The Best Minoxidil + Finasteride Topical Solutions That Work

A lot of people talk about starting their hair loss ‘journey’ as though it’s a destination when what you actually want is to reverse direction to a time when you weren’t thinning on top.

Still, when I first realized that my hairline was rapidly receding a few years ago I started researching different treatments. 

I quickly realized that the gold standard for treating hair loss involves a combination of minoxidil and finasteride. 

Both of these are FDA-approved (at least separately) but experience has taught me that you need to find the right combination for your specific needs.

Bottom Line Up Front

After experimenting with various topical finasteride and minoxidil solutions, for me Happy Head emerged as the clear winner.

It has a very different approach to most telehealth platforms, as there’s a detailed consultation process. You speak with a board-certified dermatologist over a video call, who then can create a treatment customized to your hair loss pattern.

The platform’s base topical solution contains 0.3% finasteride and 8% minoxidil (a higher concentration than most competitors). But as I said, the dermatologist is free to change these concentrations or even add new ingredients. Mine did this with Happy Head’s liposomal delivery system, which boosts absorption and reduces side effects. 

This was important to me, as I have scalp sensitivities and had bad reactions to other topical solutions in the past. 

I was also in a position to afford Happy Head’s relatively higher pricing ($59 – $119 per month depending on your specific solution). I felt that while it’s more expensive than standard treatment it pays for itself due to the tailored treatments from qualified skincare specialists.

Still, I always say that the right hair loss solution is the one that meets your hair loss pattern, budget, and personal preferences. Take the time to research your chosen option, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different topical solutions to find one that’s right for you.

Finasteride & Minoxidil 101

Finasteride blocks DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the hormone that’s mainly responsible for male pattern baldness. Minoxidil increases the blood flow to your hair follicles, stimulating their growth. 

When these two ingredients are mixed into a topical solution, they attack hair loss on two separate fronts. This makes them much more effective than just using either one on its own.
This is backed up by clinical evidence. For example, a 2015 study published in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal showed that a solution of 0.1% finasteride and 5% minoxidil almost 85% maintained good hair density relative to taking individual oral hair loss treatments.

The Best Minoxidil + Finasteride Topical Solutions

1. Happy Head

Pros:

• Formulated treatments from board-certified dermatologists
• Hundreds of possible combinations/concentrations of hair-loss ingredients
• Higher concentration options (up to 8% minoxidil, 0.3% finasteride)

Cons:

• Higher cost than standardized treatment plans

I’ve already nailed my colors to Happy Head’s mast so felt I should explain my reasoning in detail before discussing other treatments.

The platform was founded by twins Dr. Ben Behnam and Dr. Sean Behnam – both dermatologists.

This gives you an idea of how seriously Happy Health takes hair loss. When you sign up, you have to complete a very in-depth questionnaire. You then have a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist, not just a general practitioner who may have very little experience with hair restoration treatments.

The flagship product is Happy Head’s Topical Rx Solution. It combines finasteride and minoxidil in concentrations of 0.3% and 8% respectively. As I outlined above, this is a significantly higher concentration of minoxidil compared to competing platforms, which tend to hover around the 5 or 6 percent mark.

When I signed up the dermatologist also did her best to explain to me how the liposomal delivery system works in layman’s terms. As I understand it, it works by encapsulating the active ingredients in lipid bubbles to enhance scalp penetration. This came up as previous hair loss treatments I’d tried had caused irritation, and I was concerned about side effects. 

When I started experiencing a little scalp dryness, I also saw how comprehensive Happy Head’s treatments are. I was given another free consultation with another dermatologist. She modified my existing formula to include hydrocortisone, which left my scalp healthy without making the treatment any less effective.

Of course, this extensive level of consultation and customization doesn’t come cheap at $59 to $199 per month depending on your formula. But if you’ve had no joy with standardized treatments, Happy Head can be just what your scalp needs.

2. Hims

Pros:

• Convenient spray bottle
• Very affordable prices
• 90-day money back guarantee

Cons:

• Lower minoxidil concentrations (6%) than some competitors

This platform was one of the very first I tried when thinning on top, and I feel it remains an excellent entry-level option. 

Hims’ Topical Spray‘s formulation contains 6% minoxidil and 0.3% finasteride. This isn’t as high a concentration as competitors like Happy Head, but strikes a good balance between efficiency and tolerability for most subscribers.

Another major plus point of Him’s is that you can apply the solution conveniently with a spray instead of a dropper. Opinion is divided on whether a dropper is better due to being more precise, but I’ve tried the spray and can tell you it’s definitely more convenient. You also only have to apply it once per day. 

The consultation process is very straightforward, though be warned you won’t necessarily talk to a dermatologist – just a competent medical professional. Before you can place an order, you also fill out a simple online questionnaire that asks basic questions like when your hair loss started, and which areas of your head are affected. 

Overall, Hims’ main strength lies in its simplicity and its affordability. Prices start at $35 per month for the spray, including shipping. 

The platform doesn’t offer much customization. For example, instead of the standard topical spray you can choose Hims Rx Hair Loss Spray, which contains 0.3% finasteride, 7% minoxidil, 2.2% ketoconazole, and 0.2% biotin. This contains a couple of extra ingredients, as well as an added eucalyptus scent. It also has a slightly higher concentration of minoxidil than the standard spray, but there’s no way to alter the ingredients or their individual concentrations for Hims products. 

If you haven’t tried any hair loss treatments before, its standardized spray may be all you need. 

3. Roman (Ro)

Pros:

• Unique 3-in-1 formulation with tretinoin (a powerful Vitamin-A derivative)
• Competitive pricing relative to other multi-ingredient solutions
• Dermatologist-designed formulas

Cons:

• Primarily focused on male hair loss

I’ve been trying different hair loss treatments for three years now and am also left wondering whether this platform is called Ro or Roman, as it has registered products and domains under both names.

Still, a Ro by another name smells as sweet when it comes to the platform’s Hair Solution Rx, which combines three active ingredients: 0.3% finasteride, 6% minoxidil, and 0.025% tretinoin.

On the main product page Ro/Roman claims that the inclusion of tretinoin is to enhance minoxidil absorption, though elsewhere on the website it just says it’s a good treatment for acne and other skin conditions.

Still, whether or not you’re sold on the efficacy of tretinoin to help more minoxidil penetrate into your scalp I found that the site interface is very user-friendly. My only small complaint is that it’s hard to work out pricing, as when you click ‘Start Now’, you have to sign up before you can see any hard numbers.

In any case, I was quoted $50 per month. This is billed quarterly, which Ro/Roman claims keeps prices down. While there’s no way to customize the concentration and type of ingredients, this means that the platform does offer a very affordable multi-ingredient hair loss solution. This makes it ideal for those who’ve had no luck with standard finasteride and minoxidil combinations.

4. Keeps

Pros:

• Bespoke gel formulation (stays in place)
• Relatively high finasteride concentration
• Backed by clinical evidence

Cons:

• More expensive than many topical sprays

Keeps offers a Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Gel, combining 0.25% finasteride and 5% minoxidil.

While these concentrations aren’t as high as sprays available from competitors like Hims, the gel can be applied directly to the scalp with minimal wastage. It’s simple to apply, as you can just pump it once into your hand, and then rub it in your scalp. As I said above, the jury’s still out on whether topical sprays, foams, or gels are the most effective but Keeps products are amongst the easiest to apply.

Although I didn’t experience this myself, I also found Reddit threads where people complained that Keeps’ gel could be a little sticky if applied after a shower, though I found no one reported any issues with applying it to dry hair.

The platform’s subscription model is similar to Ro’s, in that you have to order at least three months’ supply at a time. Six and twelve-month subscriptions are available, though I couldn’t see any discounts for ordering in bulk, except for the fact you can dodge the $5 shipping fee.

5. Strut Health

Pros:

• Customizable concentrations based on your needs
• Both gel and liquid formulations available
• Includes additional ingredients

Cons:

• Mixed customer service reviews

This platform offers a Finasteride Hair Loss Formula available as both a topical gel and solution.

While the finasteride concentration is fixed at 0.25%, other ingredients have varying concentrations: Minoxidil 0.0% – 7.5%, Tretinoin 0.0% – 0.0125%, and the option to include Fluocinolone (0.01%).

Prices start at $59 for a 30-day supply. Before signing up, you’ll have a free online consultation. Like Happy Head, Strut Health uses board-certified dermatologists to decide on the ingredients and concentrations of your hair loss treatment.

In theory, this makes Strut Health a more attractive option, given it offers similar customization for a more affordable price. However, I found multiple online reviews complaining about the effectiveness of the platform’s products and how some users had trouble canceling their subscriptions. 

Choosing the Best Topical Solution

There are several key factors you need to consider when choosing a topical finasteride and minoxidil solution.,

Above all, you need to consider medical supervision. These are prescription ingredients, so you should only take them on the advice of a doctor who’s familiar with your medical history. 

For maximum peace of mind, choose a platform that uses certified dermatologists to recommend hair loss treatment, as they’re more likely to understand specific hair loss issues than general medical practitioners.

Other key criteria to consider include:

Formulation Quality

After medical supervision, this is the most important factor. The best topical solutions use advanced delivery systems and high concentrations of pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.

The method of application, like a liquid spray or a gel doesn’t make too much difference clinically. Still, you need to consider which of these best aligns with your preferences, especially if it has to be applied multiple times per day.

Customization 

Each person who needs hair restoration has their own specific loss pattern, sensitivities and personal preferences. This means the ideal treatment should be as unique as you are. Certainly, standardized topical solutions can work for some people but you’ll get optimal results from customized treatments.

Budget

Topical finasteride and minoxidil solutions are available in a range of delivery methods and concentrations to suit a range of budgets. When considering your budget, you need to think about both the upfront costs and value for money. For example, paying less for a standardized treatment is a false economy if it’s going to be ineffective or trigger your sensitivities. 

What is the best topical finasteride and minoxidil solution?

Whatever hair loss treatment you choose, you have to make a long-term commitment. You’re usually going to have to wait at least six months to a year before you start seeing significant results.

That means you need to choose a topical solution provider whose formulation you can commit to both practically and financially.

Medical oversight is essential, ideally from a professional with experience of skincare issues like male pattern baldness. While cost can be a major factor, I’ve found that the most affordable option won’t necessarily be the most effective at treating your hair loss.

Taking all these factors into consideration, I stand by my original statement that Happy Head offers the best topical solutions overall.

Once I signed up I was given customized solutions, medical expertise from an actual dermatologist, and advanced delivery systems. You can benefit from these too. 

That said, Hims offers a great entry point if you just want to try combination solutions at an affordable price. Ro/Roman’s pricing is also very competitive for its multi-ingredient solutions.

Whatever solution you choose, start early and stay disciplined about applying it every day. With the right combination of finasteride and minoxidil in the right concentrations, most men suffering from pattern baldness can expect to see reversal of hair loss in three to six months.