Although hair loss affects both women and men, it’s much more prevalent in men. It’s normal to lose 50 to 100 strands of hair on a daily basis, but some people lose a lot more than that, and over time this progressive loss becomes painfully obvious.
There are numerous causes behind hair loss, and understanding them may help determine the best treatment solution. Although there are over-the-counter options for hair growth treatments, they are not specifically designed to help your hair-loss issues. The good news is there are now a variety of companies that can design a plan based on your hair-loss pattern and cause of hair loss.
Since these are subscription-based hair-loss treatments, you receive the products in the mail on a regular basis. Not only is this convenient, but you do not have to remember to go to the store when you run out. It can also save you money. Before comparing Hims vs Roman vs Keeps, let’s take a look at what causes hair loss and some hair-loss prevention tips.
Causes of Hair Loss
The most common cause of hair loss is heredity. Although most people refer to it as male or female pattern hair loss, the medical term for it is androgenic alopecia . It can happen in both men and women, and inherited genes affect the hair follicles, causing them to shrink. This shrinkage can begin in the teenage years, although for most individuals, it happens later in life. In men, the first sign of hereditary hair loss is a bald spot at the top of the head or a receding hairline. In women, the initial indication is often a widening part or overall thinning.
Hormonal changes can cause hair loss. This is more common for women during pregnancy, childbirth and menopause; however, men can be affected if they have thyroid problems. Certain medical conditions can also lead to hair loss. These include scalp psoriasis, scalp infections such as ringworm, and trichotillomania, which is a hair-pulling disorder. Certain drugs, such as those for cancer, depression, heart disease, arthritis and high blood pressure, may cause hair loss. After radiation to the scalp, the hair may not grow back as normal.
There are many treatments that harm the hair and can eventually lead to hair loss. These include excessive hair coloring, permanent waves, hot-oil hair treatments, bleaching and twisting the hair while using high-heat sources. Certain hairstyles, such as cornrows or pigtails, can result in hair loss over time. A stressful event that causes emotional or physical shock can cause temporary hair loss.
Certain risk factors can also increase your chances of hair loss:
- Age
- Family history of balding
- Stress
- Significant weight loss
- Certain medical conditions
- Poor nutrition
Hair-Loss Prevention
Although some hair loss is inevitable, such as the those caused by genetics, there may be some things you can do to prevent it or slow down the process. For women, avoiding harsh treatments that involve heat and hair stylers, such as curling irons, can prevent hair loss. Limiting or avoiding styles that require barrettes, rubber bands and braids can also help. When washing hair, use a conditioner or detangler; when combing, a gentle touch should be used.
The sun and other sources of UV rays can affect hair, so use sun-protective products or hats whenever possible. Discontinuance of smoking can help prevent baldness in men. If you need cancer treatments, ask for a cooling cap, which has been shown to help prevent hair loss due to radiation. If you are taking medications or supplements, ask your medical provider if hair loss is a side effect and, if so, ask if there are any possible alternatives.
Hims Subscription Review: 2021 Details
Consultation
Hims (forhims.com) offers a complimentary initial consultation with a licensed medical provider who is experienced in hair loss. To begin, you identify the type of hair issue you have: receding hairline, thinning at the crown, overall thinning or a full head of hair. You are requested to list your goals — whether you want to regrow your hair, prevent hair loss or both. You’re asked if you would consider prescriptions that are FDA-approved. In the final step, you provide facts about your medical and health history and have a chance to ask the provider any questions you may have. Your information is passed along to a provider, who contacts you with follow-up questions or some treatment options for your situation.
Products
Hims offers a variety of hair products depending on what you’re looking for. There are two FDA-approved generic treatment options. One is the prescription Finasteride, a generic form of Propecia, which is a daily pill. This is prescribed for receding hairlines, overall thinning and hair-loss prevention.
The other over-the-counter solution is Minoxidil, a generic form of Rogaine. This is a topical solution that is applied twice a day. It increases blood flow to the scalp to encourage hair growth, and it works best for bald spots. There is also a topical Finasteride and Minoxidil combination spray available.
Hims also offers a number of non-prescription options. One is a gummy vitamin that supports hair growth. Others include a thickening shampoo and a thickening conditioner that contain ingredients that help the hair appear fuller and thicker.
Cost
The cost varies, depending on which products you order and the frequency of delivery. Hims offers several options and prices in 2021:
- Finasteride only: starts at $22/month
- Minoxidil only: $15
- Finasteride and Minoxidil: starts at $32/month
- Thickening shampoo: $19
- Thickening conditioner: $22
- Gummy multivitamins: $16
- Non-prescription kit: $37
- Hair power pack: starts at $60/month
Delivery
There is free shipping on all products with Hims. You can order items, such as shampoo or gummies, on a one-time basis, or you can sign up for auto-shipments. Finasteride is only available if the provider prescribes it for you. The hair loss solutions are delivered directly to your door in discreet packaging.
Follow-up
After the initial consultation, you are able to contact a provider via online chat. You may have questions about how often to take the prescribed treatment or when is the best time to take the vitamins, and a provider is on-hand to answer them for free.
Additional Information
Hims offers a 90-day money-back guarantee on Finasteride. If you’re not happy with the results within that 90 days, you can email the company for a refund. The website also provides before-and-after pictures along with testimonials so you can see results firsthand. A frequently asked questions section answers additional inquiries you may have.
Roman Subscription Review: 2021 Details
Consultation
Roman (getroman.com) also offers a free initial consultation with a nurse practitioner or medical doctor who works specifically with hair-loss issues. During the consultation, you are asked questions about your lifestyle, as well as your symptoms and medical history. A health care professional will get in touch with you within 24 hours with any follow-up questions or a recommended treatment plan.
Products
Like hims, Roman offers both finasteride and minoxidil. At this time, the company does not offer other hair products.
Cost
The costs for Roman’s hair products are based on quarterly shipments, which include a three-month supply. The pricing is:
- Finasteride: $20/month
- Minoxidil: $16/month
- Finasteride and minoxidil: $35/month
Delivery
The medications finasteride and minoxidil are only available in quarterly shipments. Roman explains on the website that since it takes a minimum of three months for these medications to begin taking effect, and daily use is crucial, receiving automatic shipments guarantees members will not run out. Two-day shipping is free, and it lands at your door in discreet packaging.
Follow-up
Along with offering free membership, Roman offers free and unlimited follow-up visits. These can be used to check up on your progress and answer any questions you may have.
Additional Information
When you begin the online initial consultation, you receive a pop-up offer for your first month free. On the website, there are before-and-after pictures as well as a FAQ section. The site also discusses what you can expect during the process for the first couple of months, up to six months and after six months have passed. You can cancel your treatment plan whenever you want.
Keeps Subscription Review: 2021 Details
Consultation
As with the other brands, Keeps offers a complimentary initial consultation with a licensed physician. However, the company gives two options for choosing the products you want. You can select a plan for treating overall thinning, receding hairline or thinning at the crown. A physician will review your pick and approve it or recommend something different.
If you are unsure what to get, you go through a similar process as with the other two companies by answering questions about symptoms and medical history and taking some pictures. Based on that information, a physician will recommend a treatment plan.
Products
As with hims and Roman, Keeps offers finasteride and minoxidil. However, along with the topical solution of minoxidil, Keeps also provides an aerosol foam alternative.
Keeps offers a thickening shampoo and a thickening conditioner. It also furnishes a prescription shampoo. The ketoconazole shampoo , which is a generic Nizoral shampoo, can be used alternately with the thickening shampoo, and it treats itchiness, flaking and dandruff.
Cost
The costs for treatment options are as follows:
- Finasteride: $75 for three months ($25/month), and the initial order is only $50 for three months
- Minoxidil topical solution: $30 for three months ($10/month), and initial order is only $20 for three months
- Minoxidil aerosol foam: $45 for three months ($15/month)
- Finasteride and minoxidil topical solution: $105 for three months ($35/month), and initial order is only $70 for three months
- Finasteride and minoxidil aerosol foam: $40/month
- Ketoconazole shampoo: $10/month
- Thickening shampoo: $22
- Thickening conditioner: $22
Delivery
The delivery for all prescription treatments arrives every three months. Orders for the thickening shampoo and conditioner are shipped when you order them.
Follow-up
When you sign up for a treatment plan, you get unlimited messaging for one year. This gives you free access to your physician when you have questions or want to give an update on your progress.
Additional Information
If you are already taking finasteride or minoxidil and getting it from a pharmacy, you can save 50% by ordering directly through Keeps. Adjust or cancel your order at any time. The website contains an FAQ section, a review section with testimonials and before-and-after pictures.
Bottom Line
When analyzing hims vs Roman vs Keeps, there are many similarities and some differences. The consultation processes are similar, although you have an alternate option with Keeps. Hims and Keeps offer more products since Roman only offers finasteride and minoxidil.
The prices are fairly similar, with some companies saving you a few extra dollars for certain products. Keeps and hims provide an introductory offer that equals one month free. Hims is the only one that mentions a money-back guarantee.
All companies offer ongoing online chat visits and provide additional information about hair loss in general, as well as feedback from real customers about results they experienced from the products. They are also honest about it taking some time to see results, and that regular use is important.
Treat Your Hair Loss
Although hair loss is common, especially in men, it’s a sensitive issue and can be embarrassing for some. Other than wearing a hat, there’s not much you can do to cover up bald spots or thinning areas.
If you suffer from hair loss and want to do something about it, there are many options. Why not choose a treatment formula that addresses your specific condition and is delivered right to your door? These subscription options are making hair recovery easier than ever, and with comparable pricing and features, all three seem to be good options. Subscription hair-loss programs from hims, Roman, and Keeps make growing back hair easy and affordable.