You might have noticed companies like Hims, Keeps, and Roman selling hair loss products. What’s this new trend all about? They’re direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands that seek to disrupt and dominate a specific segment of the market, and often make use of innovative advertising techniques to accomplish their goals. You’ve probably seen their witty ads in subway stations or busy street billboards.

How Does it Work?

You would first subscribe to receive a monthly refill on the product of your choosing. Oftentimes, the first month comes at a significantly reduced cost. If the product you’re ordering requires a prescription, you answer some questions and interact with a doctor using a telemedicine messaging system. Unless you indicate otherwise, you’ll be getting a refill on a monthly basis.

This business model is not uncommon, so it makes sense that your follow up questions would be about the hair loss products themselves. The two major products they provide are FDA approved hair loss medications: finasteride (Propecia, Proscar, etc) and minoxidil (Rogaine). It’s important to note, these companies have not changed or improved these medications but rather repackaged them for branding purposes. Hims also offers DHT shampoo and Biotin gummy vitamins which are over the counter (OTC) products that have not been tested and proven to stop hair loss.

Everything You Need to Know About Rogaine & Propecia

For those not familiar with Propecia (Finasteride) it works by lowering the amount of DHT in your scalp. “What is DHT and how does it impact hair loss?” DHT is dihydrotestosterone, which is what you get when testosterone is exposed Type II 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme. When this reaction occurs in the scalp, people with a genetic predisposition toward pattern baldness begin to experience hair loss. Finasteride works by lowering the amount of DCT in your hair, which slows hair loss and for some even leads to hair growth resuming. Minoxidil, works using a mechanism that scientists don’t 100% understand. It was developed to treat high blood pressure and hair growth was discovered to be a side effect.

“What happens when you stop taking Propecia and Rogaine?” you may ask. They stop working! According to Keeps, after a week without finasteride your hair loss will return; and, as Rogaine explains in their FAQs, minoxidil it takes roughly 3 to 4 months for hair loss to resume. So, if you’re going to commit to these products, it’s a lifetime commitment. Companies like Hims, Keeps, and Roman have not created new, groundbreaking hair loss solutions, but simply made it easier for people to try finasteride and minoxidil. What can go wrong?

Side Effects & Efficacy of Rogaine & Propecia

Well, you could experience adverse side effects like erectile dysfunction, the products may not work (like if you’ve lost too much hair), you may not have the money to spend on products, you might not want to take medication, or you may want to take a different approach altogether. For all of these scenarios, Scalp Micropigmentation is a reasonable path to take.

“How does the scalp micropigmentation process work?” Scalp micro pigmentation or SMP is when you get a cosmetic tattoo that looks just like a fresh buzzcut. It only takes two to three sessions! See the best scalp micropigmentation results for yourself!