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Rogaine and Roman both use the same FDA-approved active ingredient, minoxidil (5%), in their topical hair loss treatments. That said, Rogaine and Ro have different approaches when it comes to treating male pattern hair loss, including what form their treatments are in, as well as how easy it is to access their products.
In this article, we’ll discuss the main differences between Roman’s minoxidil and Rogaine, including their effectiveness, my experience using both, how to purchase each product, and more. We also spoke with Dr. Jonathan Rick, a board-certified dermatologist, about his take on minoxidil as a hair loss treatment.
What's the Differences Between Ro Minoxidil and Rogaine?
Ro Minoxidil and Rogaine offer topical hair loss treatments with the same active ingredients in the same concentrations. That means that both come with the same potential for side effects, as well. These are mild, however; the most common being a minor skin irritation on your scalp. Basically, it can make your head itchy. (I’ve had this sometimes in the winter when the air is very dry, so I switch to an anti-dandruff shampoo like Head & Shoulders).
A big difference between Rogaine and Roman is that Rogaine comes in both a foam and liquid formula. You apply the foam by putting it in your hand and rubbing it in, as you might rub in a hair mousse. Their minoxidil liquid comes with a dropper. Roman only offers the dropper formula, so if you really prefer the foam Rogaine (or Keeps) may be a better solution.
My Experience Using Rogaine and Ro for Hair Loss
I’ve tried both the foam and the liquid version of Rogaine, and prefer the liquid. For whatever reason, I didn’t love how the foam got all over my fingers; I felt that applying the liquid directly to my scalp let me get more of the medicine onto my head. To be 100% clear, that’s just my personal opinion.
I’ve also tried Ro’s minoxidil. Like the liquid version of Rogaine, I found this treatment easy to apply. Plus, I really like that Ro offers additional hair loss treatments that further support hair growth, like their shampoo, conditioner, and hair support supplement.
One thing to keep in mind is that Rogaine may be easier to purchase in person, offering incredible convenience. Ro’s minoxidil must be purchased directly from their site and is not available in stores.
Best Liquid (Solution) Minoxidil Brands
When to apply
- Twice a day, usually in the morning and evening
How to use
- Make sure your hair is not wet
- Expose the scalp where the hair loss is happening
- The bottle comes with a dropper, use it to measure 1 milliliter
- Drop the liquid onto your head, carefully using the dropper to squirt out a bit in each area you want to treat
- Rub in the medicine (I recommend closing the cap first; Not fun to accidentally knock over the bottle.)
- Let it dry and then style your hair as usual
Average Time to Results
- 3 – 6 months
Best Foam Minoxidil Brands
When to apply
- Twice a day, usually in the morning and evening
How to use
- Make sure your hair is not wet
- Expose the skin on your scalp where you want to apply the treatment, so part your hair near your balding area
- Spray a cap-sized amount of foam into your hand (this is the part I didn’t like so much)
- Apply to your scalp in the balding area that you exposed, gently rubbing it in
- Last, comb or style your hair as usual
Average Time to Results
- 3 – 6 months
Where to Buy Minoxidil
Rogaine vs Roman: Minoxidil Provider Price Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Solution | 5% Minoxidil Drops | 5% Minoxidil Drops |
| Price of a subscription | $42.74 for 3 months | $32 for 3 months |
| Monthly subscription price | $14.25 / mo | $10.67 / mo |
| Price of a single order | $15 / mo | $15 / mo |
| Shipping | Free with Prime | Free |
| Website |
1. Greatest Convenience
I was once buying Rogaine in the store, and of course it was behind those anti-shoplifting glass sliding doors. So I had to hit the button, and the person who came by had to get on the loudspeaker and say “I need the keys to the hair loss cabinet.” That wasn’t embarrassing at all… the balding guy in his twenties needs help getting his medication, great. Online you don’t have to deal with that at all.
Ok, maybe that was in the embarrassing category.
2. Most Cost-Effective
I recently saw Rogaine at my local CVS for about $53 for a 3 month supply, so $17.66 a month. This price is pretty similar all over the country and in most major pharmacies. You might see it a bit cheaper, or a bit more, but you aren’t going to get to the price you see online. All the online options, Amazon, Hims, Keeps, or my preferred brand, Roman, are cheaper. Let’s break down the cost of getting Minoxidil online.
Why I Buy Minoxidil Online
But the best reason to pick a provider like Roman (or Hims or Keeps) over Rogaine is because these online providers offer a licensed physician “virtual” doctor visit. That means you can add Finasteride to your treatment regimen (assuming you’re a fit) – without having to deal with your insurance, or even leave your couch.
As a reminder, combining Finasteride with Minoxidil is currently the best way known to medicine to prevent hair loss and regrow what you’ve lost. Note that these medicines are intended for use by men, not women, due to side effects that are not good for women who may be pregnant.
Having tested the online visits with several of these online providers, I can attest to how easy it is for an otherwise healthy person to get a prescription. Thus, the real reason to use an online provider like Roman is convenience and access to both drugs designed to fight your receding hairline: minoxidil and finasteride.
Rogaine Alternatives
Ok, we’ve already listed what we consider one of the leading alternatives to Rogaine branded Minoxidil – Roman. But there are other options if you are looking for topical hair loss drugs. Here they are:
- Keeps – another great online option, Keeps offers Minoxidil and Finasteride.
- Kirkland brand Minoxidil – the famous Costco brand is of course available at Costco, but you can also find people selling it on Amazon.
- Hims – this popular online telemedicine brand not only has the Fin + Minoxidil bundle, but also now has a topical Finasteride Minoxidil spray – so you don’t to take any pills.
A Word From Our Expert
— Dr. Jonathan Rick
Topical minoxidil is a cost-effective treatment for several types of hair loss. This was initially sold as Rogaine, but there are several generic alternatives on the market now. There is a wealth of data and experience showing that this is an effective product, especially for androgenic alopecia, or pattern hair loss.”
The Verdict: Which Is Better, Rogaine or Roman?
We recommend if you’re a healthy male to check Roman, that will get you both the active ingredient in Rogaine (Minoxidil) as well as Finasteride. The combination of these two treatments seems to yield the best results for most men. Plus you can get your first month of treatment for FREE. Just click below to get started:
Speaking of discounts, we have a newsletter that covers all the latest offerings. Subscribe below to stay in the loop:
The other players in the space are Keeps and Hims. Learn how Roman compares to both in our deep dive on all three — roman vs hims vs keeps — or click below to enjoy another free month of treatment, this time from Keeps.
Methodology
We conduct extensive research to evaluate the pricing, effectiveness, accessibility, overall quality, and user experience of every telehealth service we review. This also includes examining and comparing each provider to comparable telemedicine alternatives. We also evaluate usability, treatments, prescription delivery time, and more to determine the best value for those seeking fast and reliable telehealth services.
| 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 privacy | 0.5 |
| Test + journal for 1-3 months | - ease of application - transition into habitual use - taste / smell / feel / pain | 1.5 |
| 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 friend | 1.5 |
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