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Peptides for skin and hair, explained simply

By Ellum EditorialUpdated AI use

The short answer

One of the 14 we list is FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss in men: Finasteride. 8 of the 14 options people try for skin and hair are in the Connective tissue group.

  • What studies found

    We have not yet summarized what studies found for these options, so this page does not compare how well they work.

  • How you get them

    • Prescription from a doctor: 1
    • A prescription medicine, approved for other uses: 2
    • No FDA-approved product in the US: 7
    • Sold without a prescription: 4

    An FDA compounding panel has had 1 of them on its agenda for a vote on pharmacy compounding.

See all 14 options

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FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss in men: 1 of 14

One square for each of the 14 options, grouped by its status for this goal.

  • 1FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss in men
  • 2Approved for other uses
  • 1Not FDA-approved · on an FDA compounding panel's agenda for a vote
  • 6Not FDA-approved
  • 1Supplement
  • 3Cosmetic ingredient
See the numbers as a table
The 14 options by status
StatusOptions
FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss in men1
Approved for other uses2
Not FDA-approved · on an FDA compounding panel's agenda for a vote1
Not FDA-approved6
Supplement1
Cosmetic ingredient3
  1. Ellum Peptide Access Index

Status as of

What people try

Each group is one kind of option. An option can be in more than one group.

  • Connective tissue (8)
  • Melanocortins (2)
  • Immune system (2)
  • Heart and blood vessels (1)
  • Sex hormones (1)

Warnings on the label

From the Propecia prescribing information (FDA label):[2]

  • not for women; women who are or may be pregnant should not handle crushed or broken tablets, because of a possible risk to an unborn male baby
  • it lowers results of the PSA blood test used to check for prostate cancer; any confirmed rise in PSA while taking it may signal prostate cancer and should be checked
  • drugs of this type may raise the risk of high-grade (more serious) prostate cancer
  • not for children

How to get them

One of the 14 we list is FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss in men: Finasteride.

  • FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss in men (1): Prescription from a doctor
  • Approved for other uses (2): A prescription medicine, approved for other uses
  • Not FDA-approved · on an FDA compounding panel's agenda for a vote (1): No FDA-approved product in the US
  • Not FDA-approved (6): No FDA-approved product in the US
  • Supplement (1): Sold without a prescription
  • Cosmetic ingredient (3): Sold without a prescription

An FDA compounding panel has had KPV on its agenda for a vote on pharmacy compounding. This is not a review for approval.

Cost

No price shown for Finasteride on this page. This page shows no seller prices or seller links.

All options

Every option, one card each

Finasteride

FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss in men: Yes

For men with male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia); not shown to work for hair loss at the temples, and not for women

How you get it: Prescription from a doctor

Read the FDA label

Approved for other uses (2)

FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss in men: No (approved for other uses)

How you get it: A prescription medicine, approved for other uses

Not FDA-approved · on an FDA compounding panel's agenda for a vote (1)

FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss in men: No

How you get it: No FDA-approved product in the US

The research

What this doesn’t establish

Nothing on this page shows that any option helps skin or hair in a way FDA has not approved.

A status shows where something stands with FDA, not whether it works or is safe for you. Being listed here isn’t a recommendation.

Stacks that include these options

References

  1. Ellum Peptide Access Index
  2. Propecia prescribing information (FDA label)