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Pomade is one of the most interesting men’s hair products on the planet. For millions of men, it offers the ability to style your hair in a variety of ways and can be used to create different looks. Pompadours, undercut combovers, faux hawks, slicked back hair, spiked, or messy hairdos. The permutations are endless!
Today we review Keeps thickening pomade for men with thinning hair to see how well it works, and how it differs from traditional styling products.
What is Keeps Thickening Pomade?
The newest member of Keeps men’s hair care line, their Thickening Pomade, is a water-based formulation that offers a strong, pliable hold with a natural, matte finish.
While pomade is a frequent pick among guys wanting a long-lasting hairdo with mild grip and added shine, Keeps Pomade is unique because it offers the added benefit of making your thinning hair appear thicker.
The company’s forte is not only its shampoos, conditioners, and hair care products, but also the way they are coupled with FDA-approved hair loss treatments like Finasteride. Keeps Pomade is one of many products in a range that work together to provide guys the best chance of keeping their hair.
But, how does this Keeps pomade work to visually thicken your hair? And can it be used in conjunction with other products? We dug deeper to find out.
How does Keeps Pomade work?
Keeps Pomade contains plenty of healthy hair ingredients, but none of them are as strong as the medicated treatments that are available from Keeps. The pomade is a fantastic product that is filled to the brim with nutrients that help your hair to thrive, but no ingredients that will specifically stop your hair from shedding further. And while it may certainly promote the appearance of thicker hair, this is more of an effect of the binding ingredients, rather than anything that will actually stem the cause of your underlying hair loss.
While it’s clear that Keeps Pomade works well for many men, we just want to emphasize that it doesn’t magically cure alopecia. For more robust results that target hair loss from multiple angles, you’ll likely need to commit to one of Keeps FDA-approved treatments.
Before we describe those more in-depth, let’s first discuss the active ingredients inside Keeps’ pomade so you know the science behind how they work to thicken hair.
Keeps Pomade Ingredients
While Keeps pomade doesn’t contain minoxidil or finasteride, it does pack a powerful punch against hair loss. The formula is mixed with all the essential nutrients to keep hair healthy and to prevent hair loss. This includes their DHT Blocker blend, which contains:
- Saw Palmetto
- Green Tea
- Biotin
- Caffeine
Each one of these ingredients has been shown to be effective at fighting hair loss and promoting hair growth, though not to the same scale as minoxidil or finasteride.
1. Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is a plant extract that works by inhibiting the effects of DHT.
DHT is the root (haha) cause of hair loss for many men and is produced when testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. 5-alpha reductase is an enzyme that’s found in the hair follicles, skin, and prostate. When DHT levels are high, it can cause the hair follicles to shrink, which leads to hair loss.
In five randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and two prospective cohort studies, saw palmetto in various topical and oral forms has shown 60% improvement in overall hair quality and increased hair density in 83.3% of patients. With figures like that, it’s tough to dismiss its effectiveness.
Because of this, saw palmetto is often used as a natural treatment for hair loss. Saw palmetto is considered to be safe and well-tolerated but has sometimes rare side effects of gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Saw palmetto is also the active ingredient in other hair loss brands products such as Hims Thickening Shampoo and Nutrafol’s Synergen Complex.
2. Green Tea
Green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant and has many health benefits. One of those benefits is that it can help to prevent hair loss. Green tea contains catechins, which are antioxidants that can help to block the production of DHT.
Green tea is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce scalp inflammation. Inflammation is a normal immune response, but when it’s chronic, it can lead to tissue damage and hair loss. So, by reducing inflammation, green tea can help to prevent hair loss and is also considered to be safe and well-tolerated.
3. Biotin
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that’s found in food such as eggs, nuts, and legumes.
Biotin is essential for hair growth because it’s necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, which are all essential for hair growth. Biotin is also involved in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, which are essential for the growth and repair of cells.
When it comes to hair loss, biotin is often touted as a top-performing natural treatment. There’s some evidence to support this claim, but it is still not as powerful as a prescription medication. However, biotin is a necessary nutrient for the health of your hair, so it can’t hurt to take a biotin supplement.
When adding biotin to your diet, make sure to take it with food. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, so it’s not stored in the body. This means that you need to take it every day to ensure that you’re getting enough.
4. Caffeine
Caffeine is a coffee bean extract that has been shown to increase hair growth. Caffeine works by inhibiting the action of hair loss hormones, such as DHT. Caffeine also helps to promote hair growth by increasing the production of hair follicle cells.
Caffeine is often used topically in the form of creams, shampoos, and conditioners. When used topically, it’s important to make sure that the products don’t contain other ingredients that could cause hair loss, such as sulfates or parabens.
There is some evidence to suggest that taking caffeine orally can also help to prevent hair loss. However, more research is needed to confirm this. Caffeine is generally considered to be safe, but it can cause side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. The recommended dose of caffeine is 200 mg per day.
Should I use Keeps Pomade with minoxidil or finasteride?
While Keeps Pomade is filled to the brim with ingredients that benefit the hair, there are no prescription medications inside. The pomade is meant to complement such treatments and enhance the results of anything else you’re taking, such as minoxidil or finasteride. The pomade will help keep your hair healthy and hydrated while you continue your other treatments, plus it’ll help to give the appearance of a thicker hairline immediately.
Pomades are pretty impressive in their own right when it comes to hair styling. They can be used to retexture the hair, thicken it up, add shine, hold styles in place, and even nourish the scalp and hair follicles. So, if you’re looking for a product to give you an edge in your hair loss battle, Keeps Thickening Pomade may be just what you need.
Keeps Pomade + finasteride
If you want to halt hair loss, you should think about Finasteride. It is more commonly used to prevent further hair loss than to promote hair growth. Finasteride acts by reducing the activity of 5-alpha-reductase and as a result, testosterone is not transformed into DHT.
This makes it a good alternative for guys who wish to be proactive about hair loss treatment while also retaining their current head of hair. This prescription can produce outstanding benefits for males suffering from male pattern baldness (a genetic condition); however, it cannot help those experiencing hair loss due to lifestyle or stress issues.
Keeps offers finasteride in oral prescription form. The standard dose is 1mg taken once every day, and you can expect to see effects in 3 to 6 months.
By the way, we previously compared Keeps finasteride pills with Hims and Nutrafol natural supplement to determine the best men’s hair loss pill. We’ve also reviewed Keeps vs Roman vs Hims, in case you’re curious how Keeps stacks up to other popular men’s hair loss brands offering prescription hair loss meds.
Keeps Pomade + minoxidil
Minoxidil, on the other hand, stimulates hair growth by acting as a vasodilator, opening blood vessels and increasing circulation to the treated area. This can stimulate and revive latent hair follicles, resulting in their development. Minoxidil is also recommended for extending the development phase of hair follicles. When these effects are combined, they can produce thicker, fuller hair.
Both minoxidil solution and foam minoxidil are available with Keeps.
We have reviewed Keeps finasteride and minoxidil hair loss subscription in depth in case you want to check it out and see if it is the right path for you.
You might be skeptical about Keeps finasteride and minoxidil results. Why don’t you see it for yourself? We have got you covered with our Keeps before and after pics from real customers!
What else does Keeps offer for men’s hair care?
As we’ve mentioned, Keeps is focused 100% on men’s hair loss and offers a broad hair care line with other products like thickening shampoos and conditioners, ketoconazole shampoos, and minoxidil foam. These are all designed to be used in conjunction with one another for the best results. However, you can use any combination of products depending on your hair type, needs, and, perhaps most importantly, the recommendation of a doctor.
Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all remedy for hair loss. Just one, several, or all of the above may work best for your scalp. However, one of the most common treatments to start with is minoxidil (aka Rogaine, available over the counter) and finasteride (available by prescription). Additional treatments containing biotin, ketoconazole, and saw palmetto can also be helpful in combination with finasteride and minoxidil.
While, yes, minoxidil and finasteride can help prevent hair loss, seeing noticeable results typically takes 6 to 12 months. If you are impatient and want to enhance the hair you’ve got, Keeps Pomade might assist whatever you’re currently working with to look thicker and fresher in the meantime.
Keeps also offers various other products that leverage the same ingredients as their Pomade: saw palmetto, caffeine, green tea, biotin, rosemary oil, pumpkin seed oil, and more. You can keep your hair follicles clean and healthy with these additional Keeps products:
Keeps OTC Hair Loss products | Price | Best for | Best paired with |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2% Ketoconazole shampoo | $10/month for 4 oz | Treating dandruff and reducing itching | ❌ |
| Keeps Thickening Shampoo | $22 for 8 oz | Making thinner hairs look thicker and keeping follicles clean | Minoxidil Finasteride Pomade Conditioner |
| Keeps Thickening Conditioner | $22 for 8 oz | Strengthening the cuticle layer of your scalp | Minoxidil Finasteride Pomade Shampoo |
Keeps Pomade Alternatives
Curious how Keeps pomade compares to other thickening topicals from other brands? Here’s a head to head comparison of Keeps vs Baxter vs Crew:
Best Pomade for Thinning Hair | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume/Quantity | 3 oz | 2 oz | 3 oz | 4.25 oz |
| Price | $16.67 for your first order $25 after that for a 3-month subscription ($8.30/oz) | $23 ($11.50/oz) | $18.50 ($6.17/oz) | $20.50 ($4.82/oz) |
| Key ingredients | Saw palmetto Biotin Caffeine Green Tea | Communis oil Castor seed oil | Castor oil Cereus Grandiflorus (Cactus) Flower Extract | Kaolin clay Waxes from Brazilian palm tree leaves |
| Best for? | All hair types, best to make thin hair look thicker | Straight, thick, wavy hair | All hair types | Fine to medium thick hair |
| Hold | Medium | Strong, pliable | Medium | Medium |
| Finish | Matte | Matte | Medium shine | Matte |
| Ethanol and propylene glycol free? | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Access to doctor’s consultation? | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Backed by research to specifically thicken hair? | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Website |
Keeps Pomade Reviews: Are customers seeing results?
One of the perks of internet transparency is being able to easily find real human reviews, not just product endorsements. Ratings and reviews for Keeps products are actually very high, and many users report amazing results from using the products, including strong, thick hair growth, especially when used in conjunction with the recommended medication prescribed by Keeps for your personal hair loss situation.
Similarly, there are hundreds of reviews of Keeps’ hair thickening shampoo on their site, the vast majority of which are overwhelmingly positive. This makes sense, since their products are specifically designed by dermatologists to address the underlying causes of alopecia in men. Customers love that it’s affordable, and many have posted before and after photos showing impressive results!
The new Keeps Thickening Pomade is the same, though being a new kid on the block, it hasn’t garnered as much attention yet. The ingredients in the pomade are all-natural and sulfate-free, and it’s designed to give your hair a bit of extra hold without weighing it down or making it greasy. Many regular pomade products tend to make hair look oily and can contribute to scalp issues, but not Keeps! Theirs is the opposite.
The Verdict: Is Keeps Pomade worth it?
If you’re suffering from hair loss, you’re probably willing to try just about anything to stop it from getting worse. Whether you’re currently taking prescription hair loss meds or looking for an all-natural alternative to try first, Keeps Thickening Pomade is pretty fantastic as a whole. While it may not promote hair regrowth, it’s a badass styling product that contains tons of minerals and ingredients that scientists have determined are beneficial to your scalp and hair follicle health.
Not everyone is born with thick, lustrous locks, but pomade can help you get a lot closer to that dream by adding noticeable volume to your strands. It works instantly after application, a relief for many guys anxiously awaiting results from minoxidil or finasteride, each of which takes (at least) a few months to kick in.
If you already style your hair each morning, you might consider switching to a formula like Keeps thickening pomade that’s specifically designed to improve scalp health as well. Taking this preventative step will help you make your thin hair look fuller, textured, and more voluminous as you age. Furthermore, Keeps pomade is entirely safe to use on a daily basis—even in combination with other hair loss treatments (prescription and OTC).
Our favorite part? Keeps’ Pomade is affordable; in fact, it’s inexpensive compared to many other hair loss products on the market. You can order a 3-month subscription of Keeps Thickening Pomade online for $25, which nets out to just ~$8.30/month.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you use Keeps Thickening Pomade?
Here is a quick rundown on how to apply the Keeps Pomade to your head for best results. (Spoiler alert: it’s dead simple).
- To activate the pomade, towel-dry your hair, leaving only a slight bit of moisture (pomade at room temperature or colder will be difficult to manage, let alone apply to your hair).
- Warm up the pomade by rubbing a tiny amount (adding more as needed) between your hands. Make sure it’s distributed equally throughout your fingertips.
- Apply the pomade to the roots of your hair first and work your way up to the tips.
- Distribute the pomade throughout your hair with a comb, using your fingertips to break up any leftover clumps.
- To keep your style in place, blow dry or air dry your hair completely before getting on with your day.
How much does Keeps Pomade cost?
Keeps Pomade costs $16.67 for your first order and $25 thereafter for a 3-month subscription, coming to a little over $8/month. Your Keeps subscription will be billed and shipped every three months and gives you about 3 oz of pomade per container.
If you want to give Keeps’ minoxidil and finasteride a try in combination with their pomade, we recommend their Finasteride & Minoxidil Plan, which costs $80 for a 3-month subscription.
Pomade vs gel vs wax: What's best for thickening?
You might have some other products that you’ve used in the past or are looking into using and wonder how they stack up. The difference between these three hair styling products is how it feels on the hair and how it dries and holds the hair.
Always be sure to check out the ingredients in any of the products that you choose, especially in wax. For the best quality, make sure there aren’t any chemicals available, which can harm both your scalp and your hair.
If you have oily hair that is medium or short, then hair wax is a good option for you. One thing to keep in mind is that wax will never work with wet hair. Wax also has a similar final look to pomade, usually a more matte finish, as opposed to gel that offers a less natural look. Gel offers the strongest hold, but once it’s in and styled, you cannot re-style it
If you’re looking for the most natural finish with a still-strong hold, pomade is the best choice for you. Keeps goes above and beyond to offer pomade that not only is a great hair styling product, but a great way to make thin hair look thicker, too.
Why use pomade?
Pomade was invented to help keep the hair in place and to add shine and has actually been around since 1873 – a time when Victorian manliness and mustache waxes were still a thing. It was originally used for men’s hairstyles like the pompadour and has continued to evolved over time.
Nowadays, there are tons of different hair pomades with a variety of brands and formulas that can be used for different hair types. The best pomade for thick hair, for example, won’t be the same as the best pomade for hair on the thinner side. It’s important to understand the different types of pomade and how they work before you start using them.
One of these brands is Keeps, a subscription-based company focused on treating genetic-based hair loss in men, also known as alopecia.
What is Keeps?
Keeps is a modern telemedicine company started by a couple guys who were losing their hair and wanted to find a better way to help themselves and other guys keep it. Keeps’ doctors can diagnose your condition virtually and deliver FDA-approved hair care products designed to prevent thinning at the source. Shampoos, conditioners, prescription medications, supplements, and now pomade are among the items available. Keeps offers these products through a convenient subscription service that delivers these treatments to your door every month.
The brand is proud of its straightforward, jargon-free approach to men’s hair care. Since hair loss results from medical issues, such as scalp infection, hormonal imbalances, or dandruff, Keeps will begin by connecting you to a hair loss doctor (i.e. a dermatologist) who will review your results in order to identify and prescribe the best treatment plan for you. By purchasing a treatment plan, you gain access to the doctor for unlimited texting for one year (in addition to your treatments).
Keeps’ products are FDA-approved and rooted in science. With a competent medical team behind them, the Keeps founders set out to create this growing combination of products to address real problems that many men encounter, all while keeping the prices low.
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