Happy Head vs Hims for Hair Loss

I started researching hair loss products when I started thinning on top a few years ago. In that time I’ve lost count of the number of treatments that have come and gone. 

Still, when browsing the interwebs two names kept coming up time and again: Happy Head and Hims.

Both these platforms promise rapid and effective treatment for hair loss. Today I’ve decided to put together a comprehensive comparison of the two to help you choose which one is right for you.

What’s the main difference between Happy Head and Hims products?

Hims offers products using two main ingredients: 5% or 6% minoxidil and 1mg oral finasterid. These are reliable and FDA-approved hair loss solutions and are relatively inexpensive. 

Happy Head offers more personalized products with tailored formulas and higher concentrations of active ingredients. This allows for more targeted treatments, with potentially faster results and fewer side effects.

Who is Happy Head?

These guys are something of a new kid on the block, having been founded by twin brothers, Doctors Ben and Sean Benham. Their family business specializes in hair restoration. Happy Head is known for taking a very personalized approach to this by using products with customized formulas. These are optimized according to factors like a patient’s age, hair loss type, and medical history. 

Who is Hims?

Hims has been around since 2017 and has become a household name in the field of men’s health and wellness. Their website was the first one I found when researching hair loss treatments back in 2018, and since then they’ve only increased in popularity. The site focuses on providing both over-the-counter and prescription treatments for hair loss, using mostly FDA-approved ingredients.

Happy Head Products

Happy Head’s line of hair loss treatments includes:

• Customized topical solutions
• Oral medications
• Hair growth supplements
• Thickening shampoos/conditioners

In other words, Happy Head offers one of the widest selections of hair loss solutions on the market, especially since the formulas can be customized to your needs.

Its products also stand out because its customized solutions can include higher concentrations of active ingredients. For example, Happy Head’s topical minoxidil solution contains 8% minoxidil – around 3% more than you’d expect from over-the-counter products.

Hims products

The treatments available from Hims include:

• Topical minoxidil (both solution & foam)
• Oral finasteride
• Topical combos of minoxidil and finasteride
• Thickening shampoo
• Biotin (Vitamin B) gummies

Hims mainly focuses on standard concentrations of hair loss ingredients. For instance, its minoxidil solutions contain the above mentioned standard concentration of 5%.

Happy Head ingredients

As we’ve learned, Happy Head specializes in customized topical solutions. This means that its formulas can vary depending on your specific needs. But they usually contain a combination of two of more of the following:

• 8% minoxidil
• Finasteride 
• Dutasteride
• Reitonic acid
• Spironolactone
• Latanoprost
• Hydrocortisone

Obviously the advantage of putting together these hair loss ‘cocktails’ is that they allow for more targeted treatments. This makes Happy Head a good choice for people like myself who find that standard hair loss treatments don’t work for them.

Hims ingredients

Unlike Happy Head, Hims keeps things very simple by using two main ingredients:

• 5% or 6% minoxidil
• 1mg oral finasteride

The exact combination of ingredients varies by item. For example, Hims topical finasteride-minoxidil spray and serum have 6% minoxidil and 0.3% finasteride. These concentrations tend to be lower than Happy Head, though I’ve spoken with people who’ve treated their hair loss with Hims ingredients without any issues.

Customization and personalization

Over-the-counter hair loss solutions can work. When I started out, I applied minoxidil liberally to my scalp and did see some growth – but also a nasty rash. The best treatment platforms will tailor their treatments to your specific needs, to make sure products are effective but don’t come with any nasty side effects.

Taking this into account, here’s my hot takes on Hims vs Happy Head custom treatments:

Hims

Hims does have some products like its spray which use differing concentrations of ingredients. You can discuss specific treatments like these during your initial online consultation. 

However, the product range is largely standardized. This can be beneficial though for those who prefer reliable, FDA-approved hair growth solutions. If you haven’t responded well to standard treatments in the past and/or have a very specific hair loss pattern, you may want to consider alternatives. 

Happy Head

When it comes to customization, Happy Head is a cut above the rest. When you register via the site, you’re sent a detailed questionnaire that consultants use to put together a custom hair growth plan, with over 200 different combinations of ingredients. This means you’re much more likely to receive hair loss treatment that suits your specific needs, just as I did.

Consultation process

While some platforms let you get away with filling in an online form, the best ones will have a medical professional meet with you via a video call to discuss your specific needs, then come up with a suitable hair loss treatment plan.

Hims

In the above section I mentioned that Hims telehealth consultants do try to recommend the best standard hair loss products. As these guys are general practitioners and they don’t have to concoct a specific hair loss formula for you, consults are usually very quick – I remember mine took less than 15 minutes.

Happy Head

One of Happy Head’s main selling points is that your initial (free) consultation is with a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in hair restoration. As I said, this involves a questionnaire and working out a personalized treatment plan so will take longer than a quick consult. Still, this might be exactly what you need to get your hair growing back.

Prices and Value for Money

Back when I was selling widescreen TVs, people would sometimes tell me they were expensive. My manager always advised me to ask the customer, “Compared to what?”

The same applies to hair loss products, as whether you pay $10 or $100 a month for a hair loss solution what you really need to do know is if it works. Bearing this mind, here are my two cents on Hims and Happy Head:

Hims

These guys are definitely more friendly to your wallet, as prices start at $15 per month for their non-prescription Topical Minoxidil solution (5%). If you are prescribed hair loss products, delivery is free. 

When I signed up for Hims I found promo codes for new customers offering around 90% off your first order, though this deal doesn’t seem to be in place any more. (I did find a coupon for a free consultation for Sildenafil, but let’s stay on topic!)

Happy Head

Pricing of Happy Head products is generally higher than Hims, with subscriptions costing between $59 and $179 per month. However, given the customized treatment plans with hundreds of ingredient combos, I’d say this is well-justified.

Ease of use

Both Hims and Happy Head use a subscription model and can deliver products straight to your door. This is a very convenient way to tackle hair loss.

Hims

The website offers products with a number of application methods. These include serums, sprays and foams. 

Happy Head

Like Hims, Happy Head products are also very easy to apply. Most formulas come as a serum or gel. 

Both Happy Head and Hims also offer oral medications if you find that more convenient.

Results and timeframe

I’ve written out ‘results’ and ‘timeframe’ here as they’re both equally important. While we can all agree that a product that shows no results is useless to you, one that will only work in five years’ time would be a close second!

Both Hims and Happy Head advise that it can take 3 to 6 months to notice results but naturally this depends on your medical profile.

Hims

As Hims make use of more standardized hair loss solutions, I’d say their stated timeframe of 3-6 months is about right. I started seeing results after around 12 weeks.

Happy Head

Due to using more customized formulas and higher concentrations of ingredients, many Happy Head users (myself included) have seen positive results much faster than the standard time frame.

Side effects and safety

This is a subject close to my heart. When I started using standard minoxidil with Hims, while it worked well, I also developed skin irritation on my scalp. I appreciate that everyone’s experience is different. And in case you’re worried about this, both Hims and Happy Head also use FDA-approved ingredients. 

Hims

As Hims products use standard concentration of prescription-strength treatments, there’s probably less chance overall that you’ll have a bad reaction. However, if you do, Hims can’t customize your hair loss formula to remove any harmful ingredients.

Happy Head

Although this wasn’t my experience, Happy Head’s higher concentrations of ingredients like minoxidil can cause symptoms like scalp irritation in more sensitive individuals. However, the platform’s personalized approach to treatments usually means that treatments can be tailored to your specific needs, removing ingredients that you may be sensitive to.

Happy Head vs Hims – Which to Choose?

Overall, I feel Happy Head is the better choice for people who:

• Haven’t had any luck with standard hair loss treatments.
• Prefer a more personalized approach.
• Don’t mind spending more to see faster results.
• Are happy to try higher concentrations of active ingredients.

Hims could be the best option for those who:

• Are new to hair-loss treatment, so haven’t yet tried standard solutions.
• Don’t have a lot of money to spare.
• Want a broader range of hair products beyond simple hair loss (men only!)
• Prefer to start with a standard concentration of ingredients.

 FAQs

Question: How long does it usually take to see results from hair loss treatments?

Answer: In the case of both Happy Head and Hims products, both providers say that it takes 3 to 6 months before you start noticing results. As Happy Head uses customized formulas and higher concentrations of active ingredients, some subscribers have seen faster hair growth.

Question: How does the consultation process work? 

Answer: Hims offers online consultations with general practitioners. They will try to recommend standard hair loss products, which means the process is generally faster. Happy Head uses certified dermatologists for consultations who go through a detailed questionnaire with patients. This can take longer but results in a more personalized treatment plan.

Question: How much does Happy Head and Hims cost?

Answer: Hims offers some very budget-friendly options, from as little as $15 per month. Happy Head subscriptions generally cost $59  – $179 per month, but this is justified by offering more customized hair loss treatments, with higher concentrations of ingredients.

Happy Head vs Hims: My Hot Take

After trying out product offerings from both Him and Happy Head, I have to say I prefer what Happy Head brings to the table.

Unlike Hims’ ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, Happy Head offers personalized, high-strength formulas that match your specific needs. It made all the difference in my case, given that they were able to tweak my hair loss formula to remove the ingredient causing skin irritation.

Having said that, Hims is definitely a solid choice if you’re just starting your hair growth journey. While there are only a few ingredients and concentrations available, these are tried and tested. Standardized treatments are also less expensive.

This means that the choice between Happy Head and Hims comes down to your specific needs, your budget, and how your body responds.

Remember that when it comes to treating hair loss, consistency is key. Whatever choice you make, stick with it for 3- 6 months to see real results. You should also consult with a dermatologist or other suitable healthcare professional before using any of the products that I’ve mentioned here.

When all’s said and done, both Happy Head and Hims are legitimate platforms offering decent hair loss solutions. Your journey to a fuller head of hair is personal to you, so the choice is yours!