Since hair loss affects over 85% of men [1] and 55% of women [2] during their lifetime, a flourishing hair growth cosmetics market has developed. Nioxin is one of the more popular brands that offer such hair care products. Their website promises fast results in terms of improving hair fullness. But does Nioxin really work for hair growth?
The truth is that while Nioxin products contain some ingredients that may promote growth and reduce hair thinning, there are no clinical trials to prove their effectiveness. This article will tell you all you need to know about Nioxin and its relation to hair loss, such as:
Nioxin is a brand of salon-grade hair care products. Their main product selling points are that they improve hair growth, reduce hair thinning and promote scalp health.
However, despite claims of their products being clinically proven, there is currently little evidence to prove whether and to what extent Nioxin might work for hair growth.
Nioxin offers a variety of hair care and styling products, such as:
This article, however, focuses on the products which promise a reduction in hair thinning and/or an increase in hair growth.
Nioxin is probably best known for its four System Kits, each of which contains a shampoo, a conditioner and a leave-on hair treatment. System Kits promise to improve hair loss and make your tresses thicker and fuller.
Two kits are designed for people with light thinning, while the other two are for those with more advanced thinning. The reason there are 2 different kits for each hair shedding intensity is that one is formulated for natural hair and the other for coloured hair. However, the main ingredients listed on the product website are the same for all system kits.
At this time, there are no publicly available clinical trials to determine whether Nioxin really works for hair growth or to curb hair loss. While the company’s website mentions some very positive alleged self-reported consumer results for certain products, the studies behind them are not published or even discussed. Even if they were, independent evidence would be needed to assess product effectiveness for improving hair properties and reducing hair shedding.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that Nioxin products are ineffective in making your hair fuller. But scientific proof is needed to show whether this effect exists and to what extent.
Some insight into Nioxin product effectiveness can be gleaned from its main ingredients (to be discussed). However, since ingredient quantities and proportions are undisclosed, it is difficult to assess their true impact.
While different Nioxin products can have different formulations, the following ingredients are commonly used in those that claim to reduce hair thinning, curb hair loss and stimulate your hair follicles for growth.
There is a proven link between topically applied caffeine and hair loss reduction. Studies show that caffeine shampoos for hair loss can be quite effective when it comes to curbing hair thinning in androgenetic alopecia [3]. Moreover, one study shows that using a caffeine lotion twice a day for 6 months can obtain comparable results to Minoxidil 5% in treating male pattern baldness (however, that does not necessarily mean a caffeine shampoo would have the same effect, as it can have a lower caffeine concentration and be kept on the scalp for shorter amounts of time) [22].
Caffeine can counter the negative effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on your hair follicles, stimulate healthy hair production and prevent damage to the outer root sheath of your hair.
There is currently little evidence that niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide) — a type of vitamin B3 — can improve hair growth. While certain vitamin deficiencies can cause hair loss, B3 deficiency is not one of them [4].
One 2021 lab study suggests that niacinamide may reduce hair thinning by prolonging the anagen (growth) phase of your hair growth cycle and reducing oxidative stress to your hair follicles [5]. However, clinical trials are needed to support this finding.
This ingredient is one of the best essential oils for hair growth. Animal studies show that peppermint oil for hair can boost hair growth rates comparably to Minoxidil [6] (however, human trials are needed to demonstrate this effect in people).Due to its menthol content, peppermint oil can also soothe an inflamed scalp and increase blood flow to your hair follicles [7]. It can also reduce oxidative stress, improve hair quality and prevent hair breakage [8]. However, a 2024 study found insufficient evidence of this oil’s effectiveness in curbing androgenetic alopecia [9].
This fatty acid is one of the major components of coconut oil. Lauric acid can moisturise and condition your hair, making it smooth, silky and shiny [10]. It also has some antifungal properties which may help with common scalp problems such as dandruff [10].
However, while there is some evidence of effectiveness against hair loss when combined with other topical ingredients [11], there are currently no studies to show the effect of lauric acid alone on hair loss or hair growth.
Did you know that your hair follicles can “smell” [12]? Sandalore is a sandalwood-scented odorant (similar to a perfume) which may help treat telogen effluvium, according to a small study [13]. It works by sending smell signals to olfactory receptors in your hair follicles. These receptors bind to signalling molecules that float through the air, such as those present in sandalore. [13]. The respective molecules then stimulate the corresponding biochemical pathways which are linked to your hair growth cycle. This helps prolong the anagen (growth) phase, keeping your hair growing for longer.
Sandalore may also have some antimicrobial properties that can have a positive effect on your scalp microbiome [14]. However, large-scale clinical trials are needed to ascertain the effect of this odorant on hair loss.
Wild mint oil is generally known for its antioxidant properties [15][16]. Since it is extracted from a species of mint, it also contains menthol [17] which can soothe your scalp and may help improve local blood flow. However, there is currently no evidence that this oil can help with hair loss or hair growth.
Here are the main ingredients listed for the products marketed for hair thinning and hair loss on the Nioxin website (please keep in mind that although some products contain the same main ingredients, their concentrations are not necessarily the same in every product):
No, at this time, Nioxin does not contain Minoxidil. It used to offer 2 products which did contain this medication and which were FDA-approved as hair loss treatments: Nioxin Hair Regrowth Treatment for Men and Nioxin Hair Regrowth Treatment for Women. However, both these products have been discontinued.
Nowadays, Nioxin relies on other ingredients that may make your hair fuller and to reduce excessive shedding.
Judging by the main ingredients of their products, Nioxin may have the following benefits for your scalp and hair:
However, more information is needed about the exact proprietary formulation to confirm how likely you are to benefit from Nioxin.
The Nioxin website promises “thicker, fuller hair in 30 days”. However, given its main ingredients, it is highly unlikely that you will experience visible hair regrowth in as little as one month.
Most topical hair growth medications take 3-6 months to produce visible results and there is no evidence to suggest Nioxin products would work faster. So if you intend to use Nioxin for hair growth, it will likely take at least 3-6 months of regular use before you can expect to see any changes to your hair fullness.
There isn’t enough information at this time to compare the effectiveness of Nioxin and Minoxidil. Minoxidil has proven hair growth results [18]. However, all we know about Nioxin is that it contains some ingredients which, under certain circumstances (e.g. the right concentration, long-term daily use, etc.), may have a comparable effect to Minoxidil in curbing your hair thinning and improving hair density.
Until publicly available independent clinical trials emerge, Nioxin’s hair growth potential will remain under question.
Nioxin products are unlikely to cause any serious side effects. However, like any cosmetic product, it should be tested on a small patch of skin before first use to avoid an allergic reaction. This occurrence is quite rare with shampoos, but the risk may increase when using leave-in products, as your scalp is exposed to the allergen for longer.
Some of the main ingredients in Nioxin products have very mild potential side effects. These may or may not have translated to the solutions they are found in. For example, topical caffeine can cause mild scalp irritation and minor changes in hair shade [19], while peppermint oil can cause a temporary tingling sensation on your scalp.
No, Nioxin products do not claim to prevent hair loss by blocking dihydrotestosterone (DHT) production. However, one of their main ingredients, caffeine, can counteract the negative impact of DHT on your follicles, which causes hair miniaturisation. It does so by optimising cell activity, stimulating the expression of growth factors in hair follicle cells and improving blood flow to the scalp. So while it is not a natural DHT blocker like saw [almetto for hair loss, it may reduce the impact of DHT on your hair.
Every person’s hair needs are different. Use this list of pros and cons to determine whether Nioxin is worth trying to stimulate your hair growth.
If you have progressive hair thinning, relying solely on hair cosmetics to treat it can be risky, because if they don’t work, your alopecia can worsen. The best thing you can do is to see a trichologist as soon as possible and get personalised treatment.
Even proven hair loss medications, such as Minoxidil or Finasteride, can be ineffective if your alopecia is very advanced, let alone shampoos and conditioners. For mid- to late-stage hair loss, a hair transplant may be your best chance at regaining good scalp coverage. However, even this procedure has a time window, since you need to have sufficient healthy hair follicles left in your donor area for good results.
While these products are not marketed for any hair type in particular, Nioxin shampoos contain both sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate, which can be harsh on dry, brittle hair. Moreover, the shampoos and conditioners in the System Kits contain parabens, which can have a negative impact on already damaged tresses. If you have damaged tresses or a curly hair type (such as Afro hair), it’s best to use shampoos and conditioners that are specifically designed for your hair needs.
Depending on the severity of your hair thinning, as well as your personal preference, you can try some of the following evidence-based alternatives to Nioxin for hair growth.
If you are looking for hair cleaning products that can help with thinning, try some of the best shampoos for hair loss. Alternatively, opt for one of the best 2-in-1 shampoos and conditioners for hair growth.
If you are a man looking for the perfect hair product, you can also try one of these effective hair loss shampoos that work for men.
If Nioxin’s use of natural ingredients has piqued your interest, there are plenty of other natural remedies that have clinical evidence to back their use. Take a look at these scientifically proven ways to grow thicker hair naturally.
Here are some of the best non-surgical hair restoration treatments that really work. However, you need to find the right one for your type of alopecia.
To this end, the best thing you can do is see a trichologist and get their recommendation. Depending on your condition, they may suggest hair growth medication (e.g. Minoxidil or Finasteride) and/or a form of therapy, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) hair treatment or red light therapy for hair growth.
If your hair loss is significant, you may be a good candidate for a hair transplant. This simple, effective outpatient surgery involves harvesting healthy hair follicles from the back of your head and reimplanting them in the thinning areas on your scalp.
This procedure can restore good hair density and coverage. And unlike other hair growth treatments that you have to take every day, a hair transplant is permanent. At the Wimpole Clinic, we take pride in our 50-year history of hair restoration surgery excellence. Our success rates are over 97% for both FUE and FUT procedures.
If you are experiencing hair thinning and are unsure which treatment is right for you, don’t waste your time and money trying different brands of unproven hair products. Leave your hair health up to the professionals.
Book a consultation today with one of our top trichologists, at your most convenient clinic location. They will work with you to find personalised solutions for your specific hair needs and recommend the best evidence-based hair loss treatment for men or the most effective hair loss treatment for women. The moment you start seeing the results, you will know you have placed your hair in the most capable hands.
If you want to find out more about Nioxin, take a look at the answers to these frequently asked questions:
Nioxin recommends that you use all the products in the System Kit at least 3 times a week for optimal results. And since research shows that you get the best hair quality results when washing your hair 5-6 times a week [20], you can do so even more frequently.
Yes, you should be able to use Nioxin products alongside other hair loss treatments. Their ingredients are mostly natural and are not likely to interfere with hair loss medications such as Minoxidil or Finasteride.
However, to be on the safe side, it is a good idea to ask your trichologist before using any Nioxin products other than their shampoos and conditioners.
Hair care products don’t require any specific FDA approval. However, the Nioxin product range used to include two hair growth treatments which contained Minoxidil. Given that Minoxidil is an FDA-approved medication for hair loss, those particular products were also able to receive this approval. But since they have been discontinued, Nioxin has no further FDA-approved products in their current range.
Some Nioxin products, such as the Scalp Recovery Kit, can help you with your dandruff, as they contain zinc pyrithione, an antifungal known as effective against common scalp problems such as dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis [21].
However, please be aware that zinc pyrithione has been banned for cosmetic use in the EU since 2022. That’s because it has been found to negatively affect the reproductive system. While the small concentration found in hair care products is unlikely to harm you, you may want to opt for safer alternatives, such as products that contain piroctone olamine.
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