Male pattern baldness or balding, in general, is a difficult problem to solve. Options are limited, with varying degrees of effectiveness. One of the most successful but still quite under-the-radar products for male pattern baldness is RU55841.
It takes an average of three months for RU58841 to start working and show results. But the results could easily show up as early as one to two months after starting the treatment. After that, hair growth can continue to increase.
Despite the apparent effectiveness of RU58841, there is still little research dedicated to it. Most of the exposure it gets is from those who are willing to experiment with it. It has had quite a history, being put aside, being picked up again, and eventually retired by the company that owns its rights.
However, there are still people willing to try out RU58841 to treat their male pattern baldness. There are several distributors, with Kane and Anagen being the most popular. However, RU58841 is not an FDA approved treatment as there is still very little research on the product. Taking it for your pattern baldness is a risk on your part.
What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?
Before we can even understand RU58841, how it works, and how long it takes to work, we must understand the underlying cause of male pattern baldness. With hair loss, you want a treatment that tackles the root cause instead of just applying a band-aid fix, such as minoxidil. You must understand the underlying cause of male pattern baldness to understand how to counteract it.
Male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia is a condition that presents itself in about 50% of the male population. It characterizes itself in receding hairlines, thinning hair, and bald spots that look like the typical balding head of hair you would see in a middle-aged man. Although male pattern baldness can start in the teens, balding increases as one gets older. Thus, we associate the idea of balding with age.
Androgenetic alopecia occurs when the hair follicles slowly shrink and shrink until hair cannot grow anymore. This process is otherwise called miniaturization. This entire hair growth cycle process is affected by an androgen called DHT, which is why male pattern baldness is also called androgenetic alopecia.
Androgens play a big part in maintaining sexual characteristics and is a hormone present in men. Women also have it but in far lesser amounts. That is also why balding is much more prevalent in men than in women.
A small percent of testosterone converts to DHT in the body, which then plays a vital role in bodily functions. DHT is an important aspect of the body and has its uses. In the fetal stage of growth, DHT plays a role in developing the penis and the prostate gland. However, DHT can also be the cause of the slowing down or disruption of hair growth. Something interesting and not very well-understood is that DHT is supposedly helpful for maintaining hair for secondary sex characteristics such as facial hair. But while it is great for that, DHT is simultaneously harmful to the hair on the scalp.
DHT and even testosterone, to a lesser degree, can trigger the miniaturization of hair follicles, which will eventually lead to balding. It is not yet fully understood why androgens do this. As such, the medications for male pattern baldness aim to block DHT to prevent further damage.
What Does RU58841 Have to Do With Male Pattern Baldness?
RU58841 is a way to block DHT. The medication is an antiandrogenic compound. It counteracts the effects of DHT by trying to stop androgen from binding to hair follicle receptors. Unlike other forms of medication, RU58841 does not directly reduce DHT, but rather, its local effects on the hair follicles. And unlike other medications such as finasteride, it doesn’t just block DHT; it also blocks testosterone.
With the use of RU58841, DHT will no longer be able to affect the hair follicles that much. Thus, the normal growth cycle of the hair will continue without a problem.
However, probably one of the biggest downsides to RU58841 is that although it has been around for some time, there is no significant research on its long-term effects. Most of the research done on the compound relies on animals or case studies on human beings. Neither of these is long-term enough to deem the product safe. The lack of research can be attributed to the rights owner not choosing to develop the product further.
The lack of research is also why RU58841 is not FDA approved, and access to it is limited. We don’t truly know if it’s safe. Many users report chest pain and other symptoms. Its effect on the heart is not fully understood.
How Long Does RU58841 Take to Work?
In the studies available, the compound works in as little as two months from treatment. In testimonies by people, some even say that it works in less than a month. It is safe to say that you can expect effects to manifest in just a few months.
Of course, its effects will vary from person to person. So if results do not show up after a month of use, that does not mean the product is no longer effective for you. The one month mark is the most optimistic and is by no means a common occurrence.
A study on the effect of dosage and the long term effects of RU58841 showed that results manifested in Macaques in as little as three months. The effects also persisted to up to a year or two of use (Bayne, 1997). In another study on balding monkeys, results showed up in as little as two months (Pan, 1998).
Alternatives to RU58841
Because RU58841 lacks research, you may be apprehensive of choosing it as a method of treatment. That apprehension is completely reasonable. For that reason, here are some alternatives to RU58841 that you may find suitable for your situation.
Finasteride
Finasteride, the active ingredient in Propecia, is probably the most common medication for male pattern baldness. There has been a lot of success with it, and many people can attest to its effectiveness. It works by actively trying to break down a certain enzyme (5-alpha-reductase) that converts testosterone to DHT. As previously mentioned, DHT plays a big part in male pattern baldness, so limiting its production is a good thing.
However, this means that finasteride cannot localize its effects on just the hair. There are also major body changes that finasteride/Propecia can cause, such as changes in libido. While finasteride may have lots of research and is easily available, that doesn’t mean it’s safe either, and many users also report sexual side effects and other problems.
But do not be immediately dissuaded. Most men use finasteride without problems. If you experience problems, you can always cut back on the dosage. Not everybody needs the full 1 mg. once per day dose that’s recommended. You can use 0.5 mg three times per week with virtually the same level of results. But it would be best if you made an informed decision backed by your research and knowledge.
Saw Palmetto
Another alternative to Ru55841 is saw palmetto. It can also block the enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT, which will help limit hair loss. Unfortunately, research on saw palmetto is also lacking. However, a study by Pais et al. (2016) showed promising results.
Saw palmetto is also common in treating problems with the prostate and the bladder. It is a product that people used for centuries, and you may also benefit from this natural remedy. It won’t be as strong as finasteride, though.
Check out our article on natural hair loss solutions for more info on alternative treatments, and if you’re worried about your hairline, be sure to check out our main hair loss guide.
