Medically reviewed by: 
Losing your hair feels like getting sucker-punched by time. One minute you’re styling it like some shampoo commercial guy, and the next, you’re noticing a weird little patch staring back at you in the mirror. Been there, freaked out about it, Googled everything under the sun.
Two names kept popping up: Hims and Nutrafol. Both claim to be the answer to thinning hair, but honestly, figuring out which one actually works feels like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. I decided to test them out myself — because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that hair loss products are definitely not one-size-fits-all.
In this post, I’m gonna break down my real experiences with both Hims and Nutrafol — the good, the bad, and the “oh wow, that actually worked” moments — so you don’t have to waste time (or cash) like I did.
Our Top Picks for Tackling Male Hair Loss
- Best for Receding Hairlines and Genetics: Hims
If your dad, uncle, and grandpa all rocked the shiny dome look, chances are you’re fighting genetics. Hims hits hard with FDA-approved finasteride and minoxidil — basically the go-to duo for slowing down hereditary hair loss. - Best for Hair Thinning From the Inside Out: Nutrafol
If your hair’s bailing on you because your body’s low on key nutrients (hello, stress and bad eating habits), Nutrafol’s blend of vitamins, adaptogens, and natural ingredients works to fix the root causes instead of just patching the problem.
Compare the Best Male Hair Loss Treatments
Hims Hair Loss Treatments
Before we dive into the actual treatments, let’s talk about the main villain here: androgenetic alopecia, aka male pattern baldness. If you’re noticing your hairline creeping back like it’s scared of your forehead, that’s probably what’s happening. It’s super common — like, 50% of guys by age 50 kind of common — and it’s mostly driven by genetics and a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Long story short: DHT shrinks your hair follicles until they’re basically useless.
Here’s what I tried from Hims and what I learned:
Finasteride and Minoxidil Spray/Serum
This combo is like the dynamic duo for hair regrowth. Finasteride blocks DHT — basically stopping the hormone from strangling your poor hair follicles — while minoxidil boosts blood flow to the scalp, helping the hair you do have stay alive and maybe even come back thicker. The spray format honestly made it super easy to work into my routine. I just hit the thinning spots after my shower, and it dried pretty quick, no greasy feeling.
Minoxidil Foam and Solution
If you’re just looking for minoxidil by itself, the foam and solution are the classic go-tos. I started with the foam because I heard it was less messy (true), but the solution is a little stronger because it sticks to the scalp longer. Minoxidil alone doesn’t block DHT, though — it just helps wake up lazy hair follicles. So it’s awesome for early stages of hair thinning, but you gotta be patient. It took me around 3-4 months before I noticed baby hairs popping up.
Related reading: Hims vs. Rogaine: What’s the Best Topical Treatment for Hair Loss?
A Word From Our Expert
— Dr. Jonathan Rick
Topical minoxidil is a cost-effective treatment for several types of hair loss. There is a wealth of data and experience showing that this is an effective product, especially for androgenic alopecia, sometimes known as male or female pattern hair loss. Services such as Hims offer minoxidil, but can also prescribe other products aimed to slow hair loss, namely topical or oral finasteride. For individuals wanting to approach hair loss from several directions, Hims allows quick access to prescription medication and full treatment plans.”
Rx Hair Loss Spray with Finasteride, Minoxidil, Ketoconazole + Biotin
This one’s kinda the all-in-one beast. Besides finasteride and minoxidil, it throws in ketoconazole, which is usually found in anti-dandruff shampoos but actually helps fight scalp inflammation and might lower DHT levels on your scalp too. And biotin is tossed in for hair strength. I switched to this spray after a few months ’cause I figured why not attack from every angle? Honestly, it helped my scalp feel healthier, less itchy too, which was a nice bonus I didn’t even expect.
Finasteride + Minoxidil Supplement Blend Chew
Okay, this one is wild — it’s a chewable supplement with all the usual finasteride + minoxidil action, plus biotin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. I liked the idea of a chew because sometimes I’m bad about sticking to pill routines. Biotin and B vitamins basically help strengthen your hair from the inside out, while vitamin C boosts collagen production, which is crucial for strong hair shafts. (Plus, it tasted way better than I thought. Like those fruity Flintstones vitamins from back in the day, lol.)
Minoxidil + Supplement Blend Chew (without Finasteride)
If you don’t wanna mess with prescription stuff like finasteride (some guys get freaked out by the possible side effects), this chew gives you minoxidil’s benefits paired with the same vitamins for hair support. I tried it for a month when I was giving finasteride a break, and while it wasn’t as powerful, it still felt like I was doing something good for my hair health without stressing about it.
Oral Finasteride
The OG. The classic. The one dermatologists have been recommending forever. Oral finasteride is super effective at blocking DHT at the source — like from inside your system — so it treats the root of male pattern baldness. I’ll be real: I was nervous because you hear horror stories about side effects. Personally? I just made sure to stay in touch with my doctor, kept an eye on things, and honestly didn’t have any major issues. Results-wise, oral finasteride slowed my shedding way down after about 3 months, which gave me the breathing room I needed to work on regrowth with minoxidil.
Nutrafol for Men’s Hair Loss
Nutrafol kinda flipped the script for me. Instead of just masking the problem, they aim to fix it from the inside out, focusing on what your hair actually needs to grow. And lemme tell ya, it’s not just biotin (even though Nutrafol’s packed with it, too).
The real MVP here is their Synergen Complex®—a powerhouse blend of natural ingredients designed to tackle stress, hormonal imbalances (like excess DHT), oxidative damage, and nutrient shortages.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the heavy hitters:
- Saw Palmetto Extract: Probably my favorite ingredient. It acts as a natural DHT blocker, which is clutch because DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is that nasty hormone responsible for miniaturizing hair follicles. Saw palmetto can help slow that down without needing a prescription.
- Ashwagandha (Sensoril®): This one’s a total game-changer for stress. High cortisol levels (your stress hormone) can literally put hair follicles to sleep. Ashwagandha helps regulate cortisol so your hair stays growing instead of snoozing.
- Bio-Curcumin (BCM-95® Turmeric): Turmeric isn’t just for lattes. It fights inflammation, and chronic inflammation can wreck your scalp’s environment. Less inflammation = happier hair roots.
- Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen: Honestly, I thought collagen was just for skin. Nope. It strengthens your hair shaft and improves hair thickness, which I desperately needed after noticing my hair looking thinner than a cheap broom.
- Palm Extract (Tocotrienols): These babies are a form of vitamin E with crazy antioxidant power. They protect your hair cells from oxidative stress, which can literally age your hair faster than it should.
Related reading: Happy Head Hair Supplement Review – Do They Actually Work?
Now, Nutrafol didn’t stop there. They’ve also got a DHT Inhibitor supplement (second image you shared). It’s a separate formula that focuses even more on naturally lowering DHT levels without harsh side effects. This blend includes:
- Nettle Root Extract: Naturally blocks DHT and boosts circulation to the scalp.
- African Cherry Tree Bark Extract: Helps fight inflammation.
- Reishi Mushroom: One of the best adaptogens for immune health and stress management.
If you’re struggling mainly because of nutritional gaps, chronic stress, or hormonal imbalances—not just straight-up genetics—Nutrafol’s approach makes a lotta sense. It’s not an overnight miracle (I started seeing changes after about three months), but it’s like building a stronger foundation for your hair rather than slapping on a quick fix.
Hims vs Nutrafol: How to Use Them
Hims offers a lot of flexibility:
- Sprays and serums: Apply once a day directly to your scalp. Easy if you like a hands-on routine.
- Chewable supplements: Lemon-flavored chews that combine hair-supporting ingredients like biotin and minoxidil (and optionally finasteride), great if you’re not into swallowing pills.
Basically, you can mix and match based on what you’re comfortable with—topical, oral, or both.
Nutrafol, on the other hand, keeps it super simple:
- You just take four capsules a day—that’s it. No sprays, no foams, no mess.
- They do offer an optional topical serum, but most people just stick with the daily supplements.
- Take ’em with food, and you’re good to go.
So, if you want a set-it-and-forget-it routine, Nutrafol’s straightforward. But if you like having multiple options (especially if you’re into combining internal and external treatments), Hims might be a better fit.
Cost Comparison: Hims vs Nutrafol
When it comes to cost, Hims definitely offers more flexibility. Prices start as low as $15/month for their basic minoxidil solution—perfect if you’re just starting out and want an FDA-approved option without spending much. Their more personalized treatments start around $35/month, and if you commit to multi-month plans (which makes sense, since results take time), you can often save a bit more.
If you prefer oral medication, Hims’ oral minoxidil is about $22/month, which is still very budget-friendly for a prescription product.
Nutrafol, on the other hand, keeps things simple but expensive. A one-month supply of their main supplement costs $88—whether it’s the original, Balance, or Postpartum formula. There’s no cheaper starter option, so if you’re sticking with it long-term, you’re looking at close to $1,000 a year.
Quick takeaway:
- Hims = affordable, flexible options starting under $15/month.
- Nutrafol = consistent but premium pricing at $88/month.
If budget is a concern, Hims gives you way more wiggle room. Nutrafol is better if you’re ready to fully invest in a supplement-only approach.
Hims and Nutrafol Hair Loss Treatment Side Effects
Hims Hair Loss Treatments Side Effects
While Hims uses clinically proven ingredients to create its hair loss treatments, some individuals may experience side effects, particularly from prescription-strength minoxidil and finasteride.
Minoxidil may trigger side effects including:
- Changes in hair color or texture
- Scalp irritation
- Burning scalp
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
Side effects of topical finasteride generally only affect the scalp and may include:
- Scalp itchiness
- Burning sensation of the scalp
- Scalp irritation
- Contact dermatitis
- Redness
Nutrafol Hair Loss Treatments Side Effects
Some of the ingredients in Nutrafol may cause side effects.
- Saw palmetto may trigger headaches or digestive symptoms.
- Ashwagandha (in high doses) may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
- Collagen can cause side effects including headache, diarrhea, a bad taste in the mouth, and indigestion.
Verdict: Which Brand is Best for Male Hair Loss?
Hims stands out for offering a wide range of solutions—from sprays and serums to oral medications and chewables—allowing users to pick what fits best into their lifestyle. Their treatments are affordable, customizable, and include both prescription and over-the-counter choices, making it easier for people to start and stay consistent with hair regrowth plans.
Nutrafol takes a more straightforward, all-in-one approach, focusing on internal health to promote hair growth. Although it’s pricier, it offers a clean, science-backed formula packed with ingredients targeting multiple causes of hair loss, including stress, DHT, and nutritional deficiencies—perfect for those willing to commit to a long-term, supplement-focused plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to see results from Hims or Nutrafol?
Most people start noticing visible hair growth after 3 to 6 months of consistent use.
Are there any side effects with Hims treatments?
Hims treatments like finasteride and minoxidil can cause mild side effects like scalp irritation or decreased libido in rare cases.
Can I use Hims and Nutrafol together?
Yes, some people combine topical treatments like minoxidil with supplements like Nutrafol for a multi-angle approach, but it’s best to consult a doctor first.
Is Nutrafol safe for long-term use?
Nutrafol’s ingredients are generally considered safe for long-term use, as they focus on natural extracts and essential vitamins.
Do I need a prescription for Hims products?
Some Hims products, like oral finasteride and prescription sprays, require an online consultation and prescription, but others like minoxidil are available over the counter.
Methodology
To compare Hims and Nutrafol for male hair loss, we conducted a thorough review focused on ingredient strength, clinical research, cost, ease of use, and real customer feedback. We evaluated Hims based on its flexible options, including FDA-approved treatments like minoxidil and finasteride, available in sprays, serums, chewables, and pills. For Nutrafol, we prioritized their drug-free approach, emphasizing their Synergen Complex, DHT-blocking botanicals, and emphasis on overall wellness. We also considered factors like subscription flexibility, timelines for results, and accessibility through online consultations. Our goal was to help readers find the best fit based on treatment style, budget, and long-term hair health goals.
Review Process Key Metrics Weighting Sign up online - ease to complete intake form
- affordability
- upfront commitment or subscription required?
- money back guarantee or refund policy?0.5 Vitual consult with provider / determine eligibility - ease to get appointment to determine eligibility
- need to leave house for labs or other in-person care?1 Shipping + unboxing - shipping cost
- time from order to treatment delivery
- discreet packaging to maintain privacy0.5 Test + journal for 1-3 months - ease of application
- transition into habitual use
- taste / smell / feel / pain1.5 Results after 3 months of use - efficacy / results
- lack of side effects
- ease of refill / reordering
- quality of ongoing clinical support
- responsive customer support
- willingness to recommend to a friend1.5
Related Reading
Hims vs. Ro: Which Topical Hair Plan Works Best?
Hair loss can be frustrating, but finding the right treatment doesn’t have to be. Brands like Hims and Ro are making it easier than ever to tackle thinning hair from home—no pharmacy lines or doctor’s office required. Both companies offer science-backed topical treatments delivered through
Hims vs Happy Head: What Actually Works?
Hair loss wasn’t something I expected to deal with so soon. It started subtle—thinner at the temples, a little more forehead showing each year. Nothing drastic, but enough to mess with my confidence. I tried ignoring it, hoping it would just… stop. Spoiler: it didn’t.
Keeps Review – Is It a Legit Hair Loss Subscription for Men?
Keeps is a telemedicine platform in the United States that provides prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) hair loss treatments. In addition, they also offer minimally invasive follicular unit extraction (FUE) hair transplant surgery. Keeps offers a free online consultation for individuals who are interested in
HairClub vs Bosley: What’s The Best Hair Loss Clinic?
Millions suffer from hair loss every year. For many, it can undermine confidence and cause extreme anxiety. Thus while going to a hair loss clinic may seem vain, they actually fill a vital need that’s impossible to understand until you experience hair recession yourself. Such
Strut Hair Loss Review – Is it Legit for Topical Fin & Dutasteride Online?
The American Hair Loss Association reports that 25% of men with hereditary male pattern baldness begin to lose their hair before turning 21, and by 35, 66% of men notice some level of hair loss. While the majority of hair loss cases are due to genetics, you can still
Top 5 Laser Caps in 2026: iRestore vs Hairmax vs Kiierr vs Theradome vs Capillus
Imagine noticing your once-thick hair starting to thin, shed, and slowly disappear over time. For many people, hair loss can be frustrating, emotional, and difficult to ignore. In 2026, however, hair thinning and pattern baldness remain incredibly common conditions—and fortunately, there are now more proven
