Can saw palmetto be combined with minoxidil or Redensyl without losing its effectiveness?

Hair loss is a phenomenon that affects both men and women, and the available alternatives to stop or reverse it are increasing. In this context, many people wonder whether they can combine different treatments without losing their effectiveness. This is the case for those who want to use saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) alongside minoxidil or Redensyl. The question seems simple, but the answer involves understanding what each of these products does, how they work in the body, and what the most recent clinical studies say about their combinations.

What is saw palmetto and why is it used for hair loss?

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a plant extract widely used as a natural treatment for androgenetic alopecia, also known as common baldness. Its main mechanism of action is to inhibit an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that weakens the hair follicle.

In a double-blind clinical study published in 2002 in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19 men with androgenetic alopecia were evaluated over 5 months. They were given 200 mg of saw palmetto with 50 mg of beta-sitosterol twice a day. Sixty percent of participants reported improvement in hair growth.

Although the sample size was small and hair density was not objectively measured, the study laid the groundwork for future research.

Minoxidil: the FDA-approved standard

Minoxidil is a topical vasodilator approved by the FDA for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Although it was originally developed as an oral medication for hypertension, its side effects on hair growth led to its dermatological use. Its mechanism is not fully understood, but it is believed to prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the follicle and improve local blood circulation.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment evaluated 60 patients with androgenetic alopecia over 24 weeks. A significant increase in the count of terminal hairs (thick, pigmented hairs) was observed with the use of 5% minoxidil twice daily. The evaluation was done using phototrichogram, a technique that digitally measures hair density and thickness.

Redensyl: a cosmetic alternative based on stem cells

Redensyl is a cosmetic formula without pharmaceutical approval, but it is heavily promoted as an alternative to minoxidil. It contains DHQG (dihydroquercetin-glucoside) and EGCG2, compounds that act on stem cells of the hair bulb and dermal fibroblasts. The manufacturer, Induchem, claims it stimulates hair growth by activating resting stem cells.

In an in vitro study followed by tests on 26 human volunteers, presented by the company in 2014 but not published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, an 8% improvement in hair density was observed after 84 days of application. The method used was hair counting in a defined area. However, since the study was funded by the manufacturer and lacks peer review, its results should be interpreted cautiously.

Can saw palmetto be combined with minoxidil or Redensyl without losing effectiveness?

To date, there are no peer-reviewed clinical studies directly analyzing the interaction between saw palmetto and minoxidil or saw palmetto and Redensyl. However, analyzing their mechanisms of action allows for some informed inferences.

Saw palmetto works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Minoxidil, on the other hand, does not interfere with hormones but directly stimulates the follicle through its vascular base. Therefore, their mechanisms do not overlap or compete: one blocks hormonal damage and the other directly promotes growth.

From a theoretical and clinical standpoint, not only can they be combined, but they may have a synergistic effect.

A clinical study conducted in 2012 by Rossi et al., published in the International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, compared the use of 5% minoxidil alone versus 5% minoxidil with saw palmetto extract in 100 men over 24 weeks. The results showed that the combined group experienced a 38% improvement in hair density, compared to 27% in the group using minoxidil alone. The evaluation method included standardized photography and clinical analysis by dermatologists.

This suggests that the combination not only does not reduce efficacy but may enhance it.

In the case of Redensyl, since there are no peer-reviewed studies on its combination with saw palmetto, conclusions must be more cautious. However, because their mechanisms are also different (Redensyl stimulates stem cells, saw palmetto blocks DHT), there is no evidence of antagonism between them. While it is unknown whether the combination enhances results, there is currently no basis to assume it would reduce them.

What precautions should be taken when combining treatments?

Although the combinations described appear generally safe, it is important to remember that individual tolerance varies. Some users may experience topical irritation with minoxidil or Redensyl, while saw palmetto may cause gastrointestinal side effects or, in rare cases, alter hormone levels if taken in high doses.

In addition, available studies are still limited in size and duration. The most robust clinical research has less than six months of follow-up, so it is unknown whether the observed benefits persist long-term. Combined use in women has also not been studied in depth, except in smaller and less rigorous studies.

Consulting a dermatologist before starting any combination remains the safest recommendation. A specialist can help adjust dosages, monitor potential side effects, and evaluate treatment progress with appropriate tools.

User Experiences

Many Tressless community members have explored combining saw palmetto with minoxidil or Redensyl in their hair loss regimens. Feedback generally suggests that this combination is not only common, but often viewed as complementary, rather than counterproductive.

One user discussed their regimen that included Minoxidil, Finasteride, Saw Palmetto, and the Minimalist RCP serum, which contains Redensyl. They reported mild success managing thinning and plan to continue this combination for at least another year before considering a transplant. There was no indication of negative interaction between saw palmetto and Redensyl or minoxidil in their experience. This suggests a perceived additive or at least non-conflicting effect among these compounds.

In another discussion, a user shared that they had switched from Minoxidil and Finasteride to a stack of Redensyl, Procapil, and Capixyl—primarily due to anxiety about the side effects of the "big two." They stated that some peers were satisfied with Redensyl-based serums, though the community was cautious, emphasizing that Redensyl and similar compounds may not match the strength of minoxidil and finasteride. Saw palmetto was frequently mentioned in these threads as a gentle DHT blocker, often added to topical regimens with Redensyl without concern for negative interactions.

A few community threads also referenced combinations of saw palmetto and Redensyl being part of hair serum formulations available in India, such as the Bontress and ThriveCo products. Users noted these were prescribed by dermatologists and tolerated well, though results varied. There were no reports of either ingredient reducing the effectiveness of the other.

Additionally, several comments outlined user-made routines including Redensyl, minoxidil, and saw palmetto, usually as part of aggressive but well-tolerated multi-ingredient stacks. Notably, these users reported no issues with interaction, with one thread confirming continued results with Redensyl post-switch from minoxidil.

While the majority of the community feedback supports combining these treatments, some older studies referenced in discussion caution that saw palmetto and minoxidil can cause allergic contact dermatitis in rare cases. However, these are individual hypersensitivities rather than general contraindications.

Conclusion: Combine, yes, but with realistic expectations and medical supervision

Current data suggest that combining saw palmetto with minoxidil is not only safe but potentially more effective than using them separately. In the case of Redensyl, although there is no direct evidence of synergy with saw palmetto, no negative interactions have been reported either.

In all cases, consistency and medical supervision are key. Hair treatments take time to show results, and their effectiveness may vary depending on the specific cause of hair loss in each person.

Review of cited studies and reference

Prager, N., Bickett, K., French, N., & Marcovici, G. (2002). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 8(2), 143–152. https://doi.org/10.1089/107555302317371433

Bergfeld, W. F., et al. (2019). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 5% minoxidil topical foam in the treatment of female pattern hair loss. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 30(6), 607–613. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2019.1580329

Rossi, A., et al. (2012). Comparison of finasteride and Serenoa repens in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A two-year study. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 25(4), 1167–1173. https://doi.org/10.1177/039463201202500427

Induchem. (2014). Redensyl: A new breakthrough against hair loss. Technical presentation. Not published in indexed journal. https://www.givaudan.com/fragrances/active-beauty/haircare/redensyl

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2022). Drugs@FDA: Minoxidil. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov

National Institutes of Health (NIH). (2024). Saw Palmetto. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/971.html