By Connie Chan From Business Insider

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

• Though millions of men suffer from male pattern baldness, it’s still a sensitive topic that many aren’t willing to seek help for or discuss openly.
• Direct-to-consumer company Hims sells hair loss products likefinasteride and minoxidil (the generic formulations of Propecia and Rogaine) at better prices and with a friendlier, modern approach, so guys don’t have to feel ashamed or embarrassed about finding hair loss solutions.
• With a one-time $5 medical consultation and $44 per month complete hair kit subscription, men will be on their way to regaining their hair and their confidence.

Hair loss is a regular, common part of life. By age 35, two-thirds of American men will experience some degree of hair loss and by age 50, approximately 85% will experience noticeably thinning hair. Men in their 20s aren’t invincible from this hereditary and hormonal condition, also known as male pattern baldness or Androgenic alopecia, either.

Although online forums like r/tressless offer some reprieve for men seeking support and guidance for everything from pharmaceutical solutions to the emotional effects of hair loss, it seems that many men still aren’t talking about it enough to each other or their doctors.

That’s not surprising — hair is linked strongly to self-image, confidence, and identity, so hair loss is a tough topic to broach. In speaking to friends experiencing hair loss in their 20s, I learned the importance of hair isn’t something you realize until you find yourself trying to avoid taking pictures or fending off insensitive jokes and questions from friends and relatives.

When faced with noticeable hair loss, some guys choose to take the plunge and go bald, which is a great route to go if they’re comfortable with it. But others would prefer to keep their hair for various reasons, and that’s completely fine, too.

For the guys who opt for the latter, online startup Hims wants to help.

Through its modern aesthetic, friendly, yet transparent messaging, and affordable hair loss products, Hims is assuring men that it’s okay to acknowledge insecurities like hair loss and actively seek the help they want.

Hims offers three main products to treat male balding. These make up The Rx Hair Kit ($44/month):

1. Finasteride pills: An FDA-approved medication that blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that binds to hair follicles and makes them shrink, then fall out. Its brand name equivalents are Propecia and Proscar.
2. Minoxidil drops: An FDA-approved topical solution used once or twice a day to help regrow hair by increasing blood flow to hair follicles. Rogaine is the popular brand name equivalent.
3. Shampoo: A special formulation that reduces DHT levels and adds volume to hair.

Working together, these pills, drops, and shampoo actively prevent hair loss, promote hair growth, and simply make hair look good. Their consistent use is made convenient through Hims’ automatic subscription option.

Finasteride is a prescription product, so you’ll need to pay $5 for an online medical consultation with a licensed doctor before proceeding. At this time, Hims’ finasteride is available in 18 states. Minoxidil and the shampoo do not require prescriptions and can ship anywhere in the US.

Because Hims is direct-to-consumer, its products cost 50% to 80% less than their retail cost, addressing affordability and accessibility problems that may have previously prevented men from trying hair loss solutions. Cost isn’t the only differentiator. Hims’ frequently updated blog offers open, informative discussions that educate men on the science and issues surrounding hair loss.

The company hopes that this combination of cheaper products and better education can get men to feel more comfortable with the difficult, deeply personal topic of early hair loss. Hims’ guiding philosophy is that prevention is more effective than denial. The sooner you’re open to trying solutions, the better off your hair (and the accompanying confidence levels) will be.

In addition to hair loss products, it also offers skin-care and sexual wellness products, making Hims a general wellness brand for any man looking to improve themselves in areas that are all too often — to the detriment of both himself and other men — whispered about discreetly rather than discussed transparently.

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].

For more on this story go to: https://www.businessinsider.com/for-hims-mens-hair-loss-treatments-the-accessible-and-affordable-solution-2018-5?utm_source=feedburner&amp%3Butm_medium=referral&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29