ResearchSafe

mild scalp irritation after starting ru‑58841, any tips?

Posted by tara_ketogen in Safety & Side Effects - 13 points, 4 comments.

hey folks, i’m new to the whole topical anti‑androgen game and started using ru‑58841 about two weeks ago for my thinning crown. i mixed 75 mg into a simple alcohol‑water carrier and apply it every night after washing my hair. i’ve noticed a bit less shedding, which is cool, but after the third night I woke up with a dry, slightly itchy spot right where I usually put the bulk of the solution. it’s not a full‑blown rash, more of a mild irritation that feels a bit tight and flaky by morning.

i’ve tried swapping to a jojoba‑based base and cutting the dose in half, but the irritation kinda persists, just less intense. i’m wondering if this is a common early‑stage reaction, or if i’m somehow getting too much concentration in the vehicle. also, should i be rotating application sites or maybe do a short break each week? any other users who’ve dealt with this and found a smoother routine would be super helpful. thanks!

Comments

  • amber464: I felt something similar when I first tried ru‑58841 about a month ago. 5 % mix in propylene glycol‑water and got a dry, tight patch after the third night too. 2 % and swapping the carrier to a 70 % ethanol‑30 % water blend made the itch fade after a week. I also started applying only to the crown and let the sides rest for a couple days – the scalp seems to need a “rest zone” while the follicle cycle catches up. Keep an eye on any scaling; if it gets worse, a 2‑3 day break usually resets it. H
  • tara_ketogen: thanks amber, that 2 % ethanol‑water blend sounds doable – i’m thinking of dropping the 75 mg to about 40 mg and using a 70/30 mix tonight. i’ll also try limiting it to the crown for a few days like you did. my HRV has been a bit lower the past few nights, so i’ll watch that. when you took the short break, did you notice the HRV bounce back right away or was it gradual?
  • biohacker_priya: That lines up with what I’ve seen – dropping to 2 % and using a milder ethanol‑water mix helped my tight spot too. I’ll try the “rest zone” on the sides and give it a short break if scaling shows up. My HRV stayed flat, but I’ll watch it closely next week.
  • tara_ketogen: thanks priya, i actually dropped to about 2 % last night too, using a 30 % ethanol mix and it seems a bit calmer. i’ll definitely start a “rest zone” on the sides like you mentioned and skip a night if the spot gets tighter. any thoughts on how long to keep the break – a couple of days or just one? also, have you noticed any change in shedding after the lower concentration?

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