Creating promising molecules in the laboratory is only the beginning. The real test is whether they make a measurable difference on real women’s scalps. And that requires a double-blind, randomized clinical trial (RCT). So we ran one of the largest and most rigorous clinical trials in hair care to date: ~$500,000, 190-women, double-blinded and randomized, complete with multiple high-resolution scalp imaging methodologies.
This is exactly what we did, and what we found.
What is NOVOGRO™?
At RE:YOU, we developed three new molecules through a research-driven discovery process and formulated them into a topical hair growth serum[1].
In laboratory studies, NOVOGRO™-623 & NOVOGRO™-624 improved the health of dermal papilla cells - specialized cells at the base of each hair follicle that regulate whether hair grows, rests, or sheds. NOVOGRO™-273 works differently; it promotes HIF-1α activation by inhibiting PHD2, a pathway linked to new blood vessel growth and improved delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the scalp environment surrounding the follicle[2]. Simply put, the molecules support the hair follicle in two complementary ways: (1) the hair follicle itself, and (2) the scalp environment it lives in.
This is part 4 of 4 of our series on NOVOGRO™. To read about the discovery, validation, and formulation of the RE:YOU Dual Path Hair Revival Serum, please read the following blogs.
Why we tested against minoxidil, not a placebo
Most brands test their products against a placebo. Nutrafol, KilgourMD, to name a few. We didn't.
We compared NOVOGRO™ directly against an over-the-counter minoxidil product - the most widely used topical hair loss treatment for women and the current clinical benchmark. This is a much, much harder test to pass, and that was deliberate. We wanted data that would be meaningful to women who are already aware of minoxidil and wondering whether something better exists.
Many brands run studies designed to make their products look as good as possible. We deliberately did the opposite.
The study was conducted by a large, independent clinical research laboratory (Eurofins) across multiple sites, separating product development from product evaluation entirely. 190 women participated, drawn from three international geographic locations to reflect a range of ethnic and demographic backgrounds. The study follows participants for 6 months - because hair grows slowly, and responsible conclusions can't be drawn in days or weeks. 90-day data is available now; 6-month results are ongoing.
Who was in the study: selecting the right participants
The study enrolled women between 35 and 70 with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia, defined using the Ludwig Scale (I-3 to II-2). This stage represents visible, measurable hair thinning while still allowing enough scalp coverage for standardized imaging.
To protect the integrity of the results, participants had to maintain consistent hair-care routines and could not begin new supplements, cosmetics, medications, or treatments during the course of the study. Recent users of minoxidil, finasteride, light therapy or other treatments known to affect hair growth were excluded. Participants were asked not to make substantial changes to their diet, exercise routine, shampoo, conditioner, hairstyle, or hair-coloring routine.
These requirements help reduce background noise - without them, an improvement could be explained by a new supplement or lifestyle change rather than the serum itself.
How the trial was designed: blinded, randomized, and independent
Participants were randomly assigned to either the RE:YOU (NOVOGRO™) serum or the minoxidil comparator using a computerized randomization process, minimizing the influence of individual differences like age, hair condition, and baseline scalp health. Each formula was labeled with a study code rather than its name, so participants remained blinded to which product they were using - reducing expectation bias and ensuring more objective self-reporting.
Before the study began, the statistical analysis protocol was predefined. Changes from baseline were evaluated statistically, and the two groups were compared using established tests. Only results meeting the predefined significance threshold were considered statistically significant.
That principle extends to the study protocol itself. Neither RE:YOU nor the independent clinical partner can modify the protocol unilaterally. Any change that could meaningfully affect participant safety, the scope of the clinical trial, or the scientific quality of the study requires a formal protocol amendment. In practice, this means the study cannot be quietly adjusted midway to favor a better outcome. The rules are set, the oversight is independent, and any departure from either is on the record.
Measuring hair growth beyond before-and-after photos
Hair can appear fuller because of lighting, styling, or camera angle. Before-and-after photographs alone are not a reliable measure of hair regrowth - which is why this study didn't rely on them. Most brands don’t go beyond this and consumer perception surveys.
To solve this problem, in our clinical trial, each participant had a small professional micro-tattoo placed at the center of their designated 0.5 in² test site by a trained clinical coordinator. The test site was then shaved, creating a clean baseline from which new hair growth could be measured accurately without interference from existing hair length. The site was selected in an area easily concealed by surrounding hair, so participants could go about their normal lives without any visible change. This permanent reference point ensured that every image, every measurement, and every hair count across the full six months was anchored to exactly the same location on the scalp - eliminating the drift and repositioning errors that can quietly distort results in longer studies.
At sites where tattooing wasn't used, a standardized coordinate system using measuring tapes was established instead, following a consistent protocol across all locations. Participants arrived at each visit with clean hair, styled as normal without products. High-resolution scalp imaging systems and specialized software were then used to measure:
- Hair count and density
- Hair-fiber thickness
- Average hair length
- Cumulative hair thickness
Importantly, images were also taken 48 hours after selected visits to calculate growth measurements from carefully clipped hairs - giving a precise snapshot of active growth rate rather than cumulative length alone (see image below).
Combining, Experts, and Participant Experience
No single measurement tells the entire story. Therefore, results were assessed through three independent lenses. First, imaging software provided quantitative data. Second, trained clinical graders scored visible thickness, volume, and scalp coverage against standardized scales (see table below).
Third, a controlled comb test: each participant's hair was divided into four quadrants - front left, front right, back left, back right - and combed onto white paper for 15 seconds per quadrant. Every hair that fell was counted, with bulbs and breakage recorded separately.
This standardized shedding assessment turns what is usually an anecdotal complaint ("I feel like I'm losing more hair") into a repeatable and countable measurement.
Lastly, participants completed questionnaires about what they personally noticed. These responses were valuable, but they were not treated as substitutes for objective measurements. Instead, they were considered alongside imaging, expert grading, and standardized shedding assessments.
Safety and consistency monitoring
Safety was tracked throughout the full study period. Participants maintained daily application diaries, had their first application supervised by a laboratory technician, and were contacted regularly about potential adverse events - which were recorded regardless of whether investigators believed they were product-related.
Participants who missed more than the permitted number of applications were removed from the final analysis, ensuring the results reflect consistent real-world use. The protocol required informed consent, personal health information protection, Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversight, and quality-assurance review.
Partial, interim 90-day results
With 6-month follow-up still ongoing, we're sharing partial, interim 90 day results from the majority of the clinical sites*. Across both subjective experience and objective machine measurement, RE:YOU’s formula outperformed minoxidil on every primary endpoint.
What participants noticed*
The numbers from participant self-assessment were striking in their consistency:
- 90% of users saw thicker hair after 90 days
- 90% saw a decrease in hair loss in the shower
- 86% noticed new growth in areas where the serum was applied
- 76% saw more hair in their part line
Participant-reported outcomes are one data source among several - but when nine in ten women independently report the same changes, that signal is hard to dismiss. More meaningfully, when compared directly against minoxidil in the same study, 1.7X more participants reported that RE:YOU helped with overall hair thinning. Overall hair satisfaction increased 3X among RE:YOU users*.
What the machines measured
Self-reported outcomes tell us how women felt about their hair. The imaging data tells us what actually changed. Independent machine analysis of the shaved test sites - measured from the same tattooed reference point at every visit - showed that 70% of participants had measurably thicker individual hair fibers, an increase in the actual diameter of each strand, not just an impression of fullness.
Shedding is one of the most distressing and measurable symptoms of hair thinning. Using the standardized comb test, 79% of participants showed reduced hair loss. On average, shedding dropped by 58%. This figure was 26% better than minoxidil*.
A note on the data:
- These are partial, interim results at the 90-day mark of a six-month study. We're sharing them now because the signal is consistent and the methodology is sound - but we're committed to sharing the full dataset when the study closes. The 6-month data will tell us whether these gains hold, compound, or diverge from minoxidil over a longer horizon. We'll report whatever the data shows.
Our goal
At RE:YOU, we believe scientific credibility comes from designing a study that allows every possible outcome, including one that challenges our own expectations. Not selected photographs. Not isolated testimonials. Controlled comparisons, consistent measurements, independent oversight, and transparent statistical analysis.
That is the standard we believe hair-care science should meet - and the one we hold ourselves to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes RE:YOU (NOVOGRO™) different from other hair growth serums?
Most hair serums are built from existing ingredients with limited or non-robust clinical testing. The RE:YOU Dual-Path Hair Revival Serum uses NOVOGRO™ , which is a complex of three newly discovered molecules - NOVOGRO™-623, NOVOGRO™-624, and NOVOGRO™-273, which target different and complementary pathways in hair follicle health and scalp nourishment.
Most importantly, these ingredients were tested in a 190-person double-blind, randomized clinical trial against minoxidil, not a placebo, which is a significantly higher bar than what most brands meet.
Is RE:YOU a clinically proven hair growth serum?
Yes. RE:YOU was evaluated in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial - the gold standard in hair growth - conducted by an independent laboratory across multiple geographical sites. 90 day results are available, with 6 month data ongoing.
How does RE:YOU compare to minoxidil?
The clinical trial was designed specifically to answer this question. Rather than testing against an inactive placebo, participants were randomized to either RE:YOU’s dual-path hair revival serum (featuring proprietary NOVOGRO™ technology) or an OTC minoxidil product. Both groups were measured using the same objective imaging tools, clinical graders, and shedding assessments.
After 90 days of daily use, 90% of users saw thicker hair, while 1.7X more users saw improvement in overall thinning compared to minoxidil, and 58% saw less hair shedding (this was 26% better than minoxidil).*
Who is RE:YOU designed for?
The clinical trial enrolled women aged 35–70 with mild to moderate hair thinning (Ludwig Scale I-3 to II-2). This covers the majority of women experiencing androgenetic alopecia - gradual thinning at the crown and part line that becomes more visible with age or hormonal shifts.
How long does it take to see results from a hair growth serum?
Hair grows slowly - typically around half an inch per month - which is why short-term studies can be misleading. Our clinical trial followed participants for 6 months, with the first objective measurements taken at 90 days. Meaningful improvements in hair density and thickness generally require at least 2 to 6 months of consistent daily use, on average.
Is NOVOGRO™ and RE:YOU safe?
Safety was monitored throughout the entire clinical trial. Adverse events were recorded regardless of whether investigators believed they were product-related, and the trial operated under Institutional Review Board oversight. No adverse events have been identified to date.*
What is the Ludwig Scale?
The Ludwig Scale is a clinical grading system used to classify female pattern hair loss by severity. Scale I represents mild thinning, Scale II moderate thinning with a wider part, and Scale III advanced thinning with visible scalp. The trial enrolled women at Ludwig I-3 to II-2 — the range where thinning is visible and measurable but hair coverage is still sufficient for standardized imaging.
References
- Zhang HL et al. Dermal Papilla Cells: From Basic Research to Translational Applications. Biology, 2024.
- Zihan Qu et al. AI-enabled discovery of small molecules targeting complementary pathways for hair follicle rejuvenation; bioRxiv 2026.06.09.728282.
*Based on interim 90-day results from an ongoing randomized, double-blind, independent clinical study involving 190 participants comparing RE:YOU Dual Path Hair Revival Serum with topical minoxidil
