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Both Hims and Keeps are viable options for treating hair loss. Making a choice between the two could come down to purchasing options and customer service versatility.
Hims and Keeps are two of the most popular telehealth hair loss brands on the market. While there are some differences between the companies, both offer products that may help prevent, slow, or even reverse hair loss.
If you’re trying to decide which provider to turn to, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll break down the differences between Hims and Keeps so you can make the best decision for your body.
| Hims | Keeps | |
|---|---|---|
| Basics | addresses various problems, such as sexual health, hair loss, skin care, mental health, and general health and wellness | solely focused on hair loss treatment and prevention |
| Product options | • finasteride • minoxidil (foam or solution) • topical finasteride and minoxidil spray • thickening shampoo • thickening conditioner • biotin gummies | • finasteride • minoxidil (foam or solution) • ketoconazole 2% shampoo • hair thickening shampoo, conditioner, and styling products |
| Cost | $15–$86 | $10–$120 |
| Consultations | yes | yes, but only by phone (no live video) |
| Locations available | available in all 50 states | • medical consultations not available in all states, but medication is • option to get a prescription from someone else and fill it with Keeps |
| Customer service | hard to reach customer service, according to reviewers | great customer service, according to reviewers |
| Shipping | free | $3 |
Hims
Hims offers a variety of different telehealth services, including treatment for hair loss, erectile dysfunction, online therapy, primary care, and more.
Through the company website, you can order over-the-counter hair loss prevention items, like biotin gummies or hair thickening shampoo and conditioner. Hims also offers finasteride and minoxidil foams and solutions.
After the required consultation with a licensed medical professional, you can order your prescription treatments.
Pros
- wide range of products beyond just hair loss, including sexual health, skin care, mental health, and general health and wellness
- offers FDA-approved and over-the-counter products for hair loss prevention
- available in all 50 states
Cons
- some reports of issues reaching customer service
Keeps
Keeps is a subscription-based telehealth provider that focuses exclusively on treatments for hair loss in men. These treatments can help anyone experiencing hair loss, receding hairline, baldness, androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness), and more.
The company currently offers two FDA-approved medications: finasteride (generic Propecia, a medication that treats hair loss in men) and minoxidil (generic Rogaine, a topical solution that can treat certain types of baldness).
By purchasing generic medication directly from a domestic lab, Keeps can offer lower prices than those found at local pharmacies.
Everything is done online, from the consultation with a board certified physician to the process of ordering and receiving your prescription directly to you.
Pros
- focused entirely on hair loss products for men
- can fill prescriptions written by other medical professionals
- positive customer feedback
Cons
- limited selection of products
- medical consultations not available in all 50 states, but prescriptions are
- live video consultations not supported
Hims
Hims, Inc. has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, BBB customer reviews amount to 3.82 stars out of 5 as of July 2023.
Most negative reviews are about products related to sexual health rather than hair loss.
A lot of reviewers complain that they were still charged for their subscriptions after notifying Hims that they wanted to cancel. However, general consensus shows that Hims customer service is pretty good about replying to complaints.
Keeps
Keeps has an A+ rating from the BBB, and customer ratings average about 1.94 out of 5 stars as of July 2023.
Most negative reviews note that customers were charged after trying to cancel a subscription. Other reviewers experienced difficulties with returns.
To cancel your Keeps subscription, you have to call customer service during business hours or fill out an online cancellation form.
Hims and Keeps aren’t the only companies that offer hair loss products online.
Other online options for hair loss products include:
| Product options | Consultations available | Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hims | • finasteride • minoxidil | yes | wide range of products beyond hair loss | can be hard to reach customer service |
| Keeps | • finasteride • minoxidil | yes, but not in all 50 states | can fill prescriptions written by others | • medical consultations not available in all 50 states • live video consultations not supported |
| Roman | • finasteride • minoxidil | yes | discreet packaging | • lack of choices when picking a doctor • slow customer service |
| Musely | • finasteride • minoxidil | yes | very quick process | • takes a few months to work • drying |
| Lemonaid | finasteride | yes | • hair loss medication comes in a 3-month supply • discreet | only one hair loss medication available |
| Genius Rx | • finasteride • minoxidil | no | • easy to refill orders • free shipping | no consultations offered |
| Blink Health | finasteride | yes | • lower cost • online doctor visits • available in 2 doses | hard to cancel subscription |
You can also buy these products in person at stores or pharmacies, although you may need a prescription from your doctor.
Finasteride and minoxidil are generally well tolerated, but they may cause side effects.
Finasteride
You should stop taking finasteride and contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
- rash or itching
- swelling of your face, lips, or tongue
- extreme dizziness
- difficulty breathing
- testicular pain
- trouble urinating
- swelling or tenderness in your chest or fluid leaking from your nipple
- depression
A small percentage of people taking finasteride have also experienced decreased libido, difficulty getting an erection, or a reduced amount of semen released during intercourse.
You should not take finasteride if you have liver disease or liver conditions, kidney problems, prostate cancer, or if you’re hoping to become pregnant or are pregnant.
Minoxidil
Stop taking minoxidil and contact your doctor right away if you experience:
- chest pain or palpitations
- dizziness
- fainting
- rash, blisters, or itchy skin
- swelling of your hands and feet
Others have reported side effects such as headache, redness, irritation at the application area, and unusual hair growth on the face, arm, and neck. Some people may also notice color or texture changes to their hair.
Take care to keep minoxidil away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. Wash your hands after applying it, and don’t use minoxidil if your scalp has any cuts, scrapes, or sunburn.
A note on continued use of finasteride and minoxidil
It can take some time to see results with finasteride and minoxidil. Results may not be visible for a few weeks, and not everyone will see hair growth from using these medications. That’s why it’s a good idea to check in with your prescriber to discuss the results you’re seeing.
Additionally, these medications work only when they are used regularly. If you stop using them, you’ll likely experience some hair loss again and potentially risk losing your new hair growth.
Before beginning a treatment plan, consider talking with your doctor or prescriber about what to expect and what your expectations are for long-term use.
Hair loss can be frustrating, but the earlier you seek action, the more likely you will prevent it and minimize further loss.
Consult a doctor if you’re experiencing:
- noticeably thinning hair
- a receding hairline
- excessive hair shedding (in the shower or on your hairbrush)
Do Keeps and Hims products really grow hair back?
Customer testimonies provide a better idea of the effectiveness of Hims and Keeps products.
Hims products are designed to prevent, slow, or even reverse hair loss. The products differ from those offered by Keeps, since you can purchase accompanying shampoo, conditioner, and gummies to supplement your hair treatment.
With consistent use, the company says you may see a difference in 3–4 months. According to the website, the site has a 4.5-star rating for the effectiveness of the products, discreet delivery, and professional medical guidance.
Keeps products are most effective for male pattern baldness, according to reviews. It takes around 4 months of consistent use to notice a difference.
Keeps has a 4.8-star rating from users who are happy with their results.
Do they take insurance?
Finasteride and minoxidil are considered cosmetic and are not covered by most insurance plans. Neither company accepts insurance for medical consultations or products.
However, prices on both sites are typically less than half of what you’d pay at your local pharmacy.
Do you need a prescription?
You need a valid prescription from your doctor to use finasteride but not to use minoxidil.
Are there any side effects?
While finasteride and minoxidil are generally considered safe, all drugs carry a risk of side effects.
According to Keeps, some possible side effects of taking finasteride 1 mg include:
- depression or anxiety
- dizziness or weakness
- headaches
- inability to urinate
- pain in your testicles
- runny nose
- rash
- signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
- skin rash
- itching
- difficulty breathing
- swelling of your face, lips, or tongue
- sexual side effects, such as:
- loss of libido
- erectile dysfunction
- swelling in your hands or feet
- swelling, pain, or tenderness in your chest or fluids leaking from your nipple
Experts point out that finasteride shouldn’t be used by anyone with a family history of prostate cancer.
While it depends on the formulation, the most common side effect of minoxidil is skin irritation at or near the application site. Some minoxidil users may develop a skin rash or experience a mild burning feeling after using the spray or foam.
According to Hims, less common side effects of minoxidil can include:
- acne
- facial hair growth
- inflammation around the hair roots
- facial swelling
- increased hair loss
Although you can’t prevent baldness, medications such as finasteride and minoxidil can help slow down hair loss. Hims and Keeps are comparable since they offer the same prescriptions. Ultimately, the service you opt for depends on your hair goals and budget.
Hims is slightly more cost effective and offers more versatility by providing one-time purchases, monthly supplies, and 3-month supplies. Hims also offers more products that support hair loss treatments.
Meanwhile, Keeps is better for those who want consistent deliveries straight to them.
Iman Balagam is a writer based in Houston, Texas. When she’s not laughing at her own jokes, or buying overpriced chia pudding, she can be found reading fiction novels, catching a spin class, doomscrolling through TikTok, or waiting for her delayed Spirit flight to board.