Hair Clinical Evidence

Part of: Clinical Evidence Hub

17-Week Restoration Study · Verbascoside Science · Patent Portfolio · Published Research by Dr. Susan Lin, M.D. · Reviewed: August 2026

If you're here, you already know how it feels.

The strands in the shower drain. The thinner ponytail. The part line that won't hide anymore. The afternoon light catching a scalp you used to never see. The quiet panic of is this going to keep going?

You are not imagining it, and you are not alone. Women lose hair for many reasons — postpartum shedding, perimenopause and menopause, thyroid changes, stress, iron and ferritin depletion, autoimmune conditions, age. The fear of losing what defines so much of how you feel about yourself is real, and the existing options are usually drugs with side effects, hormones with risks, or expensive procedures.

I built MD HAIR™ because my patients asked for something safer, more clinical, and more flexible than what the shelves were offering. The evidence below — the independent studies, the patent science, the published research — is here so you can decide for yourself whether MD HAIR belongs in your routine, beside your current treatment or instead of it.

— Susan F. Lin, M.D., Physician Founder, MD®

Summary of Evidence

The MD HAIR™ system is supported by six converging forms of clinical and scientific evidence:

• A 119-day (17-week) independent study at Spincontrol North America Inc. (24 subjects, self-evaluation questionnaire): 71% agreed their hair growth had improved — a statistically significant result; 75% would recommend the two-step system
• An internal 30-day office observational review of MD Nutri Hair™ in 30 subjects; high compliance and early improvements in hair strength and quality
• Independent bioavailability testing of MD Nutri Hair™ active ingredients at an analytical laboratory in Canada
• An MD Scalp Essential clinical evaluation at Medcin Instituto da Pele per Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and the Helsinki Declaration; 50-subject RIPT confirmed hypoallergenic and non-sensitizing
• An international patent portfolio spanning the United States, WIPO, Korea, Hong Kong, and China for compositions and methods for promoting hair growth
• Three published works by Dr. Susan Lin, M.D. on female hair loss and hair regeneration in Euro Cosmetics, The Link (American Hair Loss Council), and The National Hair & Skin Journal

The MD HAIR™ system is drug-free and hormone-free. Study outcomes below are self-reported; individual results vary.

Watch: The Evidence, in Their Own Words

Study 1: MD HAIR™ Restoration System — 119-Day (17-Week) Independent Study

• Test material: MD HAIR™ Restoration System (MD® Follicle Activator + MD® Follicle Energizer)
• Clinical site: Spincontrol North America Inc.
• Study type: Independent non-interventional evaluation — illustrative photographs and self-evaluation questionnaire
• Participants: 24 subjects (12 men, 12 women), aged 20–44, with chronic or acute hair loss
• Duration: 119 days (17 weeks) of once-daily application

An independent 119-day study of the MD HAIR™ Restoration System (the 2-step topical regimen combining MD® Follicle Activator with MD® Follicle Energizer). Outcomes were measured by self-evaluation questionnaire, with the statistical difference between favourable and unfavourable opinions evaluated by chi-squared test; there was no placebo control.

In a 119-day (17-week) independent study at Spincontrol North America Inc., 71% of the 24 subjects agreed their hair growth had improved after using the two-step system — a statistically significant self-evaluation result — and 75% would recommend the system to their friends.

Outcomes are self-reported from an open study without a placebo control; the study report notes that the overall-efficacy satisfaction item was not significantly validated. Individual results vary. Full study report availability: independent study report on file. Available to qualified industry partners, healthcare professionals, journalists, and regulatory inquiries on request.

Study 2: MD Nutri Hair™ Office Observational Review

• Test material: MD Nutri Hair™ daily supplement
• Study type: Internal office observational review
• Duration: 30 days
• Participants: n=30 subjects

An internal 30-day office observational review conducted under Dr. Susan Lin's clinical oversight. Confirmed high compliance, tolerability, and early improvements in hair strength and quality consistent with the early phase of the hair growth cycle. Full clinical density changes typically require 3–6 months.

Internal observational data; summary available; full data available to clinical and research partners on request.

Study 3: MD Nutri Hair™ Bioavailability Confirmation

• Test material: MD Nutri Hair™ active ingredients
• Test type: Bioavailability analytical testing
• Methodology: Data-file response ratios; ISTD (internal standard) comparisons
• Laboratory: Independent analytical laboratory (Canada)

Independent analytical testing verified the stability and bioavailability of core active ingredients in MD Nutri Hair™, ensuring effective nutrient delivery from the oral supplement.

Full bioanalytical report availability: independent laboratory report on file. Available to qualified industry partners and regulatory inquiries on request.

Study 4: MD® Scalp Essential Clinical Evaluation

• Test material: MD® Scalp Essential
• Clinical site: Medcin Instituto da Pele
• Standards: Good Clinical Practices (GCP); Helsinki Declaration
• Safety subgroup: 50-subject Repeat Insult Patch Test (RIPT)

Key outcomes

• Scalp health: marked decrease in visible flaking and reduction in excess sebum production
• Irritation relief: significant clinical reduction in self-reported scalp itching and redness
• Dermatological safety: 50-subject RIPT confirmed the product is hypoallergenic and non-sensitizing

In a clinical evaluation at Medcin Instituto da Pele conducted per Good Clinical Practices and the Helsinki Declaration, MD® Scalp Essential demonstrated marked decreases in visible flaking and sebum, significant reductions in scalp itching and redness, and was confirmed hypoallergenic and non-sensitizing via a 50-subject Repeat Insult Patch Test (RIPT).

Full study report availability: independent study report on file. Available to qualified industry partners, healthcare professionals, journalists, and regulatory inquiries on request.

Published Research by Dr. Susan Lin, M.D.

Beyond the independent product studies above, Dr. Lin has authored three publications on female hair loss and hair regeneration in industry and professional-society journals — spanning a US trade journal, the voice journal of the American Hair Loss Council, and an international cosmetic-science publication.

Euro Cosmetics — April 2017 · Novel Drug-Free Hair Loss Treatment

R&D paper covering verbascoside (lilac extract) action on 5-alpha-reductase isoforms 1 and 2, ORAC antioxidant data, biotinyl-GHK peptide mechanism, the scalp microbiome / Malassezia inflammation pathway, and the rationale behind drug-free combinations of plant phenols and signaling peptides for clinical hair-loss support.

Lin, S. F. (April 2017). Novel drug-free hair loss treatment. Euro Cosmetics.

The Link — American Hair Loss Council · 2013, Issue 7, p. 5 · Stem Cells: The Recent Innovation in Hair Regeneration

Authored as Founder/CEO of La Canada Ventures, Inc. for the voice journal of the American Hair Loss Council, the US professional society for hair-loss specialists. Discusses then-emerging stem-cell-derived peptide and cytokine technologies and their application to the next generation of hair regeneration products, including the MD HAIR™ Restoration System.

Lin, S. F. (2013). Stem cells: The recent innovation in hair regeneration. The Link — The Voice of the American Hair Loss Council, Issue 7, p. 5.

The National Hair & Skin Journal · Fall 2012, Vol. 16, No. 63, pp. 10–11 · Medical Female Hair Loss

Two-page feature covering the medical landscape of female hair loss, including evaluation, common causes (telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, thyroid, ferritin and iron deficiency, autoimmune presentations) and physician-formulated options for support without prescription drugs.

Lin, S. F. (Fall 2012). Medical female hair loss. The National Hair & Skin Journal, 16(63), 10–11.

The Science: Lilac Verbascoside and the MD HAIR™ Peptide System

The active-ingredient strategy for the MD HAIR™ system was published by Dr. Lin in Euro Cosmetics (April 2017) and is built on three intersecting mechanisms.

1. Lilac extract titrated for verbascoside — oral, in MD Nutri Hair™

Verbascoside is a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from lilac (Syringa vulgaris). It has independent third-party data in three relevant categories:

• Antioxidant capacity (ORAC). Independent ORAC testing measured a total antioxidant capacity of approximately 28,166 µmole TE/g for verbascoside, with contributions across all five major reactive species (peroxyl 6,756; hydroxyl 16,280; peroxynitrite 696; superoxide anion 2,877; singlet oxygen 1,557 µmole TE/g).
• 5-alpha-reductase modulation — isoforms 1 and 2. As discussed in Lin (2017), Euro Cosmetics, verbascoside has been studied for action against both isoform 1 (predominantly inner and outer root sheath) and isoform 2 (predominantly dermal papilla) of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme involved in the DHT pathway.
• Anti-inflammatory action on the scalp microenvironment. Androgen-related alopecia is commonly associated with chronic peri-follicular inflammation driven by Malassezia colonization, arachidonic-acid cascade activation, and miniaturization of the follicle. Verbascoside has been studied for direct anti-inflammatory action on this pathway.

Read the full verbascoside story →

2. Biotinyl-GHK peptide — topical, in MD® Follicle Energizer

Biotinyl-GHK is a biotin-anchored tripeptide designed to be delivered topically to the scalp. Published comparative concentration data on biotinyl-GHK show measurable activity on hair-matrix proliferative markers at concentrations 10–30 times lower than concentrations required of other commonly-used topicals to achieve a comparable readout (per data discussed in Lin 2017, Euro Cosmetics).

3. Apigenin (citrus flavonoid) + oleanolic acid (olive leaf) — topical

Apigenin is a citrus-derived flavonoid included to support hair-matrix proliferation; oleanolic acid is included for microcirculatory and anti-inflammatory effects.

Office-study observation: MD HAIR™ Restoration System pull-test outcomes

In an office observational study of 30 subjects over 3 months — reported in Lin (2017), Euro Cosmetics — the MD HAIR™ Restoration System was associated with improved pull-test outcomes over the study period.

MD HAIR™ International Patent Portfolio

Inventor: Susan F. Lin, M.D. · Assignee: La Canada Ventures, Inc.

Common Questions

Can I use MD HAIR™ with minoxidil or finasteride?

Yes. MD HAIR™ is drug-free and hormone-free, designed to be used with or without prescription hair-loss medications. Many users have a current minoxidil or finasteride regimen and add MD HAIR as a complementary scalp and follicle support system. Others use MD HAIR as a standalone drug-free alternative. Either approach is appropriate; consult your physician if you are uncertain.

Is the MD HAIR™ Restoration System clinically tested?

Yes. In a 119-day (17-week) independent study at Spincontrol North America (24 subjects, self-evaluation questionnaire), 71% agreed their hair growth had improved — a statistically significant result — and 75% would recommend the system. Outcomes are self-reported, with no placebo control; individual results vary.

Is MD® Scalp Essential dermatologically tested?

Yes. Clinical evaluation at Medcin Instituto da Pele per GCP and the Helsinki Declaration. A 50-subject RIPT confirmed hypoallergenic and non-sensitizing.

Has Dr. Susan Lin published research on female hair loss?

Yes. Three published works: “Novel Drug-Free Hair Loss Treatment” in Euro Cosmetics (April 2017), “Stem Cells: The Recent Innovation in Hair Regeneration” in The Link — American Hair Loss Council (2013, Issue 7, p. 5), and “Medical Female Hair Loss” in The National Hair & Skin Journal (Fall 2012, Vol. 16 No. 63, pp. 10–11).

Is the MD HAIR™ system patented?

The system is covered by an international patent portfolio across the United States, WIPO, Korea, Hong Kong, and China. See the table above for references.

Does MD HAIR™ contain finasteride or minoxidil?

No. The MD HAIR™ system is drug-free and hormone-free — no minoxidil, no finasteride, no prescription hair-loss drugs.

Has MD Nutri Hair™ bioavailability been tested?

Yes. Independent analytical testing at a Canadian laboratory verified stability and bioavailability.

What is verbascoside (lilac extract) and how does it support hair?

Verbascoside is a phenylpropanoid glycoside from lilac (Syringa vulgaris) with measured total ORAC antioxidant capacity of approximately 28,166 µmole TE/g, studied action on both isoforms 1 and 2 of 5-alpha-reductase in the DHT pathway (as discussed in Lin 2017, Euro Cosmetics), and studied anti-inflammatory effects on the scalp microenvironment associated with follicle miniaturization.

Can I use MD HAIR™ products during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Because there are no clinical data in pregnant or breastfeeding women, we do not advocate using MD HAIR products during pregnancy or lactation. Please discuss any hair-loss concern during this time with your OB/GYN.

Related Clinical Evidence

Explore the clinical evidence behind other MD® product categories:

• Lash Clinical Evidence → 2008 peer-reviewed Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy publication, CRL93007 IRB-reviewed 4-week ocular safety evaluation in contact lens and sensitive-eye participants (n=35), independent RIPT/LLNA/Ames toxicology, EU Safety Assessment (EC 1223/2009), US Patent 8,206,695
• Brow Clinical Evidence → 56-day Spincontrol independent clinical study: 78% thicker brows, 87% healthier, 87% non-irritation

Related

• Hair Science Hub
• Why MD HAIR Works
• Women's Hair Loss Guide
• Lilac & Verbascoside Science
• MD HAIR™ Restoration Kit
• MD Nutri Hair™
• MD® Scalp Essential

MD HAIR™ products are drug-free cosmetics and dietary supplements; they are not drugs and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements about supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Individual results vary.