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Both Hims and Keeps offer viable options for treating hair loss. Choosing between the two could come down to product choice, customer service, and personal preference.
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. We break down the differences between Hims and Keeps so you can make the best decision for you.
| Hims | Keeps | |
|---|---|---|
| Basics | addresses various issues, such as sexual health, hair loss, skin care, mental health, and general health and wellness | solely focused on hair loss treatment and prevention |
| Product options | • finasteride • minoxidil (foam or solution) • topical finasteride and minoxidil spray • thickening shampoo • thickening conditioner • biotin gummies | • finasteride • minoxidil (foam or solution) • ketoconazole 2% shampoo • thickening shampoo • thickening conditioner • thickening pomade • skin care products |
| Cost* | $15 to $60 per month | $33 to $130 every 3 months |
| Consultations | yes | yes, but only by phone (no live video) |
| Locations available | available in all 50 states | • medical consultations not available in all states, but medication is • option to get a prescription from someone else and fill it with Keeps |
| Customer service | hard to reach customer service, according to reviewers | great customer service, according to reviewers |
| Shipping | free | $5 |
*Prices accurate as of August 2024
Hims offers a variety of telehealth services, including treatments for hair loss and 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
- available in all 50 states
Cons
- some reports of issues reaching customer service
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 (Propecia, a medication that treats hair loss in men) and minoxidil (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
- a limited selection of products
- medical consultations not available in all 50 states, but prescriptions are
- live video consultations are not supported
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 sem*n 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.
Does Keeps actually work?
Keeps has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and customer ratings average about 1.11 out of 5 stars as of August 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.
Does Hims actually work?
Hims, Inc. has an A+ rating from the BBB. However, BBB customer reviews amount to 3.85 stars out of 5 as of August 2024.
Most negative reviews are about products related to sexual health rather than hair loss.
Many 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.
Hims and Keeps aren’t the only companies that offer hair loss products online.
| Product options | Consultations available | Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hims | • finasteride • minoxidil | yes | wide range of products beyond hair loss | can be hard to reach customer service |
| Keeps | • finasteride • minoxidil | yes, but not in all 50 states | can fill prescriptions written by others | • medical consultations not available in all 50 states • live video consultations not supported |
| Roman | • finasteride • minoxidil | yes | discreet packaging | • lack of choices when picking a doctor • slow customer service |
| Lemonaid | finasteride | yes | • hair loss medication comes in a 3-month supply • discreet | only one hair loss medication available |
You can also buy these products in person at stores or pharmacies, although you may need a prescription from your doctor.
Want to read more reviews and comparisons?
We compared the men’s health products available through Hims and Roman. Read the full comparison here: Hims vs. Roman 2024: What to Know About These Men’s Health Services
We also looked at how Keeps compared to one of the most popular hair regrowth treatments on the market. Here’s what we found: Keeps vs. Rogaine 2024: Which Is Better for Hair Loss?
Hair loss can be frustrating, but the earlier you seek action, the more likely you are to minimize further loss.
Consult a doctor if you’re experiencing:
- noticeably thinning hair
- a receding hairline
- excessive hair shedding (in the shower or on your hairbrush)
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 to 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 might 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.
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.
