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Both Hims and Keeps are viable options for treating hair loss. Choosing between the two could come down to purchasing options, customer service, and versatility.
Share on PinterestFind out everything you need to know about Keeps and Hims.
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 service 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 you.
Hims offers a variety of 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 (OTC) 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 healthcare 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 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and OTC products for hair loss prevention
Keeps is a subscription-based telehealth service 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 healthcare professionals
positive customer feedback
Cons
limited selection of products
medical consultations not available in all 50 states, but prescriptions are
Finasteride and minoxidil are generally well tolerated, but they may cause side effects.
Finasteride
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.
Don’t 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 report 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.
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.
Hims, Inc. has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, BBB customer reviews amount to 3.91 stars out of 5 as of March 2024.
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 1.12 out of 5 stars as of March 2024.
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.
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. With Hims, 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.
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.
You need a valid prescription from your doctor to use finasteride but not to use minoxidil or many of the other treatments available through Hims and Keeps.
While finasteride is generally considered safe, all drugs carry a risk of side effects.
According to Keeps, some possible side effects of taking finasteride 1 mg include:
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.
Minoxidil is generally considered safe for use, but it’s worth mentioning that all drugs carry some risk of side effects.
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
These medications work only when 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.
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.
Last medically reviewed on February 19, 2024
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
