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Keeps and Hims are telehealth companies offering products to help minimize hair loss. While these services have similar products and services, Hims also offers products for erectile dysfunction, mental health, and general health.
This article explores Keeps and Hims in more detail and discusses these companies’ similarities and differences.
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.
- For generic Propecia: Keeps Finasteride | Skip to review
- For generic Rogaine: Keeps Minoxidil | Skip to review
- For a hair loss treatment shampoo: Keeps 2% Ketoconazole | Skip to review
- For oral finasteride: Hims Finasteride | Skip to review
- For a topical treatment: Hims Minoxidil | Skip to review
Keeps is a telehealth company that offers medications, shampoos, and conditioners to address hair loss. The company states that it offers Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved products at a lower cost than most pharmacies.
Keeps also offers telehealth appointments with licensed practitioners in the states where customers live.
The following are some advantages and disadvantages of using this service:
Pros
- offers some of the most affordable hair loss treatments, according to the company
- offers inexpensive consultations with healthcare professionals
- offers a range of prescription and FDA-approved treatments on a subscription model
Cons
- unlike Hims, does not offer any treatments for other health conditions
- does not offer free shipping
- no option for customers to choose which healthcare professional they would like to contact
To get started with Keeps, a person must contact a doctor through the website. This healthcare professional will speak with the individual and discuss different treatment methods before prescribing a treatment plan.
After 30 days, the healthcare professional will contact the individual again to adjust the treatment plan if necessary.
A healthcare professional may prescribe or recommend the following products:
Hims specializes in men’s health and offers several treatments for hair loss, erectile dysfunction, mental health, and general health.
The company states that people can contact healthcare professionals through its website via phone, video, or chat, for free.
People may wish to consider the following pros and cons of this service before choosing Hims:
Pros
- offers a free initial consultation
- provides treatment for several other conditions in addition to hair loss
- offers consultations with licensed healthcare professionals
- offers free shipping
Cons
- does not provide clear pricing information for its prescription products
- does not state how much consultations cost after the free initial consultation
- offers many products only with a subscription — does not provide the option to purchase them individually
To start with Hims, a person must complete a questionnaire detailing their symptoms. The company will match each person with a healthcare professional in their state who will prescribe treatment if necessary.
The company states that any further consultations are free so long as the healthcare professional has issued a prescription.
Hims offers the following prescription hair loss treatments:
Another consideration when choosing between these services is their online reviews and reputation.
Keeps
Keeps hold accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The organization gives the company an A+ grade. Customers on this platform give Keeps an average of 2.18 out of 5 stars.
On Trustpilot, customers give the company an average of 2.4 out of 5 stars.
People who have left positive reviews state that the hair loss products are of high quality and helped address hair thinning. Many users say they noticed hair regrowth and increased thickness after using the products.
However, negative reviews state that customers could not return products and that the customer service team may not be helpful when processing complaints.
Hims
Hims also holds accreditation with the BBB, with the platform giving the company an A+ grade. However, customers give Hims an average rating of 1.1 out of 5 stars.
Customers on Trustpilot give the company an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
People who left positive reviews say that the company responds promptly to customers’ requests and that the products are effective.
However, negative reviews report shipping delays and difficulties canceling subscriptions.
The following table provides an at-a-glance comparison of these two services:
| Keeps | Hims | |
|---|---|---|
| BBB grade | A+ | A+ |
| Trustpilot score | 2.4/5 stars | 4.3/5 stars |
| Products | • finasteride • minoxidil • ketoconazole shampoo • shampoo, conditioner, and pomade | • finasteride • minoxidil • biotin gummies • shampoo and conditioner • erectile dysfunction treatment • premature ejaculation treatment • therapy • primary care |
| Price | from $10 | from $15 |
| Online consultation | free initial consultation, then $5 per visit | free initial consultation |
| Accepts insurance | no | no |
| Shipping | $5 per shipment | free |
Several other telehealth services offer hair loss treatments. Some companies may also offer medication or products for other health concerns.
The following table compares Keeps and Hims to some of these competitors:
| Products | Online consultation | Accepts insurance | Shipping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keeps | • finasteride • minoxidil • ketoconazole shampoo • shampoo • conditioner • pomade | • free initial consultation • $5 per consultation | no | $5 per shipment |
| Hims | • finasteride • minoxidil • biotin gummies • shampoo and conditioner • erectile dysfunction treatment • premature ejaculation treatment • therapy • primary care | free initial consultation | no | free |
| Roman | • finasteride • minoxidil • erectile dysfunction treatment • premature ejaculation treatment • testosterone support • genital herpes treatment | free initial consultation | no | free |
| Lemonaid | • finasteride • anxiety treatment • depression treatment • erectile dysfunction treatment • birth control • insomnia treatment • genital herpes treatment | $25 per visit | no | free |
| Musely | • The Hair Pill • The Hair Solution • dark spot treatments • pro-aging support • rosacea treatment | $20 per visit | no | free |
Read our reviews here:
All the products that Keeps and Hims offer have potential side effects. People should contact a healthcare professional if they experience any of these effects.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil can cause
- increase in hair loss
- skin irritation, such as redness and burning
- scaling or irritation of the scalp
- allergic contact dermatitis
People should discuss taking minoxidil with a healthcare professional if they also take baby aspirin or cyclosporine. Minoxidil can interact with these drugs, changing the way they work and increasing the risks of side effects.
Finasteride
Finasteride can cause the following side effects:
- loss of libido
- erectile dysfunction
- decrease in ejaculatory volume
- gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men)
Pregnant people should avoid finasteride, as some animal studies have reported abnormal external male genitalia.
Additionally, people who take finasteride cannot give blood until 6 months after the date they stop taking this medication.
Ketoconazole
Topical ketoconazole may cause
- stinging sensations on the skin
- itchiness
- dry skin
People who use ketoconazole shampoo may also experience dry hair and scalp or oily scalp.
Rarer side effects include:
- changes in hair texture
- alopecia
- angioedema
- contact dermatitis
- eye irritation
- headache
- impetigo
- pyogenic granuloma
People should contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned about hair loss or thinning.
Additionally, a person should contact a doctor if they experience:
- bald patches
- sudden hair loss
- itching
- burning sensation
Healthcare professionals can help determine the cause of hair loss and recommend a treatment plan.
Here we answer some common questions about these companies.
Is there a difference between Hims and Keeps?
Hims and Keeps are both telehealth services that offer prescription and non-prescription treatments for hair loss, amongst other things.
Does Keeps actually regrow hair?
Keeps offers a range of products, some requiring a prescription from a healthcare professional, that may aid in new hair growth. Some treatments, such as minoxidil, will stop working if treatment is stopped.
Is Keeps better than minoxidil
Keeps is a telehealth service that offers minoxidil as one of its treatments for hair loss. Minoxidil is a prescription hair-loss drug.
Do I need a prescription to use Keeps and Hims?
A person will need a valid and current prescription to purchase prescription products, such as finasteride, from Keeps and Hims.
Both companies offer online consultations with healthcare professionals who can prescribe if necessary.
Do Keeps and Hims take insurance?
Keeps and Hims do not take insurance for hair loss treatments.
Is Keeps or Hims less expensive?
Keeps offers products at a slightly lower price than Hims, but people may find Hims less expensive.
Keeps charges a flat shipping fee, whereas Hims offers free shipping. Additionally, Hims offers free consultations if a person receives a prescription, whereas Keeps charges $5 per online visit.
Keeps and Hims are telehealth companies that offer hair loss treatments and online consultations with healthcare professionals.
People may want to consider several factors when choosing between these services, such as prices, shipping information, and fees each company charges.