Hims Hair Loss Review 2026: Does It Actually Work?
Honest Hims hair loss review covering treatments, pricing, ingredients, and how it compares to Keeps, Roman, and Happy Head.
Hims is one of the biggest names in men’s hair loss. You’ve probably seen the ads. But does it actually deliver results, or is it just polished marketing?
Here’s an honest breakdown — no fluff, no affiliate cheerleading.
What Hims Offers for Hair Loss
Hims started as a men’s wellness telehealth brand and expanded into hair loss around 2018. Their hair loss line is built on the two clinically proven treatments: finasteride and minoxidil.
Their Core Products
Finasteride (oral)
- 1mg/day prescription tablet
- Requires a quick online consultation before they’ll prescribe it
- ~$30/month
Minoxidil (topical)
- 2% or 5% solution or foam
- Available without a prescription
- ~$20–$25/month
Topical Finasteride + Minoxidil Combo
- Their flagship product — a combined 0.3% finasteride + 5% minoxidil topical spray
- Pitched as lower systemic absorption (fewer side effects) than oral finasteride
- ~$55–$65/month
Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner
- Contains biotin, saw palmetto
- Not clinically proven to regrow hair but can support scalp health
- ~$18–$22/month
Hard Launch Kit
- Bundles oral finasteride + minoxidil + shampoo
- ~$55/month bundled vs. buying separately
How the Process Works
You go to their website, fill out a short questionnaire about your hair loss, health history, and medications. A licensed clinician reviews it (asynchronously — no video call required) and approves or declines your prescription.
Turnaround is usually 24–48 hours. Medication ships directly to your door monthly. Refills are automatic unless you cancel.
It’s genuinely convenient. No awkward GP appointments, no pharmacy queues.
The Ingredients: What’s Actually in Their Products?
Finasteride
A 5-alpha reductase inhibitor — it blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the hormone that shrinks hair follicles in men with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness).
Clinically, finasteride stops hair loss in ~85% of men and regrows hair in ~65% of men over 2 years. These numbers are well-established in peer-reviewed literature.
Hims sources generic finasteride — same molecule, same dose as Propecia. The brand name costs 10x more for no reason.
Minoxidil
A vasodilator that increases blood flow to follicles and extends the growth phase of the hair cycle. Works best on vertex (top/crown) thinning. Less effective on receding hairline.
Topical Finasteride Combo
The theory: applying finasteride topically reduces how much gets absorbed systemically, potentially reducing side effect risk. Some small studies support this. It’s not as well-studied as oral finasteride, but the rationale is solid.
Pricing Breakdown
| Product | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Oral Finasteride | ~$30 |
| Minoxidil (topical) | ~$20–25 |
| Topical Fin + Min Combo | ~$55–65 |
| Shampoo/Conditioner | ~$18–22 |
| Hard Launch Kit | ~$55 (bundled) |
Prices fluctuate with promotions. First-month discounts are common — often 50% off. Factor in the ongoing cost, not the intro rate.
Real Expectations: What Results Look Like
Hair loss treatments aren’t magic. Here’s what you’re actually signing up for:
Months 1–3: Possible shedding increase (this is normal — it’s called telogen effluvium and means the medication is working). You may feel like it’s getting worse. It isn’t.
Months 3–6: Shedding stabilises. Existing hair may look slightly thicker.
Months 6–12: New growth becomes visible for men who respond well. Crown improvements are most common.
12+ months: Full results. Most men see maximum benefit by 12–18 months.
If you don’t see results after 12 months, the treatment probably isn’t working for you.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Clinically proven treatments — finasteride and minoxidil have decades of evidence behind them
- Genuinely convenient — no GP, no pharmacy, ships to your door
- Affordable — competitive pricing, especially for generics
- Topical combo is interesting — real innovation for men worried about oral finasteride side effects
- Legitimate telehealth process — actual licensed clinicians review prescriptions
Cons
- Consultation is superficial — it’s a questionnaire, not a full medical assessment
- No dermatologist review of photos — you describe your hair loss, they don’t actually see it
- Subscription friction — cancelling can be annoying, auto-renewal is aggressive
- Shampoos are largely marketing — biotin in shampoo doesn’t meaningfully regrow hair
- Side effects exist — finasteride affects ~2–3% of men with sexual side effects; they don’t lead with this
How Hims Compares to Alternatives
Hims vs. Keeps
Keeps is probably the most direct competitor. Both offer finasteride and minoxidil at similar price points (~$25–35/month for finasteride). Keeps’ onboarding involves more hair-specific assessment. Hims has a broader product range and more brand recognition. Pricing is nearly identical; it often comes down to UX preference.
Hims vs. Roman
Roman (Ro) covers more health categories. Their hair loss offering is similar — finasteride and minoxidil via telehealth. No clear winner here; Roman’s UI is cleaner, Hims has more hair-specific products.
Hims vs. Happy Head
Happy Head is more specialised. They offer prescription-strength topical formulas including finasteride + minoxidil combinations, and their clinicians are dermatology-focused. More expensive (~$79+/month) but more medically rigorous. If you’re a more serious case, Happy Head edges out Hims.
See also: Keeps vs Hims vs Roman: Which Hair Loss Brand Is Worth It?
Who Should Use Hims?
Hims is a good fit if:
- You’re in early-to-mid stage hair loss (Norwood 2–4)
- You want a convenient, low-friction way to get finasteride
- You’re cost-conscious and want generics
- You’re open to trying the topical combo to reduce oral finasteride side effects
Hims is probably not the right fit if:
- You want a thorough dermatology consultation
- You’re Norwood 5+ and hoping for dramatic regrowth (expectations matter)
- You need bespoke treatment beyond fin + min
- You want a brand with zero marketing pressure
Bottom Line
Hims works — because finasteride and minoxidil work. The brand is delivering proven treatments in a convenient wrapper at a fair price. If you start early and stick with it for 12+ months, most men see meaningful results.
The downsides are mostly about the experience: superficial consultations, aggressive upselling, and shampoos padded into bundles. Stick to the core treatments (finasteride and/or minoxidil) and you’re getting solid value.
If you want the most convenient, reasonably priced entry into evidence-based hair loss treatment, Hims is a legitimate choice. Just don’t expect miracles — and don’t quit before month 6.
