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Does male baldness run in the family?
Hims and Keeps are telemedicine companies that offer health supplements, popular hair loss treatments and services for men. With other names out there like Rogaine or Roman, how do you know which hair loss product is best for you?
Take one quick look at the bottles and you might feel that Hims and Keeps are in the same community. Find out more about how Hims and Keeps compare so you can decide today. Hair loss might be a thing of your past once you do.
When it comes to drawing up a fair comparison between the two, we take into account all factors such as effectiveness, pricing and delivery.
Does one work better for men than the other? Are subscriptions an option? Is a doctor available? These are just a few of all the questions we answer in this review.
There’s not a clearcut answer here because both companies provide similar products and ingredients for hair loss.
Hims provides an array of options for men via their telemedicine platform spanning from sex health to hair loss.
Where the latter is concerned, you have two to choose from: Finasteride (or Propecia) pills or a Minoxidil topical solution (choose between liquid or foam).
The truth is that both are effective. Finasteride is a common option because a pill is easy to take and the name is familiar. One study shows that two-thirds of all men experienced a lower rate of hair loss and better regrowth with it [1].
Minoxidil requires more effort to apply, but comes with fewer negative effects. At a 5 percent dosage for the topical solution, it’s proven to be effective for hair regrowth, too [2].
If you want a bundle, Hims offers the “Power Pack” containing Finasteride, along with another product of your choice. These supplemental hair loss products include shampoo, conditioner and Biotin gummies.
As opposed to Hims who offers a variety of health products for men, Keeps is focused slowly on hair. This might give them an edge above the rest, given it’s the company’s speciality, but the products are awfully similar.
Keeps also offers Finasteride pills at a 1 milligram dosing and a Minoxidil topical treatment at a 5 percent measurement.
Like Hims, they also offer a combination pack including both Finasteride and Minoxidil.
For effectiveness, both companies win. Studies show that Finasteride and Minoxidil are successful hair loss treatments for men. Given both Hims and Keeps offer the same doses and ingredients, we can’t pick a clear winner here.
But how do these companies compare in other arenas of business?
While Hims and Keeps both offer very similar products, all their differences come in where each company’s services, subscriptions and prices are concerned.
When you decide to enroll in one of the hair loss programs that require a prescription, the company matches you with a medical doctor. The doctor will evaluate your medical history, current condition and decide if the product is appropriate for you or not.
After the doctor “writes” your prescription virtually, you’ll be able to consult him/her for issues or concerns you might have.
Your consultation and delivery with Hims for hair loss prevention is free of charge. There’s also a 90 day money back guarantee should you be unhappy with your hair loss products.
A 2 fluid ounce bottle of Minoxidil will last for one month and costs $15. For a one month supply of Finasteride, expect to pay around $57 for the first month. After that, the price drops to around $28 per month.
Hims often offers the first month of either for free, so do look out for this before you order.
Much like with Hims for hair loss, Keeps works on a consultation basis via the patient portal. After choosing which produce you’re interested in, you’ll have a similar meeting with a doctor to discuss your options and to ensure the medication is suitable for you and your condition.
As for delivery costs, we can’t determine if these are included with your order cost or not. However, your first doctor’s consultation is free and you have access to unlimited messaging for one full year after your first order.
It’s important to note that with all of Keeps hair loss supplements for men, you have to order a 3 month’s supply at once. This goes for both Finasteride and Minoxidil.
Minoxidil runs $15 for the first month and $10 for each month after. For Finasteride, you’ll pay around $37 initially, then $25 for every month after that. A combination pack of Minoxidil and Finasteride runs $52 for the first month, then that drops to $35.
Keeps offers a running special of 50 percent off your first order.
As you can see, where monthly costs matter, Keeps wins. It’s not a substantial difference, but month to month, all of those small savings add up. Keeps comes in at around 25 percent less all-around.
Are you interested in the supplements and other hair loss treatments for men, like shampoo and conditioner?
This company also offers a thickening shampoo, conditioner and gummy supplements for hair loss. The hair products contain an ingredient called “saw palmetto” which is a shrub that’s native to the Southwest. It’s said to provide hair volume, though studies are inconclusive [3].
Gummies are also available to support healthy hair growth, nails and skin.
As far as we can tell, they don’t offer any other supportive treatments for hair loss. Their main focus is on the drugs listed in the above section.
Hims wins this category since they have a line of additional hair loss products that might help.
This company is dedicated to wellness for all men and they believe that it’s a category often forgotten about in the health industry. It’s available from the comfort of your own home.
As mentioned, Hims for hair loss focuses on two different prescriptions that contain straightforward ingredients:
Finasteride was originally created as an over the counter medication for urinary tract health. People use it to treat enlarged prostate, too, but also hair loss.
For the issue at-hand, it works by lowering the DHT level in the body. DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is a hormone responsible for male baldness and “hair follicle miniaturization”.
Studies do show this DHT treatment is successful, especially where the frontal scalp area is concerned [4]. This includes the hairline and a little further back.
Minoxidil 5 percent is the main ingredient in Rogaine (popular brand name) products and it was created to help manage high blood pressure.
Scientific evidence points to its efficacy as a hair loss treatment when used at a 5 percent dosage [5]. It works by relaxing the blood vessels enough for regrowth to occur. This is due in part to the hair follicles that receive a boost through this process.
All men who are suffering from baldness might benefit from these products. If your trouble area is the hairline or front of the scalp, Finasteride could be your best option.
You should take the Finasteride 1 mg pill once per day as a hair loss treatment, timing at your discretion. Try to take it at the same time each day for maximum effectiveness.
The Minoxidil topical cream or foam for male pattern baldness is also to be used once per day, as directed by the instructions on the bottle.
Unfortunately not, it doesn’t work that way. Taking the supplements once per day as instructed for at least 1 to 2 months is your best bet for success.
Catch your next one. The manufacturer doesn’t recommend doubling up on your dose as it could cause unwanted side effects.
If you have a heart condition or other preexisting situations, we recommend consulting a trusted doctor from home before embarking on the hair loss treatment.
The supplements are FDA-approved and generally safe for most individuals.
Potential side effects with Finasteride include:
Minoxidil might cause:
Hims does offer a 90 day money back guarantee if you choose not to continue treatment. However, the company requires that you followed the instructions and experienced a poor side effect as a result, for a refund to be granted.
Keeps differs from the company above in that it’s solely focused on hair loss.
The active ingredients in Keeps are the same as those in Hims: Finasteride (Propecia) and Minoxidil. Doses and instructions are also the same, so the products tend to work in a very similar way.
Keeps might be of support to you if you’re a male patient suffering from hair loss. Speak to a board certified doctor should you have any questions or concerns.
Much like with the other company, take Keeps hair loss treatment as instructed by the manufacturer. This includes a pill or topical solution, once per day. That’s it.
The manufacturer recommends sticking with the recommended daily allowance for the best results and to avoid negative effects.
Don’t fret and catch your next one. If you have trouble remembering, we recommend keeping track day to day to stay organized.
If you’re on other medications in the first place or facing a preexisting condition, we recommend speaking with a medical doctor before adding Keeps to your treatment lineup.
Keeps is safe for most men with self care needs, looking to fix hair loss difficulties.
Since Keeps contains the same ingredients in their primary products as Hims, the side effects remain the same for both companies, Keeps and Hims.
Take Finasteride and other ingredients as instructed to limit any negative consequences.
Unfortunately, Keeps for male pattern baldness doesn’t have a money back guarantee once a product is opened. However, if a product is defective or damaged, the company offers an equal exchange.
On the search for safe options for hair loss prevention and hair growth?
Keeps and Hims are male-centric self care companies that both offer FDA approved hair loss treatments. Hair loss treatment subscriptions are available at home, once you have a virtual appointment with a board certified medical doctor with either company.
Both telemedicine providers provide top-of-the-line services for male pattern baldness, similar to the Roman brand name or Rogaine. But which one is best, Keeps vs Hims?
Keeps and Hims offer very similar prescription strength ingredients for men like Finasteride. The latter offers more supplemental services like shampoo and a money back guarantee if you’re not happy with what you ordered.
The price of Keeps is less all-around, but once you place an order you’re stuck with the price, whether it’s worth it for you or not.
Whichever product line you go with, make sure to check in with your medical provider if you face any side effect or health issue like erectile dysfunction or poor blood flow.
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1. A;, McClellan KJ;Markham. “Finasteride: a Review of Its Use in Male Pattern Hair Loss.” Drugs, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9951956/.
2. Olsen EA;Dunlap FE;Funicella T;Koperski JA;Swinehart JM;Tschen EH;Trancik RJ; “A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12196747/.
3. “Saw Palmetto.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/saw-palmetto.
4. Leyden J;Dunlap F;Miller B;Winters P;Lebwohl M;Hecker D;Kraus S;Baldwin H;Shalita A;Draelos Z;Markou M;Thiboutot D;Rapaport M;Kang S;Kelly T;Pariser D;Webster G;Hordinsky M;Rietschel R;Katz HI;Terranella L;Best S;Round E;Waldstreicher J; “Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10365924/.
5. Badri, Talel. “Minoxidil.” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 4 May 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482378/.
