By Scott Blaine Hoffman, founder of Regenepure and Regrowth.com · 30+ years in the hair-loss field · Published November 2026
I make both of these shampoos, so this isn't a contest. It's the question I get asked most: "Should I use DR or NT?" Here is the straight answer, based on what is in each bottle and how people actually use them.
Quick answer
- Regenepure DR contains ketoconazole. Choose it if you want ketoconazole in your routine, or if buildup, flaking or an oily scalp is part of your picture.
- Regenepure NT is ketoconazole-free. Choose it if you'd rather skip ketoconazole, find it drying, or want a gentle shampoo with built-in conditioning agents for daily washing.
- Many people use both, alternating DR and NT from one wash to the next. That's how hair transplant surgeons often recommend them.
Side-by-side
| Regenepure DR | Regenepure NT | |
|---|---|---|
| Ketoconazole | Yes | No |
| Sulfate-free / paraben-free | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
| Key ingredients | Ketoconazole, saw palmetto extract, caffeine, niacin, vitamin B6, zinc oxide, salicylic acid, emu and jojoba oils, aloe | Saw palmetto extract, caffeine, niacin, vitamin B6, lecithin, emu oil, horsetail and hops extracts, panthenol |
| Feel | Deep-cleansing scalp treatment | Gentle and moisturizing, with conditioning agents |
| Best for | Buildup, flaking, oily scalp; anyone who wants ketoconazole | Dry, fine or sensitive scalps; anyone avoiding ketoconazole |
| Price | $35 | $29 |
Full ingredient lists are on each product page: Regenepure DR and Regenepure NT.
Why DR has ketoconazole
Ketoconazole is an antifungal that controls Malassezia, the yeast behind dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. A calmer, cleaner scalp is a good starting point for anyone with thinning hair, and a small body of research suggests ketoconazole shampoo may modestly help pattern hair loss too. I go through that research in Ketoconazole Shampoo for Hair Loss: Does It Work? When I formulated DR, I put ketoconazole in a sulfate-free base so people could use it more often than a conventional dandruff shampoo.
Why NT doesn't
Not everyone wants ketoconazole. Some people find it drying, some simply prefer to avoid it, and some want a gentler shampoo on the days in between. NT keeps saw palmetto, caffeine and niacin, leaves out ketoconazole, and adds lecithin, emu oil and conditioning agents so fine hair feels soft and fuller rather than stripped.
What surgeons tell their patients
Hair transplant surgeons recommend both shampoos to their own patients. In their words:
"We recommend Regenepure DR because it has gentle ingredients and is sulfate free. It helps break up any residue that builds on the scalp and controls dandruff which some experience in the first few months after their procedure as their skin is still healing. We encourage our patients to use both Regenepure DR and NT as a safe and effective hair care system."
— H. Rahal, M.D., Hair Transplant Surgeon
"I recommend Regenepure NT to my post-op patients. It's the safest sulfate free shampoo for the hair and scalp."
— Dr. Glen Charles, D.O., Hair Transplant Physician
See more on our Recommended by Physicians page. If you've had a procedure, always follow your own surgeon's washing instructions first, and read Hair Care After a Hair Transplant.
How to alternate DR and NT
- Wash 1: Regenepure DR. Massage it into the scalp and leave it on for two to three minutes before rinsing.
- Wash 2: Regenepure NT. Massage in and rinse.
- Repeat, and follow either one with the Intense Volumizing Biotin Conditioner on the lengths.
- Using minoxidil? Apply it to a completely dry scalp after washing.
Which kit fits
- The DR Regrowth Kit: DR, Biotin Conditioner and 5% Minoxidil Spray.
- The NT Regrowth Kit: the same routine with ketoconazole-free NT.
- The Restoration Kit: DR and NT to alternate, plus Biotin Conditioner, with no minoxidil.
Not sure? Compare all three on Start Your Regrowth.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use DR every day?
DR is sulfate-free and gentle enough for regular use, but most people get the best feel by alternating it with NT. If your scalp feels dry, use DR less often.
Is NT a conditioner?
No. NT is a shampoo, but it contains conditioning agents, so it is moisturizing enough for daily washing. Most people still follow it with the Biotin Conditioner on the lengths.
Which one is better after a hair transplant?
Surgeons recommend both. Follow your clinic's instructions, especially in the first weeks after surgery.
Can women use DR and NT?
Yes. Both shampoos are for men and women, and both are safe on color-treated hair.
Will either shampoo regrow hair by itself?
No shampoo is a stand-alone hair-loss treatment. Think of DR and NT as the scalp-care foundation of a routine that may include a proven treatment such as minoxidil.
Educational content only, not medical advice. Physician quotes reflect individual professional opinions about Regenepure products, not clinical testing.
