Redensyl for Hair Growth

There are plenty of new drug formulations on the market which claim to be the next big thing in hair loss treatment.

But these drugs will often be abandoned in a few months’ time when a new, more promising option comes along.

There are a few formulations, though, which have greater potential than others. These are the ones that are eventually studied, and they may even start their way through the FDA approval process.

One such formulation along those lines is Redensyl.

This post will introduce Redensyl. It will outline how it works, where you can get it, and more.

What is Redensyl?

Redensyl is an over-the-counter topical solution manufactured by the Swiss company Induchem. The solution is composed of two patented polyphenolic molecules — DHQG and EGCG2.

Polyphenols are plant-derived micronutrients found in fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, and tea. These organic chemicals have many research-backed health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (1, 2).

How Does It Work?

According to the manufacturers of Redensyl, this solution works by targeting the Outer Root Sheath bulge stem cells and the fibroblasts located in the dermal papilla.

What does this have to do with hair growth?

The hair growth cycle is a three-step process that consists of anagen, catagen, and telogen phases.

It’s during anagen phase when active growth takes place. But for this to happen, there must be stem cells present.

Why?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells. This means their purpose has yet to be determined.

During anagen phase, these stem cells become activated by the Wnt (Wingless-related integration site) signaling pathway. It is then that the stem cells will proliferate new hair growth until the anagen phase is complete.

How does this relate to Redensyl?

As mentioned above, it is suggested that Redensyl targets bulge stem cells. This may lead to the promotion of anagen phase in men and women with pattern baldness.

It is also stated that Redensyl works to target fibroblasts in the dermal papilla.

Fibroblasts are cells in connective tissue that produces collagen, among other such fibers. Collagen plays an important role in hair and skin health, as it promotes elasticity (3).

So by promoting stem cell proliferation and collagen production, Redensyl may help to nurture healthy hair growth.

Is There Proof of Redensyl’s Hair Growth Benefits?

It is always important that you question the validity of a drug manufacturer’s claims. After all, they are ultimately in it for the money.

Here is a look at what we know about the drug.

Study: A Comparative Study between Topical 5% Minoxidil and Topical “Redensyl, Capixyl, and Procapil” Combination in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia (2019)

While this study does not focus on redensyl alone, it can offer insight into the active ingredient’s potential to treat hair loss (4).

Researchers from Turkey recruited 120 male patients to take part in this 24-week study. The objective was to compare the safety and efficacy of an alternative treatment (containing Redensyl, Capixyl, and Procapil (RCP)), and 5% minoxidil solution in adult male patients suffering from pattern baldness.

As the name of the combination suggests, RCP is a concentrated solution that consists of three active ingredients:

• Redensyl;
• Capixyl; and
• Procapil.

Capixyl is an “anti-aging hair care complex” that contains a combination of acetyl tetrapeptide-3 and red clover extract.

The active ingredient was first produced by LucasMeyer Cosmetics. It is increasingly present in many natural hair products, and it is certainly making a name for itself in the hair loss community.

Procapil is a “breakthrough formula” that contains vitaminated matrikine with apigenin and oleanolic acid. These ingredients work together to promote blood flow and create a healthier scalp environment.

The men who volunteered to participate in the study were all diagnosed with AGA between Stage II and Stage V. The participants were split into two groups.

The first group received a 1mg topical application of 5% minoxidil solution twice per day. The second group received a 1mg topical application of RCP solution twice per day.

To track their results, the men were expected to report to the clinic at the start of the study (to establish a baseline) and every four weeks throughout the 24-week period. The condition of their hair, as well as any adverse effects, were recorded in the Case Record Form.

To ensure that the results were tracked objectively, the evaluators were also given a five-point evaluation for assessing increases in hair density. The scale was as follows:

• A significant recovery: Intensive hair growth (the hairless area has an almost similar intensity to the non-hairless area, and the skin is almost covered with hair).
• A moderate recovery: Average hair growth (the hairless area has less intensity than the non-hairless area and is partially covered with the newly grown hair).
• A slight recovery: Minimal hair growth (despite hair growth, the hairless area can clearly be seen).
• No change: No hair growth detectable, using the naked eye.
• Worsening: A decrease in hair growth.

According to the cumulative results of the evaluator assessments mentioned above, the group of men who received RCP saw a significantly greater extent of recovery than their minoxidil-treated peers (64.7% versus 25.5%):

The researchers also took global photographs throughout the study. An evaluation of these photographs also revealed greater recovery in the RCP group (88.9%) than in the minoxidil group (60%):

It is obvious that the three active ingredients within RCP played a significant role in promoting hair growth. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the extent to which each ingredient contributed.

What we can say, however, is that further research on these ingredients would be a step in the right direction for the hair loss community.

Are There Side Effects?

There are many products on the market today that contain Redensyl. But is this solution actually safe for use? The truth is, we do not know.

Unlike minoxidil, a hair loss drug that has undergone extensive scientific testing, Redensyl has undergone very little in the way of research.

The solution contains molecules that, by themselves, are not harmful. The two main molecules – DHQC and ECGC2 – are not the only ingredients in the solution, though.

The full list of ingredients in Redensyl includes:

• Dihydroquercetin-glucoside (DHQG: 0,005%)
• Epigallocatechin gallate-glucoside (EGCG2: 0,0009%)
• Glycine (0,005%)
• Zinc chloride (0,002%)
• Meta-bisulfite (0,015%)
• Glycerin: 50%
• Water: QSP 100%

The good news is that none of these ingredients are alarming.

As with any topical solution, there is always a potential for skin irritation or allergic reaction.

If you choose to use Redensyl-containing products, you should test them on a small patch of skin before you apply them to your scalp. You should look for redness, itching, hives, or flaking before you proceed to use it on your scalp.

If you experience any of these side effects, or if you develop symptoms of an allergic reaction, you should stop use immediately. In the case of a severe allergic reaction, you should seek emergency medical attention.

How to Use Redensyl in Your Hair Care Routine

If you are interested in adding Redensyl into your routine, you will have quite a few products to choose from.

RevivHair™ Max Hair Stimulating Serum

RevivHair™ Max Hair Stimulating serum is a formula developed and sold by RevivSerums. While they have a few different serums that they claim promote hair health, the Hair Stimulating Serum is the only one to contain Redensyl.

According to their website, their serum Redensyl (5%), Phytocelltec™ argan, Anasensyl™, and peptides.

These ingredients are claimed to soothe the scalp, strengthen hair, and promote hair growth via stem cell stimulation. The company also offers optional add-ins, including Triaminodil®.

If we dig a bit deeper into the ingredient list, the ingredients overall seem solid. There are a few preservatives, of course, but that is to be expected when a product is produced on a larger scale.

iRestore Anti-Hair Loss Serum

iRestore is a well-known company in the hair loss community. They are perhaps best known for their range of hair growth-promoting devices, but they also offer a few topical products to round out their collection.

One such topical is their Anti-Hair Loss Serum. The most notable thing about this serum is its incorporation of Redensyl.

When looking back at the previous product, it is difficult to say exactly how the two compare. Redensyl is listed front and center on RevivHair’s ingredients, but it is not listed clearly for iRestore’s Anti-Hair Loss Serum.

It may simply be that, at the time of this writing, they have yet to update the ingredients list on their website. But it does not hurt to reach out to them for clarification should you choose to purchase their product.

Vitalize Hair Follicle Stem Cell Serum

Sold by Vitalize Hair, this Follicle Stem Cell Serum is another that claims to stimulate “thicker, fuller hair.” It does so with the help of the active ingredient Redensyl, as well as green tea extract and aloe vera.

Similar to iRestore’s Anti-Hair Loss Serum, it is difficult to say just how much Redensyl is in the product. This active ingredient is not listed outright in the ingredients listing, and this makes it hard to determine how its concentration relates to the other ingredients present.

Redensyl and FDA Approval: A Future Possibility?

As of this writing, Redensyl is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Food and Drug Administration is a United States agency tasked with protecting public health, “by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.”

The FDA approval process, then, is a process that ensures the safety and efficacy of drugs and other such products which are available by prescription or sold over the counter.

Contrary to popular belief, not all products must be approved by the FDA before they are allowed to be sold on the market.

In fact, multiple exceptions allow products to skip the approval process entirely. There are four main categories of products that can be sold without prior approval by the FDA. These include:

1. Dietary supplements.
2. Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs.
3. Compound formulations.
4. Products similar to already-approved products on the market.

As far as Redensyl-containing products go, they likely fall into the OTC drug category. They may fall under a compound formulation, as well, depending on how they are manufactured.

So, is there a benefit to Redensyl gaining FDA approval?

The greatest advantage would be the ability for manufacturers to make a “prescription strength” formulation. In theory, this would be a higher concentration which can sometimes mean greater results.

But with FDA approval also comes credibility and access to international markets.

The process for a drug to be approved by the FDA, though, is lengthy and costly. The process can cost millions of dollars when you consider the experimental studies and manufacturing costs.

This does not mean that the manufacturers of Redensyl will never go for FDA approval. If they choose to pursue it, though, it will still be many years away.

Redensyl vs. Minoxidil / Finasteride

When there is a potential for a new drug to enter the market, it is impossible not to compare it to drugs that are currently approved.

So where does Redensyl fit into the current offering of hair loss treatment drugs?

First things first, let us briefly discuss how each drug works.

As stated above, Redensyl works by targeting bulge stem cells. This may, in turn, promote anagen phase hair growth in men and women with thinning and baldness.

Minoxidil works along a different pathway. The exact mechanism is unknown, though there are a few proposed theories.

The most popular theory is that minoxidil promotes dilation of the blood vessels. This contributes to increased blood flow which ensures the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the follicles.

Finasteride, also sold under the brand Propecia, is an oral tablet. Unlike minoxidil, its mechanism is more clear. Finasteride is a known inhibitor of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase (5). This is the enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone to DHT.

What has that got to do with hair growth?

The most popular theory for why pattern baldness occurs is androgen (DHT) sensitivity. Its presence at the follicles promotes miniaturization of the scalp.

By reducing the body’s DHT levels, then, finasteride can prevent miniaturization and create a healthier scalp environment.

Now, what about how the drugs may compare?

As we saw above in the 2019 study, Redensyl shows some real potential as a hair growth promoter when compared to minoxidil.

That is not to say that Redensyl outperforms minoxidil, though.

Foremost, the study above consisted of a formulation containing Redensyl. A more accurate study would be one which compares Redensyl alone to minoxidil.

And there is also something to be said for minoxidil’s longevity.

Minoxidil, also marketed under the brand name Rogaine, has been on the market since 1988. It is unlikely that any drug, especially a new one, will overtake it on the market any time soon.

The same can be said for finasteride, which has also proven itself as a hair growth promoter over the past few decades.

Conclusion

When a new formulation enters the market, it is good to be skeptical. This is especially true when the formulation has yet to be approved by the FDA.

The good news is the preliminary studies have shown promise.

If you would like to give Redensyl a try, just remember that a multi-pronged approach to hair loss treatment is recommended.