Hims sells real, FDA-approved hair loss medications that have decades of clinical evidence behind them. The core products, finasteride and minoxidil, are the same drugs dermatologists have been prescribing for male pattern baldness for years. What Hims adds is a telehealth platform and direct-to-door delivery, not a proprietary formula. So the short answer is yes, the medications are legit. But the details matter, especially around which Hims products are FDA-approved, which are not, and what kind of results you can realistically expect.
What Hims Actually Sells
Hims offers several hair loss products, and they fall into two distinct categories. The first includes standard FDA-approved medications: oral finasteride (a prescription pill) and topical minoxidil (an over-the-counter liquid or foam). These are the same generic drugs available at any pharmacy. Hims oral finasteride runs about $22 per month, and minoxidil starts around $15 to $30 per month depending on the format.
The second category is where things get murkier. Hims also sells what it calls “Hair Hybrids,” which are compounded formulations that combine ingredients like topical finasteride with minoxidil in a single product. These compounded medications are personalized and mixed by specialty pharmacies, but they have not been tested in clinical trials and are not FDA-approved. The FDA has never approved a topical formulation of finasteride. That doesn’t mean compounded products are dangerous, but it does mean they carry less regulatory oversight and less published evidence than the standard versions.
The Evidence Behind Finasteride
Finasteride is the more powerful of the two core treatments. It works by blocking an enzyme that converts testosterone into a hormone called DHT. DHT is the direct cause of male pattern baldness: it gradually shrinks hair follicles until they stop producing visible hair. By reducing DHT levels, finasteride slows that process and can partially reverse it.
The clinical track record is strong. In a 10-year Japanese study of 523 men, 91.5% showed measurable improvement, and 99.1% at minimum stopped getting worse. Those are unusually high numbers for any medication, though results vary by individual and tend to be best for men who start treatment early, before significant hair loss has occurred. You typically need to take finasteride for three to six months before seeing visible changes, and it only works as long as you keep taking it.
The Evidence Behind Minoxidil
Minoxidil takes a completely different approach. Instead of targeting hormones, it increases blood flow to hair follicles and extends the active growth phase of the hair cycle. More blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients reaching follicles that are struggling to produce hair.
The 5% concentration (what Hims sells) is clearly more effective than the older 2% version. In a 48-week clinical trial, the 5% formula produced 45% more hair regrowth than the 2% version. Users also saw results sooner. Minoxidil works best on the crown of the head and is less effective along the hairline, which is a limitation worth knowing before you set expectations.
Why Combining Both Works Better
Hims frequently bundles finasteride and minoxidil together, and there’s solid biological logic for this. Finasteride addresses the hormonal root cause by lowering DHT. Minoxidil provides the vascular support that helps weakened follicles actually grow thicker hair. These are two entirely separate mechanisms, so using both covers more ground than either one alone. Most dermatologists consider combination therapy the gold standard for treating male pattern baldness.
Side Effects to Know About
Minoxidil side effects are mostly local: scalp irritation, dryness, or flaking. Some men notice increased shedding in the first few weeks, which is temporary and actually signals that dormant follicles are cycling into active growth.
Finasteride is where the more notable risks come in. In Merck’s original clinical trials of nearly 1,900 men, 3.8% of finasteride users reported sexual side effects compared to 2.1% on placebo. That breaks down to about 1.8% experiencing decreased libido, 1.3% reporting erectile issues, and 1.2% noticing changes in ejaculation. So the real difference between finasteride and a sugar pill is roughly 1.5 to 2 percentage points. Most men tolerate it fine, but for the small percentage who don’t, these effects typically resolve after stopping the medication.
There has been ongoing debate about whether sexual side effects can persist after discontinuation in rare cases. Topical finasteride formulations, like those in some Hims compounded products, appear to generate fewer of these concerns because less of the drug enters the bloodstream. However, topical finasteride has less published clinical data overall.
How the Hims Consultation Works
Hims uses a telehealth model, but it’s not what most people picture when they think of a doctor’s visit. You fill out an online questionnaire covering your medical history, current medications, and the specifics of your hair loss. A licensed provider in your state then reviews your answers asynchronously, meaning there’s no video call or real-time conversation. The provider messages you through a secure portal, and if they determine you’re a good candidate, they authorize a prescription.
This process is convenient, but it’s less thorough than an in-person dermatology visit. A dermatologist can examine your scalp directly, rule out other causes of hair loss (thyroid issues, nutritional deficiencies, alopecia areata), and tailor treatment more precisely. If your hair loss pattern is unusual or rapid, an in-person evaluation is worth the extra step.
What Hims Supplements Won’t Do
Hims also sells biotin gummies and other supplements marketed alongside its hair loss treatments. The evidence here is essentially nonexistent for men who aren’t nutrient-deficient. A review published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found no studies demonstrating that biotin supplementation benefits hair growth in healthy individuals. The researchers concluded that the widespread marketing of biotin for hair loss is “unsubstantiated.” True biotin deficiency can cause hair thinning, but it’s rare in people eating a normal diet. If you’re spending money on Hims, the medications are what’s doing the work, not the supplements.
Realistic Expectations and Timeline
Hair loss treatment is a long game. Most men need three to six months of consistent daily use before seeing noticeable improvement, and the full effect can take a year or longer to assess. Early results often look like reduced shedding rather than dramatic regrowth. The best outcomes happen when treatment starts early, while follicles are still miniaturized but not completely dead.
It’s also worth understanding that these treatments maintain results only as long as you use them. Stop taking finasteride, and DHT levels return to normal within days. Stop applying minoxidil, and the follicles it was supporting gradually weaken again. For most men, this is a long-term commitment, and the monthly costs add up. Generic finasteride from a regular pharmacy (with a prescription from your own doctor) can cost significantly less than what Hims charges, sometimes under $10 per month. Minoxidil is available over the counter at any drugstore. What you’re paying Hims for is the convenience of bundled delivery and built-in telehealth access, not exclusive access to the medications themselves.
The medications Hims sells are proven. The platform is a legitimate, licensed telehealth service. Where it pays to be skeptical is around the compounded formulations that lack FDA approval, the supplements with no meaningful evidence, and the premium you’re paying over generic pharmacy prices for convenience.