Nioxin Shampoo for Hair Loss: Does It Really Work?
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Hair loss can be a source of stress and anxiety for many.
Around 1 in 4 people with hereditary male pattern baldness start losing their hair before the age of 21. And by the age of 35, around 2 in 3 experience some degree of hair loss. Additionally, over 50% of women experience postmenopause hair loss, according to a recent study.
Stress, nutrition, and health conditions can lead to hair loss.
There are products that can help stop hair loss. Nioxin is a clinically proven solution for hair loss.
If you are experiencing hair loss and are thinking about using Nioxin, here is what you need to know.
Nioxin is a hair loss treatment that uses minoxidil, a clinically proven ingredient that reduces the effects of hair loss.
Minoxidil was
Eva Graham started the Nioxin brand in 1987 after she lost half of her hair. Graham founded a research laboratory to study hair care after consulting with scientists and hair experts.
Nioxin offers a variety of products for hair loss, as well as products for scalp care and dandruff.
Pros
- It improves hair thickness and hair loss.
- Nioxin products are generally well received by reviewers.
- It is easy to use.
- Results can be seen in 30 days.
- There are a wide range of products, including formulas for color-treated hair and more severe hair loss.
Cons
- “It doesn’t work for all hair loss.”
- Maintaining a hair treatment regimen can be difficult.
- The product options may be confusing.
- Cost can be a factor.
- You need to use the product for a long time.
- It can cause hair growth in people assigned female at birth.
Nioxin works best for people with nonscarring alopecia, which means that their hair follicles still have the potential to grow back. The hair follicle is destroyed due to scarring alopecia.
Androgenic alopecia is a hair loss condition that can affect both genders at birth. It is referred to as pattern baldness.
According to board certified dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav, products with minoxidil are best for people who are just beginning to observe hair loss at the crown or back of their head.
She says that if you notice your part widening and more hair is visible, you could be a good candidate for minoxidil treatment.
Minoxidil has been shown to increase hair regrowth. Nioxin claims that its products reduce hair fall by up to 91%. The company says that 85% of customers who have tried the Nioxin System Kits have noticed a thickening effect in their hair.
According to Yadav, the active ingredient in Nioxin, minoxidil (which is also found in hair loss treatments like Rogaine, Keranique, and many others), can stop hair loss in about half of those who use it for androgenic alopecia.
The best way to treat hair loss is with minoxidil. This product may not be as helpful if you have a sparse hair at the front of your head.
She says it is the most effective if used before 40.
If you are a good candidate for this treatment, you should start minoxidil as soon as possible.
If you want to find out the cause of your hair loss, you should seek out a board certified dermatologist.
She says that other doctors can help determine if there are underlying causes to hair loss. Hair loss may not be related to your hair, but it could be caused by a variety of factors.
If you see clumps of hair fall when you wash your hair or more than 50 to 100 strands a day, she advises you to seek medical help.
Nioxin needs to be used indefinitely in order to continue working.
“Once a person discontinues these products there is a regression to the hair loss, as the hair will return to its baseline growing pattern,” says board certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Gonzalez. “Due to the need for consistent and long-term use, the cost may be another factor to consider when starting this treatment.”
It is not realistic to expect Nioxin to cure or reverse hair loss, because minoxidil is not the only treatment needed.
It can be difficult to know which products actually contain minoxidil when you first glance. Here is a breakdown.
Minoxidil hair regrowth treatments
Nioxin offers two products for hair loss.
System kits
The brand also offers supplemental hair care kits called System Kits. These are six different kits, which are tailored to natural, color-treated, and bleached hair types.
Each kit comes in two strengths, one for light hair thinning and one for more progressed thinning. These products replace your shampoo and conditioner, but they don’t contain minoxidil.
The idea is that these kits give the best conditions for regrowth.
The system kits have three products.
- Scalp Shampoo: Like a traditional shampoo, the Nioxin Scalp Shampoo removes dirt and sebum to cleanse the scalp and prepare it for the next steps.
- Scalp Conditioner: Using delicate moisturizers, this conditioner is meant to strengthen hair without weighing it down.
- Scalp & Hair Treatment: This leave-in treatment is meant to be used after towel-drying your hair. It includes nicotinate, a compound made of niacin that
research from 2005 shows can increase hair fullness.
Hair regrowth kit
Nioxin offers a Hair Regrowth Kit that includes the shampoo, the conditioner and the hair regrowth treatment (the formula that contains minoxidil). You can choose from a kit with the 2% or 5% minoxidil formula.
This is a great option for maintaining the quality of your hair and getting the benefits of minoxidil. It gives you the most bang for your buck.
Here’s a quick look at how to start a Nioxin regimen for hair loss.
Step 1: Determine which products are right for you
The hair regrowth treatment contains minoxidil and can be used alone or in conjunction with a System Kit.
The brand suggests using the treatment with its shampoo and conditioner for optimal results. You can talk with your dermatologist for additional guidance on a treatment plan.
Step 2: Apply products according to the directions
It is important to use the products as directed and continue to use them daily, even if you only use the minoxidil hair regrowth treatment.
The hair regrowth treatment should be applied to a dry scalp if you use it daily. You should not wet your hair for at least 4 hours.
Step 3: Be consistent and patient
“A number of people give up on products like Nioxin because they don’t see results fast enough.”
She says that hair can only grow 1 centimeter a month and that consistency is important for any treatment.
You can determine if the products are working for you by using them daily for at least 3 months.
2% or 5% minoxidil is the active ingredient in Nioxin hair regrowth treatment. It contains alcohol, propylene glycol, and water.
The customer reviews for Nioxin products are overwhelmingly positive, both on its website and on Amazon.
Many reviewers of the hair regrowth treatment share their success stories.
Some comments claim to have regrowth of hair within 6 months and regrowth of hair lines to fullness.
People with hair loss give great feedback to the System Kits. Reviewers rave about their hair.
A hairdresser shared that she has seen almost full heads of hair grow back after using this product for customers with thin hair.
“Not everyone has success with Nioxin. The hair regrowth wasn’t significant enough for some people to justify the price, and they found it cumbersome to use it twice a day.”
A number of people have negative reviews about the hair regrowth treatment and the System Kits, with one reviewer saying that their hair is brittle and growing from their head.
The hair regrowth treatment has a 5-star rating and a 2% strength on Amazon, with the majority of the reviews being 4 and 5 stars.
The Nioxin Minoxidil Hair Regrowth Treatment is a good deal. The hair regrowth treatment is included in the kit.
The cost for the three-product Nioxin System Kit is $45. You can also get a trial size kit with a 1-month supply of the System Kit’s products for $30.
The most common side effects are itching and skin irritation.
Gonzalez tells her patients to test a small area before applying a product. She says to always consult with a dermatologist if irritation becomes severe.
Nioxin and any product that contains minoxidil as the active ingredient can cause hair loss. New growth replaces hair that has been lost.
People who use Nioxin products report hair growth. It is advised not to get product on the face for this reason. If contact occurs, rinse immediately.
| Nioxin | Rogaine | Keranique | |
| Products in regimen | 1–4 | 1 | 4 |
| Options for different genders and sexes | yes | yes | no |
| Cost | $35–$45 | $29 | $50 |
| Use | twice daily | twice daily | twice daily |
| Results | 1–3 months | 3–6 months | 4–6 months (or up to 1 year) |
How long does it take for Nioxin to work?
The brand says that 9 out of 10 users notice thicker hair within the first 30 days.
It typically takes 1 to 3 months to see significant hair regrowth from the hair regrowth treatment.
How does Minoxidil work?
In the early 1970s, minoxidil was used to treat high blood pressure. Doctors began to notice that hair regrowth was one of the side effects. Scientists began to develop treatments for regrowth of hair.
Scientists still have a limited understanding of how minoxidil stimulates hair growth, even though these products have been used successfully for years.
How long do I leave on minoxidil before I wash my hair?
Nioxin hair regrowth treatment should be applied to a dry scalp. You need to keep your hair dry for at least 4 hours to allow the treatment to work. Exposure to water, swimming, showering, or heavy rain is not allowed.
You can wash your hair after 4 hours.
What happens if you stop using Nioxin?
If you stop using Nioxin, you will likely notice that your hair is thin again. The products encourage hair growth and prevent hair loss when used as directed.
Can minoxidil get into the bloodstream?
In some cases, absorption through healthy skin is minimal. Nioxin believes that less than 5% of the dose is absorbed into the bloodstream.
There are reports of side effects related to systemic absorption. If this happens, it is usually because someone applied the solution to a large surface area, or they used higher than the recommended concentrations.
If you apply Nioxin to a damaged hair area, you should not use it on sores or cuts. Follow the recommended dose and usage instructions.
If you’re experiencing hair loss or thinning hair, products like Nioxin can give your hair the boost it needs to look and feel its best, and fullest.
Minoxidil is a proven hair loss treatment that is available over the counter. It is safe, effective, and has very few side effects.
The company offers System Kits with hair care products. The system works to cleanse, refresh, and nourish the hair and skin.
If you are concerned about hair loss or hair loss causes, talk to your doctor. In most cases, you can keep your hair healthy and shiny with the right products and a good lifestyle.
Natasha Burton is a freelance writer and editor who has written for Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Livestrong, Woman’s Day, and many other lifestyle publications. She’s the author of What’s My Type?: 100+ Quizzes to Help You Find Yourself ― and Your Match!, 101 Quizzes for Couples, 101 Quizzes for BFFs, 101 Quizzes for Brides and Grooms, and the co-author of “The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags.” When she’s not writing, she’s fully immersed in #momlife with her toddler and preschooler.
