Compounds & Therapies
Astaxanthin
A powerful carotenoid antioxidant supporting eye health, athletic recovery, and cardiovascular function
Collagen
Hydrolyzed peptides supporting skin, joint, and connective tissue health through targeted amino acid delivery
Dutasteride
5-alpha reductase inhibitor: approved for BPH, off-label for androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride
5-Alpha Reductase Inhibition for Prostate Health and Hair Preservation
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)
Cosmetic Peptide With Topical Benefits and Injectable Research Status
GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide): A Practical Guide
Lysine
An essential amino acid supporting collagen synthesis, immune function, and herpes simplex virus management
Minoxidil
FDA-approved OTC topical for hair loss; oral off-label but increasingly prescribed
Oral Minoxidil (Low-Dose)
Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener originally developed as an antihypertensive in the 1970s. The hair-growth side effect was noticed quickly; topical minoxidil was approved for androgenetic alopecia in 1988 and became the dominant…
Saw Palmetto
Traditional herbal extract with EMA monograph for prostate and urinary health
Setipiprant
Setipiprant is a small-molecule antagonist of the prostaglandin D2 receptor 2 (DP2, also called CRTH2). It was originally developed as a potential treatment for asthma and allergic disorders due to PGD2's role in inflammatory responses. In 2012, a…
Topical Finasteride and Dutasteride
Oral finasteride (1 mg/day) and oral dutasteride (0.5 mg/day) are the most-evidenced medical therapies for male androgenetic alopecia. Both work by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to the more potent…
Vitamin C (Oral)
Antioxidant and collagen synthesis cofactor for immunity and connective tissue health
Procedures & Modalities
Adapalene: A Practical Guide
Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid is available in FDA-approved prescription formulations: Finacea 15% (for mild to moderate rosacea) and Azelex 20% (for mild to moderate acne vulgaris).
Bakuchiol
Plant-derived cosmetic; not drug-regulated; retinol alternative marketed globally
Ceramides & Barrier Repair: A Practical Guide
Chemical Peels (AHAs/BHAs)
OTC superficial peels are cosmetics; professional/medical peels are regulated procedures
Exosomes for Skin and Hair
Exosomes are nanoscale (30-150 nm) extracellular vesicles released by virtually all cell types as a normal mechanism of intercellular signaling. They carry a defined cargo of proteins, lipids, mRNA, and microRNAs that reflects the parent cell's…
Hyaluronic Acid
Topical cosmetic (unregulated); injectable fillers FDA-cleared as medical devices (not drug-approved)
Hypochlorous Acid Skincare
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an endogenous molecule produced by neutrophils as part of the innate immune system's pathogen defense. It is a potent oxidizing agent that kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses through oxidation of microbial proteins, while…
Mandelic Acid
Mandelic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from bitter almonds. It is structurally similar to glycolic acid and lactic acid but with a substantially larger molecular structure (152.15 g/mol vs glycolic at 76 g/mol). The larger molecule…
Methylene Blue (Topical)
Methylene blue (methylthioninium chloride) is a phenothiazine dye first synthesized in 1876 and used clinically for over a century — as a treatment for methemoglobinemia (FDA-approved indication), as a urinary tract analgesic, and as a surgical dye…
Microneedling
Device-regulated procedure; professional devices cleared; home devices <0.5mm less regulated
Niacinamide (Topical)
Well-tolerated cosmetic ingredient; anti-inflammatory and barrier support
Polylactic Acid (Sculptra) Biostimulator
Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid, PLLA) is an injectable biostimulator developed by Sanofi-Aventis (now Galderma). Unlike hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, which physically occupy volume at injection sites, Sculptra works by triggering a controlled…
Polynucleotides (Rejuran and Analogs)
Polynucleotides (PN) are short fragments of DNA, typically extracted from the gonadal tissue of Pacific salmon, processed to produce a defined molecular-weight range of nucleotide chains. The most-recognized branded product is Rejuran…
PRP for Skin & Hair
Device-regulated autologous procedure; PRP device FDA-cleared but aesthetic applications investigational
PRP Injections (Joint & Soft Tissue)
Device-regulated centrifuge; procedure unregulated; emerging evidence for joint pain and tendinopathy
Red Light (Low-Level Laser) Therapy
Device-regulated; FDA-cleared for pain and wound healing; off-label anti-aging and cognitive use emerging
Retinaldehyde: A Practical Guide
Sunscreen & UV Protection
FDA OTC drug monograph; EU offers wider filter options; US lags in approved filters
Topical Vitamin C
Antioxidant cosmetic ingredient; not drug-regulated globally, quality varies enormously
Tretinoin (Retinoids)
Gold standard retinoid for photoaging and acne; prescription-only globally
Protocols & Reference
Acne: A Practical Protocol
Hair Loss Prevention & Growth Protocol
Evidence-based multi-compound protocol for androgenetic alopecia addressing DHT, micro-inflammation, and hair growth signaling
Skin and Hair Optimization
Protocol Guide Series / April 2026 / FOR VANGUARD MEMBERS ONLY — Protocol Skinhairoptimization
Practices & Lifestyle
Aloe Vera: A Practical Guide
Alpha Arbutin: A Practical Guide
Biotin (Vitamin B7): A Practical Guide
Collagen Peptides: A Practical Guide
Exosome Biologics: A Practical Guide
GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid): A Practical Guide
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica): A Practical Guide
Hair Transplant — FUE, FUT, and Robotic ARTAS
Hair transplantation moves hair from a donor area at the back and sides of the scalp (which is genetically resistant to DHT-mediated miniaturization) to a recipient area at the front and crown (which is not). The transplanted hairs retain their…
Ketoconazole Shampoo for AGA
Ketoconazole is an imidazole antifungal medication. As a topical shampoo (typically 2% ketoconazole in the United States as Nizoral, 1% as Nizoral A-D OTC, with various international generics), it is FDA-approved for treatment of seborrheic…
L-Proline
Melasma & Hyperpigmentation: A Practical Guide
PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid): A Practical Guide
Pycnogenol: A Practical Guide
Pyrilutamide (KX-826)
As of mid-2026, Kintor reports that the pivotal Phase III stage in China met its primary endpoint with statistically significant and clinically meaningful efficacy in male AGA; a 52-week long-term safety Phase III also met endpoint. US Phase II positive. NDA planned in China.
Stem Cell Interventions: A Practical Guide
Topical Peptide Complexes: A Practical Guide
Topical RU58841
RU58841 (also called PSK-3841) is a non-steroidal topical antiandrogen developed by Roussel Uclaf (later Sanofi) in the late 1980s and 1990s as a topical treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA, male and female pattern hair loss). It is a pure…
Tranexamic Acid: A Practical Guide