How the MD HAIR Quiz Works

Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Susan Lin, M.D., board-certified physician and founder of MD HAIR™.

The MD HAIR™ quiz takes about a minute and asks what you are seeing rather than asking you to self-diagnose. This page explains what it asks, what it takes into account, and what it recommends from — so you know what you are getting before you start.

What it asks

Five questions. The first is your primary concern: thinning or reduced density, increased shedding, postpartum hair loss, menopausal or hormonal change, scalp issues such as itch, oil or flaking, maintaining density where there is a family history or early signs, or simply keeping healthy hair in good condition. The remaining questions ask where you notice it most (crown, hairline, diffuse, or the scalp itself), how long it has been going on, where you stand on minoxidil and finasteride, and how much routine you actually want.

What it takes into account

Whether the pattern is shedding or thinning

These call for different routines. Shedding is a timing event with an end point: a trigger pushes many follicles into their resting phase at once and they release together, two to three months later. Thinning is miniaturization — follicles staying alive but producing progressively finer strands. Shedding routines emphasize internal support during the recovery window; thinning routines add a targeted topical where density is changing.

Whether a hormonal transition is involved

Postpartum, perimenopause and menopause all shift the balance between estrogen and androgens at the follicle, which is why they are asked about separately. Every MD HAIR™ product is drug-free and hormone-free, so recommendations here do not conflict with HRT and do not introduce a hormone of their own.

Whether the scalp needs attention first

An itchy, oily or flaking scalp is a poor environment for growth, and a leave-in topical applied to a congested scalp has further to travel. Where scalp symptoms are the primary concern, the recommendation starts with cleansing and scalp preparation rather than a serum.

Whether you already use minoxidil or finasteride

MD HAIR™ is designed to be used with or without either. The quiz does not ask you to stop anything, and nothing it recommends is a substitute for a medication your physician prescribed.

How long it has been going on

Duration changes the answer. Something noticed in the last three months is often still in an active shedding window; something a year old is more likely to involve miniaturization as well, and generally warrants a more complete routine.

What it recommends from

Recommendations are drawn from the MD HAIR™ range: MD Nutri Hair™ (the daily supplement), MD® Follicle Energizer and MD® Follicle Activator (leave-in peptide scalp serums), MD® Scalp Essential (a mandelic acid leave-in scalp treatment), the MD® Revitalizing shampoo and conditioner, and the multi-step systems and kits that combine them.

What the quiz is not

It is not a diagnosis, and it does not replace an evaluation by a physician. Several common causes of hair loss — thyroid disorders, iron deficiency, PCOS, and scarring alopecias among them — can only be identified with an examination and bloodwork, and they change what is appropriate. If your shedding is sudden and heavy, is confined to distinct patches, comes with scalp pain or scarring, or has not settled after six months, see a physician before starting any routine.

Common questions

How long does the MD HAIR quiz take?

About sixty seconds. It asks five questions about what you are seeing rather than asking you to self-diagnose.

Is the hair quiz a medical diagnosis?

No. It recommends a drug-free routine from the MD HAIR™ range and is not a substitute for evaluation by a physician.

Can I use the recommendation with minoxidil or finasteride?

Yes. Every MD HAIR™ product is drug-free and hormone-free, and is designed to be used with or without either.

Does the quiz cover postpartum and menopausal hair loss?

Yes, both are separate options, because hormonal transitions change which routine fits. You can read more in our guides to postpartum hair loss and menopausal hair loss.

How soon will I see results from what it recommends?

A hair follicle works on a cycle measured in months. A realistic first review point is 90 days and a fair one is six months. Individual results vary.

Take the 60-second hair quiz →

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Individual results vary.