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Hims is a telehealth company that provides prescription and nonprescription treatments for hair loss. Treatments for hair loss include minoxidil, finasteride, and thickening shampoo and conditioner.
Hims aims to combat the stigma that some people may feel about certain health conditions, such as hair loss, and make healthcare more accessible. Board certified doctors will prescribe hair loss treatment if appropriate. Alternatively, people can purchase nonprescription medication directly from the company.
This article discusses how Hims works, the medications and products it sells, and some potential hair loss medication side effects.
Hims is a telehealth service that provides prescription and nonprescription medication.
There are board certified doctors in all 50 states and DC who can prescribe medications.
Hims also offers a money-back guarantee for customers who do not see new hair growth within 90 days.
Prescription medication
People must complete an online assessment about their health goals and concerns, such as hair loss or erectile dysfunction (ED). The company then connects a person with a board certified doctor.
The doctor will evaluate treatment options and prescribe medication if they believe it is necessary. Local pharmacies fill the prescription and ship it to the customer in discreet packaging.
People can ask the doctor further follow-up questions at any time. All additional virtual appointments have no extra cost.
Nonprescription treatments
People will need to log in to their account on Hims. Then, they can shop for nonprescription hair loss treatments, such as thickening shampoo and conditioner.
The company states it ships all products in discreet packaging.
Before using this service, people may wish to consider the pros and cons of Hims.
Pros
- This service offers a convenient way to purchase prescription medications.
- This service uses board certified doctors.
- Hims offers free shipping and discreet packaging.
- People can have additional consultations at no extra cost for all prescriptions.
Cons
- There is mixed evidence that some of Hims’ nonprescription treatments, such as the Biotin Gummy Vitamins, work for hair loss.
- Although most products are available as one-time purchases, some are only available via subscription.
Hims has accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and the website gives the company an A+ grade. However, the average customer rating on the BBB is 1.12 out of 5 stars. Hims has closed 25 complaints in the last 12 months.
On Trustpilot, the company has an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from customers.
Positive reviews across these websites state that the company has excellent customer service and is convenient to use. Some people report that the products are high quality and work well for their health conditions.
However, those who left negative reviews stated that it is difficult to cancel subscriptions, with some saying they received charges for products they had canceled. Others report that the company continued to send them emails after they unsubscribed.
The following table describes the price of Hims’ hair loss products.
| Product | Prescription necessary | Best for | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finasteride | yes | slowing hair loss | $26 |
| Minoxidil | yes | regrowing hair | $15 |
| Minoxidil Foam | yes | regrowing hair | $30 |
| Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil | yes | slowing hair loss and regrowing hair | no information online |
| Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Spray | yes | slowing hair loss and regrowing hair | no information online |
| Thick Fix Thickening Shampoo | no | making hair appear thicker | $19 |
| Thick Fix Thickening Conditioner | no | making hair appear thicker | $22 |
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Hims offers some FDA-approved prescription medications for hair loss. In addition, people can purchase nonprescription treatments such as shampoos and conditioners. Below, we look at these products in more detail.
Oral Finasteride
- Price: $26 for a one-time purchase
- Key ingredient: 1 mg finasteride
- Prescription necessary: yes
- FDA-approved: yes
Hims offers finasteride in pill form. Finasteride is the generic version of Propecia. It is an FDA-approved drug.
Finasteride helps prevent testosterone
The company recommends finasteride to people with a receding hairline or all-over thinning.
At the time of publishing, oral finasteride costs $26 per month. The minimum a person can order as a one-time purchase is a 3-month supply, which would cost $78.
Learn more about treatments for hair loss.
Pros
- FDA approved
- can slow hair loss
- comes as a 3-month supply
- relatively affordable monthly cost
Cons
- cannot stop hair loss completely
- can take 3 months to show results
- can cause side effects
- hair loss may return if a person stops treatment
Minoxidil Solution
- Price: $15 for a one-time purchase
- Key ingredient: 5% minoxidil
- Prescription necessary: yes
- FDA-approved: yes
Minoxidil is an FDA-approved, over-the-counter treatment that stimulates hair growth. Research states that minoxidil takes effect around
Hims’ Minoxidil is a 5% topical solution that people apply twice daily. People can buy this product as a one-time purchase or a subscription every 1, 2, or 3 months.
Hims recommends people use it on the vertex or crown area.
Minoxidil is available starting from $15.
Pros
- affordable cost
- people can order automatic refills
- FDA-approved
- can regrow hair
Cons
- can take 3–6 months to take effect
- hair loss can return if a person stops using the product
- it is most effective on the crown and vertex area
- it can cause side effects
Minoxidil Foam
- Price: from $30
- Key ingredient: 5% minoxidil
- Prescription necessary: yes
- FDA-approved: yes
This product is minoxidil in a foam concentration, making it less likely to drip and ensuring easier, less messy application.
Hims recommends applying the foam twice daily.
Minoxidil Foam is available as a one-off purchase that includes a 3-month supply or a monthly or 3-monthly subscription.
Minoxidil Foam is available from $30 for a one-time purchase or $60 for a 3-month supply.
Pros
- relatively affordable monthly cost
- may be easier to apply than the solution
- FDA-approved
Cons
- more expensive than minoxidil solution
- fewer subscription options
- one-off purchase is more expensive
- can cause side effects
- hair loss can return if a person stops using the product
Oral Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil
- Price: no information online
- Key ingredients: 1 mg oral finasteride, 5% minoxidil
- Prescription necessary: yes
- FDA-approved: yes
Hims sells a bundle including oral finasteride and topical minoxidil.
According to Hims, people saw better results after using these two FDA-approved products together. The company recommends this pairing for receding hairlines and bald spots.
Together, these products can reduce DHT levels and promote hair regrowth, offering a person a more comprehensive hair loss treatment than if they were using the products in isolation.
Pros
- may be a more comprehensive treatment
- may be more effective than using minoxidil and finasteride alone
- can reduce DHT and promote hair growth
- both ingredients are FDA-approved
Cons
- no clear pricing information online
- can take 3–6 months to produce results
Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Spray
- Price: no information online
- Key ingredients: 0.3% finasteride, 6% minoxidil
- Prescription necessary: yes
- FDA-approved: no
People can also buy a topical spray that includes both finasteride and minoxidil. It contains 0.3% finasteride and 6% minoxidil. It is not FDA-approved.
Hims writes it can take up to 3–6 months to show results, but it may be a good option for people who do not want to take an oral pill.
Again, the company claims that finasteride and minoxidil work better together and is its best-selling treatment.
Pros
- suitable for people who do not want oral medication
- combines the benefits of finasteride and minoxidil
- Hims claims it dries quickly
- it is easy to apply
Cons
- it is not FDA approved
- it can cause side effects
- there is no clear pricing information online
Thick Fix Thickening Shampoo
- Price: $19
- Key ingredient: saw palmetto
- Prescription necessary: no
- FDA-approved: no
This shampoo contains saw palmetto, which the company claims may help target DHT levels.
A
Hims recommends lathering the shampoo onto the scalp and leaving it on for 1 minute before rinsing. The company also states that people should use this shampoo consistently for the best results.
Hair Thickening Shampoo is available as a one-time purchase for $19.
Pros
- some research suggests that saw palmetto may increase hair counts
- research also suggests it may not cause many side effects
- cleans the hair and promotes hair growth
- may block DHT
Cons
- not FDA approved
- limited research into the effectiveness of saw palmetto
- contains fragrance, which may be unsuitable for sensitive scalps
Thick Fix Thickening Conditioner
- Price: $22
- Key ingredient: vitamin B
- Prescription necessary: no
- FDA-approved: no
This conditioner contains niacinamide, a type of vitamin B that may help promote hair growth and thickness. Niacinamide
It also contains a second type of vitamin B called panthenol. This ingredient is FDA-approved in cosmetics but not specifically approved for hair loss.
There is limited research into panthenol and hair loss, but one 2022 study found that shampoos containing panthenol can help prevent hair loss in people with alopecia. However, the shampoo also had other active ingredients, including niacinamide.
Hims recommends people apply the conditioner after shampooing and leave it to soak on the hair for up to 3 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
People can buy Thick Fix Thickening Conditioner as a one-off purchase for $22.
Pros
- people can use it with Hims shampoo
- it contains ingredients that may help hair loss
- contains eucalyptus scent
- may nourish and moisturize the hair
Cons
- limited research on ingredients
- it is not FDA approved for hair loss
- it is more expensive than the shampoo for the same amount of product
Several other companies, such as Roman and Keeps, offer hair loss treatment online.
| Hims | Roman | Keeps | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Products | • finasteride • minoxidil • thickening shampoo • thickening conditioner • biotin vitamins | • finasteride • minoxidil | • finasteride • minoxidil • thickening shampoo • thickening conditioner • thickening pomade • ketoconazole shampoo |
| Price | ranging from $15-37 per month | ranging from $16-35 per month | starting at $10 per month |
| Online consultations | free initial consultation | free initial consultation | free initial consultation |
| Shipping | free in discreet packaging | free in discreet packaging | $3 per shipment |
Learn more about these brands here:
People who use hair loss products may experience some side effects.
Side effects of finasteride
- low sex drive (libido)
- erectile dysfunction
- a decrease in ejaculatory volume
- the enlarging of male breasts (gynecomastia)
Additionally, side effects of minoxidil
- increase in hair shedding
- skin discoloration and irritation
- scaly scalp
- allergic contact dermatitis
- increase in body hair
Minoxidil also interacts with other drugs. For example, taking cyclosporine and minoxidil together may increase the amount of body hair a person has, and taking aspirin at the same time can reduce the effectiveness of this medication.
Anyone concerned about hair loss should contact a doctor to discuss treatment options. Healthcare professionals will recommend treatments considering the severity of the hair loss and any other medications a person takes.
People should also contact a doctor if they experience any side effects from taking hair loss medication. Doctors may recommend stopping the medication and trying another treatment.
Here, we answer some common questions about Hims’ hair loss treatment.
Does Hims hair loss treatment work?
Finasteride and topical minoxidil are FDA-approved for androgenic alopecia, or male-pattern hair loss. Both of these medications effectively treat this type of hair loss.
People
People will notice a difference in their hair 4 months after using finasteride.
Can Hims make my hair thicker?
Hims states that its treatment can make the hair appear thicker and help prevent further hair loss.
There is evidence that the medications and the ingredients in Hims’ nonprescription treatments may help improve the appearance of a person’s hair. However, results may vary.
Is Hims good for hair growth?
Certain Hims treatments, such as minoxidil, can regrow hair. It can take 3–6 months to see results, and hair loss can return if a person stops treatment.
Are Hims products legit?
Yes, Hims sells legitimate hair loss products. Several are FDA approved and require a prescription. Others contain ingredients that some research supports for hair loss. However, results may vary, and people should speak with a doctor about their hair loss before trying a treatment.
Hims is a telehealth company that offers prescription and nonprescription hair loss treatments. People can buy products as a one-time purchase or subscribe for monthly supplies.
However, medications such as finasteride and minoxidil can cause side effects, such as loss of libido and excess body hair. A person should always contact a doctor to discuss the best treatment options and share concerns about potential side effects.