HairClub vs Bosley: What’s The Best Hair Loss Clinic?

Review of HairClub

 

Source: HairClub

 

What is HairClub?

 

HairClub has been in business for nearly four decades, giving them an impressive track record in the hair loss sector. Initially geared at men, the company has since expanded its services to include specialized solutions for female hair loss as well.

 

HairClub has evolved to combine technology, surgical expertise, and artistic stylist skills to bring hair loss solutions to the industry with an array of products in their portfolio, with an acclaimed more than half a million clients under their belt.

 

How does HairClub work?

 

HairClub provides a free consultation service: simply click “learn more” beneath any treatment, input your name, zip code, and email address, to schedule a free hair health consultation, virtually or at a location near you.

 

You can also subscribe for HairClub Gold Membership with your email address to obtain access to at-home treatment products or long-term treatments. Membership contracts normally require a 12-month commitment, with the option to cancel with 90 days’ notice.

 

HairClub products and services are divided into three categories: Hair Regrowth, Hair Restoration, and Hair Replacement.

 

Hair Regrowth therapies are non-surgical, non-invasive means of regrowing hair, preventing further loss or thinning, and promoting hair health. HairClub provides the following services for Hair Regrowth:

 

• EXT Extreme Hair Therapy
• Laser Hair Treatment

 

Hair Replacement options are quick, easy, and non-invasive methods of combating hair loss by covering thinning regions with newly generated hair that blends in with your own. HairClub provides three different Hair Replacement options:

 

• Xtrands
• Xtrands+
• Extensions

 

Hair Restoration is an advanced invasive surgical procedure that can help you regrow the hair you’ve lost. HairClub provides four Hair Restoration options:

 

• Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
• Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT)
• BioGraft
• RestorInk

 

To learn more about each, schedule a free hair health check-up at your local HairClub location and discover which method—regrowth, restoration, or replacement—is most suited for your needs. There, you’ll get a complete hair and scalp analysis with TrichoView micro-magnification, as well as a private consultation with a hair health expert to help you personalize your treatment plan.

 

Source: HairClub

 

 

What are HairClub’s most popular hair loss at-home products? 

 

If your schedule is too jam-packed with job, family, and social obligations to allow for in-person appointments. HairClub’s Member Product Store contains all the options to handle any type of hair loss condition if you’re looking for a DIY hair restoration at home. You can also find out which mix of products will work best for you with a free, no-obligation hair health checkup.

 

1. Laser Caps

 

The sole non-drug FDA-approved therapy option for hair loss is laser diodes. The EXT Laser Cap is a treatment for hereditary hair loss that is both effective and safe (identified by overall thinning hair, a receding hairline and pattern baldness). It utilizes a pencil-like beam of electromagnetic waves, a single frequency, and defined wavelength to stimulate epidermal stem cells in the hair follicle bulge and shift the follicles into anagen (growth) phase.

 

Source: HairClub laser cap

 

The EXT Laser Cap has been clinically proven to encourage natural hair growth in both men and women. Lasers are strategically placed throughout the cap to cover the entire scalp area, and effective hair growth is observed in the first 12 to 24 weeks. And it is suitable for all hair types: light or dark, colored or natural, straight or curly, long or short.

 

It is extremely convenient, comfortable, and effortless; 30 minutes, three times a week is all that is required. You may wear the laser cap while doing your favorite hobbies, and it will automatically switch off.

 

You can also purchase a Laser Comb and a Laser Band in the laser hair devices section, depending on which item you find more convenient to use. Each device generates a distinct frequency depending on how much concentrated nourishing light energy you wish to deliver to your follicles. Hair Club’s pricing for Laser Caps are as follows:

 

 

Hair Club Treatment	Price range	Light energy ranges
Laser Caps	$599-$2999	81-312 diode
Laser Combs	$199-$299	3-12 medical grade lasers
Laser Bands	$549-$799	41-82 medical grade lasers

 

2. Strand Builder natural keratin hair building fibers

 

The Strand Builder by HairClub ($29.95) gives the appearance of thicker, fuller hair, which is ideal for concealing hair loss and masking the appearance of thinning hair. It’s more effective for those with diffuse thinning (thinning all over) than for those with no hair and a completely bald scalp. In other words, this product requires some hair in the applied region to cling to the best impact.

 

Keratin fibers are used in Hair Club’s Strand Builder to give your hair additional density. Technically, it does not affect hair growth. Their EXT line of products and/or a laser device can assist with hair growth if that’s the true goal.

 

Strand Builder is specifically designed to be invisible and to remain in place until washed away. Simply, toss on and watch as your receding hairline, thinning spots, or balding patches fade, revealing thicker-looking natural hair.

 

HairClub also markets additional over-the-counter hair growth products such as shampoos, conditioners, and gels, most of which contain DHT blockers and other light-activated ingredients to promote a healthy hair growth cycle.

 

 

HairClub Before and After

Here are a few before and after photos from real HairClub customers. As you can see, hair loss comes in a lot of flavors, and while HairClub’s results are impressive, they of course aren’t guaranteed.

 

 

 

How much do HairClub’s in-person treatment services cost?

 

Treatment from HairClub starts with an in-center or a virtual consultation. This is an individualized assessment to ensure a personalized approach. 

 

HairClub’s pricing for in-person therapy ranges quite a bit. Surgery for permanent hair replacement (i.e. a hair transplant), for example, starts at $8,995. This package offers what the company refers to as ‘extreme hair therapy’ and is only recommended in extreme cases of balding. Another hair restoration option is their micro-pigmentation procedure which typically lasts three-to-six-years for $1,499.

 

For less severe cases (i.e. mild thinning and early male pattern baldness), Hair Club offers several lower cost in-person treatments. Their basic salon service starts at just $39 per month, but doesn’t offer much for regrowth. A more comprehensive hair loss prevention program starts at $249 per month. This recurring hair therapy package is the most popular and includes:

 

• Specialized care: regrowth treatment, hair revitalizing complex, laser growth therapy;
• Support products: shampoo, conditioner, and a scalp cleanser;
• Salon services: spa scalp massage, haircut, styling; and
• Progress tracking: through what they term as ‘trichoview’ digital progress tracking.

 

Where is HairClub located?

 

HairClub operates 120 salons across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Due to the limited number of locations, travel time and cost may influence your decision to receive in-person care.

 

HairClub’s hair transplant surgeries may be the way to go if you want long-term or semi-permanent convenience – i.e. solutions that eliminate daily routines. If you don’t mind applying or swallowing a pill every day, we recommend first trying their non-invasive diversity of a la carte treatments that you can try at home. With high levels of research, clearance, and success rates like 90% for products like Laser devices, we are confident they will work for you as well. Speaking of effective hair loss treatments that work for most men without in-person care, let’s review Keeps.

 

 

Review of Bosley’s hair clinic

 

Source: Bosley

 

What is Bosley Rx?

 

Bosley has become a household name in the hair loss products and hair transplant market since its inception in 1974. For almost 40 years, men and women have gone to Bosley in search of hair loss remedies. Bosley provides a multitude of financing choices for surgical and non-surgical hair restoration treatments, as well as the most recent breakthroughs in hair restoration technology. It is a well-known name and brand that has completed over 298,000 hair restoration surgeries since its inception.

 

Furthermore, Bosley employs some of the greatest hair transplant doctors, many having more than ten years of expertise in hair restoration.

 

Bosley’s consultation and guarantee

 

If you are thinking about using Bosley’s services, you should take advantage of the free consultation. A local Bosley physician or surgeon will offer you in-depth information on the transplantation technique, follow-up therapy, hair transplant cost, and, of course, the products during the consultation.

 

Bosley also guarantees that any non-growing hair transplant grafts will be replaced free of charge to ensure client satisfaction. This guarantee is conditional on the customer’s willingness to meet the following requirements:

 

• Waiting at least 12 months after your Bosley surgery; abstaining from any treatments that may impair hair development; according to all post-operative care instructions and other medical recommendations issued by the Bosley physician, and attending all postoperative consultations.
• Meeting with a Bosley physician to determine how many grafts need to be changed.

 

If you have completed all other requirements, your examining physician will ultimately judge your candidacy.

 

Bosley’s hair loss treatment procedures and products 

 

Hair transplantation, Bosley’s premier treatment (and the one they’re recognized for pioneering), is an outpatient operation that takes approximately a day to complete but can produce permanent results that last a lifetime.

 

And non-surgical hair regrowth options are available for persons who do not want to undergo a surgical transplant procedure:

 

Trigen+ with Power Matrix PRP: This solution combines platelet-rich plasma therapy’s improved hair growth potential with low-level laser therapy. A Bosley professional administers it in three treatments.

 

Scalp Micro-pigmentation (SMP): This treatment mimics the look of thicker and fuller hair. A doctor will use very thin needles to apply ink to the scalp, leaving thousands of microscopic impressions. This effect, similar to stippling, creates the illusion of hair follicles.

 

Low-Level Laser Therapy: This is one of the most successful non-surgical means of addressing hair loss. Lasers stimulate the tissue molecules known to strengthen hair by delivering a specific wavelength of light to the scalp.

 

Finally, the cornerstone of all hair loss therapies – finasteride and minoxidil:

 

Prescription Finasteride (Propecia): The FDA has cleared the use of this prescribed drug once daily. Its primary role is to prevent the formation of DHT. DHT is the hormone that weakens your hair follicles and inhibits or stops their growth. Propecia must be taken regularly in order to be successful. Unfortunately, women aren’t able to use Propecia for hair loss because it causes a number of undesirable side effects, including diminished libido, breast soreness, and excessive hair growth.

 

Minoxidil: According to Bosley website, “about 8-10% of users obtain cosmetically effective growth, while the remaining 20% get vellus (or peach fuzz) development.”

 

You can buy Bosley’s  “The Full Package” complete with DHT-removing shampoo, scalp-stimulating follicle energizer, Minoxidil topical treatment, AND prescription Finasteride.

 

In addition, the “The Healthy Hair Kit” is available for purchase. The Healthy Hair Kit contains ingredients that nourish and revitalize the scalp and hair, fostering the growth of thick, healthy hair. The natural DHT-blocking pumpkin seed extract, mixed with biotin, niacin, and panthenol, gently washes, nourishes, and treats the hair, reducing scalp irritation, increasing scalp circulation, and strengthening the hair to promote healthy hair development.

 

Source: Bosley

 

Finally, like HairClub, Bosley also carries a Laser Cap for at-home use:

 

Laser cap: Bosley’s Revitalizer is a cap that applies light to your follicles. Its highest number of diodes caps out at 96, however, whereas HairClub’s boasts an impressive 312, greatly outnumbering it.

 

 

How much does Bosley cost? 

 

The cost of your Bosley treatment is determined by your hair type and condition – i.e. the severity of your baldness – as well as your desired results. The company estimates that hair transplant surgery typically costs between $4k and $12k. As a heads up, you may also be charged $500 – $1,000 for a room reservation fee for your operation.

 

If money is tight or your hair loss isn’t severe, Bosley’s DIY hair loss treatments may be your better bet. Here’s Bosley pricing for its various over the counter and prescription treatments:

 

 

Bosley RX Hair Treatment	Price
Finasteride (1 mg)	$25/month
Finasteride (1mg) + Minoxidil (5%)	$35/month
The Full Package (DHT-removing shampoo, scalp-stimulating follicle energizer, Minoxidil + Finasteride)	$60/month
Health Hair Kit (Follicle Energizer, 60 capsules Supplements, Shampoo, Conditioner + Minoxidil 5% Spray)	$125 for 2 months, or $300 for 6 months

 

Review of Keeps hair loss “clinic”

 

Source: Keeps

 

What is Keeps?

 

Though Keeps is a relatively new player in the hair loss club (founded in 2018), it has set itself apart as a serious industry competitor. With a robust set of wallet-friendly hair loss products for men, including both over-the-counter topicals (minoxidil) and prescription meds (finasteride), Keeps not only boasts the lowest upfront cost, it also eliminates the need for in-center or pharmacy visits. 

 

It has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has received substantial media coverage over the years. The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, GQ, TechCrunch, and Business Insider have all written on the brand. Having reviewed a ton of hair loss treatment providers including Hims and Roman, Keeps is the best online clinic for hair loss. They are planning to open in-person treatment centers soon, first starting in NYC, but ultimately, most men suffering from alopecia will see results from a Keeps subscription despite no brick and mortar center.

 

 

Does Keep work?

 

The process of getting hair loss meds from Keeps is pretty straightforward. You first answer questions about your scalp, lifestyle, and medical history, then upload a couple of photos of your hairline and crown. Keeps’ network of doctors, pharmacists, and care consultants then analyze your responses and prescribe the appropriate treatment strategy.

 

FYI, you must also provide a copy of your driver’s license or other government-issued identification. Because Keeps requires a prescription, the ID is required so the doctor knows who you are before prescribing. 

 

Keeps is a subscription service, meaning they’ll send you hair loss meds every three months, so you have two and a half months to evaluate the product and cancel if you don’t like it. Your initial consultation is free, and after your initial visit, you’ll be able to message the doctor any time for the next year.

 

Keeps will contact you 30 days after the initial treatment to check in. Otherwise, you can contact their specialists via email if you have any questions or issues.

 

 

Source: Keeps 

 

 

What are Keeps’ most popular hair loss treatments?

 

Keeps offer three main treatment plans for male hair loss: 

 

• Overall thinning (treated with a combination of Finasteride and Minoxidil)
• Receding hairlines (treated with a daily prescription tablet of Finasteride, 1mg)
• Thinning at the crown (treated with daily foam or solution of Minoxidil, 5%)

 

Keeps’ products are mainly topical treatments accompanied by FDA-approved prescriptions. Their products are primarily geared toward maintaining existing hair, recommended for use in the early stages of symptoms. Hair loss usually occurs with discontinued use, making long-term use the only option. That means, in order for Keeps to remain effective, you’ll have to continuously take their meds / apply their treatments indefinitely.

 

Keeps offers three different hair loss treatments that have been proven effective for millions of men in clinical trials: finasteride, minoxidil, and ketoconazole. They all serve distinct purposes and have slightly varied applications.

 

 

1. Finasteride from Keeps

 

It is a drug that has been medically assessed and confirmed to be effective in 9 out of 10 males. Propecia is a well-known brand-name alternative. This prescription medication can cure male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia. It is a once-daily pill that aids in the prevention of hair loss and the growth of new hair. However, if you stop using it, you will eventually lose any new hair you grow. It generally takes 3-6 months to observe noticeable results from finasteride. We go into depth into its side effects and compare finasteride pricing here if you care to read up, but just know that it’s an incredibly common drug prescribed by dermatologist for male pattern baldness.

 

While finasteride is mostly taken orally, there’s now a topical version that has even smaller risk of side effects. Although Keeps doesn’t offer topical fin just yet, we compared the top three topical Finasteride providers if you’re curious to learn more.

 

 

2. Minoxidil from Keeps

 

Keeps sells minoxidil as a solution to apply with a dropper to your scalp or as a foam to apply with your hands. Each contains 5% of the active substance. Rogaine is the non-generic, brand-name version of this medication. Minoxidil does not help with frontal baldness, which is the most prevalent cause of concern in men. However, it works best on the crown of the head. It has also been FDA-approved for hair loss treatment and works by promoting hair growth and lengthens the growth phase of the hair follicle, resulting in thicker hair. The most common side effect is dry scalp (which happens occasionally), although it is pretty uncommon.

 

 

3. Ketoconazole shampoo from Keeps

 

Keeps sells shampoo containing 2% topical ketoconazole, a generic version of Nizoral. Ketoconazole is an anti-fungal medicine that can be used for hair loss off-label. While it is not primarily used to treat hair loss or regrowth, ketoconazole is a prescription shampoo for males who have excessively dry scalps, also known medically as seborrhea. Keeps suggests it as another treatment for dandruff, itching, and flaking. It’s a Rx product, so it still needs to be prescribed by a doctor, but it demonstrates Keep’s dedication to general hair health rather than simply hair loss.

 

Source: Keeps 

 

 

How much does Keeps cost?

 

Keeps is a subscription model, meaning you pay for three months at a time and get hair loss meds delivered automatically:

 

• Finasteride and Minoxidil Foam: $60 for the first 3 months, then $120 every 3 months.
• Finasteride and Minoxidil Solution: $52.50 for the first 3 months, then $105 every 3 months.
• Finasteride only: $37.50 for the first 3 months, then $75 every 3 months.
• Minoxidil Foam only: $22.50 for the first 3 months, then $45 every 3 months.
• Minoxidil Solution only: $15 for the first 3 months, then $30 every 3 months.

 

Ketoconazole can be added a la carte to any treatment plan. It costs $15 for the first 3 months, then $30 every 3 months after that. Keeps also sells a thickening shampoo and conditioner, which costs $11 for the first order and $22 every 3 months after that.

 

 

What sets Keeps apart vs typical hair clinics?

 

Keeps is tailored for convenience, privacy, and affordability. A qualified expert or doctor examines you virtually and tailors a bespoke treatment to target the problem regions of hair loss. This is done through telemedicine without the need to attend an office, making it available in any area in the United States.

 

As we mentioned before, in-center visits are not available from Keeps just yet. Currently the service is amazingly convenient for those with minimal hair loss problems who don’t require advanced specialized care, but soon Keeps will offer in-person hair restoration treatments.

 

Keeps has its own pharmacy supply chain and thus offers prescription hair loss meds cheaper than a traditional in-person pharmacy. That said, the monthly recurring cost adds up over time given that hair regrowth requires consistent application for the rest of your life.

 

Compared to an (expensive) one-time hair transplant, the lifetime cost of Keeps may actually be more. But it offers greater flexibility – cancel any time, while there’s no reversing a hair transplant – and is much less invasive. Besides, hair transplant procedures simply don’t make sense for guys with mild thinning or early-stage alopecia.

 

For convenience seekers in general, Keeps your best option. The topical and prescription treatments are accessible from anywhere in the US without the need to leave your couch. For a more comprehensive look, check out our in-depth review of Keeps and find out how their hair loss subscription stacks up against competitions such as Rogaine.

 

 

Customer reviews: What are people saying about HairClub vs Bosley vs Keeps online?

 

The three hair clubs have received varying reviews from their clientele user base. Since different products and services all bring different reviews, it can be tricky to get a fair and comprehensive review. Here’s a sample of some of the reviews:

 

Reviews of HairClub

 

HairClub customers give HairClub 3.4 out of 5 stars from 795 reviewers on Trustpilot. 

 

 

For the most part, customers seem enamored with their online collection of D2C hair loss products like the Capilus laser cap as well:

 

 

Reviews of Bosley

 

Users have given Bosley a variety of ratings. Check out this Amazon review of one of their a la carte products (Minoxidil and DHT blocker shampoo). It is important to note that hair thinning due to discontinuation of Minoxidil use is typical for all minoxidil solutions no matter the brand marketing it, so Bosley isn’t at fault for this. It’s a good reminder that although these medications work well for millions, everyone’s body is different. Overall from 2,858 global ratings, Bosley has a aggregate rating of 4.5 out of 5.

 

Keeps customer reviews

 

Keeps has received a lot of positive press and customer feedback. It has a 3.8 out of 5 star rating and an A + rating from the Better Business Bureau, although its Trustpilot ratings are divided with an average rating of 2.49 stars at the time of publication. Concerns about the inability to cancel their purchase are among the most common complaints. Even those with a bone to pick about their experience praise the results that Keep’s products yielded for them, which you can clearly see in these customer’s before and after pics we collected. 

 

The Verdict: What’s the best hair loss clinic for you?

 

There are several things to consider before picking a hair loss clinic. First and foremost is whether you need in-person treatment – i.e. a transplant, topical surgery, or light therapy – or prefer a DIY approach without physical doctor visits.

 

Unless you’re already completely bald, we recommend the latter. Most men in the early stages of alopecia see impressive results in just 3-6 months with topical minoxidil and finasteride. While all three hair clinics we compared – HairClub, Bosley, and Keeps – offer these clinically proven meds, we recommend Keeps as the top choice for convenience, price, and overall value if you decide you don’t need in-person therapy. Keep in mind, however, that Keeps only serves male patients, so if you’re a female and want to start DIY hair regrowth treatments, check out Hers and over-the-counter options like Vegamour or Nutrafol.

 

Save 50% on your first delivery of hair loss meds from Keeps

 

For those with more severe cases of balding who seek in-person treatment from expert dermatologists on an ongoing basis, HairClub or Bosley will be your best bet. Unlike Keeps, these two hair loss clinics offer more invasive treatments like light or pigmentation therapies, as well as full hair transplants that are also more expensive upfront, but typically eliminate the need for ongoing medication or topical application.

 

 

HairClub vs Bosley, which is better?

 

Both offer a wide range of hair regrowth products, prescriptions, laser therapy, and specialized procedures. They also both serve people of all ages and genders and provide hair treatment for the scalp as well as the brows. Funny enough, both companies are actually owned by the same parent company, Aderans, which is headquartered in Tokyo. Thus the two companies actually aren’t competitors, but instead part of the same overall corporation. That said, there are some key differences that may influence your decision to visit one over the other. 

 

While both offer similar restorative techniques and transplant surgeries, keep in mind that these are not guaranteed to work, and come with risk of side effects. It’s also never worth going into debt to avoid a bald head, so make sure to weigh your finances carefully before deciding to move forward with any expensive regrowth procedures.

 

Despite these caveats, if you feel that you’re ready for in-person hair restoration treatment, we recommend HairClub over Bosley. That’s not only because they have more treatment center locations (120 locations vs 70 across North America), which makes accessing care more convenient, but also because HairClub also has much better customer reviews online (3.5 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot vs Bosley’s 1.8….ouch!). Even if you’re only interested in light therapy, HairClub still comes out on top, offering more diodes in their laser cap and bands. One last thing we love about HairClub is their $249/month bundle. While this isn’t cheap, you get a TON of value for the price, including hair loss treatments, salon care, and thickening products you can use at home.

 

In the end, each of these hair clubs has a lot to offer, and they are more alike than they are apart. The choice may boil down to budget, accessibility, convenience, and severity of hair loss. Whatever your hair loss situation, fear not! There are remedies out there within reach that can help 🙂

 

If you’ve tried Bosley or HairClub, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Drop us a line to help others decide on the right hair loss clinic for them.