Hair is a crown that most of us proudly wear so you can imagine how it feels when that same hair begins to thin or fall out.
Whether you are losing hair because of your diet or the aging process, we can bet that you would want to remedy the situation as fast as possible.
Well, Trioxidil is one of the products that are believed to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth at the same time.
However, the biggest question is, how effective is this product? Buckle up as we embark on a journey to find that out.
Table of Contents
What Is Trioxidil in Foligain?
Just as the name implies, Trioxidil is a triple-action product comprising an array of ingredients designed to encourage hair growth as well as promote strong, thick hair.
A company based in Scottsdale, Arizona known as Foligain manufactures Trioxidil. The company developed this product to supply useful nutrients to scalp tissues and ultimately promote thicker and healthier hair.
Moreover, Trioxidil is believed to have moisture-sealing properties to help mitigate irritation and dryness. This is where it gets interesting; although Foligain makes all these claims, there are no definitive studies to back them up.
Is that a red flag? Maybe, maybe not read on to find out.
What It Includes
Trioxidil is a blend of copper, zinc, biotin, folate, vitamin B6, and niacin. Foligain also claims that this product is 100% natural.
Let us look deeper into this ingredient list to see what we are working with.
To start us off, there is the presence of vitamin B6. Now, this ingredient is hypothesized to reduce alopecia in women. The only problem is that there are no conclusive studies to back up this claim.
Anyway, moving right along, we have folate or folic acid. The lack of this compound in the human body contributes to hair loss so you can see why it was important to include it in this product.
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Niacin and Zinc
Niacin is another key ingredient in Trioxidil. The lack of it has been known to cause dermatitis, dementia, and alopecia.
It is hypothesized that applying niacin topically can improve hair fullness considerably in women with alopecia.
Aside from that, Trioxidil also comprises natural minerals such as zinc. Now, this vital mineral plays a crucial role when it comes to cellular proliferation and division as well as protein synthesis.
A deficiency in zinc is usually brought about by inherited genetic disorders or strict adherence to a vegan diet.
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Copper
Finally, yet importantly, there is copper. This compound plays a major role as far as the production of melanin and collagen cross-linking.
However, here is the catch. Of all the ingredients contained in Trioxidil, copper deficiency lacks scientific back up for its connection with hair loss.
That said, a 2014 study appearing on Research Gate acknowledged that deficiencies in copper and zinc may play a significant role in many forms of hair loss.
Clinical Studies
Unfortunately, we’re yet come across any peer-reviewed studies done on Trioxidil. The only study currently available was sponsored by WR Group which is a company associated with the Foligain brand.
Therefore, we could not independently verify the reliability of the findings made from such a pilot study. We feel that more long-term, independent scientific studies are needed here.
That said, the individual ingredients within this formula are backed by a long list of independent studies. So, our only concern is that Trioxidil as a blend is yet to be closely examined by independent scholars.
Potential Side Effects
As we have previously mentioned, there are no conclusive studies when it comes to Trioxidil so there are no serious adverse effects reported after using it.
Nevertheless, this is not to say that the product is 100% safe. For instance, the labels on the four products caution that “if redness, irritation, or discomfort, occurs, you are required to consult a doctor or immediately discontinue use”.
What does that tell you? That the aforementioned side effects may or may not occur and thus the product is not completely safe.
Looking deeper into the product and its ingredients, we found that there was the presence of anti-foaming agents, panthenol, lecithin, glycerin, and propylene glycol.
These components are likely to cause allergic reactions or skin irritation in some people.
Comparison to Minoxidil
In respect to the limitations exhibited by Trioxidil, we found two substitute products for hair loss that we feel demonstrate better performance and safety.
Minoxidil is the first between the two. Originally designed to treat high blood pressure, this drug carries a useful effect of promoting hair growth.
Today, the drug is marketed, as Rogaine is sold over-the-counter to be applied topically. It is known to reverse hair loss.
Minoxidil opens the smooth muscle cells that contain the arteries that supply hair follicles with nutrients. This improves circulation and causes dilation.
What makes Minoxidil superior to Trioxidil? Well, the former has been widely studied and has been proven to reverse progressive hair loss. We cannot say the same for the latter.
When it comes to safety, Minoxidil is quite safe although it can at times cause itching and reddening of the scalp.
Many studies reveal that Minoxidil is well tolerated. Although Trioxidil is thought to be safe, there are no conclusive studies to back that claim.
Related: 6 Natural Minoxidil Alternatives For Home Use
Comparison to Folexin
Folexin comprises natural ingredients designed to encourage hair growth and promote the overall health of your hair but so does Trioxidil.
The only difference is that there are enough studies to support the effectiveness of Folexin. Trioxidil claims to do the same but that is just about it.
Originally marketed as Foligen, the product was renamed Folexin in 2018 because there were other products with the same name.
Along with the name change, the manufacturer of Folexin also tweaked the ingredients in a bid to improve the effectiveness of the product.
Now, the main difference between Folexin and Trioxidil is that the former is produced in adherence to GMP and FDA guidelines. This means that you can rely on the safety of the product.
Granted, Trioxidil contains all-natural ingredients, which leads us to assume that it is safe. Now, if you are serious about your hair, you do not want to rely on assumptions and that is where Trioxidil loses the battle.
Related: Our Full Review of Folexin Hair Supplement
Conclusion
We love that Trioxidil comprises natural ingredients because that reduces its chances of causing side-effects.
Foligain claims that these ingredients encourage hair growth and are safe. Again, while that may be true, there are no studies to support the claims.
Conversely, Folexin, and Minoxidil are hair loss therapies that have been tested and verified to promote hair growth as well as prevent it from thinning.
Foligain markets Trioxidil as a breakthrough when it comes to hair loss management but we think that it is too early to make that conclusion since the product has not been tested and verified to do that.
It is for that reason that we feel that Minoxidil and Folexin are cost-effective and reliable options compared to Trioxidil.
