There are many options in the hair-thinning treatment category; however, Nioxin has been one of the most sought-after brands for nearly 40 years. It all started in 1987 when founder Eva Graham noticed her father’s struggle to find products that effectively addressed his thinning hair. “This led her to the universal truth that everybody wants to look and feel their best and that hair plays a fundamental role in that equation,” Nioxin marketing director Luiza Cavalcanti says. “It was clear to Eva that hair can only thrive on a solid foundation, which led her to create formulations for thicker, fuller hair, starting with the scalp.”
Nioxin immediately stood out for its emphasis on scalp care. It was important to Graham to create products that leveraged scientific insights and the benefits of skincare. As a result, the brand’s treatments are powered by clinically-proven ingredients like minoxidil and pyrithione zinc. “[We] were the first salon brand to consider scalp care as the foundation for healthy hair,” Cavalcanti explains. “Eva found inspiration in premium skincare.”
Graham also aimed to differentiate her brand by creating three-step systems that benefit every type of thinning hair. Cavalcanti says, “[The brand] identified the three signs of hair thinning–scalp, hair root, and hair strand–and developed a complete program around these pillars. The brand’s concept of a regimen for thinning hair, a ‘system,’ was entirely new.” Currently, Nioxin offers a system for natural hair, colored hair, and bleached hair.
In recent years, Nioxin has seen its consumer base expand exponentially. “Our target consumer [includes a wide variety],” Cavalcanti notes. “Hair thinning has been destigmatized as of late, with the conversation about it being an unfortunate COVID side effect. However, even before that, hair thinning impacted a huge amount of the population for various reasons–including genetics, age, stress, illness, postpartum, tight hairstyles, and diet.”
As the brand’s loyal following continues to grow, Nioxin is excited about what the future holds. ‘We are continuing to innovate and focus on scientifically proven solutions to prevent and treat hair thinning and loss, starting with the scalp,” Cavalcanti says. “In addition to our innovation pipeline, the brand is updating its visual identity. The new branding will capture Nioxin’s mission to deliver science-backed solutions and the powerful technology behind every product.”
Ready to learn more about Nioxin’s offerings? Read on for the brand’s best products.
Ultimate Power Serum
The Ultimate Power Serum is new to the US market, but it was the brand’s best-selling product in the UK in 2022. The inspiration for the serum comes from recent research that proves our hair follicles have a sense of smell. “Professor Ralf Paus from the Monasterium Laboratory in Germany discovered that hair follicles are selectively stimulated by the synthetic sandalwood-like odorant, Sandalore,” Nioxin’s R&D director Ingo Riemann explains. “We paired this with our expertise and research on powerful actives and created this breakthrough and patented Ultimate Power Serum.”
The leave-on scalp treatment is infused with Sandalore, caffeine, and lauric acid, which are known to help maintain the skin barrier. “When combined with massage, the product can increase blood microcirculation and provide stronger and thicker hair.”
System Kits 1-6
As mentioned, Nioxin has become known for its System Kits. There are six varieties, each containing a Cleanser Shampoo, Scalp Therapy Conditioner, and Scalp and Hair Treatment tailored to meet the needs of your hair type and level of hair loss. Each kit refreshes the scalp, boosts hair resilience and increases hair volume. “The system kits have 16K+ 5-star collective reviews on Amazon and 2.5k+ 5-star collective reviews at Ulta.com,” Cavalcanti adds.
Diamax Advanced
Think of Diamax Advanced as the ultimate daily leave-in treatment. It’s powered by the HTX Complex—which includes ingredients like caffeine, panthenol, and niacinamide. The treatment promises to instantly make your hair appear thicker (for up to eight hours) and protect against breakage.
Night Density Rescue
If you’re a fan of overnight hair treatments, the Night Density Rescue is right up your alley. The leave-on scalp serum can reduce hair fall and promote hair density thanks to a potent blend of antioxidants that neutralize free radicals on the scalp’s surface. Just apply two to four drops each night, and you’re good to go.
Scalp Relief System Kit
The Scalp Relief Kit is another beloved Nioxin system. It contains the Cleanser Shampoo, Scalp Therapy Conditioner, and Scalp & Hair Treatment. Each product is formulated with aloe vera, an ingredient known to soothe dry, itchy scalps and increase the thickness of each hair strand.
Purifying Exfoliator
Who doesn’t love a good scalp scrub? The Purifying Exfoliator gently removes flakes and build-up, leaving your scalp feeling completely refreshed. Here’s how it works: Apply the scrub to your dry scalp in a grid-like pattern, massage it for five to six minutes, and rinse with warm water. The brand recommends using this product every 30-45 days.
Deep Protect Density Mask
The right hair mask can transform your hair, and the Deep Protest Density Mask works wonders. It’s designed to strengthen and condition the hair, with studies finding that it provides up to 97% reduction in hair breakage. You can incorporate this into your hair routine as needed. Work it into your hair after shampooing, leave it on for three to five minutes, and rinse.
Recharging Complex Hair Growth Supplement
In addition to its topical products, Nioxin developed a hair supplement to target thinning. The Recharging Complex Hair Growth Supplement harnesses the power of NuCilium-Plex Technology, a nutrient-rich blend containing biotin, zinc, and iron. Taking one capsule daily will help support normal hair and nail growth.
Minoxidil Hair Regrowth Treatment for Women and Men
As the name suggests, the Minoxidil Hair Regrowth Treatment is formulated with minoxidil, the only clinically proven ingredient to help regrow hair. The leave-on treatment is specially designed for men and women, boasting 2% minoxidil for women and 5% minoxidil for men. You’ll want to apply 2ml of the solution twice a day to the top of your scalp for the best results.
Instant Fullness Dry Cleanser
Dry shampoo is a must-have, and the Instant Fullness Dry Cleanser is definitely worth adding to your collection. It effortlessly absorbs oil, leaving your hair looking volumized. New to dry shampoo? Start by spraying a light amount of the Instant Fullness Dry Cleanser on your roots, brush it through, and proceed to style per usual.