Methodology & evidence
What the score actually means, how we measure change over time, and where the cited studies come from. No hype — these are the rules the analysis follows.
A care score, not an attractiveness score
The 0–100 scores rate how well skin and hair are cared for: hydration, texture, tone evenness, hair condition, grooming. They never rate attractiveness, never compare anyone to an ideal or a celebrity, and never comment on ethnicity, weight or facial features. A well-groomed person typically lands at 70–85; scores above 90 are reserved for exceptional care.
Capture quality decides what we claim
Every photo is graded for lighting, angle and sharpness. If a photo isn't comparable, we withhold the score comparison — a false “no progress” is worse than no number. Differences within ±2 points are shown neutrally as measurement noise: two photos of the same face can differ from light and angle alone.
Honest comparison over time
On a re-scan the model sees both photos side by side and may only report visible differences. “Unchanged” and “regressed” are first-class answers — the prompt explicitly forbids inventing improvement to please you. When differences are plausibly caused by lighting or angle, the comparison's stated confidence drops instead of masquerading as change.
Four levels of evidence
Every plan step carries an evidence level: strong (multiple randomized trials or meta-analyses), moderate (a few solid studies), weak (a single small study), anecdotal (clinical practice without formal studies — e.g. haircut suitability). The level is part of the output, not marketing: things like a professional haircut are honestly labeled anecdotal.
Citations only from a curated library
The AI model is not allowed to “remember” a study — it may cite exclusively from the curated library of verified publications below. If no library entry supports a recommendation, the step is labeled anecdotal with no source. The server additionally checks every citation against the library, so a fabricated reference has no way to reach you.
AI “after” images are illustrations
The “after” simulation shows a possible direction with consistent care over 6–12 months. It preserves identity, features and skin tone and stays within realistic outcomes — it is not a prediction or a promise. We never simulate surgical changes.
Limits of the tool
Mira is an educational tool, not a medical device. Clinical metrics (pore size in µm, hydration %, wrinkle depth) cannot be measured from a single selfie — so we don't claim them. We provide no diagnoses or drug dosing, and for anything that needs a professional we point you to a licensed dermatologist or aesthetic medicine doctor.
Evidence library
The complete list of publications the plan is allowed to cite. Every entry is a real, hand-picked paper — links search the title on PubMed so you can verify it yourself.
SPF & photoaging
- Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial(Opens in a new window) — Annals of Internal Medicine (2013)
- Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up(Opens in a new window) — Journal of Clinical Oncology (2011)
- The efficacy and safety of sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer(Opens in a new window) — CMAJ (2020)
Retinoids
- Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety(Opens in a new window) — Clinical Interventions in Aging (2006)
- Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)(Opens in a new window) — Archives of Dermatology (2007)
- Restoration of collagen formation in photodamaged human skin by tretinoin (retinoic acid)(Opens in a new window) — New England Journal of Medicine (1993)
Vitamin C
- Topical ascorbic acid on photoaged skin. Clinical, topographical and ultrastructural evaluation(Opens in a new window) — Experimental Dermatology (2003)
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage(Opens in a new window) — Dermatologic Surgery (2002)
Niacinamide
- Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance(Opens in a new window) — Dermatologic Surgery (2005)
- Nicotinamide and the skin(Opens in a new window) — Australasian Journal of Dermatology (2014)
Exfoliation (AHA/BHA)
- Effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on photoaged skin: a pilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study(Opens in a new window) — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (1996)
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review(Opens in a new window) — Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (2015)
Moisturizer & barrier
- The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: a review(Opens in a new window) — Clinical Medicine & Research (2017)
- Moisturizers: The Slippery Road(Opens in a new window) — Indian Journal of Dermatology (2016)
Acne
- Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris(Opens in a new window) — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2016)
- A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patients: a randomized controlled trial(Opens in a new window) — American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2007)
- Azelaic acid. A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in acne and hyperpigmentary skin disorders(Opens in a new window) — Drugs (1991)
Pigmentation
- Melasma: a comprehensive update: part I(Opens in a new window) — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2011)
- Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of oral tranexamic acid in the treatment of moderate-to-severe melasma(Opens in a new window) — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2018)
Eye area
- Infraorbital dark circles: definition, causes, and treatment options(Opens in a new window) — Dermatologic Surgery (2009)
Procedures
- Microneedling: A Review and Practical Guide(Opens in a new window) — Dermatologic Surgery (2018)
- Acne scarring treatment using skin needling(Opens in a new window) — Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (2009)
- Fractional photothermolysis: a new concept for cutaneous remodeling using microscopic patterns of thermal injury(Opens in a new window) — Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (2004)
- A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of glabellar lines(Opens in a new window) — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2002)
- Hyaluronic acid fillers: a comprehensive review(Opens in a new window) — Facial Plastic Surgery (2009)
- Chemical peels in aesthetic dermatology: an update 2009(Opens in a new window) — Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2010)
Hair
- A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men(Opens in a new window) — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2002)
- Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia(Opens in a new window) — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (1998)
- Interventions for female pattern hair loss(Opens in a new window) — Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2016)
- Ketoconazole shampoo: effect of long-term use in androgenic alopecia(Opens in a new window) — Dermatology (1998)
- Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss(Opens in a new window) — Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (2014)
- A randomized evaluator blinded study of effect of microneedling in androgenetic alopecia: a pilot study(Opens in a new window) — International Journal of Trichology (2013)
- The effect of platelet-rich plasma in hair regrowth: a randomized placebo-controlled trial(Opens in a new window) — Stem Cells Translational Medicine (2015)
- The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss(Opens in a new window) — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2006)
- The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review(Opens in a new window) — Dermatology and Therapy (2019)
- Shampoo and Conditioners: What a Dermatologist Should Know?(Opens in a new window) — Indian Journal of Dermatology (2015)
- The biology of hair follicles(Opens in a new window) — New England Journal of Medicine (1999)
- Telogen effluvium. New concepts and review(Opens in a new window) — Archives of Dermatology (1993)
Lifestyle
- Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing?(Opens in a new window) — Clinical and Experimental Dermatology (2015)
- Cues of fatigue: effects of sleep deprivation on facial appearance(Opens in a new window) — Sleep (2013)
- Beauty sleep: experimental study on the perceived health and attractiveness of sleep deprived people(Opens in a new window) — BMJ (2010)
- Tobacco smoke causes premature skin aging(Opens in a new window) — Journal of Dermatological Science (2007)
- Cigarette smoking: risk factor for premature facial wrinkling(Opens in a new window) — Annals of Internal Medicine (1991)
- Impact of Smoking and Alcohol Use on Facial Aging in Women: Results of a Large Multinational, Multiracial, Cross-sectional Survey(Opens in a new window) — Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2019)
- Brain-skin connection: stress, inflammation and skin aging(Opens in a new window) — Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets (2014)
- Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics(Opens in a new window) — Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (2015)
- Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging(Opens in a new window) — Dermato-Endocrinology (2012)
- Cosmetic and Therapeutic Applications of Fish Oil's Fatty Acids on the Skin(Opens in a new window) — Marine Drugs (2018)