Androgenetic alopecia graded honestly against AAD/JAAD consensus evidence: what actually has trial support, what does not, and a realistic timeline, from a board-certified dermatologist.
Every claim below carries an evidence grade. What do these grades mean?
Get more out of minoxidil without wasting the bottle
the expert's own view, educational, not medical advice, not endorsed by us
Biotin will not regrow your hair
UnsupportedA systematic review found 18 published cases of biotin used for hair and nail problems, and in every single one the patient had an underlying deficiency or disorder causing it. It found no evidence that biotin does anything for hair in people who are not deficient, which is nearly everyone buying it. Skip it, and if your hair is thinning, get the cause looked at rather than guessing.
Finasteride plus minoxidil beats either one alone
ModerateA 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of five randomised trials found oral finasteride combined with topical minoxidil outperformed either on its own for male pattern hair loss. Best dose and concentration are still unsettled. Finasteride is a prescription drug with a real side effect profile: reduced libido, erectile and ejaculatory difficulty, and reported depressed mood and suicidal thoughts, with an unresolved debate about whether some effects persist after stopping. That makes this a conversation with your clinician, not a self-directed add.
Castor oil does not regrow hair
UnsupportedA 2022 systematic review in Journal of Drugs in Dermatology looked at 22 studies of coconut, castor and argan oil. Only three small castor oil studies existed, 109 patients in total, showing modest shine improvement and some effect against lice. Nothing showed hair growth. There is nothing to buy here.
More protocols on this topic are added here as they clear research and compliance review. We would rather show a short list we stand behind than pad it out.