1. Evidence-grade legend
A proven — labels & systematic reviews
B promising — small / heterogeneous
C adjunct · D weak
Grades are bound to data. Affiliates never move a grade.
AAD/NHS-style reading: grades are bound to data. Affiliates never move a grade.
A proven — labels & systematic reviews
B promising — small / heterogeneous
C adjunct · D weak
The date moves only when we re-read. The method page publishes the ranking order. Last reviewed 2026-09-07 · sources AAD / NHS / FDA labels.
First-line (male AGA): topical minoxidil · oral finasteride 1 mg (prescription). Adjunct: microneedling · LLLT · ketoconazole shampoo. Weak: biotin-as-cure · guarantee ads.
Circular patches, red scale/pustules/pain, a child, or loss right after a new drug — stop self-triage.
Topical minoxidil and finasteride 1 mg (men) are FDA-approved for AGA. Dutasteride is approved for AGA in Korea/Japan and off-label in US/EU. Off-label is never shown as “FDA-approved”.
Finasteride and dutasteride are teratogenic. Anyone who may be pregnant must not handle broken tablets. This app does not prescribe.
| Minoxidil | Finasteride | |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Vasodilator / anagen (not anti-DHT) | Type-II 5α-reductase inhibitor |
| Time | 4–12 mo | 4–12 mo |
| Label | Topical FDA AGA | Men 1 mg FDA |
~50–100 hairs/day can be normal. Patterned loss suggests AGA; sudden diffuse loss suggests telogen effluvium. Estimate, not a diagnosis.
Ads and affiliates are labelled. A link never raises A/B/C/D. Maintenance is continued use, not a product.
Symptom → red-flag gate → stage → evidence ladder → clinic questions. Do not skip the gate.
No. Hubs link AAD, NHS, and FDA labels.