If you’ve been looking into treatment for pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia), you may have come across the ingredients minoxidil and finasteride, which are the two most popular and clinically-backed treatments for thinning hair that come in both oral and topical form.
Brands like Hims, Keeps, Roman, Happy Head, and Strut provide topical products that combine finasteride, minoxidil, and sometimes other active ingredients into a single treatment that’s much less likely to cause side effects compared to its oral counterparts. On top of that, research proves that topical minoxidil and finasteride are clinically effective and work better together than apart.
In this article, we’ll discuss our experience using topical finasteride and minoxidil spray from various brands, specifically focusing on each product’s effectiveness, potential side effects, pricing, and more. We also spoke with Dr. Jonathan Rick, a board-certified dermatologist about the best hair regrowth products available now.
It’s a tight race, but our top pick for best topical finasteride and minoxidil combination hair loss treatment is Roman’s 3-in-1 spray. Boasting a relatively low price tag and an innovative formula that adds research-backed tretinoin, Roman offers the best balance of affordability, efficacy, and value for your money.
Does Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Spray Work?
Not only do 2-in-1 topical finasteride and minoxidil sprays work, but clinical studies have shown that they actually produce better results than either topical minoxidil or finasteride alone. And when compared with oral finasteride, spray-on, topical finasteride medications are proven to promote a similar amount of hair growth, with fewer side effects.
A Word From Our Expert
— Dr. Jonathan Rick
There are many types of hair loss, many of which require evaluation by an experienced physician to adequately diagnose. However, androgenic alopecia is very common and treatable. There are several effective treatments for androgenic alopecia, including minoxidil and finasteride. In addition to finasteride and minoxidil, there is data to support the use of platelet-rich plasma injections, red light therapy, growth supplements, like Nutrafol, microneedling, and hair transplantation.”
Related reading: Finoxidil: What It Is, How It Works, and Where to Get It Safely
How Long Does It Take to See Results?
Even healthy hair takes a long time to grow, so you’ll need to be extra patient as your treatment works to repair damaged follicles and encourage new growth. It can take anywhere from 3-6 months to see visible changes in the volume or fullness of your hair.
Compared to oral finasteride, topical finasteride can be just as game-changing for your hair, but with a significantly reduced risk of side effects, like mood or libido changes.
Our Experience With Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Spray
No matter which brand you go with, the process of getting started with a topical 2-in-1 will go pretty much the same way. Once you’ve decided which treatment you want, you’ll need to answer a few questions about your medical history and your symptoms, either through an online form or in a video call with your new clinician. Since finasteride is a prescription medication, you’ll need a doctor’s help to get any topical that contains it.
Although topicals come in a few different forms–like sprays, gels, and solutions–they’re all fairly simple to apply. The only issue some folks have run into is their spray nozzle malfunctioning, but it’s easy enough to get a replacement. While I didn’t personally experience any issues with the spray nozzles during testing, I can imagine that this could be a frustrating part of the process that could slightly delay your treatment.
Something to keep in mind if you’re new to treating hair loss is that it is normal to see a slight uptick in shedding in the first few weeks of treatment. Try to stick it out for at least two months before giving up on a particular product to really see if it works for you.
Related reading: Best Topical Finasteride: Review the Top Finasteride Brands Online
Where to Buy the Best Minoxidil and Finasteride Topical Treatment
Here’s an at-a-glance comparison of the best brands for topical minoxidil and finasteride treatments so you can make the right choice for your hair.
Hims vs. Roman vs. Keeps vs. Happy Head vs. Strut | Price | Application | Active ingredients | Propylene glycol free option available? | Recommended use | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hims | $150 quarterly ($50/month) for 60 ml | Spray | 0.3% Finasteride 6% Minoxidil | ❌ | Once daily | |
| Roman | $50/month | Spray | 0.3% Finasteride 6% Minoxidil 0.025% Tretinoin | ❌ | Once daily | |
| Keeps | $40/month for 30 ml | Gel | 0.25% Finasteride 5% Minoxidil | ✅ | Once daily | |
| Happy Head | $79/month for 60 ml | Solution | 0.3% Finasteride 8% Minoxidil 0.001% Retinoic Acid 1% Hydrocortisone | ✅ | Twice daily | |
| Strut | $59/month for 30 ml | Gel or solution | 0.1-0.25% Finasteride 0.0%-7.5% Minoxidil 0.0%-0.0125% Tretinoin 0.01% Fluocinolone | ✅ | Once daily |
We recommend Roman 3-in-1 topical spray for its unique balance of affordability and innovation. For $50 per month, their daily spray packs the best bang for your buck thanks to its well-calibrated doses of finasteride and minoxidil boosted by research-backed tretinoin.
1. Hims Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Spray
- Price: $50 per month
- Finasteride dose: 0.3%
- Minoxidil dose: 6%
- How to use: Once daily
- Form: Spray
- Best for: Strongest spray without additional active ingredients
If you’re not keen on newer treatment ingredients like tretinoin and hydrocortisone, Hims is a great option to consider. Their daily spray contains powerful doses of finasteride and minoxidil, with nothing else muddying the waters. It’s also fairly affordable, but they don’t offer a propylene glycol-free version.
A Word From Our Expert
— Dr. Jonathan Rick
For individuals wanting to approach hair loss from several directions, Hims allows quick access to prescription medication and full treatment plans. However, it should be noted that not all hair loss is androgenic and there are several important conditions that can cause hair loss and require attention from a medical professional to diagnose.”
Related reading: Hims Review – Is It Legit for Men’s Hair Loss & ED Treatment?
2. Roman Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Spray
- Price: $50 per month
- Finasteride dose: 0.3%
- Minoxidil dose: 6%
- How to use: Once daily
- Form: Spray
- Best for: A balance between effectiveness and affordability – our pick for best overall
Roman’s 3-in-1 spray is our pick for best topical finasteride and minoxidil spray for several reasons. First off, their $50 per month price tag is one of the lowest you’ll find. In addition, their daily spray format couldn’t be simpler to use. And finally, their carefully crafted formula employs strong, but not over-the-top doses of finasteride and minoxidil combined with tretinoin, which has been proven in clinical studies to make topical treatments more effective (even for people who’ve tried them before with no results).
Related reading: Roman Topical Finasteride Review: Does It Work for Thinning Hair?
3. Keeps Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Gel
- Price: $40 per month
- Finasteride dose: 0.25%
- Minoxidil dose: 5%
- How to use: Once daily
- Form: Gel
- Best for: Affordability, sensitive skin
For those with sensitive scalps (or bank accounts), Keeps may be the superior choice. Their gel formula includes lower, but still-potent doses of minoxidil and finasteride, which means it’s less likely to cause itchiness, redness, and other signs of irritation. They even offer a version without propylene glycol for folks who are allergic to it. Plus, Keeps gel costs $40 per month, making it one of the most affordable options.
Related reading: Keeps Topical Finasteride Review – Does It Work for Hair Loss?
4. Happy Head Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Solution
- Price: $79 per month
- Finasteride dose: 0.3%
- Minoxidil dose: 8%
- How to use: Twice daily
- Form: Solution
- Best for: Advanced hair loss
If you’re willing to make a larger commitment in terms of both time and money, in exchange for a stronger formula, Happy Head may be the right choice for you. While their extra-strength formula costs a whopping $79 per month, it offers the highest concentrations of finasteride and minoxidil of any of the products on this list. Happy Head’s solution also includes retinoic acid (another form of tretinoin) and hydrocortisone (an anti-inflammatory steroid). Sensitive scalps should steer clear of this solution, but people with advanced hair loss who haven’t been helped by other products may find Happy Head’s solution well-worth the price tag.
5. Strut Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Gel
- Price: $59 per month
- Finasteride dose: 0.1-0.25%
- Minoxidil dose: 0-7.5%
- How to use: Once daily
- Form: Gel or solution
- Best for: Personalization
Willing to shell out a little extra cash in exchange for greater control over what goes into your topical treatment? Then Strut might be the best brand for you. Available as a gel or a solution, Strut’s topical lets you decide how much finasteride, minoxidil, tretinoin, and fluocinolone to include. You can even leave some of these ingredients out if you’re allergic to them, or just not a fan.
Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Spray Side Effects
One of the best things about using a topical hair loss treatment is that it’s much less likely than oral treatments to cause serious side effects. Still, that doesn’t mean there’s zero chance of running into unpleasant symptoms while you treat your hair.
Side effects of topical finasteride can include:
- Decreased libido
- Depression
- Difficulty maintaining an erection or ejaculating
Side effects of topical minoxidil can include:
- Dryness, scaling, or flaking of the scalp
- Itching, irritation, or burning at the treated area
Who Should Not Use Topical Finasteride and Minoxidil Spray?
Let your doctor know if any of the following conditions apply to you before trying topical hair loss treatment:
- You’re allergic to minoxidil or finasteride
- You have or have had heart, kidney, or liver disease
- You have or have had prostate cancer
- You’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to be
- You’re taking medication for high blood pressure
Contact your doctor or your local emergency services immediately if you experience any of these potentially serious symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Hives or rash
- Rapid heartbeat
- Swelling of the lips, face, ankles, hands, or stomach
- Weight gain
Summary
Topical finasteride and minoxidil spray is a great way to reap the benefits of the two most effective hair loss treatments, while lessening your risk of unpleasant side effects. It’s easy to order online, simple to use, and can be pretty affordable to boot.
Our favorite 2-in-1 topical finasteride and minoxidil spray is from the brand Roman, which offers a good mix of effectiveness and affordability. However, those who are willing to spend more for additional ingredients or higher concentrations, those who have sensitive scalps, or anyone looking for more customization options might be better off with another brand, like Hims, Strut, Keeps, or Happy Head.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can finasteride regrow hair in bald spots?
Finasteride can help you regrow hair and hold onto what you have by blocking hair loss at the source, while minoxidil is often recommended for bald spots. That’s why we’re such big fans of topical finasteride and minoxidil combos, which don’t force you to choose.
Does topical finasteride affect sperm?
According to clinical studies, topical finasteride is much less likely to cause sexual side effects than the oral form, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
What are the cons of topical finasteride?
Like any topical treatment, finasteride can irritate your scalp and cause redness, flakes, and itching. Plus, there’s still a small risk of a negative impact on your mood or sex life.
Why isn’t topical finasteride FDA approved?
Doctors have been researching the oral form of finasteride for a very long time (it actually started off as a treatment for prostate cancer), and it’s going to take a while for the evidence for the topical version to stack up.
Does finasteride lower testosterone?
Finasteride works by preventing testosterone from converting into dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for hair loss. That means you may actually have higher levels of testosterone with finasteride than you do without it.
Related reading: How to Reduce Side Effects of Finasteride
Can I switch from oral to topical finasteride?
You certainly can, but be aware that you may lose some of the hair you regained on the oral form while your body adjusts to the topical version. Be sure to have a chat with your doctor before you make the switch from oral to topical finasteride.
Related reading: Best Finasteride Alternative for Male Hair Loss
Methodology
To compile this list, we looked at topical hair loss treatments that have a minimum rating of four stars. Only online hair loss clinics that offer access to licensed healthcare providers were considered. We then narrowed the list down to a few topical hair loss treatments and tested, poured through customer reviews, and fact-checked against relevant research to complete our evaluation. We preferred brands with expert credentials, good customer service, and convenient shipping. In the end we selected Roman’s 3-in-1 spray because of its balance of affordability, convenience, and cutting-edge ingredients.
| Review Process | Key Metrics | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase online | – ease to complete intake form – affordability – upfront commitment or subscription required? – money back guarantee or refund policy? | 1 |
| Shipping + unboxing | – shipping cost – time from order to treatment delivery – sustainable packaging | 1 |
| Testing + journal for 1-3 months | – ease of use – transition into habitual use – taste / smell / feel / pain | 1.5 |
| Results after 3 months of use | – efficacy / results – ease of forming a health habit – requires additional purchae? – responsive customer support – willingness to recommend to a friend | 1.5 |
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