In 2024, a study on deoxyribose sugar and hair regrowth went viral, and with good reason. Researchers found that a gel containing this naturally occurring DNA sugar regrew fur in mice about as well as minoxidil. We covered the science in detail in our original deoxyribose sugar for hair loss post. Since then, unregulated gels claiming to contain deoxyribose sugar have raced onto the market ahead of any human evidence of its effectiveness or safety. Thankfully, the first human clinical trial of a deoxyribose gel is now underway. In this article, we’ll review the new clinical trial and where the science on deoxyribose sugar hair gel currently stands. We’ll also review the products currently being sold online and what to use for hair loss in the meantime.
What is Deoxyribose Sugar Gel & Why Did It Go Viral?
Deoxyribose sugar gel is an experimental hair loss treatment based on 2-deoxy-D-ribose. It is a pentose sugar that forms part of the backbone of DNA. Scientists at the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University Pakistan had spent years studying this sugar for wound healing. This is because it encourages the growth of new blood vessels. However, they also noticed that fur around treated wounds grew back faster than expected. So, they tested the sugar directly on hair loss. In their 2024 study, mice with testosterone-driven hair loss regrew fur with the 2-deoxy-D-ribose gel similar to minoxidil. Interestingly, combining the two didn’t add any benefit. The mechanism appears to be through improving blood supply to the follicles.
Is Deoxyribose Sugar Gel Finally Being Tested in Humans?
The first human clinical trial of deoxyribose sugar gel is now underway. This is the most important development since the original study. Researchers at Kasr El Aini Hospital, part of Cairo University in Egypt, have registered a randomised controlled trial comparing topical 2-deoxy-D-ribose hydrogel against minoxidil 5% solution.
The design is a proper head-to-head. Sixty adults aged 18 to 50 with mild to moderate androgenetic hair loss will apply either the deoxyribose gel once daily or minoxidil for 6 months, with hair density measured by trichoscopy and blinded photographic scoring at 12 and 24 weeks. The researchers will also take small scalp biopsies to measure VEGF, the growth factor behind new blood vessel formation. This means it will test not just whether the gel works in humans but whether it works through the blood supply mechanism the mouse study suggested. The trial is currently recruiting, so with a 6 month treatment period the first results are realistically a year or more away.
The University of Sheffield team is separately seeking a commercial partner to develop its version, with toxicity testing and regulatory approval realistically a two to three year process. There is some commercial interest too. A US company selling a deoxyribose product has announced plans for its own trial. However, its published results so far are customer surveys rather than clinical evidence. So human data is finally coming and possibly from more than one source. This puts deoxyribose sugar in the same club as other research molecules with active human trials, like PP405 and VDPHL01.
Can You Buy Deoxyribose Sugar Hair Gel?
You can find products sold as deoxyribose sugar gel online, but none of them is a tested or regulated hair loss treatment. Since the study went viral, a wave of serums and gels claiming to contain 2-deoxy-D-ribose has appeared, ranging from branded “science-backed” serums to unbranded gels on marketplace sites for a few pounds. None of these products has published human trial data. There is also no way to verify what they actually contain, what concentration of the sugar they use or whether it is stable in the formula.
These concerns are serious enough that the Sheffield researchers have publicly distanced themselves from all of them. They’ve stated that the university does not endorse any company selling deoxyribose products for hair loss and that the sugar has not yet been submitted to any regulatory authority for clinical use. It also helps to remember that these products sit outside the system that protects you when you use a medicine. A cosmetic serum doesn’t have to prove it works or that its contents match its label in the way a regulated medicine does. So whilst you can technically buy something with deoxyribose on the label, you can’t buy the treatment the mice received in the study.
Should You Try Deoxyribose Gels for Hair Loss?
It is best to wait for the human trial results rather than buying the deoxyribose gels currently sold online. This isn’t because the science is bad. The original research is promising, the scientists behind it are credible and the announcement of a human trial is a real step forward. The problem is that the products for sale today have no human evidence behind them and no verified contents.
There’s a less obvious opportunity cost too. Androgenetic hair loss is progressive, and follicles shrink gradually until they eventually stop producing hair. Time spent on an unproven serum is time in which that process continues. This is the same trap we see with many hair loss shampoos and unproven supplements. So even if the product itself is harmless, the delay in starting effective treatment is harmful. If the trial delivers, deoxyribose gel will arrive as a properly tested product with known doses and safety data. We’ll happily update this post again if that happens.
What Should I Use for Hair Loss in the Meantime?
Whilst we wait for the human data on deoxyribose sugar, the sensible approach is to use treatments that already have evidence behind them. Here are the main medical treatment options for pattern hair loss:
- Minoxidil: This remains the most widely used treatment for male and female pattern hair loss. Like deoxyribose sugar, minoxidil works partly by improving blood supply to the follicles, which is one reason the mouse results felt so plausible. It is licensed for use as a topical treatment. However, oral minoxidil is available off-label for those unable to use it or who do not respond to topical use.
- Finasteride: This is a DHT blocker that targets the hormonal driver of male pattern hair loss rather than the blood supply. Finasteride has decades of evidence behind it and is available in oral and topical forms. However, it is associated with potentially serious side effects.
- Dutasteride: This is a more potent DHT blocker than finasteride and carries the same risks. Dutasteride blocks both enzymes that convert testosterone to DHT. It is available orally but topical forms are an increasingly popular option.
- Spironolactone: This is an anti-androgen that doctors mainly use for female pattern hair loss, particularly where there’s a hormonal component. It comes in oral and topical forms.
The above, with the exception of 2% and 5% topical minoxidil, are all prescription only medicines. They always need medical assessment first as they are not suitable or safe for everyone. Whatever treatment you use, protecting the follicles you still have matters. Supporting scalp health and reducing oxidative stress helps keep follicles in the growth phase of the hair cycle for longer. Also seek help early if you are experiencing hair loss to ensure prompt diagnosis and proper management to ensure you save hair follicles from permanent damage.
The deoxyribose sugar hair gel story has moved in the right direction with at least one clinical trial now starting. Whilst we wait for those results, it is best to opt for established hair loss treatments in the meantime. Also, remember that deoxyribose sugar is part of a bigger wave of hair loss research we’re following, alongside molecules like TH07, MLPH, metformin and exosomes. So, there are potentially a lot more exciting developments and updates to look forward to for anyone with thinning hair.
At City Skin Clinic, we know how personal hair loss is. Our doctors offer custom hair loss treatments for men and women as well as beard growth serums through our online clinic. We mainly treat androgenetic hair loss, and we don’t offer deoxyribose sugar or other experimental treatments. Our doctors design personalised topical formulas using actives like minoxidil, finasteride, dutasteride, melatonin and caffeine where appropriate. To get started, book a virtual video consultation or use our online consultation form. The journey towards great hair starts here.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any medical concerns or questions you might have.
