Has anyone tried Nioxin or Rogaine?

[KirstenB]

My hair started thinning about 10 years ago when I was 30. Just around the temples. I keep it very short, and it's straight. Lately I've been wondering if there's anything to help make it look thicker. Any opinions? Thanks in advance!

 

[MAKmom]

No but check the ingredients in your shampoo for sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) can cause contact dermatitis.

Which can result in hair loss. DD19 was using VO5 & her hair was falling out on the sides. She found it for 50 cents a bottle & was using it for a few weeks when I asked her to check the bottle. She stopped using it & her hair is growing back.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I've been using Nioxin products for over a year, and haven't noticed a difference.

 

[momof2inPA]

My sisters and I used Nioxin products after we had kids, when we started to lose our "pregnancy" hair, and it really worked, but you have to use the expensive bottle (I can't even remember what it's called) everyday.

 

[KirstenB]

Thanks for the info on the sodium lauryl sulfate, I'll check the label.

My whole family has this thin straight wimpy hair, drives us nuts. My poor brothers and dad have really thinned out over the years. I'd seen the Nioxin, but it's really expensive (at least to me). Thanks Mom of 2 and Chris and Steph, for your experience.

Now of course as I debate the expense, I just bought $28.00 worth of shampoo for swimmers for my 8 year old. Kids!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Several years ago my hair started to fall out in what seemed like large amounts. I was working on a charity event and was under A LOT of stress, but after it was over my hair kept falling out. My hairdresser at the time suggested Nioxin but I never tried it because it isn't cheap!

I saw a dermatologist and he said it looks like inheirited balding and told me to start using Rogaine. I am just now 35 and this was several years ago - I was not about to start on something like Rogaine!

I mentioned it to the hairdresser I have know (I just adore him!) and he said he doesn't think it is that bad. He did tell me he has another client who had a face lift, and her hair wasn't growing back after her surgery. She got one of those ionic brushes and he said it made a huge difference for her.

My hair loss is at the top, so if it ever gets really bad I will just pull the sides up with an elastic band and pretend I am a Troll.

 

[jbthi]

I used Rogaine several years ago when it was by prescription only. It worked like a miracle. My hair had never looked so thick. And it did not take the four months they said to allow to tell a difference. (my hair is baby fine and now that I'm older it had started to thin). Something happened (dermatologist said possibly stress) and it started coming out and that's when she prescribed Rogaine. Everything was fine and then I developed an allergy to it.

I do over the counter Biotin at the doctor's suggestion. It seemed to make a difference in my hair and nails.

 

[shannonh]

I can help you out a liitle, too. From what I've learned, Nioxin is a deep cleaning shampoo. Nioxin is supposed to clean the hair follicles, allowing the hair to grow out. If the hair is permanently(sp?) gone, nothing will help it grow back out. I have seen men and women have hair grow back in from nioxin. It is a slow process, since it has to clean the follicle, allowing the hair to grow. I have a client who lost his hair on the top because it was singed off with a grill many moons ago, and lost some due to aging. He uses Nioxin and I've noticed all sorts of new hair growth within the year. But, It is obvious that the grilling accident, had permanently (sp?) damaged the follicle, because no matter what, no hair is coming in there.
From what I understand about Rogaine, many people are or do become allergic. It used to be, and it may still be, that you had to continue using Rogaine. When you stopped, the hair also stopped.
This is what I know of the two, one from experience, the other word of mouth and other manufacturers. Take it for what you may. Just wanted to give you a little more knowledge.
Have a great day!!!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

DW Lauri has used Nioxin in the past when she was taking oral chemo meds. It slowed the fall out of her hair and got out that dull grayish tinge that all the chemicals in her medicines left in her hair.

 

[PeterPanette]

If you don't have issues with high blood pressure, please try rubbing a little essential oil of Rosemary into your scalp each day. Works wonders. Whenever my hair begins to thin out the slightest bit, I run for the Rosemary bottle, and notice amazingly fast results. But, it is not recommended for folks with high b.p.

Also, I second the advice of a previous poster who mentioned Biotin. Biotin makes your hair grow like crazy, PLUS it very effectively delays the graying of your hair.

Horsetail (the herb - available as capsules at herb stores) really makes your hair healthier and stronger, as well.

About 10 years ago, I lost a lot of weight as well as a lot of hair as a result of the weight loss. My stylist recommended Nioxin, and it worked fabulously for me. I've just gotten into the herbal / natural thing since then.

 

[Buckalew11]

I have a client who has used Nioxin with great results. I think her hair loss was due to stress + weightloss.

I also have a client who uses Rogaine. She has had super luck with it but most always use it or the loss starts up again. Seems like Rogaine works better for females than males (??). Her loss is heredity more than stress etc.

 

[KirstenB]

Thanks so much for all your experiences! I really appreciate hearing all the different opinions, both personal and professional. This is something that's bugged me for 10 years. I try really hard to stay in shape, dress decently, etc. I have always felt this hair loss thing was just out of my control. I will try these different things all of you have suggested.

Thanks for giving me some hope!

 

[LindaR]

I lost alot of hair after my second back surgery (which slammed me into menopause). The bald spots eventually grew back in but my overall look is thinner. I have fine hair anyway. I read the info on Rogaine. You can actually end up growing hair in places that you don't want hair. So I just "live" with the thinner hair. I do indulge myself with nice shampoo (can't remember how to spell his name: Frederick Fekki?) and I love how it works!

 

[Towncrier]

I tried Rogaine when it first became available over-the-counter. It turns out that I was one of the unfortunate minority of people who have an allergic reaction to either the Rogaine or the inert ingredients in the product because I got the worst case of contact dermatitus that I have ever experienced. It was so bad, that I ended up going to the doctor for something to relieve the symptoms. This was around the time that Propecia was about to be announced and my doctor offered to write me a script (which I politely declined).

 

[kldmom2000]

I've had much success with 2500mcg of Biotin a day.... I'd been on the pill for 12+ yrs for menstrual problems and then went off 3 months before getting pregnant w/ our first DD.... after she was born, I had the normal expected hair loss, but then 18 months later, it was still coming out in huge amounts.... my hair was so thin I was literally about to start shopping for wigs... the Nioxin did nothing for me. My dermatologist ran some tests to rule out lupus and any other disorders and deemed it was hereditary since there is a history of female hair thinning on my father's side. She prescribed the OTC Biotin in that dose and my hair stopped falling out and over the past couple of years has returned to how it looked when I was on the pill years ago

 

[Caradana]

I have no idea if this is clinically suitable for women, but many of my late-twentysomething male friends are secretly on Propecia and are LOVING the results.