Finasteride vs minoxidil: which should I start with?

Finasteride vs. Minoxidil: Which to Start With

Quick answer: It depends on your situation, but here's a practical breakdown:

Start with Minoxidil if you:

• Are a woman (finasteride isn't approved for women with typical hair loss)
• Want to avoid oral medication initially
• Have milder, early-stage hair loss
• Prefer lower cost to start

Recommended brands:

• Rogaine – the original, well-proven
• Keeps (minoxidil) – convenient subscription
• Hims – easy online access
• Kirkland Signature – same formula, much cheaper

Start with Finasteride if you:

• Are a man with male pattern baldness
• Want to address the root cause (DHT)
• Have moderate to significant recession

Recommended services:

• Keeps or Hims – easy telehealth prescriptions, affordable
• Ro – another solid online option

Best approach: Use both together

Most dermatologists recommend combining them for significantly better results than either alone.

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⚠️ Important: Finasteride requires a prescription and has potential side effects worth discussing with a doctor. A quick telehealth visit through Keeps or Hims makes this easy and affordable (~$30/month).