| CONTENTS |
- Nioxin put together the best show at the International Beauty Show in
New York City March 7, 1998 to March 10, 1998. Normally, when you go to a trade show, you
would expect to see booths and counters being set up by different companies. Not for
Nioxin. Instead, Nioxin put together a spectacular symposium for hair care that put all
other exhibitors to shame.
- First of all, Nioxin occupied an enormous amount of floor space at the
show. Instead of setting up a booth or counter like most other exhibitors, Nioxin set up a
mini complex within the convention center. The complex was staffed by at least 20 young
and energetic Nioxin professionals. The theme color was black and all the Nioxin
professionals wore a black turtle neck with the word Nioxin around the collar. Inside the
mini complex was a lot of shelf space featuring Nioxin's latest products, a stage where
live demonstrations were performed, about 100 seats for the audience and a giant screen
projector showing a film about Nioxin's research on hair care. Everything was tastefully
done and professionally coordinated.
- The highlight of the show began when a Nioxin spokeperson introduced
the Semodex product line - Nioxin's latest weapon against thinning hair and hair loss.
Semodex is the result of Nioxin's latest research on hair loss. Nioxin's reserachers has
discovered a new cause for thinning hair and hair loss - a microscopic mite called
Demodex. According to Nioxin, Demodex is found presence in scalp and hair follicles. The
mite tends to live off sebum and other oily secretions generated on the scalp. Demodex by
itself does not cause thinning hair or hair loss. However, Nioxin's research has shown
that Demodex produces an enzyme called lipase and it is believed that this enzyme
contributes to thinning hair and hair loss in many men and women. In Nioxin's
research on 50 men and women with thinning hair, it was discovered that men and women who
have thinning hair or hair loss also have a siginificantly higher amount of Demodex and
the enzyme lipase in their scalp and hair follicles.
- This research leads to Nioxin new ammunition for hair loss - Semodex.
Semodex is a product line that is formulated to address hair conditions and problems
caused by Demodex. Specifically, there are two key products in Semodex - 1) Shampoo or
cleanser, 2) Topical serum. The shampoo or cleanser is designed to eliminate the
build-up of lipase produced by the microscopic mite Demodex. Again, Nioxin's researchers
reported that the existence of lipase may be attributable to thinning hair and hair loss.
In addition to the shampoo / cleanser, the Semodex line also includes a topical serum. The
serum is designed to prevent the build-up of lipase on the scalp and hair follicles. So
the two products in Semodex complement each other in treating lipase or Demodex induced
hair conditions. One cleanses the lipase that already exist on the scalp and hair
follicles, and the other prevents and inhibits the build-up new lapse produced by Demodex.
- The Semodex line will be introduced in April 1998. It is expected that
the shampoo will retail for about US $10 and the topical serum will retail for about US
$39. However, please contact Nioxin or your local salon for more accurate pricing.
- My only reservation about the research on Demodex is the lack of
independent literatures and clinical reports on the subject. As of today, I am still
trying to obtain independent clinical reports substantiating the study on Demodex and its
effects on hair conditions. In addition, according to Nioxin, the discovery was based on a
study on 50 men and women with thinning hair and hair loss. First, while I am not a
doctor, it just seems to me that a sample size of only 50 participants may not be
sufficient to fully examine the effects of Demodex on hair conditions. It is
estimated that there are over 60 million Americans with thinning hair or hair loss. I am
not sure if we can conclude that the results of a study based on 50 people are also
applicalble to the 60 million people out there. Second, it appears that the study was
conducted by Nioxin researchers as opposed to an independent laboratory. If that is the
case, there is always the question about "conflict of interest" since we are not
sure what kind of influence Nioxin had during the process of the study. Again, I am
currently attempting to obtain clinical reports of the study to evaluate the methodology
used in the research. Third, it is unclear whether the existence of Demodex and
lipase is a "Result" or "Cause" of hair loss. Nioxin concludes that
thinning hair and certain hair conditions are a result of the existence of Demodex and
lipase. However, it is also possible that Demodex simply thrives on scalps and hair
follicles that contain a high level of DHT (most research indicates that DHT is the main
cause of hair loss in most people) and may not have a direct impact on thinning hair and
hair loss. Of course, the above are just my opinions and readers should consult their
doctors or Nioxin to better understand if Semodex can address their hair conditions.
- In any case, I think this is a great discovery by Nioxin and on behalf
of all those who are suffering from hair loss, I thank Nioxin for their continued
research and support for hair care. I think this discovery is going to generate a lot of
excitement in the hair loss treatment industry.
|
