anyone remember RIO hair relaxer?

Hi Everyone... I've lurked on this site off and on for a few years. I forgot my old username, so I had to make a new one. Anyway, I was hoping to get some advice on my hair 
I was wondering if anyone here remembers the infomercial for a hair straighter called RIO. It was out in the late 90s I believe and they later had a lawsuit because it caused people's hair to fall out and turn green.
I was one of the people that used it back then. It did turn my hair green and ever since I used the product, and I used it a few times because it came with a few packets, my hair has never really returned to the thickness it was before. It became thin around my hair line and temples, the curls I had never really grew back quite the way they were before.
I've tried alot of vitamins and products to try and help it grow back, but nothing has really helped so far. I'm currently using Indian herbs, like Maka that's said to cure alopecia, and my scalp seems to be less visible, but my hair is still quite thin.
I still don't really know what was in the RIO that could effect the scalp to make hair fall out and thin.. but it's made me leery of infomercial products and unknown products. I also really regret fighting my curls, I wish I would of embraced them. Now my hair is just wavy, thin and dry.
I was wondering if anyone here happened to use this product, or maybe even a different product, that permanently damaged their hair/scalp and also had problems with their hair never growing back to the way it was, hair loss and thinning and if they found any solutions to help it grow back from this type of hair loss?

I was wondering if anyone here remembers the infomercial for a hair straighter called RIO. It was out in the late 90s I believe and they later had a lawsuit because it caused people's hair to fall out and turn green.
I was one of the people that used it back then. It did turn my hair green and ever since I used the product, and I used it a few times because it came with a few packets, my hair has never really returned to the thickness it was before. It became thin around my hair line and temples, the curls I had never really grew back quite the way they were before.
I've tried alot of vitamins and products to try and help it grow back, but nothing has really helped so far. I'm currently using Indian herbs, like Maka that's said to cure alopecia, and my scalp seems to be less visible, but my hair is still quite thin.

I still don't really know what was in the RIO that could effect the scalp to make hair fall out and thin.. but it's made me leery of infomercial products and unknown products. I also really regret fighting my curls, I wish I would of embraced them. Now my hair is just wavy, thin and dry.

I was wondering if anyone here happened to use this product, or maybe even a different product, that permanently damaged their hair/scalp and also had problems with their hair never growing back to the way it was, hair loss and thinning and if they found any solutions to help it grow back from this type of hair loss?
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I'm so sorry it did a number on your hair and your scalp but I can't imagine that it would affect your new growth or is it because your scalp was damaged because of it? I would think that once your new growth came in, the Rio should not be affecting that. If I were you I would maybe go see a dermatologist to see if they can recommend anything to help your scalp and get it back to being healthy.
I feel bad that that RIO even got out to the public and I hope you'll be able to get your healthy hair back!
Last relaxer Oct 08
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A family friend of mine used it and her hair never really recovered as it did quite a number on her. She sued the company and got a decent payout.
Granted, when she tried it she was in her 50's, so age can affect the hair's ability to grow... there's always hope.
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I don't think it's unreasonable that the Rio is still affecting her hair growth. I've done a lot of research since experiencing hair loss myself and I've learned that some chemical alopecia can be permanent because the follicle has been destroyed. My doctor says my hair loss was from an autoimmune disorder. My mom says it was from a relaxer I got two weeks before my hair abruptly fell out. Anyhow, in some areas I didn't get any growth for a year. My advice is go to the derm and get a biopsy and also try daily massages with essential oils.
The only troubles I did experience were due my action/inaction. My hair color is salt/pepper. My first Rio order was not for my hair color and yes it
turn green. Duh..I ordered incorrectly. Second problem again was due to my action/inaction with all the hoopla being made by "people" caused the product to be discontinued and I no longer had access to "Rio" any longer. Third, I wished I had order cases and cases before it was all destroyed. My action was that after a period of time (about 3 months) I needed a perm/touch up and Rio was no longer available and I got a Dark/Lovely Perm Kit which took out 90% of my hair with the 1st application. As I rinsed my hair it came out in globs. I had no choice but get it all cut to about 1/2" the next day.
I haven't had a perm since that time and my hair length has grown to the middle of my back.
The only reason I'm even on this site is because "I"
am looking to see if the product and be found anywhere in the world. Especially since every perm I've ever gotten previously "burned" me terribly. And that wasn't the case for me with "Rio".
I said then and continue to say truly there may have been some legitimate problems (as with "all" perm) but more that likely it was improper use/application/required time constraints when attempting to use the products as well as some others just looking to be added to the "law suit" (warranted or not).
I truly believe if the instructions were followed properly many many others would have been as satisfied as I was i.e. choose correct type perm depending on color or your hair and do not use product if your previous perm was less that 3 or 4 months.
I'm sure there were/are a great numbers of others who "did" have great success with "The Rio Neutralizer Systems".
I can't really say that Rio damaged my hair. I do have really thin sides but honestly my relaxers before Rio could have done that since she was always putting Dark n Lovely or Just For Me on my hair and leaving that ish on for 30-45 min. :crybaby:So yeah, like I said, I can't blame Rio for all that. Needless to say once I got old enough I started doing my own hair, but by then the damage was done. And had to learn how to style to cover it up.
A few years ago I really got into vitamin supplements to try to fill in the spots and to a certain extent, biotin and B5 helped with thickness. It wasn't until I went to this Korean chick to cut my hair in a wedge bob that I found something to help just a little bit more. She recommended the Nioxin products, particularly the Follicle Booster, and they helped a lot! It took me a few months to see results, and it's still not 100% but it's dramatically better than when I was a kid. So you may want to try that. I agree with checking with the Derm, too.
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Something in Rio damaged hair follicles. Many women who used it became bald as an egg and their hair didn't grow back, [prayerfully that may have changed because I haven't kept up with it].
There was a million dollar class action lawsuit against the company.
FEDERAL COURT GRANTS PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF RIO HAIR NATURALIZER CLASS ACTION PREDOMINANTLY AFFECTING AFRICAN-AMERICANS - Free Online Library
Also...
http://www.definemycurls.com/relaxers-and-hair-loss/#sthash.Ugr1M0PM.dpbs
Blessings!
3B/C - Easy to straighten, [no heat ever/no protect. styling].
Low Porosity/Medium Density
Mid Width/BSL-stretched/BC - 12/2012
I am a "Co-Wash/Finger Comb Lady!
Scalp Cleanser - SM ABS Purification Hair Masque
Co-wash - Tresemme Naturals
Hydration - SM CH Curl & Style Milk
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Styler - SM CH Curl Smoothie
Deep Cond. - SM Yucca & Plantain Masque
Sis...
I did a search and found a few sites that may help-be sure to investigate thoroughly, [let me know if you need more sites...I am usually a very good resource person :hello2:]:
Natural Herbal Hair Rinse for Hair Loss Remedy,Vinegar Hair Loss
Natural Remedies for the Treatment of Alopecia
ALOPECIA -RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WOMEN WITH HAIR LOSS - YouTube
Hair Loss and Regrowth: Recovering from Alopecia (with before and afer pics) - YouTube [this one is really good]!!!
You also may consider supplements:
Biotin
MSM
Hair, Nails and Skin Vitamins
Prenatal Vitamins [worked for me].
Hope this helps...
3B/C - Easy to straighten, [no heat ever/no protect. styling].
Low Porosity/Medium Density
Mid Width/BSL-stretched/BC - 12/2012
I am a "Co-Wash/Finger Comb Lady!
Scalp Cleanser - SM ABS Purification Hair Masque
Co-wash - Tresemme Naturals
Hydration - SM CH Curl & Style Milk
LOC - Organic Coconut Oil
Styler - SM CH Curl Smoothie
Deep Cond. - SM Yucca & Plantain Masque
There was a several million dollar class action lawsuit against the company.
FEDERAL COURT GRANTS PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF RIO HAIR NATURALIZER CLASS ACTION PREDOMINANTLY AFFECTING AFRICAN-AMERICANS - Free Online Library
Also...
http://www.definemycurls.com/relaxer....Ugr1M0PM.dpbs
3B/C - Easy to straighten, [no heat ever/no protect. styling].
Low Porosity/Medium Density
Mid Width/BSL-stretched/BC - 12/2012
I am a "Co-Wash/Finger Comb Lady!
Scalp Cleanser - SM ABS Purification Hair Masque
Co-wash - Tresemme Naturals
Hydration - SM CH Curl & Style Milk
LOC - Organic Coconut Oil
Styler - SM CH Curl Smoothie
Deep Cond. - SM Yucca & Plantain Masque
3B/C - Easy to straighten, [no heat ever/no protect. styling].
Low Porosity/Medium Density
Mid Width/BSL-stretched/BC - 12/2012
I am a "Co-Wash/Finger Comb Lady!
Scalp Cleanser - SM ABS Purification Hair Masque
Co-wash - Tresemme Naturals
Hydration - SM CH Curl & Style Milk
LOC - Organic Coconut Oil
Styler - SM CH Curl Smoothie
Deep Cond. - SM Yucca & Plantain Masque