My Thoughts On Nioxin
March 3, 2019
124 Comments
Things change. It’s a fact of life. But some people not only resist this change – they deny its very existence. If you’ve ever had your favourite soap character replaced by an entirely different actor or actress, you’ll know what I mean.
Rather than simply introducing a new character – or creating a storyline that involves a dramatic transformation – producers expect us to accept this change. Without giving us a reason for it.
Although I love surprises, there are some changes I’d like to be informed of. Take my hair growth shampoo, for instance: Nioxin System 6. Which I thought I knew… until it changed overnight. Now I don’t know whether or not to trust the Nioxin System 6 reviews I’ve read before – so I’m writing this to set the record straight.
Emma’s ‘not a doctor’ disclaimer
Hi there, I’m an alopecian, I’m not a doctor! Any advice I give is based on my own research and personal experiences. This site is however reader-supported. When you buy through external links, I may earn a tiny affiliate commission. Learn more here.
Since Eva Graham founded Nioxin Research Laboratories, Inc. in 1987 (following her own troubles with hair loss), the company has changed its scale, its location and yes, its formula. So it’s used to mixing things up.
Proctor and Gamble (P&G) bought the company in 2008. And now its hair growth products are – apparently – made in Mexico, as opposed to the USA. (Although the manufacturer’s website states that they’re still made in Lithia Springs, Georgia, as of 2015.)
What’s more, the formula used to be sulfate-free. (Nowadays, Nioxin does contain sulfates.) Still many reviewers say these treatments continue to promote thicker, fuller hair and a healthier scalp environment. So they seem to work, regardless of the changes they’ve undergone.
LA Says: It’s worth noting that the company never claims to stop hair loss or regrow hair. The benefits are simply to:
The idea is that with a healthy, moisturized scalp and stronger hair follicles, hair loss will be less of an issue. And that a more nourished, less irritated scalp can promote hair growth.
Still unsure about the benefits for hair thinning women and men? Then read Lady Alopecia’s full investigation of the brand here!
There have always been different kits for different hair types. But it seems that over the past couple of years, the company has changed those kits around. I’m not exactly when this change happened… but I’m glad my hairdresser friend told me. Otherwise, I would’ve kept on using Nioxin system 6 when I should’ve been using system 2. Doh.
The new hair growth kits are divided into 3 categories:
And then each of these categories is further split, depending on whether you’re experiencing light or progressed thinning.
It might seem confusing. But really, it’s just to guarantee that you get a product that’s as close to your needs as possible. Well, that’s the idea, anyway.
To help you decide, here’s an overview of each kit, with links to a more detailed review.
Psst… If you’re still not sure which system is best for you, try this consultation tool.
Like I mentioned earlier, these guys have changed in the years since I first became a customer.
I started using Nioxin 6 shampoo and the rest of the Nioxin 6 kit back in 2014. The year I shaved my head and went to Bali to rock my bald noggin out there. I’d just returned home, sprouting a few teeny strands after a snail egg concoction I’d been applying and visited my hairdresser friend for further advice.
She recommended stocking up on a Nioxin System 6 kit to stimulate hair growth – which, at the time, was recommended for “noticeably thinning, medium to coarse hair”. It suited me just fine and after a couple of months’ use, my hair even grew back: check out my personal Nioxin 6 review here!
Unfortunately, it started shedding again after I stopped using the products. I didn’t bother turning to them again afterwards; I was quite happy with my new look. But when I visited my friend again in 2017, she told me that Nioxin had changed up their formula entirely. Without telling anyone, it seems.
So, thinning hair women and men: if you’ve used Nioxin 6 shampoo and conditioner in the past, and you’re still using it now, take note. Because maybe it’s time to check whether it’s still the right system for your hair type.
LA Says: Be wary of Nioxin 6 reviews that recommend it for natural, medium to coarse hair. This is no longer the case – if you have natural hair, you need system 1 or system 2.
This 3D care kit includes: one shampoo, one conditioner and one Nioxin system 6 scalp treatment. They form a 3-pronged approach to revitalising your locks and regaining a healthy scalp after using harmful chemicals or excessive heat.
The result? Well, according to Nioxin, these babies team up to “remove follicle-clogging sebum, fatty acids and environmental residues, while restoring the moisture level and providing color protection.” Go, team!
Step 1: Cleanse. Your journey begins with a deep-clean. Ridding yourself of impurities and slowly starting to save your scalp from the chemicals you’ve boldly subjected it to. (Poor scalpie!)
After bleaching your strands into straw-like submission, give them a little TLC with peppermint oil and white tea extract. The cooling sensations will be a welcome surprise after all that hot curling tongs action.
Apply to a wet head and build up a nice lather – enjoying a gentle scalp massage for 1 minute. Mmm.
Step 2: Optimize. Your head might already be starting to forgive you for treating it quite so harshly. You’ve cooled it down a little. Now it’s time to give it a good ol’ dose of moisture.
The conditioner that comes with the Nioxin 6 kit is super-creamy and actually, a little heavy – so you don’t need to use much.
However, if your hair appears particularly damaged after all those chemical treatments, you might want to supplement it with a Deep Protect Density Masque. Apply it once or twice a week, leave in a little longer and enjoy the silken strands of a L’Oréal ad in no time. Because you’re worth it, too.
Or, if the conditioner is enough for you right now, that’s fine! After rinsing the cleanser, comb it through your hair, from root to tip. Leave it in for around 3 minutes and rinse before moving on to Step 3.
Step 3: Treat. Ooh, a treat! We all love treats, right? Well, so does your noggin.
You’ve cooled it down. You’ve given it some moisture. And now it’s time to give it an extra-special present – protection from the harsh world outside.
One of the best hair growth products out their, with trademarked technologies – like BioAmp and Glyco-Shield – doing some great things for your scalp. No harsh environmental effects here, not even the sun; the SPF in this baby’s got you covered.
Apply to damp hair in small sections. Although if you’ve as little hair as I do, you probably don’t need to bother with separate sections – just the one will do. 😉 Leave it to do its heroic work as you go about your day. Yay!
Compared to all the hairdresser bills you’re bound to have clocked up with all that bleaching, perming or straightening, Nioxin runs pretty cheap! It doesn’t involve buying curling tongs or hair straighteners. Nor does it involve repeat visits to the salon.
Nope, you can get a range of professional, salon-quality treatments at a price that won’t make your remaining hair stand on end! For instance, the 33.8oz/1L bottle of hair loss shampoo costs around $20–$30 on Amazon (although you’ll probably pay twice that at a salon). And the full Nioxin 6 system is under $50. Not bad, right?!
Check out more places to buy it here, or use the manufacturer’s “salon finder” if you don’t fancy buying it online.
As with any hair thinning treatment (or rather, hair care system), how soon it works depends on the person. Some people notice a big difference in a few weeks, even though it’s recommended to use the kit for at least 6 months.
The turnaround for me was at the 3-month mark – when I foolishly stopped using Nioxin. I have natural hair, though, so it wasn’t in that bad of a condition. For those with chemically treated hair, which is perhaps a little more damaged, it might take longer.
Well, I’ve already given a few application tips but in terms of frequency, I’d use it daily. Unless you have a very sensitive scalp – in which case, stick to 3 or 4 times a week for the shampoo and conditioner, while continuing to use the Hair & Scalp Treatment every day.
Buy the full system (or a smaller “starter kit”) from Amazon, from a salon, or directly from the manufacturer’s site.
If you’re noticing any serious side effects – redness and mild irritation are ok but hives and swelling are not. Also, discontinue use if you don’t notice any changes after 6 months. It might be time to move on.
By all means, if you need to cling onto that perm, that sleek ‘n’ straight style or that blonde bombshell look, do. It mightn’t be very healthy for your hair but at least Nioxin will help to offset the damage. I’d always advocate a more natural approach without sulfates or parabens if possible, but do what ya gotta do!
If your hair still seems quite brittle and dry, you could alternate Nioxin with a super-gentle shampoo like Revita or Pura D’Or.
If you’ve been chemically treating your hair, and if you’ve been experiencing hair loss or hair thinning because of it – or for another reason entirely – then it’s worth giving system 6 a go.
Especially if you’ve been a loyal Nioxin customer for years and didn’t realise they changed their formula. This system might be your new best friend.
Let me know how you get on!
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Alopecian. Yoga Teacher. Copywriter. Here to share information, offer support and show people the adventures that can lie in hair loss. I’m proud to have alopecia and I want to help others embrace their baldness, too!
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I’m Emma. I’ve had alopecia for 24 years and I’m here to inform/hopefully empower people like me! Read my full story here. But I’m not a doctor, so any advice here is based on my own research and experience. I’m also in a few affiliate programs – see my disclaimer page for more. Or contact me here. Also, why not join a thousand fellow alopecians and get my-semi regular hair about life with irregular hair?
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