Hair Clinical Evidence — Published Research & MD Hair System Science
Hair Clinical Evidence
17-Week Independent Study · Verbascoside Science · Published Research by Dr. Susan Lin, M.D. · Reviewed: May 2026
If you're here, you already know how it feels.
The thinner-looking ponytail. The part line that looks wider than it used to. The afternoon light catching more scalp than you are used to seeing. The quiet worry about what comes next.
You are not imagining it, and you are not alone. Hair can change for many reasons, and some of them are medical, so if you notice a sudden or significant change, start with a visit to your physician. The feeling that something so central to how you see yourself is changing is real.
I built MD Hair because my patients asked for a physician-formulated hair and scalp care routine they could trust. The pages below show the evidence behind what I built — the independent studies, the ingredient science, the published research — so you can decide for yourself whether MD Hair belongs in your daily hair care routine.
— Susan F. Lin, M.D., Physician Founder, MD®
Non-Prescription Hair and Scalp Care
The entire MD Hair system is non-prescription, formulated without minoxidil or finasteride, and physician-formulated. There is no minoxidil, no finasteride, and no prescription drug in any MD Hair product.
The MD Hair topical products are cosmetics, and MD Nutri Hair is a dietary supplement. None of them is a substitute for a medical evaluation or a prescribed treatment. If you use a prescription hair product, keep following your physician's plan, and ask your physician before adding any new product to your routine.
Summary of Evidence
The MD Hair system is supported by five converging forms of clinical and scientific evidence:
- A 17-week independent clinical study at Spincontrol North America Inc. in which hair density was assessed by photographic analysis; alongside the instrumental assessment, 71% of subjects reported an improvement in the appearance of their hair and 75% said they would recommend the product
- 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; in a 50-subject repeat insult patch test, no sensitisation was observed under study conditions
- Three published works by Dr. Susan Lin, M.D. in Euro Cosmetics, The Link (American Hair Loss Council), and The National Hair & Skin Journal, listed below as background reading
The MD Hair system is non-prescription and formulated without minoxidil or finasteride.
Study 1: MD Hair Restoration System 17-Week Independent Clinical Study
Quick summary: An independent 17-week clinical study of the MD Hair Restoration System (the 2-step topical regimen combining MD Follicle Activator with MD Follicle Energizer) conducted at Spincontrol North America Inc. Hair density was assessed by photographic analysis. Alongside that instrumental assessment, subjects reported on the appearance of their hair.
Key outcomes
Instrumental assessment: hair density was measured by photographic analysis and analysed by the testing laboratory.
Subject responses:
| Outcome | % of subjects |
|---|---|
| Reported an improvement in the appearance of their hair | 71% |
| Would recommend the product (overall satisfaction) | 75% |
Study 2: MD Nutri Hair Office Observational Review
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. Changes in how full hair looks typically take 3–6 months.
Study 3: MD Nutri Hair Bioavailability Confirmation
Independent analytical testing verified the stability and bioavailability of core active ingredients in MD Nutri Hair, ensuring effective nutrient delivery from the oral supplement.
Study 4: MD Scalp Essential Clinical Evaluation
Key outcomes
- Scalp appearance: Marked decrease in visible flaking and a less oily-looking scalp
- Scalp comfort: Participants reported a more comfortable-feeling scalp with less visible redness
- Dermatological safety: In a 50-subject repeat insult patch test, no sensitisation was observed under study conditions
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.
R&D paper covering verbascoside (Lilac extract) action on 5-alpha-reductase isoforms 1 and 2, ORAC antioxidant data, biotinyl-GHK peptide mechanism, scalp microbiome / Malassezia inflammation pathway, and the rationale behind non-prescription combinations of plant phenols and signaling peptides.
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 in hair care.
Two-page feature in the National Hair & Skin Journal covering the medical landscape of female hair loss, including evaluation, common causes (telogen effluvium, androgenetic alopecia, thyroid, ferritin and iron deficiency, autoimmune presentations).
The Science: Lilac Verbascoside and the MD Hair Peptide System
The ingredient strategy for the MD Hair system was described by Dr. Lin in Euro Cosmetics (April 2017). It centers on three ingredient groups, described here by their role in a cosmetic hair care routine.
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 antioxidant data:
- 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 µmole TE/g; hydroxyl 16,280 µmole TE/g; peroxynitrite 696 µmole TE/g; superoxide anion 2,877 µmole TE/g; singlet oxygen 1,557 µmole TE/g).
2. Biotinyl-GHK peptide — topical, in MD Follicle Energizer
Biotinyl-GHK (INCI: Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1) is a biotin-linked tripeptide designed to be delivered topically to the scalp. In cosmetic hair care it is used to condition hair at the root for stronger-looking, fuller-looking hair.
3. Apigenin (citrus flavonoid) + oleanolic acid (olive leaf) — topical
Apigenin is a citrus-derived flavonoid and oleanolic acid is an olive-leaf triterpene; both are plant-derived antioxidant ingredients included for scalp care.
Office observation (background only)
Lin (2017), Euro Cosmetics, also describes an uncontrolled 3-month office observation of 30 subjects. Because it was not a controlled trial, we list it for background only and make no product claim from it.
Common Questions
Can I use MD Hair with minoxidil or finasteride?Yes. MD Hair is a non-prescription hair and scalp care system formulated without minoxidil or finasteride. It is a cosmetic routine, not a substitute for a prescribed treatment. If you use a prescription hair product, keep following your physician's plan, and ask your physician if you are unsure about adding a new product.
Is the MD Hair Restoration System clinically tested?Yes. In a 17-week independent study at Spincontrol North America, hair density was assessed by photographic analysis. Alongside the instrumental assessment, 71% of subjects reported an improvement in the appearance of their hair and 75% said they would recommend the product.
Is MD Scalp Essential dermatologically tested?Yes. Clinical evaluation at Medcin Instituto da Pele per GCP and Helsinki Declaration. In a 50-subject repeat insult patch test, no sensitisation was observed under study conditions.
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).
Does MD Hair contain finasteride or minoxidil?No. The MD Hair system is non-prescription and formulated without minoxidil or finasteride — no prescription 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)?Verbascoside is a phenylpropanoid glycoside from Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) with measured total ORAC antioxidant capacity of ~28,166 µmole TE/g. In MD Nutri Hair it is included as an antioxidant ingredient.
Is MD Nutri Hair safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?MD Nutri Hair is non-prescription and formulated without minoxidil or finasteride. We have no safety data for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Please check with your physician. As a general principle of caution we recommend discussing with your OB/GYN or pediatrician before starting any supplement during pregnancy or lactation.
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 independent consumer-use study of the brow formula: 78% of participants agreed their brows seemed thicker. Self-assessment results.
Educational only; not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Individual results vary. Always consult your physician about any new product before adding it to a medication regimen.
