Nioxin Shampoo Ingredients

Nioxin is not a DHT blocker or a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, its a shampoo that creates an "optimum scalp environment" for regrowth and maintenance of the current hair count by clearing the scalp of excess sebum that may contain high levels of DHT. Nioxin technology: 
BioAmp: glycol-proteins that are designed to add thickness and strengthen the hair from inside the cuticle. Cystine acids work to seal the cuticle and help repair damaged fine hair.
SmoothPlex: a proprietary blend of silk amino acids and kukui nut oil that adds moisture, natural shine and smooth control to medium to coarse hair.
Glyco-Color Shield: dual protection technology protects your scalp from damage and irritation caused by chemical services such as highlights, lowlights, permanent waves, and relaxers, while preserving your hair color.
Transactive Delivery System: time-release system that is formulated with vitamins, moisturizing nutrients and botanicals.
Scalp Access: a micronutrient system that delivers moisturizing nutrients and proteins onto the scalp and hair.

The complete ingredient list for the finished product(s) is as follows:

Nioxin Cleanser System 1 (99472047)

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Citric
Acid, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide MEA, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid,
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Menthol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA,
Methylparaben, Propylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol,
Lecithin, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract,
Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Extract, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Blue 1, Biotin/Folic
Acid/Cyanocobalamin/Niacinamide/Pantothenic Acid/Pyridoxine/Riboflavin/Thiamine/Yeast Polypeptides,
Yeast Extract, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Saccharomyces/Silicon
Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Phenoxyethanol.

Nioxin Cleanser System 2 (99473185)

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Citric
Acid, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide MEA, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid,
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Menthol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA,
Methylparaben, Propylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol,
Lecithin, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract,
Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Extract, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Biotin/Folic
Acid/Cyanocobalamin/Niacinamide/Pantothenic Acid/Pyridoxine/Riboflavin/Thiamine/Yeast Polypeptides,
Yeast Extract, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Yellow 5,
Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Blue 1, Red 33.

Nioxin Cleanser System 3 (99473371)

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl
Coco/Isostearamide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Mentha
Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Menthol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-10,
Methylparaben, Propylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol,
Lecithin, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Biotin/Folic
Acid/Cyanocobalamin/Niacinamide/Pantothenic Acid/Pyridoxine/Riboflavin/Thiamine/Yeast Polypeptides,
Yeast Extract, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Blue 1,
Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Phenoxyethanol.

Nioxin Cleanser System 4 (99473378)

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl
Coco/Isostearamide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Mentha
Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Menthol, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Tetrasodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-10,
Methylparaben, Propylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cystine Bis-PG-Propyl Silanetriol,
Lecithin, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces/Magnesium Ferment, Biotin/Folic
Acid/Cyanocobalamin/Niacinamide/Pantothenic Acid/Pyridoxine/Riboflavin/Thiamine/Yeast Polypeptides,
Yeast Extract, Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment, Saccharomyces/Copper Ferment, Yellow 5,
Saccharomyces/Silicon Ferment, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Phenoxyethanol, Blue 1, Red 33.

Nioxin Cleanser System 5 (99473379)

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citric Acid, Sodium
Citrate, Sodium Xylenesulfonate, Cocamide MEA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance,
Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate,

Posted on 11:50 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Apple Cider Vinegar For Hair Growth?

A lot has been written about the use of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to either stimulate hair growth or prevent hair loss. But isn't the primary ingredient of ACV Acetic Acid? And isn't the goal to have a neutral or slightly alkaline PH?

It is thought that the byproducts created as the body digests vinegar produces bicarbonate which will push the body PH toward alkalinity. Experts disagree on whether apple cider vinegar is alkalizing or acid-producing, but both sides agree that ACV supports bone health. Alkaline balance helps to create a natural treatment for osteoporosis and prevents bone fractures to sustain long term bone health. This supports the view that vinegar is alkalizing.

I have been experimenting with Bragg ACV. First as a rinse, then as a pre-shampoo soak to remove more DHT filled Sebum. I definitely noticed a drop in the amount of shedding. But....the hair that was left, and some of the new growth is (for lack of a better word) retarded. Twisted, curled, looks burnt at the tips. I keep cutting it off, and the hair continues to grow out and curl. So I found another shampoo and conditioner that my hair likes and responds to (John Frieda Root Awakening) and discontinued the rinse. But..

I started drinking ACV. While I cant determine if the shampoo/conditioner change, drinking ACV, or both is responsible for the continued regrowth. I can tell you this. I feel much better, and my gym workouts are crazy! Not sure whats going on, but if I drink ACV at the gym while working out I have all kinds of energy. Lost about 10lbs too. I attribute that to better, longer workouts vs the ACV "melting" fat. But again I'm not quite sure. I'm going to continue drinking Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar (diluted of course), I feel great when I do.

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Why Am I Going Bald?

Androgenetic alopecia (AKA androgenic alopecia, alopecia androgenetica, MPB, male pattern baldness) is the most common cause of hair loss and will affect up to 70% of men and 40% of women at some point in their lifetime. Brief description - Androgen includes various male hormones including the testosterone present in hair follicles. The inheritance of genes from either the mother or the father's side of the family determines at what age the hair follicle will begin to produce an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase. When the testosterone and 5-alpha reductase combine, they produce the byproduct dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT initiates a process of follicular miniaturization, in which the hair follicle begins to deteriorate. The hair’s growth phase (anagen) is shortened, young hair is prevented from growing and maturing. In time, hair becomes thinner, and its overall volume is reduced to vellus hair or "peach fuzz". Finally, the follicle goes dormant and ceases producing hair completely.

Alopecia means hair loss.

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What is Finasteride? Can it prevent hair loss?

Finasteride (brand names Proscar and Propecia by Merck, among other generic names) is a synthetic drug for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness (MPB). It is a type II 5a-reductase inhibitor. Finasteride binds to the enzyme and prevents endogenous substrates such as testosterone from being metabolized. By inhibiting 5α-reductase, finasteride prevents conversion of testosterone to DHT by the type II isoenzyme, resulting in a decrease in serum DHT levels by about 65–70% and in prostate DHT levels by up to 85–90%.

Source: Wikipedia (summarized).

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What are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors?

Testosterone is converted to DHT by the enzyme 5-α reductase in several organs including the prostate, hair follicles, skin, liver and sebaceous glands. 5-α reductase exists in type 1 and type 2 forms. Type 2 is the predominant enzyme in prostate and hair follicles. Inhibits means the 5 alpha reductase enzyme cannot joint with testosterone to make DHT, so DHT levels go down and stop hair loss. 

5-alpha reductase Type 2 inhibitors include:

• Finasteride. Sold under the brand names Propecia, Proscar. Inhibits the type 2 isoenzyme, and is available in two doses: 1mg dose for AGA, and 5mg for BPH. 
• Dutasteride. Sold under the bran names Avodart. A dual inhibitor of both 1 and 2 isoenzymes.

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How is DHT related to hair loss?

DHT plays a major role in hair loss. DHT stands for Dihydrotestosterone (5α-Dihydrotestosterone). A male sex hormone, an androgen. 5α-reductase, an enzyme, synthesizes DHT in the adrenal glands, hair follicles, testes and prostate.

Testosterone converts to DHT with the aid of the enzyme Type II 5-alpha reductase, which is held in a hair follicle's oil glands (sebaceous). Scientists now believe that it's not the amount of circulating testosterone that's the problem but the level of DHT binding to receptors in scalp follicles. DHT shrinks hair follicles, making it impossible for healthy hair to survive.

The hormonal process of testosterone converting to DHT, which then harms hair follicles, happens in both men and women. Under normal conditions, women have a minute fraction of the level of testosterone that men have, but even a lower level can cause DHT- triggered hair loss in women. And certainly when those levels rise, DHT is even more of a problem. Those levels can rise and still be within what doctors consider "normal" on a blood test, even though they are high enough to cause a problem. The levels may not rise at all and still be a problem if you have the kind of body chemistry that is overly sensitive to even its regular levels of chemicals, including hormones.


Source: American Hair Loss Association

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About Don't Go Bald

I'm not a doctor. I'm somebody that started losing my hair in my late 40's and created a blog to capture my research and results using various methods. Everyone's body chemistry is different, so I make no claims what will work for you. Good luck!

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