Although I don't feel that OOKISA is being fair to consumers by promoting a free trial that isn't a free trial, I do believe that I should give their products - once I finally got them for a one-off introductory price with no obligation to reorder - a fair trial. My first impressions of the shampoo and conditioner is that they are pretty good, although I would like to use them for a couple more weeks before coming to a final verdict. I have also started to use the OOKISA Nightime Follicle Renewal Serum and I am getting the distinct impression that there are fewer hairs in shower drain.

OOKISA's serum ($62.95) has a peculiar contraption on the nozzle that I eventually worked out was a nifty device to ensure you can spray the product directly onto the scalp, including the back of your head. This serum is similar to Kronos Phyx in that it is designed to be used overnight as a mask that delivers all manner of amino acids and antioxidants for a healthy scalp, stronger hair and an end to thinning. I need to use it a bit longer to see if OOKISA really delivers all of this (Kronos, I have found, does a good job), but so far I have noted some advantages to OOKISA over Kronos. First it is less expensive that Kronos Phyx, which comes in at $105. Secondly, it is lightweight and non-greasy to the point of being invisible. With careful application, you could get away with wearing it during the day, whereas you wouldn't want to be seen in public with the Kronos version of the greased-back look.

Although there are a few potential irritants in OOKISA's serum, including polysorbate 20 as the third most abundant ingredient, I haven't been afflicted with an itchy scalp so far. The next ingredient is a controversial one. Niacinamide is a a B vitamin derivative and is associated with hair growth. However, there isn't much data to back that up and, unfortunately, there is data to suggest that it is toxic at high doses and an irritant at moderate doses. The recommended limit is cosmetics is 3%.

I have finally got to the bottom of biotinoyl tripeptide-1, which shows in OOKISA’s other products and in the Lilash and Cargo eyelash growth products. It is part of a concoction made by Sederma (the same company makes Matrixyl 3000) for treating alopecia that also includes butylene glycol, PPG-26-buteth-26, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, apigenin, oleanic acid (and) biotinoyl tripeptide-1). According to Sederma, it helps to slow aging effects by lessening the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to improve the irrigation of the hair follicle. Studies (by the company) showed the product to: increase hair growth enhance adhesion molecules stimulate hair strengthening genes increase the proportion of anagen hair. Hexyl nicotate may (I am guessing here) stimulate follicles by increasing blood flow, which it does according to a 1988 study. Sodium phytate, the salt of phytic acid, is a curious ingredient. It seems to be an antioxidant, but also (when added to food) can inhibit uptake of minerals. In hair products, it acts as a scalp exfoliator.

I’ll give a full review of all three OOKISA products in a couple of weeks.

Ingredients


Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine HCl, Apigenin, Linolenic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Acetamide MEA, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Panthenol, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Sorbitol, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl, Silanetriol, Phytantriol, Sodium PCA, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf/Stalk Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Sulfur, Hexyl Nicotinate, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Sodium Phytate, Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance (Parfum)