Action plan · 9 min read
What to do for hair loss while clascoterone is still in review
Do not buy fake serums. Do not sit on your hands for two years. Use the stack that already has labels.
Three rules
- Photograph vertex, hairline, and temples in the same light every 90 days.
- Use at least one therapy with a Phase 3-level evidence base you can buy legally.
- Ignore bottles that print “CLASCOTERONE 5%” next to biotin and plant extract.
The 2026 stack
1. Topical minoxidil 5%
Still the OTC backbone. Foam if the propylene-glycol solution itches. Twice daily for solution, once daily for many foams — follow the label. Expect a shed in weeks 2–8. Judge at month 4–6, not week 2.
2. Finasteride 1 mg (prescription)
If a clinician agrees you are a candidate, this remains the most evidence-dense oral anti-androgen. Telehealth groups (Hims, Keeps, Manual, Oxford Online Pharmacy and local equivalents) exist so you are not hunting a dermatology waitlist. Read the side-effect discussion first. See our comparison.
3. Ketoconazole shampoo 1–2%
Adjunct, not a miracle. Two to three washes a week. Nizoral-type 1% is widely sold; 2% is prescription in some countries.
4. Microneedling
Small studies suggest 0.5–1.5 mm dermarolling can lift minoxidil response. Hygiene matters more than brand. Do not roll on the same night you apply irritant solutions until a clinician sets the calendar.
What to avoid
Products people actually purchase
These are commodity, evidence-adjacent items — not Breezula. Links are affiliate links.
Minoxidil 5% extra-strength
Generic 5% solution or foam. Look for USP minoxidil as the active. Brand is optional; consistency is not.
Ketoconazole 1% shampoo
Anti-fungal shampoo with a mild anti-androgen reputation on scalp. Use as a wash, not a leave-on drug.
0.5–1.5 mm derma roller
Replace cheap rollers often. Sterilise. If you bleed heavily you went too deep.
For a prescription plan (finasteride, oral minoxidil, or off-label Winlevi), use a licensed service in your country rather than a grey-market tablet shop.