About Nioxin
Since 1987, Nioxin has enjoyed a reputation among hair care consumers as being a treatment for thinning hair. The products purportedly remove buildup on the scalp that prevents hair follicles in the telogen (resting phase) from regrowing, as well as prevent excessive dihydrotestosterone (DHT)--a converted form of testosterone largely responsible for male pattern baldness--on the scalp and hair. Information from the company website notes that results from an independent study showed that nine out of 10 people who used Nioxin on a daily basis noted the appearance of thicker hair.
Three-Step System
Nioxin's foundation products are its eight types of three-step systems, which are comprised of Nioxin Cleanser, Nioxin Scalp Therapy and Nioxin Scalp Treatment. Consumers choose the system they feel most appropriate for their hair type and needs. Three-step systems are available for those with fine to normal or medium to coarse hair, thin-looking or visibly thinning hair and chemically treated hair.
Nioxin Use
The three-step systems are designed for daily use but can be used less frequently. Nioxin cleansers are essentially shampoos that are applied to wet hair and lathered for one minute before being rinsed out. Then Nioxin Scalp Therapy is applied to the scalp and hair and left in for one to three minutes before rinsing. The final step of the system is the leave-in scalp treatment, which is applied after the hair is towel-dried. The treatment is distributed evenly throughout the scalp and the hair combed through.
What Happens
The Beauty Brains' cosmetic scientists who operate a website to educate consumers about their favorite cosmetic products note that Nioxin doesn't enjoy the U.S. Food & Drug Administration stamp of approval as an over-the-counter product that actually treats thinning hair, such as minoxidil. While Nioxin cleansers do remove DHT from the scalp, almost any shampoo will do that. The Beauty Brains notes that the thickening effect most Nioxin users notice is likely due to the leave-in scalp treatment, which contains various types of proteins that coat the hair shaft, giving the perception of thicker hair after it dries.
