Effectiveness of Capixyl, Redensyl, Anagain, and Procapil for Hair Loss
These proprietary botanical compounds show preliminary evidence for hair growth promotion, but they lack the robust clinical validation of guideline-recommended treatments like topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, which remain the evidence-based first-line therapies for androgenetic alopecia. 1
Evidence-Based Treatment Hierarchy
The established treatments for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) are topical minoxidil (for both sexes) and oral finasteride (for men), which require continuous use to maintain effectiveness 1. These treatments have extensive clinical validation, whereas the proprietary compounds in question have limited high-quality evidence.
Available Evidence for Proprietary Compounds
Redensyl, Saw Palmetto, and Biotin with PRP
- A 2023 randomized controlled trial compared Procapil with PRP versus Redensyl, saw palmetto, and biotin (RSB) with PRP in 54 male patients with AGA 2
- The combination of Redensyl, saw palmetto, and biotin with PRP showed statistically significant improvement in AGA grading scores compared to Procapil with PRP 2
- Treatment consisted of four sessions at three-week intervals, with clinical improvement assessed by blinded observers 2
Combined Formulation Study
- A 2024 study evaluated a hair serum containing REGENDIL™ (Redensyl, AnaGain, Procapil, and Capilia longa) with 5 kDa hyaluronic acid in 32 subjects over 60 days 3
- Hair growth rate increased by 31.62% at 60 days, with average hair growth improving by 487.31 μm/day 3
- Hair growth improved up to 1.5 times after 60 days, with statistically significant improvements in hair thickness, density, and the anagen-to-telogen ratio (p<0.01) 3
- No adverse events were reported during the study period 3
Redensyl-Containing Formulation
- A 2025 study of Soulflower Rosemary Redensyl Hair Growth Serum (containing Redensyl, rice water extract, chia seed extract, rosemary oil, MelanoGray™, and AnaGain™) showed significant improvements over 120 days 4
- Hair growth rate enhanced by 46.71% at Day 90, hair density improved by 37.92%, and hair thickness improved by 80.85% at Day 120 4
- Hair fall reduction of 64.89% was observed at Day 120, with no adverse effects reported 4
Critical Limitations and Caveats
The major limitation is that all available studies use combination formulations, making it impossible to isolate the individual effects of Capixyl, Redensyl, Anagain, or Procapil 2, 3, 4. This represents a significant methodological weakness when trying to determine which specific ingredient contributes to observed benefits.
Study Quality Concerns
- Sample sizes are small (32-54 participants), limiting generalizability 2, 3
- Study durations are relatively short (60-120 days), whereas established treatments like minoxidil require continuous use every 6 months for sustained effectiveness 1
- No head-to-head comparisons exist between these proprietary compounds and FDA-approved treatments like minoxidil or finasteride
- The studies lack the rigorous placebo-controlled design seen in trials for established therapies 1
Clinical Recommendation Algorithm
For patients seeking hair loss treatment, prioritize guideline-recommended therapies first:
- First-line treatment: Topical minoxidil (both sexes) or oral finasteride (men only) 1
- Adjunctive consideration: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which have shown significant increases in hair density per cm² in numerous clinical trials 1
- Alternative/supplementary option: Proprietary botanical compounds (Redensyl, Anagain, Procapil, Capixyl) may be considered as adjuncts or for patients who refuse conventional therapy, but set realistic expectations about the limited evidence base 2, 3, 4
Important Considerations for Finasteride
- Finasteride reduces serum PSA by approximately 50% after 1 year; when screening for prostate cancer, the measured PSA value should be doubled 5
- Visible improvement requires months of continuous treatment, and discontinuation results in return of DHT levels to pretreatment values within approximately 2 weeks 5
- Dutasteride inhibits both Type I and Type II 5α-reductase, reducing serum DHT by 95% versus 70% with finasteride, though it is not FDA-approved for hair loss 5
Practical Application
If a patient insists on using these proprietary compounds, recommend formulations containing multiple ingredients (Redensyl + Anagain + Procapil) rather than single agents, as the available evidence only supports combination products 3, 4. However, emphasize that these should complement, not replace, evidence-based treatments with established safety profiles and long-term efficacy data.