Products that work for thinning hair
It is almost a year ago since I posted on strategies for thinning hair. Going back to it, I was amused to see that we had only just discovered what have, eleven months on, now become stalwarts in our arsenal for thicker, stronger hair: emu oil and Nutra-Lift's conditioner. Well, not only are those now more tried and true than ever, but we have made some new discoveries that help return thinning aging hair to its former glory. Would-be Repunzels, read on.
In addition to Nutra-Lift's conditioner ($14 in the TIA shop), I have got to know and love the Nutra-Lift shampoo ($22 in the TIA shop). Both remain fixtures in my shower to this day and my hair looks healthy, stronger and less of it is being washed down the shower drain. I am happy to say that those of you, like Kim, who have checked them out love them too. Quick aside, you should check out Kim's hair journey and some of the discoveries she made to get back her luscious locks. Nutra-Lift's shampoo and conditioner are packed with the kind of ingredients you would find in a high end face serum, majoring on marine extracts with four types of seaweed, which are antioxidants. Research has shown that antioxidants can prevent hair from being damaged by the sun. Talking of antioxidants, I haven’t come across astaxanthin in a shampoo before now. It is found naturally in salmon and is associated with hair growth because it contains 5-alpha-reductase. An unusual ingredient for a hair product is turmeric, but it makes sense given that its key component is curcumin, an anti-inflammatory that may be able to control inflammation in the cells around the hair follicle.
This duo is a best seller in our shop ($32 in TIA shop) and for those of you already addicted, we are now selling a six pack to help get you through the year and save some money ($150 in the TIA shop).
Another great thinning haircare line is made by Osmotics, who worked with cancer specialists to create the FNS shampoo ($24 in the TIA shop), conditioner ($26 in the TIA shop) and serum ($60 in the TIA shop) that helps hair grow back faster (after chemo, for example). FNS shampoo and conditioner are all about vitamins. Laminaria cloustonii is kelp and an antioxidant, as well as a source of vitamin E. There are several other vitamins including C and niacin, a member of the B family and associated with hair growth. Beta carotene from carrot is a precursor to vitamin E and A. Cucumber is a source of natural silica, essential for healthy hair. It works well with chemically treated hair. Whereas the serum contains all the amino acids naturally found in hair.
For patches of hair loss, badly thinning hair and hairlines, our latest find is Hair Signals. Like Folligen (it's made by the same company), it uses copper peptides to help hair grow. My own results on my hairline with Hair Signals Cream ($27 in the TIA shop) have been really good - strong hair grows back, not baby, wispy stuff. For all over the head, Hair Signals has a lighter lotion called Therapy Solution ($38 in the TIA shop) However, Folligen is still very good and if you like it, stick with it. Folligen Cream ($22 in the TIA shop) is best for targeting specific areas and the hairline.
And yes, we're converts to emu oil (especially as we have found some that isn't like melted chicken fat). This bird is backed by science. Emu oil is actually very close to human sebum. It contains essential fatty acids: linolenic, linoleic, oleic, and palmitic. Linolenic (omega-3 EFA) and linoleic (omega-6 EFA). Specifically, topical applications of emu oil may result in the growth of thicker hair….. both a thickening of existing hair shafts (which shrink in diameter with age) and a “re-awakening” of the dormant (sleeping) hair shafts (which increase as a percentage of total hair shafts with age). All demonstrated in clinical trials at the University of Boston. After searching high and low to find Uniquely Emu’s triple refined oil ($25 in the TIA shop). Clear, odorless and 45% more effective than unrefined oil.
We've put some of these together in our Thicker Stronger Hair Collection: Skin Biology Therapy Cream, Nutra-Lift Shampoo and Emuleve ($76 in the TIA shop). There's a saving of $8 on the products and lower shipping charges for buying them together.
Ingredients in Nutra-Lift shampoo
Aloe Vera gel, cocomide betaine, sea algae, bladderwrack, sea kelp, ascophyllum, vegetable glycerin, Vitamin C ester, soy liposomes, hyaluronic acid, di-panthenol, linoleic acid, astaxanthin. infusion of the following natural extracts: burdock, buckthorn, charparral, comfrey, cranesbill, nettle, jojoba, rosemary, horsetail, hops, ivy, jasmine, calendula, horse chestnut, slippery elm, elder flower, olive leaf, orange blossom, ylang ylang, fennel, bilberry, milk thistle, golden seal, turmeric, arnica, butchers broom, passion flower, red clover, sage, linden flower, gentian, white willow bark, mulberry, eyebright, grapefruit seed extract, peppermint, yarrow, coltsfoot, birch sap, Austrailian tea tree oil, witch hazel, natural mixed tocopherals ( Vit.E.) niacin, biotin, capsaicin, colloidal sulphur, colloidal minerals.
Ingredients in Nutra-Lift Conditioner
Water, di-panthenol. hyaluronic acid, linoleic acid, infusion of the following natural extracts: burdock, buckhorn, chaparral, comfrey, cranesbill, nettle, jojoba, rosemary, horsetail, hops, ivy, horse chestnut, slippery elm, olive leaf, milk thistle, golden seal, bilberry, butchers broom, passion flower, red clover, sage, willow bark, mulberry, jasmine, calendula, elder flower, orange blosson, fennel, yarrow, liposomes, coenzyme Q-10, grapeseed extract, pycogenal, msn, retinyl palmitate (vit A), mixed tocopherols, vitamin E, vitamin B-complex, vitamin C calcium ascorbate, mixed flavinoids, organic royal jelly, hydroxylpropyl guar, natural cetyl esters, plant derived behenyl tms, plant derived egms, almond extract, melon extract, collodial minerals.
Ingredients in FNS shampoo
Purified Water, Sodium Lauryl Sarcosinate, Decyl Glucoside, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Glycerine, Glycol Stearate And Stearamide Amp, Aloe Vera Gel,Oleth-10, Niacin, Polyquaternium-10, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Algae Extract (Laminaria Cloustonii Extract), Wheat Amino Acid, Palmitate (Vitamin A), Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Avocado Extract, Carrot Extract, Cucumber Extract, Ginseng Extract, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Moroccan) Essential Oil, Citric Acid, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben
Ingredients in FNS Conditioner
Purified Water, Behentrimonium Methosulfate/Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Wheat Amino Acids, Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Extract, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Moroccan) Essential Oil, Niacin, Polyquaternium-10, Glycerine, Diazolidinyl Urea/Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Disodium E
Ingredients in FNS serum
Purified Water, SDA-40 Alcohol, Nylon-12, Glycerine, Lactic Acid, Glucose, Ascorbic Acid, D-Biotin (Vitamin H), Choline Chloride, Choline Bitartrate, Folic Acid, Myo-Inositol, Nicotinic Acid (Niacinamide), Paba, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Alpha-Tocopherol Phosphate, Vitamin B12, L-Alanine, L-Arginine, L-Aspartic Acid, L-Cysteine, L-Glutamine, Glycine, L-Histidine, L-Isoleucine, L-Leucine, L-Lysine, L-Methionine, L-Phenylalanine, L-Proline, L-Serine, L-Threonine, L-Tryptophan, L-Tyrosine, L-Valine, Inorganic Salts, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Carbomer, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract (Cinnulin PF®), Oleth-10, Sodium Bicarbonate, Bergamia Essential Oil, Polyquaternium-10, Oleth-10, Nisaplin, Sodium EDTA, Tromethamine
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Great article and great products for the beginner stubbling about clueless where to begin- me, for instance. I'm actually going to buy the Hair Signals for my mother-in-law, and we'll see how it works on a head of hair going on 90! Does it come w instructions, Marta? ~jk
Posted on May 10, 2010 at 7:17 am
Hi Julie. When Hair Signals or Folligen arrive to us from Skin Biology they are without instructions or ingredients lists. We have given instructions for Folligen to OpenSky to mail out with purchases. But they are essentially the same thing. See Folligen 101. http://truthinaging.com/product-brands/folligen-101
Posted on May 10, 2010 at 7:57 am
Marta
I'm a bit confused on how to use the emu oil. Any advice?
Posted on May 10, 2010 at 10:25 am
Hi Lori, emu oil is rubbed into the scalp. If you are targeting a small area, such as the hairline, you can do use it whenever you want. For the whole scalp, I think its best to leave it on as mask for 15 mins (or as long as you like) and then shampoo. Use BEFORE Folligen or Hair Signals.
Posted on May 10, 2010 at 11:15 pm
I have received my Nutra lift bundle and I am very happy, is too quick to report but so far I love the shampoo!!! I love the fact that it has sea kelp and biotin and so many others good ingredients. Not so convinced about the conditioner, it does not detangle my hair so easy, I mix it with Giovanni Nutra Fix deep conditioner, anyway, too son too report, but this shampoo is a keeper for sure. Folligen is another favorite, worked so good for my lashes!!!I dont have a problem on thining hair but I am ready to try when the time comes.
BTW thank you sending me the Nutra lift non soap cleanser as a gift I love it and its fresh scent makes my shower morning a delightful experience.
Posted on May 11, 2010 at 1:01 am
Hi Marta - I've been using Clearly Emu and Hair Signals Cream. I think it is definitely helping. What is the difference between Clearly Emu and Emuleve? I'm recommending to someone else.
Also, I haven't seen any mention of Nioxin products for thinning hair. Have you tested that line at all?
Posted on July 3, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Lynne, Clearly Emu has been triple refined. Emuleve - and this is what the company says, I can't corroborate - is refined using an "advanced patent pending process that significantly increases the normal activity of unprocessed emu oil by an astonishing 45%". Personally, I am happy with Clearly Emu, but offer both.
Here is a review of Nioxin: http://truthinaging.com/hair/nioxin-for-hair-growth-tested-and-rejected
Posted on July 5, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Hi..I was wondering would it be bad to leave emu oil on over night and then wash hair in the morning and do Folligen? Also, does Folligen affect the styling of your hair. If you blow dry after application is your hair in a condition to wear all day?
Posted on August 13, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Hi Holly, it's fine to leave emu oil overnight. I blow my hair after applying Folligen and it looks fine - although I only rub it in to my hairline.
Posted on August 13, 2010 at 1:35 pm
how long do i need to leave the emu oil and hair signals in?
Posted on August 29, 2010 at 8:38 pm
marta, i'm wondering if you can put on emu oil, then folligen, leave on for 15 min and then shampoo. Does folligen need to be on longer than that to see results? I'm having trouble with it being so greasy as i use it all over my scalp.
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 6:51 am
I have badly thinning hair and need something for all over the scalp. A spray would be best but I need a strong one!! I am using folligen cream but it's hard to get it all over the scalp and it leaves it so greasy looking. Would you recommend the Hair Signals spray or the Folligen spray?
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 6:54 am
Hi Michelle, the short answer is that you need to leave Folligen on for as long as possible. This morning, for example, I used emu then Folligen and then did my morning exercise and a couple of chores before showering about 45 mins to an hour later.
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 6:57 am
Michelle, for all over the scalp, the spray is going to be better for you - much less gunky. I think Hair Signals is a better product, although it costs a few dollars more than Folligen.
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 6:59 am
thank you so much for your reply! I'll let you know how it goes.
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 7:03 am
I am so glad to have found this site! I love the passion and research that goes into the thoughtful postings, not the mention the sacrifice on the parts of those who try the products. Having suffered with thinning hair (genetic — my mother is practically bald) for a long time, I've used minoxydl of course, but it tends to irritate. I was so thrilled to find these products. It's not the scientific method, but I'm trying all of them. Although it's too early to tell for sure, already my hair looks amazingly better! The Nutrilift shampoo is wonderful and I'm an Emu oil addict already. I'm ordering some for my sister, who has a different problem: dry crunchy ends. I have had no problems blow drying with FNS or Folligen on my hair. But everyone's hair is different. None of these products make my hair greasy, just soft and shiny. Thank you for all your hard work.
Posted on November 16, 2010 at 7:21 am