Question about topical & zinc

IH --

A couple of weeks ago my scalp broke out with heavy inflammation. It was very itchy and red. That hadn't happened to me in a long time. It almost seemed like it was brought on by the change in temperature/season here. I'm wondering how much of it is an allergic response in me?

Anyway, I hadn't been using the topical daily so I went back on it immediately.

I also pre-washed with Head and Shoulders Sensitive w/aloe before using the topical. I know, I shouldn't use an SLS based shampoo, but that Head and Shoulders seems to help me when my scalp gets inflamed.

Anyway, long story short, the combo of the Head and Shoulders and the Topical killed the inflammation in a matter of days.

I've been using it for the past few weeks and my scalp feels and looks very healthy.

This leads me to my question -- I know Head and Shoulders uses pyrithione zinc in the product.

Would there be any benefit to adding that to the topical? Is it even possible to get a hold of it and add it?

I'd rather not use an SLS based shampoo for obvious reasons, but the key to my hair loss is keeping my inflammation at bay and this combo seems to work at that quite effectively.

I'm also curious if you're ready to announce any additions to the topical. I know you have been experimenting with some stuff and since I'm getting ready to make a new batch I'm curious.

Thanks in advance.

hadrion - Head & Shoulders or its equivalent formula was studied a few years ago.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12932243

It does help a little and probably enough to handle the SLS, since Zinc is especially good for atopic dermatitis or skin inflammation.

I quite like the additional of Potassium Chloride on the scalp. I haven't mixed this in the shampoo because I use a lot of it. I am currently out of Lithium (got to reorder some more), so I've been using Potassium Chloride on my scalp exclusively for about a week, so far so good and I had used it with the Lithium topical prior also.

metro made a post about using Potassium Chloride and had felt it might have helped him. I had some on hand and it occurred to me that I could use it topically.

Since hypertension is often caused by high aldosterone levels, and since hair loss is strongly correlated with both, I had a few theories on increasing potassium and what would happen. I tried taking loads of apple cider vinegar capsules but didn't smell good from it. I had been looking for a potassium supplement since that time, and then metro made that post--of course potassium chloride.

When potassium levels are low, glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta) activity increases. This is very significant because GSK-3beta means two things, more sebum and inhibition of Wnt signaling. Wnt signaling is necessary for hair to grow.

Minoxidil works in theory by activating Potassium ATP channels. I think this (topical potassium chloride) will do just as well without any sides.

Lithium also inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta), but I can really feel the potassium absorbing. Unlike magnesium chloride which has a warm or heat sensation when it is absorbed or rubbed into the skin, potassium chloride has a cool sensation. This makes it easy to guide all the places you want to target its absorption.

What I do is first shampoo my hair, and before I rinse it I will pour two or three grams worth of potassium chloride in my hand and lather it in.