Hims Review

Hair loss is a common concern among people assigned male at birth, with up to half of all men experiencing it by age 50. Fortunately, treatment options are becoming more accessible. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two medications for male pattern hair loss: finasteride and minoxidil. These FDA-approved treatments can be obtained through your healthcare provider or through telehealth platforms like Hims, which offers both prescription and non-prescription products for hair loss.

About Hims for Hair Loss

Androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, is the most common type of hair loss in men, affecting almost every male as they age. Minoxidil and finasteride are two of the most common and effective ingredients used in treating this condition. Many of Hims’ products contain either minoxidil, finasteride, or a combination of both, to help combat hair loss and promote hair growth.

Hims offers a range of products for hair loss, including oral supplements and prescription topical treatments that can be applied directly to the scalp to promote hair growth. The process is simple: you begin by filling out a brief questionnaire about your symptoms. An online healthcare provider then reviews your responses to create a personalized treatment plan, which is free for all users. If a prescription is required, the healthcare provider will order the medication, and it will be shipped directly to your door.

What is Hims?

Hims launched in 2017 as a virtual platform offering direct-shipping treatments for sexual health and hair loss in men. Since its inception, the company has expanded its offerings, including a female-focused brand called Hers, which provides hair loss treatments for women, as well as a mental health platform.

Hims offers a platform for individuals seeking both prescription and non-prescription hair loss treatments. Through the platform, users can connect with healthcare providers, including doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, who can prescribe personalized treatment plans. Non-prescription products, such as over-the-counter minoxidil or thickening shampoo, are available for purchase without a prescription, but prescription products require approval from a virtual healthcare provider.

How does Hims work?

Hims makes the process simple: You begin by creating an account on their website or app and completing a short questionnaire. The questions cover topics such as the type of hair loss you’re experiencing, when it started, your desired results, and any lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your hair loss.

It’s important to remember that various factors can contribute to hair loss, and Hims is not equipped to diagnose underlying causes like vitamin deficiencies or thyroid disorders that a regular healthcare provider might identify through tests like bloodwork. If you’re uncertain about the cause or type of hair loss you’re experiencing, it’s always a good idea to consult with your primary care provider before beginning any treatment.

Hims might request photos of your scalp before connecting you with a healthcare provider who can recommend treatment options. In some states, a video consultation with a healthcare provider is required, and the platform will inform you if that applies to your situation. Hims uses compounding pharmacies to prepare its prescriptions. While the use of individual ingredients like finasteride and minoxidil have FDA approval, the compounded versions are not. Since these compounded products haven’t been evaluated by the FDA for safety, they are not covered by insurance.

Achieve Hair Regrowth in Just 3-6 Months with Hims

Visit Site

Side Effects of Hims

Minoxidil and finasteride are FDA-approved to treat male hair loss when used individually, but not when prescribed through a compounding pharmacy. Like all medications, these treatments can cause side effects. Typically, the risk of side effects is higher when the medications are taken orally rather than applied topically. For the topical forms, side effects usually affect the scalp and can include itchiness, redness, and flaking of the skin.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil was initially developed to treat severe hypertension (high blood pressure) due to its ability to relax and open blood vessels, improving blood flow. For hair loss, low doses of minoxidil, whether topical or oral, have been shown to stimulate hair growth. However, rare side effects may include lowered blood pressure, chest pain, and in some cases, breast enlargement.

Finasteride

Oral finasteride is FDA-approved for treating male hair loss as an antiandrogen, which means it helps block the male hormones (androgens) responsible for the balding process. There is a small risk that finasteride may impact sexual function in men, potentially causing issues like reduced libido or problems with ejaculation. It is not recommended to take oral finasteride alongside topical finasteride.

Achieve Hair Regrowth in Just 3-6 Months with Hims

Visit Site

Hair Growth Products

Hims provides a range of hair loss products, including both over-the-counter options and prescription-only treatments that can be prescribed by a doctor and delivered directly to your door. Some products, such as vitamins, are available with a subscription for automatic monthly deliveries. However, testers noted that the auto-delivery option sometimes resulted in more product than needed. Fortunately, it’s simple to pause or cancel deliveries through the app or online portal.

The best-selling finasteride and minoxidil spray was the most effective and user-friendly hair loss treatment. The spray is applied directly to the scalp once daily. Finasteride helps block DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss, while minoxidil helps keep hair follicles open, promoting hair regrowth. In addition to the Minoxidil Spray &Topical Finasteride, here are some other products available through Hims:

Hair Hybrids Chewables

Hims Hair Hybrid Chewables are taken orally, typically once a day, to aid in hair regrowth and support overall hair health. These chewables combine finasteride, minoxidil, and vitamins, and are available only through a consultation with a Hims healthcare provider who will prescribe them for you.

• Finasteride & Minoxidil + Supplement Blend: This chewable combines 1.2 milligrams (mg) of finasteride and 3 mg of oral minoxidil with biotin and vitamins C, B5, and B6, all of which contribute to supporting healthy hair. Due to the inclusion of minoxidil and finasteride, it is only available through a consultation with a Hims healthcare provider, who will provide a prescription.
• Minoxidil + Supplement Chew: Similar to the Finasteride & Minoxidil + Supplement Blend but does not contain finasteride. If you choose to take this chewable once a day, Hims advises that you discontinue the use of any topical minoxidil solution on your scalp, as the chewable provides a sufficient amount of minoxidil.

Hair Hybrids Topicals

Topical treatments are applied directly to the scalp and contain prescription medications designed to promote hair growth. To obtain these topicals, a Hims healthcare provider must prescribe them, and they are used as an alternative to oral products. While most of Hims’ topical treatments are prescribed as sprays, you can also apply them using a serum dropper, as some users have done.

Achieve Hair Regrowth in Just 3-6 Months with Hims

Visit Site

Rx Hair Loss Spray + Ketoconazole + Biotin: This hair loss spray contains the same ingredients as the topical finasteride and minoxidil spray, but with a higher concentration of 7% minoxidil, compared to the usual 6%. It also includes ketoconazole, an antifungal known to offer hair growth benefits, as well as biotin.

The Verdict

Hims is a user-friendly and convenient platform for accessing prescription-strength hair loss treatments. Users reported positive hair growth results when using the products consistently. They appreciated the convenience of the telehealth platform, which allowed them to easily communicate with their prescribing healthcare provider via online chats or messages for any questions. Overall, the Hims Topical Finasteride & Minoxidil Spray was found to be effective, easy to order, and simple to use.
alternatives.