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Propecia Review

Monday, December 2nd

2024 Hair Loss Product Reviews

Propecia Review 1 Star Rating

Propecia

1 Star Rating
  • Prices as low as $8.95 per bottle
  • Products for men only
  • 1-month supply in each bottle
  • Capsule
  • Price match guarantee at some retailers
  • Requires prescription

Propecia (the generic brand of the medication finasteride) is designed to combat male pattern baldness. Like many capsule-based hair loss products in our review, Propecia works by decreasing the amount of DHT hormones in your body. This leads to increased hair regrowth. Propecia (or finasteride) was originally developed by the company Merck in 1997.

1 capsule per day dosage

As one of the few products that is FDA-approved on our list, Propecia stands out from the pack. One bottle of Propecia includes a 1-month supply. You take one capsule per day for 30 days, which makes it a low-commitment medication for hair loss. However, it does require a few extra hoops to jump through to get your medication. You will need to get a doctor's approval to start Propecia, and you'll be unable to buy it without a written prescription.

Prices as low as $8.95 per bottle

Depending on where you buy your Propecia, the prices may fluctuate. We found prices as low as $8.95 for a home delivery of a 1-month dose. Shipping was free there too, so you can easily score your Propecia at a lower cost than most hair loss options in our review. If you want to get your Propecia from a local pharmacy, the price will be around $19.96. Regardless of the method, you will need to prove you have a prescription to order Propecia.

Online health services are a great place to buy

You can buy Propecia from any medical site that handles prescriptions. You can also go directly to your doctor to get a prescription written and sent to your local pharmacy. We used Blink Health which allows you to get an online doctor's visit for just $10 and get your Propecia prescription. This way, you can get all aspects of your prescription taken care of in one place. Once you have your Propecia prescription, you can upload it to your profile on Blink Health and repurchase or refill it as long as your prescription is valid.

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Some retailers offer price-matching

Satisfaction guarantees will depend on where you ultimately purchase your Propecia. For example, at Blink Health, there is a price match guarantee that promises the lowest prices on generic prescription medications like Propecia. Blink Health will match any price you find that's lower and refund you the difference. However, different retailers or pharmacies will offer different deals. If you're looking for return policies, this will depend on the pharmacy you ultimately choose.

Concerning reports of side effects

While this is a low-cost option, it may not be ideal for you. Reviews for Propecia are few and far between. Further, the original manufacturer of the medication, Merck, has an "NR” rating from the Better Business Bureau. The few third-party reviews we could find showed a 4.7 out of 10 score. Customers complain about a large number of side effects. Men find that they have trouble with intimacy while taking the prescription (and afterward). The list of potential issues mentioned in patient reviews includes erectile dysfunction, reduced or no libido, pressure/headache, and more. Some patients complained about developing other problems like hypothyroidism after using Propecia. Given that this is a medication for men only, it doesn't appear to be handling men very well. Yikes!

Not worth the negative effects

While this product comes at a considerably lower cost than many hair loss products, Propecia doesn't sound safe for most patients. Considering the long list of side effects, the issues experienced by men who take Propecia, and the fact that you have to get a prescription to get started, Propecia falls to the bottom of our list. If you're still interested in Propecia, make sure you consult a doctor.

What is the Best Product to Combat Hair Loss?

Hair is a major part of modern fashion. Between cuts, colors, and different styles, your hair can be a huge part of your personality or identity. Hair can be one of the most noticeable features in a first impression, and change how confident you feel when you get dressed up or go out.

So, it's no wonder that fighting hair loss is a growing market. While there are some temporary solutions like wigs or extensions, growing your own hair with an effective hair loss product is the goal. But for many, fighting hair loss medically can be too expensive.

The Best Hair Loss Products Compare Hair Loss Products Compare Hair Loss Product Reviews What are the best Hair Loss Products Best Hair Loss Product Reviews

Hair Loss Product FAQ

Hair loss products are shampoos, serums, creams, foams, or supplements used to stimulate the regrowth of hair. They come with different instructions for application, but they all work to fill in areas of patchiness or total loss of hair. Hair loss products are a much less expensive alternative to surgeries or other medical procedures to try and reverse hair loss.
Most hair loss products range anywhere from $25 - $70 per tube or bottle. You'll have the option to buy a supply that will last you a few months. Buying in larger quantities usually comes with discounts and makes it so you don't run out or need to make frequent online orders.
Yes! Hair loss products are safe. If you're buying from a reputable company, they will list all of the ingredients in their products. You can review the list to make sure you aren't allergic or trying to avoid anything in their formula. Many hair loss products are full of vitamins and other nourishing ingredients that are good for your skin and hair follicles.
Hair loss products work to do a few different things to stimulate growth. Some are effective in cleaning out clogged hair follicles that may have been stunted due to excess oils or thick hair products. Other formulas work to block the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone), primarily responsible for male pattern baldness. Some hair loss products stimulate blood flow in the areas where your head needs help regrowing hair. Products differ in how they target hair loss and it is best to select one based on the type of baldness you're experiencing.
There are many causes of hair loss. Some are the result of genetics, while others are hormonal imbalances, hygiene issues, or lifestyle choices. If you have healthy hair follicles intact where no hair is growing or hair is thinning, you will be able to stimulate new hair growth with the right products. Determining your type of hair loss will help you know how to select a product that will be effective for you.
As nice as it would be if hair loss products worked overnight, this is not the case. Most supplements, gels, creams, and serums take 4-6 months before you get visible results. Hair grows slowly whether or not you are using products to help the process, so it takes a while for your body to regenerate new growth.
Absolutely! Hair loss products are not only intended to regrow hair that has been lost, but also to prevent future hair loss as well. By nourishing and stimulating hair follicles, you are less likely to have stunted hair growth in the future. You aren't 100% guaranteed never to lose any hair again, but hair loss products work to at least slow down the process.
Both men and women can suffer from hair loss. Most people would do just about anything to get a full, thick head of hair back. Luckily, hair loss products are formulated to help men and women alike. Some products are marketed toward just men or just women, while others will benefit anyone suffering from hair loss. There are options out there for everyone!
Yes. Liquids can be absorbed by the body in just a couple of minutes, and have a high absorbency. Tablets can take up to a half-hour to be broken down; because the body has to break them down, only about 53% of the tablet may be absorbed by the body. Consider travel: pills may be the easiest to take with you and have a longer shelf life. Gummies are a fun way to take a supplement, but watch the sugar content.
Many users will see baby hairs grow in about a month or six weeks. It takes a while for the vitamins or other ingredients to settle into the body and stimulate the follicle and for the baby hairs to start appearing.
Most of the products have a money-back guarantee, and the difference is from 30 days to a year. Since it can be more than three months until you notice new growth, you'll want your guarantee to last at least that long, especially if you've spent quite a bit of money on your product or set of products. Prescription products do not come with any guarantee.
Some can. Reviewers of some of the products have raved about helping them with male pattern baldness and alopecia as well. It may also depend on when you start using the product. If the hair thinning is relatively new, the follicle may be more receptive to rejuvenation. If the thinning has occurred for quite a while, it's possible to see results, but after a longer period of use.
For acne prone individuals, excess biotin can trigger breakouts. Another reason to check with your doctor. Some of the supplements contain ingredients that can interfere with thyroid test results. Some may not be recommended for pregnant or lactating women.
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Continued from above...

Going to the doctor for a diagnosis requires a lot of cash and jumping through hoops like blood tests, hair-pull tests, possible scalp biopsies, and more. Some patients might get an expensive prescription while others are recommended to have a transplant surgery.

Going a strictly medical route can get pricey fast, especially if you're not insured for it. Luckily for you, there are tons of over-the-counter options (and a few low-cost prescriptions too) for hair loss that are extremely effective. So, you might be able to save some money while you regrow your luscious locks.

Whether your hair loss is hereditary, due to an illness (like lasting effects from Long COVID or a problem with your thyroid), or from high levels of stress, there's a solution out there to help you with your hair loss. Online shopping allows you to browse a wide variety of hair loss solutions from the comfort of your home. Most over-the-counter hair loss products come in shampoos, creams, or oral supplements. Some standouts offer light therapy or other add-ons to help you target your scalp and start growing out your mullet (don't lie; you know you want to try one).

If you're wondering how long these products take to get you from where you're at to booking your next L'Oréal commercial, the average time for hair loss options to start taking effect is 2-4 months. This timeline will change depending on the particular method you choose. We know the waiting period can be the worst part, but once you get started, you're one step closer to your goal. As always, put your health first. Not all solutions will work for everyone, and if you can, still refer to your doctor who can guide you as you target your type of hair loss.

If you feel like you're splitting hairs (pun intended) looking through all the different hair loss products, don't worry. Here are some factors that may help you narrow the field and find the perfect hair loss option for your head:

  • Cost. Hair loss products of any kind can get expensive. Finding the best balance of price and value for your money is hard to do. Look for products that offer solid results and a decent quantity of your chosen method (whether that's supplements, shampoos, creams, or others) for what you pay.
  • Satisfaction guarantee. When it's your body you're worried about, you want to feel safe about buying products. There can be any number of reasons you might want to return a hair loss product, so satisfaction guarantees can give you that extra layer of security. You want to pick a product that supports your hair and scalp and stands behind its formula.
  • Steps and materials. There are tons of different types of hair loss products. Some have multiple steps and others are just one product. Make sure you choose one that fits your lifestyle. While you want to encourage new growth ASAP, you don't want to feel like your entire life revolves around caring for your new hair.
  • Reputation. When you're trusting your hair and scalp health to a product, its reputation is a big deal. Make sure you check out trusted third-party sites like the Better Business Bureau to see how well each product and its parent company stack up against the others. Discovering a hair loss product with rave reviews from customers with similar struggles can help you feel more confident in your choice.

To help you on your way to new hair growth, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked today's top hair loss options. We hope this helps bring a little excitement to your life in the next few months as you see new growth and healthier hair. You'll be watching new hair styling tutorials before you know it!

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