Which Is Better: Nioxin or Provillus?

Alopecia is considered to be the most common cause of hair loss. It is usually known as male- or female-pattern baldness and is hereditary. With alopecia, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles where the dihydrotesterone (DHT) hormone binds to hair follicle receptors. This causes the follicles to shrink, resulting in thinner hair. Eventually the hair does not regrow.

Nioxin offers eight "scalp and hair" treatment systems for different combinations of hair texture, severity of thinning and chemically treated hair. The eight systems share the same three components for hair and scalp cleansing, therapy and treatment. Nioxin also offers three other products for the scalp and hair. One is a three-part "scalp recovery" system for scalp flaking, scalp soothing and scalp dryness. The other is an "anti-aging" scalp and hair treatment product to restore health. The third Nioxin system is called "intensive therapy." This has eight products to exfoliate and provide nutrients to the scalp, as well as cleanse, moisturize and add volume to hair. One of the products is a multivitamin tablet supplement. Nioxin contains vitamins, nutrients, herbs and essential oils in their formulary. A list of ingredients for each product is available at nioxin.com.

Provillus offers two scalp and hair treatment systems. One system is designed for men and the other for women. Each system utilizes two components designed to stimulate hair growth. Provillus uses Minoxidil, which is the generic name for Rogaine. It is the primary ingredient used to inhibit DHT and is clinically proven to stimulate hair growth. This component of Provillus is applied as a topical solution. The second component of the Provillus system is a formulary of vitamins, nutrients and herbs. These are taken as a tablet supplement. For a list of ingredients for men and women, see provillus.com.

Nioxin advertises that it is not a product for treating hair loss. Instead it claims that it is designed to remove DHT from your scalp and hair, provide a healthy environment on your scalp for hair regrowth and make your hair look fuller and thicker. Provillus claims that it is an effective product for treating hair loss. It stimulates hair regrowth by blocking the production of DHT and supplying essential nutrients to your body to provide the hair follicles what they need to grow. As far as enhancing the appearance of the hair that you already have, Nioxin does what it is supposed to do. However, if you wish to grow more hair, you will be better off trying Provillus, since Minoxidil is proven to be effective. Can Nioxin and Provillus be used together? The makers of Nioxin do not state that their products can be used with Provillus. However, they indicate that Minoxidil can be used with some of their products (see nioxin.com/en/products/faq/product-use). The makers of Nioxin do not recommend combining Minoxidil with Nioxin Scalp Treatment and Nioxin Follicle Booster.

Nioxin products are expensive and are available only at hair salons. Provillus is less expensive and can be purchased online.