Keeps is an online subscription service that provides daily supplies for people managing hair loss. It also provides access to physicians and specialists for prescription treatments.
A quick look at Keeps hair loss treatments
While it is possible to get over-the-counter (OTC) products at your local drugstore to treat hair loss, online subscription services also provide OTC treatments and access to medical professionals who can recommend or prescribe treatments.
Let’s take a closer look at one of these services, Keeps, and explore what it offers and how its treatments compare with competitors.
What is Keeps?
Keeps is one of several online services that make it possible to get access to treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to minimize hair loss, all from the comfort of your home.
Daily supplies are shipped to your door every 3 months. Plus, you’ll have access to a team of physicians and trained care specialists in your home state, in case you have questions or need support.
What hair loss treatments are available from Keeps?
The three primary treatments available are finasteride, minoxidil, and ketoconazole. Additionally, Keeps offers a combination bundle of individual finasteride and minoxidil treatments, as well as a two-in-one combination gel.
Keeps offers both OTC treatments and prescription-strength treatments for hair loss and thinning. Other OTC supplements and shampoos are also available on the Keeps website.
Keeps pros and cons
Pros
- The subscription model helps some people stay consistent with their treatment, which is key for hair loss.
- Some people find that going through Keeps is more convenient than getting products from local pharmacies.
- You don’t need to go to in-person appointments to get your treatments.
- The initial consultation is free, even if you don’t have insurance.
Cons
- In states where telemedicine isn’t available, using Keeps may add steps, as you’ll need a prescription from a separate doctor to get finasteride.
- Some hair loss may be caused by an underlying medical condition, which the Keeps model may not catch or address.
- You don’t get to choose your doctor.
- In-person visits with a doctor aren’t available through Keeps.
- You can’t cancel or return orders once they’ve been processed. If you want to cancel, you need to make sure you do it before your order is processed or you’ll be charged.
How does Keeps work?
You can start with Keeps in two ways:
- If you know what you want, you can choose your plan: finasteride and minoxidil, finasteride only, or minoxidil only. You’ll then take a short online quiz, and a doctor can double-check that you’ve selected the right plan.
- If you’re not sure which product you’d like, you can fill out a questionnaire that asks you about your hair loss, lifestyle, and medical history. It’ll also ask you for photos of your hair loss. A doctor will review your questionnaire and pictures and suggest a treatment plan for you.
For either method, you’ll need to provide a copy of your driver’s license or other government-issued ID. Because you need a prescription to use Keeps, the ID is necessary so a doctor knows who you are before prescribing.
A doctor will review your information within 24 hours. In some states, you’ll need to have a phone call with a doctor before you get a prescription. But in others, the doctor can prescribe a treatment for you after just reviewing your information.
Keeps is a subscription service, so it’ll automatically send you products every 3 months unless you cancel.
If you have questions or experience side effects once starting treatment, you can message a doctor through Keeps. You can speak with one of Keeps’ doctors over the phone if you prefer, but Keeps will need to set up the call.
How much does Keeps cost?
Your initial consultation with a doctor is free. After that first visit, you can message the doctor for free for 1 year.
Keeps recommends an annual telehealth consultation, which costs $5.
Keeps is a subscription model, and you can pay for 3, 6, and 12 months at a time.
| Keeps Product | First-time subscriber price for 3-month supply | Price for 3-month supply |
| finasteride only | $40 | $80 |
| minoxidil solution only | $22 | $33 |
| minoxidil foam only | $25 | $50 |
| finasteride and minoxidil foam | $65 | $130 |
| finasteride and minoxidil solution | $62 | $113 |
| topical finasteride and minoxidil gel | $90 | $180 |
| 2% ketoconazole shampoo | $22 | $33 |
*Prices accurate as of May 2024
How do these hair loss medications work?
How finasteride works
Finasteride blocks dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that causes male pattern baldness. Taking finasteride slows down hair loss. In some people, it can even stop hair loss.
It takes up to 3 months of daily use to see finasteride’s effects. If you stop taking it daily, the effects can reverse within about 1 year.
How minoxidil works
Minoxidil works directly on your hair follicles to slow down hair loss and help regrow the hair at the crown of your head. Specifically, it has been shown to increase follicle size and the number of follicles. It also increases blood flow to follicles to encourage growth.
It can take 3 to 4 months for the minoxidil solution or foam to start working. If you stop using minoxidil daily, regrown hair usually starts to fall out within 3 months.
How ketoconazole works
Only
What are some possible side effects of hair loss treatments?
The side effects of each medication are different.
Finasteride side effects
For finasteride, potential side effects include:
- decreased libido
- erectile dysfunction (ED), which may be permanent
- decrease in ejaculate volume
- breast enlargement
- breast tenderness
- testicular pain
- depression
Experts point out that finasteride shouldn’t be used by anyone with a family history of prostate cancer.
Read more about finasteride’s benefits and side effects.
About post-finasteride syndrome
Post-finasteride syndrome is a term used for a variety of possible serious side effects that researchers and clinicians have observed in people taking oral finasteride.
Symptoms may occur while taking finasteride and last after people stop using it. These include changes to sexual function, such as ED and low libido, as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety, or physical sensations, like dizziness.
More research is needed on post-finasteride syndrome. Current research is focused on topical versions of this drug, which may be equally effective for hair loss treatment with fewer side effects.
Topical minoxidil side effects
Potential side effects of topical minoxidil include unusual growth of facial and body hair, as well as scalp itching, dryness, or irritation.
Some potential side effects are serious.
Check in with a doctorContact your doctor if you experience any of the following while using minoxidil:
- chest pain
- weight gain
- rapid heartbeat
- swelling of the face, hands, feet, or stomach
- lightheadedness
Read more about minoxidil’s benefits and side effects.
Topical ketoconazole side effects
Potential side effects of topical ketoconazole include:
- scalp irritation or dryness
- changes in hair texture
- blisters on your scalp
Ketoconazole can also cause serious side effects. Contact your doctor if you have redness, pain, swelling, or tenderness where you applied the medication.
All types of treatment can cause an allergic reaction.
Check in with a doctorSeek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following right after using any product:
Read more about topical ketoconazole’s benefits and side effects.
Keeps reputation and customer service
As of May 2024, Keeps has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and customer ratings average 1.12 out of 5 stars. On Trustpilot, Keeps has over 40 reviews and an overall rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars.
Most negative reviews mention poor customer service and people being charged after they tried to cancel or having other difficulties with canceling. Once an order is processed for a billing cycle, you can’t return or cancel it.
Reviews on other sites state that Keeps has prompt customer service. Reviews of the products themselves are generally positive across sites.
The Keeps website provides options to text, call, chat, or email its customer service team.
How to decide if Keeps is right for you
Although Keeps has doctors who can prescribe medication for you, it may be helpful to talk with an independent doctor who knows your medical history before using a subscription service for hair loss.
The doctor can help make sure your hair loss isn’t caused by an underlying issue, as if not managed, it increases the risk of these hair loss treatments being ineffective.
Even if your doctor gives you a prescription, you can get your medication through Keeps, sometimes for less than what it costs at your local pharmacy. Keep in mind that while finasteride requires a prescription, minoxidil and ketoconazole don’t.
Ultimately, it’s important to learn what’s causing your hair loss since it may or may not respond to the medications offered by Keeps and may need another type of treatment.
Keeps says that its products are only for male pattern baldness. If this description doesn’t fit you, talk with your doctor about the best treatment for you. Rogaine and Hims/Hers both make treatments specifically for women with hair loss.
Yes. Keeps is a legitimate online service offering health consultations and hair loss treatment plans for male pattern baldness.
The products Keeps offers have been shown to minimize hair loss. These products should be used continuously to maintain results, and the company offers a subscription model to help support that.
No. Both finasteride and minoxidil are considered cosmetic, which means they aren’t covered by most insurance plans. Keeps is a self-pay service, and insurance can’t be used for products or medical consultations.
Yes. Keeps connects you with a qualified healthcare professional who will prescribe FDA-approved hair loss treatment plans. All ingredients are research-backed and are the same ones used in the products your doctor may prescribe after an in-person visit.
Takeaway
Keeps is one of many options for hair loss treatment, with some advantages. Its subscription model helps keep you consistent, while the telehealth it provides can be a good option if you don’t have a primary care physician or another way to access care.
If you’re not sure what’s right for you, talk with your doctor.