male pattern baldness, may choke hair follicles by interfering with the enzyme adenylate cyclase. When hormonal concentrations becomes high, thick, terminal hairs whither down to thin, vellus hairs (peach fuzz).

      At a meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers presented an exciting double-blind study of a ketoconazole shampoo used to treat androgenic alopecia. One hundred male volunteers with dandruff and oily scalps used the 1% ketoconazole shampoo or a 1% zinc pyrithione shampoo, for six months.

      Hair diameter increased 8.5 percent with ketoconazole, but decreased 2.3 percent with zinc pyrithione. Sebum excretion went down 6.5 percent with ketoconazole, but went up 8.2 percent with zinc pyrithione. The number of hairs shed was reduced by 16.5 percent with ketoconazole, but only 6.0 percent with zinc pyrithione.

      A previous study done with prescription-strength 2% ketokonazole shampoo showed a seven-percent average increase in hair shaft diameter — similar to a control group using 2% minoxidil with non-medicated shampoo.

      All this research indicates that a ketoconazole shampoo, used two or three times per week, has positive effects for hair growth and dandruff control, so Revita incorporates ketoconazole into its formula.