Hi Michele, thanks for sharing your experience and I’m really sorry for the delayed response! I’m also sorry to hear about your trouble with Nioxin…may I ask how long you used it for though? As this is quite a common side effect within the first 2 weeks, while your scalp gets used to the new formula. I’ve heard this anecdotally several times but for those who keep using it, there is a marked improvement after a couple of weeks! With Keranique, I don’t massively recommend it because a) apparantely, a lot of customers are scammed into an autoship programme (see my Keranique post for more) and b) it contians 2% minoxidil, which is quite harsh on the scalp. It has been proven to help hair growth…but actually, essential peppermint oil does the same thing with less side effects! I don’t promote the use of minoxidil myself because I’ve used it in the past and it gave me headaches, heart palpitations and dizzy spells. But I know lots of people do use it (for instance, it’s the main ingredient in Rogaine). For me, I prefer the more natural approach, which is why I like Nioxin…or for something even more chemical free, I’d highly recommend Revita – full post here. Salesy, right? Definitely. But it actually delivers on these points in terms of treating men and women’s thinning hair. And even though I felt a little silly using something ‘designed to strengthen, nourish and repair thinning hair from its foundation’ when I had no hair at all, I soldiered on. I can’t say enough good things about the Nioxin hair care system. Not only does it smell great, it feels very invigorating on my scalp. Also since using this system, my hair doesn’t fall out half as much as it used to. And my curls look amazing. My hair feels so healthy and clean after as well.” Can be expensive: Nioxin products can be relatively expensive compared to other hair care brands, especially if you need to use multiple products to achieve the desired results.

Robin, I’m so sorry to hear about your experience. I totally get how scary it can be to see more come out…but as I mention in this post and in my other ones about Nioxin, this is a common side effect. It is simply what happens as your scalp gets used to a new formula and it will happen with many hair loss treatments. Initial shedding is actually a GOOD THING as it means your scalp is getting rid of the ‘dead hair’, creating a new environment for fresh hair to come through. THis shedding shouldn’t last any longer than 2 weeks of daily use. But if you’ve only tried it twice, I’m afraid the treatment isn’t really getting a fair chance! Does Nioxin work? To put it quite simply—yes. According to the testimonials as of April 2023, a majority of customers have said that their products worked for them. Ever since I was a baby, I was allergic to some of the microorganisms that are a part of every person’s skin biome. This allergy resulted in dandruff, starting at age 13. For decades, I tried so many shampoos, both prescription and OTC. Many of them kept the dandruff in control for about 2 days. But this shampoo was different. It eliminated my dandruff. It is a strong shampoo and my theory is that it was able to get under the layer of skin containing dead cells, thus allowing the cells to be rinsed away. My dandruff is gone, and does not recur, but my scalp still gets irritated due the allergy. But it is so nice not to deal any more with the dandruff component of the problem.Many people prefer to try Nioxin’s major competitor, Keranique, instead – as it’s sulfate-free. See my comparison post between the two for more. After all, an ayurvedic doctor once told me: ‘The hair is like grass. If the soil is all dried up or flooded, how can we expect it to grow?’ So anything that focuses on the scalp sounds like a good idea to me. Whereas others report that Nioxin causes breakages and increased hair fall. Which (understandably) means they give up on it before regrowth can occur.

Next I noticed that the ingredients were DIFFERENT, despite no notification from the manufacturer that this would occur. The credibility of the hair loss treatment has also been called into question, with customers complaining that Nioxin changed its formula since P&G took over. (It now contains sodium laureth sulfate – find sulfate free options here). Extensions and wigs can be seen as temporary solutions for thinning hair. For a more permanent alternative, you might want to look into Nioxin’s System 1 set. This Nioxin shampoo review recommends discontinuing use immediately if you experience any allergic reactions or warning signs. What happens if you stop using Nioxin? Multi-step approach: Nioxin’s systems are designed to be used in a multi-step approach, with a shampoo, conditioner, and treatment all working together to improve the health of the scalp and promote healthier-looking hair. This multi-step approach can be particularly beneficial for individuals with thinning hair or hair loss, as it allows for a more comprehensive approach to hair care.But it did make my existing hair a lot stronger. In fact, I only noticed how much I’d come to depend on Nioxin when my little travel bottles of the shampoo and conditioner ran out and I had to use normal shampoo again. The almost instantaneous result was dry, brittle hair, increased hair fall and bigger patches. I’m 48 and really started noticing my hair thinning along with my crown and part. I tried vitamins, various shampoos, etc and nothing was working. I’ve been using it 2x day for a month and I’m thrilled with the progress. Easy to use liquid that you rub in well. No odor and no side effects for me.” What are the side effects of Nioxin?

Optional) Apply the Nioxin scalp treatment. Some Nioxin systems include a scalp treatment that is applied after shampooing and conditioning. This treatment is massaged into the scalp and left on without rinsing. Scientifically proven ingredients: Nioxin products are formulated with a range of scientifically proven ingredients, including niacin, caffeine, and saw palmetto extract, among others. These ingredients have been shown in studies to help improve hair density and reduce hair shedding.I’m talking about the hair shaft, of course. Shame on you.) The thing is, when you do have some hair to bare, Nioxin treats each follicle in a kinder way. For instance, the lightweight conditioner contains vital amino acids for moisture balance. This protects each hair strand against the damages of environmental stresses and reduces breakage.