Feedback and Comments about Nioxin, page 3
Nioxin Feedback
If you have used Nioxin , please help others by sharing your experience with side effects. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
I was completely bald
Date: 1/13/2011
I was diagnosed with psoriasis in Jan 09 and started using Nioxin (cleanser, therapy, scalp treatment, follicle booster, supplements) shortly thereafter. At that point, I had lost pretty much all of my hair due to psoriasis. I was completely bald in January and had a head full of silky hair by August, and this was due to washing my hair/scalp pretty much everyday. Even when I stopped using the products, my hair continues to grow and thrive. For those that experience continued shedding, please know that the system cleans your scalp. That means that it’s removing the sebum plugs caused by ingredients that are deposited while you shampoo/condition/style your hair. The hair that you’re losing is hair that should have shed quite some time ago, but because of the sebum plugs, was not shed. Now, that you’re using a product that effectively cleans your scalp, you are shedding old hair. The hair will grow back as long as you follow the system properly. For those that experience itching when using the products: please be sure that you are cleaning your SCALP and not your HAIR. The system is to clean and nourish your SCALP. Of course, if you do not properly remove the shampoo and conditioner from your scalp, you will have residue, which will cause itching and irritation. Don’t just rinse your hair, massage your scalp to be sure that you’ve removed all the product.
Nicole
Permed hair?
Date: 1/14/2011
Does this product relax permed hair?
Elaine
AskDocWeb: Nioxin has several products that the company recommends for permed hair. NIOXIN® Scalp and Hair Care Systems 3, 4, 7 and 8 are formulated for use on hair that is permanently waved.
Nioxin ingredients
Date: 1/17/2011
I’ve used Nioxin for a period of time and I was losing my hair around the edges and my hair is growing back. But if it has ingredients that are not safe, I don’t want to use it.
Virginia
AskDocWeb: That is what we are trying to find out but so far the manufacturer has not answered the question of whether or not 1,4-dioxane is removed from their product. The FDA recommends removal of 1,4-dioxane from products sold in the USA but so far it does not require manufacturers to do that. 1,4-dioxane is considered a contaminant rather than an ingredient. That distinction is important because contaminants do not have to be listed in the ingredient list.
Severe heartburn
Date: 1/21/2011
I used Nioxin for about 4 months. I did notice that my hair loss was a lot less. I did develop severe heartburn and after 2 months during the middle of the night got up and vomited blood. Did not relate the 2. 1 month later the same thing happened and was alot worse. Had a scope do of my throat and stomach and Dr could not find anything to cause it. My mother started using Nioxin and within 2 weeks she had wokeup in the middle of the night and was vomiting blood. The only thing that we had in common was Nioxin. I have not used it for about 2 weeks now and no more stomach problems. Has anyone else had this problem?
Linda
Cancer concern
Date: 1/26/2011
i been taking nixion pills for about a year now and its done wonders for mmy hair and i just came across the site i only take the nixon pills is there somethig in the ingredients may cause cancer ? please let me know asas. i love the Vitim and would hate to stop them
Mina
AskDocWeb: The concern about cancer here is limited to topically applied hair products containing sodium laureth sulfate. The manufacturing process for sodium laureth sulfate creates dioxane. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies dioxane as a probable human carcinogen having observed an increased incidence of cancer in controlled animal studies.
Under Proposition 65, dioxane is a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer. While the FDA encourages manufacturers to remove dioxane, it is not required by federal law.
Nioxin pills
Date: 1/27/2011
My husband is take the pills will that affect us? As we are trying to conceive.
Rebecca
AskDocWeb: There is no indication that Nioxin pills have any negative effect on conception, gestation, or birth.
Headaches
Date: 2/13/2011
Nioxin seems to be giving me headaches. Is this a common side effect?
Bi
AskDocWeb: There are several reports of bad headaches by those using Nioxin products. Just going by the feedback here about 15% of users experience headaches.
Fatigue and mild nerve damage
Date: 2/25/2011
I have been using Nioxin Shampoo & Treatment for about 20 years now and it has prevented additional hair loss. I’m 52 years old and I have been feeling fatigue for the past couple of years. I read that Selenium Sulfide (Alovera Top) Can cause this as well as mild nerve damage. After 20 years why now? Could this be due to Nioxin?
Gilbert
AskDocWeb: We have not seen anything to indicate that possibility. It is helpful to make a distinction between selenium and selenium sulfide. Selenium is a trace mineral that is necessary for the proper function of the thyroid and also for a healthy immune system. The recommended daily intake of selenium ranges from 15 to 55 micrograms depending on age. If you ingest too much selenium, usually more than 400 micrograms per day for adults, selenium toxicity will occur. This may result in white blotchy nails, garlic breath, nausea, hair loss, irritability and mild nerve damage.
Selenium sulfide is a mixture of sulfur and selenium catenate, which is used topically but not taken internally. This compound is an ingredient found in many medicated shampoos and is used to reduce the symptoms of dandruff on the scalp area. It can also be found in creams, lotions, and foams that are applied directly to the skin. The topical use of selenium sulfide helps to ease the symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis and helps to control tinea versicolor, a fungal skin infection. Selenium sulfide is considered an anti-infective drug. It has not been noted to cause nerve damage.
Selenium sulfide may also be used for other purposes not listed here.
Will Nioxin affect my kidneys?
Date: 3/22/2011
I have amyloidosis of the kidneys and wonder if there is any ingredient in Nioxin which will affect my kidneys or will cause any problems. I would appreciate an answer via my email. Thanks,
Clover
AskDocWeb: Sorry Clover, we do not have time to send out individual replies. To date we have not found any reference to kidney problems by those using Nioxin products.
Pancreatic cancer?
Date: 4/2/2011
I was told by a licensed hair stylist that Nioxin has been linked to pancreatic cancer. My sister in laws mother used this shampoo for years. She was diagnosed Stage 4 pancreatic cancer on Sept 25 and lost her life on Jan 1. Could there be a connection? She led the most healthy lifestyle that I have ever witnessed. We are at a loss. Please respond. Thanks!
Kendra
AskDocWeb: We have not seen any reference that links this product to pancreatic cancer. If you talk to that hair stylist again, you might ask her for a source so that you can follow up with a little research. And let us know what you find out.
Mild blood disorder CLL a mild leukemia
Date: 4/3/2011
I suspect Nioxin shampoo may be a precipitating factor for my 81 year old mother developing a mild blood disorder CLL a mild leukemia. We have removed the shampoo so in six months her blood improves that shall say something!
Jay
Does Nioxin conditioner and scalp treatment contain sulfites?
Date: 5/17/2011
I recently got a formaldehyde free keratin treatment. I have been using Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment before this keratin treatment. I know the keratin requires you use the sulfite free shampoo. Am I able to sue any of my Nioxin products. I am not sure about the shampoo as it might contain sulfites but how about the conditioner and scalp treatment?
Lori
AskDocWeb: Sulfites are not identified in the ingredients but you should check with their customer service to be sure.
Sore throat
Date: 6/23/2011
I’ve only been applying the hair booster for 2 days now by rubbing it in to 4-6 bald spots. I didn’t see sodium laureth sulfate in the list of ingredients. When I was on a 4 month regimen of prednisone eye drops in 2006, I felt and tasted it in the back of my throat after applications. I started having a similar sensation yesterday, accompanied by a sore throat. This is why I started looking up the side effects. No one else seems to have these symptoms. Maybe my sinuses were previously compromised. Anyway, I’ll just use it once a day, instead of twice, and be aware of any other possible reactions.
Dani
Nioxin booster interaction with Argan oil
Date: 6/23/2011
I’d like to cancel the Nioxin review I sent a little while ago. I just realized that it’s the interaction with the Nioxin booster and an Argan oil product that is aggravating my sinuses.
Dani
Brain cancer?
Date: 7/24/2011
My mother was using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and after a couple of months developed brain cancer and died five months later. Does Nioxin cause brain cancer as you said above? They should discontinue selling if so.
M.
AskDocWeb: We are so sorry to hear about your mother. You have our condolences.
We have never said that Nioxin causes any specific kind of cancer. We question whether or not the manufacturer removes the contaminant, 1,4-dioxane, which is also referred to as dioxane, from their products. So far the manufacturer seems to ignore this question. Dioxane is classified by the IARC as a Group 2B carcinogen: possibly carcinogenic to humans because it is a known carcinogen in animals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies dioxane as a probable human carcinogen. The state of California classifies it as a known cause of cancer: (see page 9).
Comments
Date: 7/24/2011
I see that you don’t show my comments about my mother using Nioxin and developing brain cancer a few months later and dying five months after that.
M.
AskDocWeb: It sometimes takes awhile for posts to go through the system because all comments are manually reviewed to remove spam.
Chronic migraines
Date: 10/30/2011
Have finally figured out this product was causing my chronic migraines and headaches! It’s just not worth it!
Tammy
Cancerous ingredients
Date: 11/14/2011
I started using the Nioxin 3-pack about 2-weeks ago. Then, tonight, I read an article about Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo having cancerous ingredients (see: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/14/johnson-johnson-baby-products-toxic.aspx?e_cid=20111114_DNL_art_1 ) I decided to look into the Nioxin I was using & found this page. Is Sodium Laureth Sulfate the only ingredient could have links to cancer (I only saw it listed in the cleanser). If so, can I feel safe/confident that the ingredients in the Scalp Therapy & Scalp Activating Treatment are safe?
I battle health issues with fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue, I have been experiencing a bad flare up (although I also have other stress’s in my life) while I’ve been using the hair treatments. I’m opting for other products rather than expose myself to a possible cancer causing agent. Thank you for this information. I will wait to throw away or to use the ‘Scalp Therapy’ & ‘Scalp Activating Treatment’ until I hear more. Blessings.
Laura
AskDocWeb: Thanks Laura. At least Johnson & Johnson responded to consumer concerns, which is more than Nioxin seems to do. The Nioxin Scalp Therapy System has 6 different possible formulas; 99398629, 99427996, 99427999, 99428001, 99428027, and 99428085. It took awhile to cross reference all those ingredients but we didn’t find any that would create 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct. However, we didn’t find the Scalp Activating Treatment on the nioxin website. Their search program appears to go in circles. It’s possible that they changed the name of that product. Nioxin – 2 – Page 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – Last Page 7
After reviewing over a dozen of the most well-known products for hair loss we have decided to recommend Profollica.
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