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Bad Hair Day? Yeah, Me Too.

May 19, 2014 By Lena

The first time it happened, I was 21 years old. Having just been dumped by my high school sweetheart, I was understandably under a *little* stress. What is it about heartache that causes your body to fall apart? I lost 5 pounds without trying, stopped enjoying just about everything in life, and had trouble concentrating on even the most simple tasks. And I suppose I could have soldiered on, except for one thing: my hair was falling out.

Nioxin 1(Seriously? I was just dumped by the supposed love of my life… and was rewarded with a bald spot?)

I should have known that I wouldn’t be able to escape the breakup unscathed – after all, it’s a widely known fact that stress can cause significant hair loss. But why?

“Typically, people shed about 100 hairs a day,” says Carolyn Jacob, MD. “Most people don’t even notice.” Sometimes, a significant stress of some sort may spark a change in your body’s routine physiological functions, and cause a disproportionate number of hairs to go into the resting phase at the same time. Then three to four months later, sometimes longer, all those resting hairs are shed. The effect can be alarming. The types of events that disrupt the normal hair cycle, Jacob says, can be caused by the substantial physiological stresses on your body.
– Source

Okay, so we’ve established that I was under physiological stress. Break ups suck! But while complaining to my then-stylist about my thinning hair, she suggested the NIOXIN system of products. Fair warning: they weren’t as sexy as they are now. Packaged in a brown bottle with a similarly forgettable scent and consistency, I figured something so blah had to work, as it wasn’t trussed up in sweet-smelling peachy commercialism. And you know what? It did work. With consistent use over a few months, and a heart on the mend, I started to feel my hair return to its natural texture and density.

Nioxin 2The second time it happened, I was 26 years old… and it was yet again after a breakup. Honestly! Four years with a guy who couldn’t commit, and my perky, bouncy hair started falling out in chunks. I had flashbacks of my first battle of the bald spot – and was ready to swear off men for good – when I remembered NIOXIN. The packaging had changed, but the results were the same: a noticeable decrease in hair loss after 3-4 weeks, and after 2-3 months, thicker, healthier hair.

So what’s the deal with NIOXIN?

The NIOXIN approach began in 1987, when the founder experienced thinning hair and began to investigate the idea of treating the scalp with skincare methods. NIOXIN uses advanced technologies to deliver thicker, fuller, denser-looking hair. The three parts of each NIOXIN system – cleanse, optimise and treat – work together to help create an optimal scalp environment.

Today, my hair is thinning – and I can’t blame it on a break up. That’s right, good ol’ genetics, hormones and age – combined with a handful of medications – have started their assault on my naturally fine hair, making it lack body, lustre and strength. As a P&G Mom, I had the awesome opportunity to visit a NIOXIN salon – P&H Salon in Toronto. There, the talented Fabrizio (call him! He’s fab – pun intended) took me through the ins and outs of the NIOXIN system, and we settled on the correct one for my hair type (System 3) and what to expect. 

So here’s what you need to know:

1) NIOXIN has shown to be effective in more than 50% of people with thinning hair. Using the system and complementary products correctly ensures you’ll get the optimal results from your 3-part regimen.

2) NIOXIN results cannot be seen overnight – or even in a week or two. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. Hence, this isn’t a post of me gushing about how NIOXIN changed my hair dramatically after a few uses (apologies to other reviewers you may have seen stating this – sorry, it’s just not possible), and you won’t see a before/after photo in this post. Truth is, you likely won’t see an after photo for at least 3-4 months. But I HAVE used this system before – twice, in fact – and I am a believer that the results WILL happen; I just have to give it some time.

3) NIOXIN’s effect is cumulative – that means, the more you use it, the better results you’ll see. It’s hard sticking with a program, but in Fabrizio’s experience, most of his clients were able to slow down hair loss only as long as they used the products religiously. Stop the system, and they’re back at square one! Of course, if your hair loss is temporary, as in my case with post-breakup trauma (rolls eyes), then you can safely stop the system once you have stopped shedding (or meet a new man).

hair_system_kit_3_450x430_2At P&H Salon, I was also treated to a scalp massage and haircut, courtesy of P&G. It was divine! Thank you for the special Moms Time Out treat; it was much needed after a long winter with excessive heat styling.

So here’s the scoop. I’ve been actively testing the NIOXIN System for normal to thin-looking, fine, chemically treated hair for just over a month now. At the moment, I haven’t seen a noticeable difference in the texture or fullness of my hair, but I’m patient and am hoping I’ll have a good ol’ before and after for you in the upcoming weeks.

Until then, P&G is giving one of my readers the awesome opportunity to WIN a NIOXIN System valued at $105! To enter, simply enter the form below with your qualifying entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: #PGMom, NIOXIN Thinning Hair System, review

Previous Post: « The Mighty Meatball
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy Heffernan

    May 19, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    Dryness and no volume!

  2. ivy pluchinsky

    May 19, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    my hair is too thick and i lose a lot

  3. Flora M

    May 19, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    With my lupus, I suffer from periods of hair loss during flares, and then my hair slowly comes back again, but never as much as before – hopefully something like this would work for me.

  4. Soozle

    May 19, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    My hair is damaged from styling and color!

  5. Jeannie

    May 19, 2014 at 5:28 pm

    My hair woes are fine hair combined with thinning hair…the worse combo

  6. Shelley N

    May 19, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    Dry mostly

  7. Erin

    May 19, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    My hair has been a frizz ball from all the changes in weather lately! Ugh!

  8. Misty

    May 19, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    Try biotin supplements. Biotin shampoo is available in the organic section of Loblaws. I started taking it and my hairfall had stopped in 2 weeks. Google and do your own research before taking it.

  9. Wayne Lecoy

    May 19, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    I am entering your giveaway.
    It would be great to win the NIOXIN System.
    In response to your question of
    What are your current hair woes?
    My hair woes are dry thinning hair.
    Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!!!!

  10. Anne Taylor

    May 19, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    I find the older I get the thinner, dryer and more dull my hair becomes.

  11. Julie Bolduc

    May 19, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    I am on loads if medication and my hair is Thining out ; (

  12. lisa bolduc

    May 19, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    I am experiencing more hair loss from not being pregnant anymore

  13. Danielle

    May 19, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    My hair is thinning and damaged from overprocessing

  14. Nancy

    May 19, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    I’ve used Nioxin in the past but haven’t repurchased (not sure why?), it was recommended to me when I live in Ontario and my stylist suggested I buy it due to my fine, thin hair – he said it’d thicken it up. Not sure if it worked since I only use 1 bottle of it. I’d be up for trying it again (and shipping it to my parents in NL lol)

  15. Jan

    May 20, 2014 at 1:39 am

    i want to win this for a young man in my family who should not be thinning yet at his age. Hopefully this can help him.

  16. Denise F

    May 20, 2014 at 2:12 am

    Limp… no volume.. just flat and bleh…

  17. Debbie W

    May 20, 2014 at 6:50 am

    My hair is dry and lifeless.

  18. Lori Bazan

    May 20, 2014 at 6:57 am

    My hair has gone very thin and dry

  19. Sandra Rooke

    May 20, 2014 at 8:15 am

    My daughter is losing her hair!

  20. Florence C

    May 20, 2014 at 8:22 am

    I have thinning hair as I get older.

  21. rosanne

    May 20, 2014 at 8:33 am

    My hair is so fine, and completely lifeless.

  22. Carol Denny

    May 20, 2014 at 9:23 am

    My hair is thinner and no longer wavy.

  23. Victoria Ess

    May 20, 2014 at 9:32 am

    I went through a few periods of hair loss as well between my teens and mid-twenties, and honestly, my hair has never recovered.

  24. Carol M (Lushka S)

    May 20, 2014 at 9:48 am

    Starting thin as I age.

  25. Amy Brown

    May 20, 2014 at 10:01 am

    My hair is very fine and fly-away, I want to cut it shorter but I think I will look bald!

  26. JaimeeM

    May 20, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    my hair keeps drying out and breaking off giving me terrible split ends

  27. Lynda Cook

    May 20, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    My problems are dryness and to thin and fine

  28. Karla Sceviour

    May 20, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    My hair is thin,fine,fly away and oily…I hate it

  29. Myanca

    May 20, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    My issues are hair loss due to stress and frizziness

  30. heather robbins

    May 20, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    Dryness, and thinning.
    I used to have thick beautiful hair, but since becoming a mom, my hair has changed.

  31. Juliee Fitze

    May 20, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    My hair is very fine and straight

  32. Silvia D

    May 20, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    very fine and no volume

  33. kelly

    May 20, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    What a bunch of diverse hairstyles! Bc of some meds I have s ton of fallout.

  34. Peter T

    May 20, 2014 at 11:50 pm

    Dryness and hair thinning out are my issues.

  35. Rebecca

    May 21, 2014 at 8:55 am

    Thinning at the top. Boo

  36. Michelle Janzso

    May 21, 2014 at 10:26 am

    My hair has been thinning so much over the past couple years

  37. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    May 21, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Right now it is dryness and dullness, trying to grow it out so it is not happy right now

  38. leanne

    May 21, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Thin and frizzy hair

  39. Brenda Penton

    May 21, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and as a result, I have thinning hair :(

  40. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    May 21, 2014 at 6:33 pm

    my hair loss too I pick so much out of drain after shower I think I am going to need a wig

  41. Josie Tusa

    May 21, 2014 at 11:56 pm

    I have very thinning hair

  42. tanyab79

    May 22, 2014 at 9:19 am

    Frizziness is pretty bad because of my wavy hair.

  43. Sausan

    May 22, 2014 at 11:06 am

    My hair is thinning a bit on the top. My scalp is dry. My hair is frizzy

  44. Lucy

    May 22, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    mostly dry hair

  45. jan

    May 22, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    I would love some extra hair :) volume and thickness

  46. Karine

    May 22, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    It got damaged following a reparation of a bad bleach from hairstylist, I’m trying hard to rejuvenate it !

  47. Jennifer P.

    May 22, 2014 at 10:13 pm

    My current hair woes are: 1) frizz and 2) it’s falling out after the birth of my second child.

  48. Amy C

    May 22, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    I have thinning hair and split ends.

  49. Teresa Claire

    May 23, 2014 at 1:03 am

    I would love more volume in my hair style.

  50. Janice

    May 23, 2014 at 1:36 am

    I used Nioxin in the past as it was recommended for my scalp issues (something like psoriasis). I was happy with the results. The only other “cure” has been pregnancy, although I won’t be using that method again. I’m currently 10.5m postpartum with my 4th, and hair loss hasn’t slowed down. I’m sick of finding hair e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e!

  51. eleanor

    May 24, 2014 at 11:31 pm

    My hair is dry and damaged from using the hot iron

  52. Karrie Millheim

    May 25, 2014 at 4:17 am

    i have such dry hair. it feels like straw

  53. Jenny

    May 25, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    dry

  54. Sherri F

    May 25, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    Dry and no volume

  55. Dreena

    May 26, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Fine hair, lifeless. Ugh.
    Cheers.

  56. Heidi C.

    May 26, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    I am stuck with a lot of post-winter frizziness.

  57. Suzanne G

    May 27, 2014 at 9:18 am

    My hair is dried out from colouring and no volume.

  58. Darlene Schuller

    May 27, 2014 at 9:41 am

    oh where to begin…

    let’s see…

    thinning
    dry
    frizzy
    unmanageable

    i think that’s all.

  59. ALICIA MILLETTE

    May 27, 2014 at 10:01 am

    My hair is so thick it takes hours to manage it all!

  60. Anu Chopra

    May 27, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Losing my hair and too much frizz and dryness.

  61. susan

    May 27, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    Dryness. Volume. Frizz.
    And those pics are BRILLIANT!!!

  62. Radhika Khan

    May 27, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    dryness

  63. Jay M.

    May 27, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    LOVE the smell of Nioxin products when I tried it while staying with my sister once. That was years ago…would love to try it again to see how well it would work on my thinning hair!

  64. Becky Bridger

    May 27, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    Loss of hair due to scalp psoriasis

  65. Wendy Jensen

    May 27, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    My hair woes is that my hair breaks very easily.

  66. l p

    May 27, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    fine, dry, limp hair. thanks

  67. Mary

    May 28, 2014 at 7:49 am

    My hair woe would be dry hair. After having a baby, I find my hair to be extremely dry!

  68. Clyde

    May 28, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    I cannot find a shampoo that will get rid of my dandruff and it is very frustrating.

  69. Tina L.

    May 28, 2014 at 11:14 pm

    I have thinning dry hair.

  70. Cathy C

    May 29, 2014 at 12:14 am

    I feel like it is getting thinner as I get older

  71. Marie Constantineau

    May 29, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    My thinning hair is my greatest problem.

  72. darci

    May 30, 2014 at 1:32 am

    I color every 4 – 6 weeks and age is taking its toll out on my tresses

  73. Sarah C

    May 30, 2014 at 11:05 am

    Very fine and thining

  74. Treen Goodwin

    June 6, 2014 at 11:30 am

    My hair is thick but flat as a pancake i wish i had more volume i have to use a ton of gel and hairspray to keep it where i want lol

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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