Hi guys-

We have a part time babysitter who gives my hubby a break once in a while, and I recently discovered that she had GB surgery 5 months ago. So she and I have been comparing notes on our procedures.

She also had an issue with hair loss and her surgeon recommended shampoo and conditioner with NIOXIN in it. Apparently this is a big hit with cancer patients and others combatting hair loss.

I did some research and this is what I have found on the official Nioxin website:

"Our founder's goal became the corporate goal for Nioxin. For more than fifteen years, we have worked at unraveling the complex problem of how best to address and most importantly how to provide a solution for thin-looking hair for the millions who battle this discouraging problem. Our world-renowned team of Nioxin researchers have developed the most advanced, natural based system to improve the appearance of fine and thinning hair - Nioxin® Bionutrient Formulations™. Each product is designed to create and maintain an optimum scalp environment in order to address the problems associated with thin-looking hair, including hair loss through mechanical breakage, which leads to fine, fragile, thin-looking hair.

Growth Is Evidence Of Our Success

Nioxin products are now sold in professional salons by licensed beauty professionals throughout the US and in 21 other countries. We are one of the only family owned companies in the professional hair care industry. And our entire marketing thrust is to provide an educated approach toward offering a natural solution to one of the largest and fastest-growing categories in the beauty industry - fine and thin looking hair.

But there is still much to be done. We continue to constantly research and strive to find new answers and solutions to this problem.

Nioxin's 15 years of Achievements

Over the years, we have captured the attention and approval of salon owners and stylists by developing products that deliver REAL results! It's given us the number one awareness position for thin looking hair products among stylists. It's made us the number one recommended product for thin looking hair among that group too.

But most importantly, our research and product development has improved and refined our product line. We have achieved such breakthroughs as our early identification of the 5 Warning Signs Of Thin looking hair, development of our exclusive Transactive Delivery System, a Bionutrient transportation method which delivers Vitamins and nutrients to the scalp and hair, and CoZyme, a complex made from Co-enzyme Q-10 and nine other Co-enzymes and cofactors, all of which together provide anti-aging properties. And, our latest advancement - Glyco-Fused Complex. It is a moisturizing blend of rare herbs and botanicals that help to safeguard the scalp from the drying irritation caused by various chemical services. . These are only a few of the truly revolutionary products and insights Nioxin researchers have developed that has helped pave our way to providing the most effective natural solutions for fine and thin-looking hair.

A ReEnergized Nioxin

Nioxin has evolved from a from a small niche-category company to the industry leader in fine and thin looking hair care. To make the Nioxin system even simpler for you to use, we have separated the product line into two distinct categories.

BIONUTRIENT ACTIVES formulated with a concentrated blend of herbs and botanicals, it is the most complete system available for fine or thin-looking, non-chemically enhanced hair. This unique cleansing and conditioning system helps to address problems associated with thin-looking hair by improving the scalp environment. The result is thicker, healthier-looking hair!

BIONUTRIENT PROTECTIVES formulated with Glyco-Fused Complex, this system address the special needs of fine or thin-looking chemically enhanced hair. It addresses problems associated with thin-looking hair by cleansing the scalp and hair of product buildup, DHT, and lingering chemical residue. And, it provides chemically enhanced hair build-up with the moisture and Vitamin nourishment needed to stay fuller and healthier-looking.

BIONUTRIENT CREATIVES a weight-free styling line that gives you all the volume, shine, and style holding performance you desire without giving you the product buildup that weighs your hair down."

So I am going to try it. What the hell- I can swing $37 for some shampoo and conditioner. Hopefully it will work!

Oh yeah, and by the way, this stuff is available at Beauty supply stores, many hair salons and EbaY1

If you have a Sally's Beauty supply near you they have a generic that is much cheaper and works about the same. There is a serum that you have to apply to the scalp, make sure that you don't get it on your face, it causes the blood to flow easier at the surface of the skin and it will make red spots on your face for about 3 hours. It works to improve circulation in the scalp and in some people that will cause hair to grrow faster/regrow. ~Mandy

are you supposed to start using it right away or wait until your hair actually starts to come out?

It won't prevent hairloss, it only encourages hair growth. ~Mandy

Are bandsters at risk for losing hair? I thought if we are careful to eat the Protein we need we should be OK...? I know anesthesia can cause temporary loss, but should I be concerned long term? One of the only things I liked about being big is that we often have gorgeous hair because it's very well nourished. Is this a problem for many of you??

Emily

I have been using them and Nioxin in shampoo and Conditioner and I got them form Sally's Beauty Supply.. My scalp tingles when I use them.. Quite nice

I wish, about 3 months before I got banded, my hair suddently went awful. I have almost curly, very frizzy hair, and I bought a new top of the line straightener which made my hair look silky and absolutely divine. But despite the hairdresser insisting if used properly it would not damage my hair, which has always been dry, my hair has suddenly gone like straw. I stopped using it of course.

Now I'm really afraid of losing it, since I shed like a post pregnant woman at the best of times.

There's lots and lots and lots more nutrients your hair needs than just Protein though, concentrating on protein to the exclusion of other things could still mean you lose hair - there's Biotin and silica and all sorts of other things - I think its probably a good idea to take a hair, nails and skin supplement as well as a Multivitamin.

THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH! I have recently had problems with my hair falling out from the root and I eat all the protein I can, I hardly get to eat anything else as a matter of fact, so Im going out to try to buy this tomorrow!!!! IM SO EXCITED! its not really an issue right now because my hair IS REALLY thick, but Im afraid it could become an issue

I've been using Nioxin for years. I've never had any trouble with hair loss even with a lousy thyroid, but I'm not banded yet. I think I even saw Nioxin in the beauty shop at Walmart not too long ago. It's an excellent product.

My doctor says that the hair loss starts between 3 and 6 months after surgery and it is almost always a very short term thing. I am not going to stress about it, I am sure it will grow back on it;s own in a month or so. ~Mandy

Nioxin and Biosilk products are really good but can be expensive. I usually use both, rotate and I also use Finesse with Soy Protein from Wal-mart.

Actually...Nioxin (Generic from Sally's is called Nutri-Ox) IS FORMULATED to help keep your hair from coming out in the first place by helping to keep your follicles open, active and stimulated. It only helps with hair growth after it falls out by reopening the follicles, and stimulating them. Also, if you are losing hair, I know it sounds crazy, but BRUSH YOUR SCALP...many people lose excessive hair simply from not unclogging all the gunk and dead skin cells off of their scalp. Most initial hair loss is NOT caused by the band, or lack of protien, but by the anesthesia you had during your surgery. This happens to many people after ANY surgery.

It is important to get plenty of protien and b-vitamins (BIOTIN) as they are the nutrients that actually make up the hair shaft..90 % of that hair shaft is protien...but it is also dead...once it leaves your follicle...the most important thing is to nurture your hair from the inside out...thru your diet...

I have had chemo, lost all my hair, went to beauty college bald, grew it back and have worked in the industry for 21 years, including 3 years in education....(and had a total of 17 surgeries in my life as well..none but this one and a breast reduction by choice)

Hope this helps you and feel free to ask if you have any other hair questions!!