Hims Hair (Finasteride + Minoxidil) review: is it worth it?
Hims prescribes oral finasteride and topical minoxidil — the two FDA-cleared treatments with the strongest evidence for male pattern hair loss.
Editor's Choice
A convenient, evidence-backed combo with real caveats
Hims Hair bundles the two best-studied male-pattern-baldness ingredients into one prescription spray, delivered through a telehealth visit for around $35/month. The individual drugs work, and combining a DHT-blocker with a follicle-stimulator is a sound, well-supported strategy. The honest catch: this specific topical, compounded formulation is not FDA-approved as a finished product, and in April 2025 the FDA issued a safety alert about sexual and neuropsychiatric side effects reported with compounded topical finasteride, some of which persisted after stopping.
Check PriceFrom $37/mo
Pros
- ✓Combines the two most evidence-backed male-pattern-baldness ingredients (finasteride + minoxidil) in a single daily step
- ✓Convenient, fully online telehealth process with evaluation, prescription, and home delivery
- ✓Affordable relative to many clinic treatments, starting around $35/month with no in-person visit
- ✓Topical delivery may reduce systemic exposure versus oral finasteride for men wary of a daily pill
- ✓One spray simplifies adherence compared with juggling a pill plus separate twice-daily minoxidil
Cons
- ✕The compounded topical finasteride/minoxidil combination is not FDA-approved as a finished product, and this exact formula lacks large dedicated clinical trials
- ✕In April 2025 the FDA warned about sexual and neuropsychiatric side effects (erectile dysfunction, low libido, depression, anxiety, brain fog, insomnia) reported with compounded topical finasteride, some persisting after stopping
- ✕It is an ongoing commitment: hair gained is typically lost within months of stopping
- ✕Not for women, and dangerous to handle during pregnancy due to male-fetus birth-defect risk
- ✕Cash-pay and generally not covered by insurance; generic oral finasteride can be cheaper for those who do not need the topical
How it works
Hims Hair targets male-pattern baldness two ways at once. Finasteride blocks the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into DHT, the hormone that shrinks genetically susceptible scalp follicles; lowering scalp DHT slows that miniaturization. Minoxidil works on a different pathway, widening blood vessels and prolonging the follicle's active growth (anagen) phase to reactivate dormant follicles and thicken existing hairs. Used together as a daily scalp spray, they aim to slow loss (finasteride) while stimulating regrowth (minoxidil).
Active ingredient: Finasteride 1mg + Minoxidil 5%
Effectiveness
The active ingredients are individually well-validated. In the pivotal oral finasteride 1mg trials cited on the Propecia FDA label, 48% of men had increased hair count at 12 months versus 7% on placebo; in 5-year data, 48% showed increased growth, 42% had no further loss, and about 10% continued losing. For topical minoxidil, a 393-man, 48-week randomized trial found 5% minoxidil produced roughly 45% more regrowth than 2% minoxidil by target-area hair counts. Combining a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor with minoxidil generally outperforms either alone. Important caveat: Hims' specific compounded 0.3% topical finasteride / 6% minoxidil spray has not been studied in large dedicated FDA trials, so its exact regrowth numbers are inferred from the individual drugs, not proven for this product.
Side effects
Local effects are most common: scalp itching, dryness, flaking, redness, or irritation from the alcohol/minoxidil base, plus possible unwanted facial hair if the product migrates. Minoxidil can cause a temporary early shed in the first weeks. Finasteride's known risks include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation disorders (roughly 1-2% in oral trials, modestly above placebo). Serious or rarer concerns on the FDA finasteride label include depression, suicidal ideation, gynecomastia, and sexual side effects that can persist after stopping (sometimes called post-finasteride syndrome). Critically, in April 2025 the FDA alerted clinicians and consumers about compounded topical finasteride after reports of erectile dysfunction, anxiety, suicidal ideation, brain fog, depression, fatigue, insomnia, decreased libido, and testicular pain, many of which continued after discontinuation; topical use lowers but does not eliminate systemic absorption. Minoxidil can rarely cause dizziness or rapid heartbeat. Stop and seek care for chest pain, swelling, fainting, or mood changes.
Cost
Starts at $37/mo from Hims.
As of 2026, the Hims topical finasteride + minoxidil spray starts around $35/month, with the lowest per-month price when billed and shipped on a longer (for example, multi-month) cycle. For comparison, Hims oral finasteride runs about $22/month and standalone minoxidil about $15/month. There may also be a low-cost or one-time medical consultation fee. These are cash-pay telehealth/compounded products, so insurance typically does not cover them; generic oral finasteride filled at a pharmacy with a prescription can sometimes be cheaper (often around $10-25/month with discount cards) for those who do not need the topical convenience.
Is it worth it?
If you want a low-effort, single-step routine and you understand that the spray is a compounded (not FDA-approved) product, Hims Hair is a reasonable, affordable option built on two proven actives. Discuss the 2025 FDA topical-finasteride safety alert with the prescribing clinician before starting, and know that finasteride is for men only and must never be handled by anyone who is or may become pregnant. Results typically take 3-6 months and reverse if you stop. This is general information, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hims Hair (finasteride and minoxidil) actually work?
For most men, yes, based on the individual ingredients. Oral finasteride increased hair count in about 48% of men at one year versus 7% on placebo, and 5% topical minoxidil meaningfully boosts regrowth; combining the two generally outperforms either alone. That said, Hims' specific compounded spray has not been tested in large dedicated trials, so its exact results are inferred. Visible changes typically take 3-6 months and require continued use.
Is the Hims topical finasteride and minoxidil spray FDA-approved?
No. The individual drugs are FDA-approved in other forms, but Hims' compounded topical finasteride/minoxidil spray is not approved as a finished product. There is currently no FDA-approved topical finasteride, and in April 2025 the FDA issued a safety alert about compounded topical finasteride products.
How much does Hims Hair cost in 2026?
The topical finasteride + minoxidil spray starts around $35/month as of 2026, and is usually cheapest on longer billing cycles. For comparison, Hims oral finasteride is about $22/month and minoxidil about $15/month. It is cash-pay and generally not covered by insurance.
What are the side effects of Hims finasteride and minoxidil?
Common effects include scalp itching, dryness, flaking, and temporary early shedding. Finasteride can cause decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and rarely depression, mood changes, or sexual side effects that persist after stopping. In April 2025 the FDA warned that compounded topical finasteride has been linked to erectile dysfunction, anxiety, depression, brain fog, insomnia, and testicular pain, some lasting after discontinuation. Seek care for chest pain, swelling, fainting, or mood changes.
How long does Hims Hair take to show results?
Expect about 3-6 months of daily use before visible changes, with peak results around 12 months. Many men see a temporary shed in the first few weeks before regrowth, which is normal.
Do I need a prescription for Hims Hair?
Yes. Because it contains finasteride, you must complete a telehealth evaluation with a licensed clinician who reviews your history before it can be prescribed and shipped.
What happens if I stop using Hims Hair?
The benefits reverse. Within a few months of stopping, DHT suppression and follicle stimulation end, and you typically lose the regrowth and resume your genetic hair loss. It is an ongoing treatment, not a cure.
Can women use Hims Hair finasteride and minoxidil?
No. Finasteride is not approved for women and must never be handled by anyone who is or may become pregnant, because it can cause birth defects in a male fetus. Women with hair loss should ask a clinician about female-specific options such as topical minoxidil.
Is topical finasteride safer than oral finasteride?
It may lower systemic exposure, but it does not eliminate it. The FDA's April 2025 alert reported that compounded topical finasteride can still cause sexual, mood, and cognitive side effects, sometimes persisting after stopping, so discuss the risks with the prescribing clinician.
Sources
- PROPECIA (finasteride) Tablets, 1 mg - FDA Prescribing Information — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2012)
- FDA alerts health care providers, compounders and consumers of potential risks associated with compounded topical finasteride products — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2025)
- A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (PubMed) (2002)
- Long-term (5-year) multinational experience with finasteride 1 mg in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia — European Journal of Dermatology (PubMed) (2002)
- Finasteride - MotherToBaby Fact Sheets — NCBI Bookshelf / MotherToBaby (2024)
- FDA Warns Popular Hair-Loss Product Finasteride May Cause Side Effects — Healthline (2025)