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Hair loss can be frustrating, but it’s very common. Male pattern baldness affects approximately 50 million men in the United States. Currently, there is no shortage of options on the market that aim to treat hair loss through oral tablets or topical solutions.
One such company offering a solution is Roman, a sub-brand of the direct-to-consumer telehealth company Ro. Read on to learn more about Roman’s hair loss treatments and find out if it’s a good fit for you.
Part of the growing telehealth company Ro, Roman’s services are geared toward men’s sexual health, hair loss, fertility, mental health, and more.
To get started, the company uses an online questionnaire where you’ll list your symptoms and medical history. Then, a U.S.-licensed healthcare professional will review your information and recommend a treatment plan.
If you’re prescribed something, Roman will ship your treatment in discreet packaging with free 2-day shipping.
Here are some pros and cons to consider before deciding whether Roman’s hair loss treatments are right for you.
Pros
- skip the trip to the doctor’s office
- free, unlimited virtual follow-ups with a physician
- free 2-day shipping in discreet packaging
- cancel your subscription at any time
Cons
- subscription-based payment method means you need to turn off auto-renew if you want to discontinue use
- purchasing Roman’s minoxidil alone may be slightly more expensive than some name-brand options or competitors like Keeps
- because hair loss treatments must be used indefinitely to see results, the monthly cost of these products will add up over time
- some reviews suggest customer service has room for improvement
Roman’s hair loss treatments are intended for use by men and to help with male pattern baldness. Because Roman is a telehealth company that uses virtual consultations, it’s a good fit for anyone without a primary care doctor or anyone who prefers to take healthcare visits from the comfort of their home.
However, it’s worth noting that if you’re experiencing a receding hairline or are hoping to grow hair on other areas of your body, there is no evidence that either product will do the job.
Roman’s parent company Ro doesn’t accept insurance, but insurance rarely covers hair loss prescriptions regardless of where they’re purchased.
Results from using generic minoxidil and finasteride vary from person to person, but both products are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have been prescribed by healthcare professionals for decades to treat male pattern baldness.
Minoxidil and finasteride can also treat female pattern baldness, but it is important to consult with a prescribing healthcare professional before using them, as treatments and dosage can vary.
Oral finasteride decreases the amount of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in your body, which helps prevent your prostate from growing larger. This can lead to increased hair growth and decreased hair loss, specifically on your head.
The way minoxidil works isn’t fully understood yet, but a
When it comes to which is more effective,
How long does Roman take to work?
It’s crucial to understand that hair loss treatments take time and commitment. Like other brands, Roman says you’re unlikely to see any change in the first 2 months, and that some shedding of fine hairs may occur during that time, which can feel counterproductive.
After 3–6 months of regular daily use, you may begin to see some progress. Six months and beyond, your hair loss should have stopped or slowed, and you may see signs of regrowth. But don’t stop there — you’ll have to continue using these products indefinitely to continue seeing results. This can get expensive over time.
What users say
Roman doesn’t display reviews from customers on the new product page, but it instead shows a handful of before-and-after photos from users with successful hair regrowth. However, it’s worth noting that these folks were all given free products in exchange for reviews.
Roman has an A+ on the Better Business Bureau. However, at time of publish, the company has 1.3 out of 5 stars from 33 reviews, most of which complain about price increases and slow customer service responses.
The scene is much better on Trustpilot, where it has an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars out of more than 560 reviews. Reviewers call the service fast and easy.
Roman’s hair loss treatments are available on the Roman website. For prescription treatments, complete an online visit detailing your symptoms, health history, and goals.
A U.S.-licensed healthcare professional will review your information and make a personalized treatment recommendation. Roman will ship your treatment in discreet packaging with free 2-day shipping, if prescribed.
Always speak with a healthcare professional before starting a new treatment, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
People with prostate or liver conditions should take extra precautions before starting finasteride. Additionally, finasteride should not be handled by pregnant people, as exposure (even through the skin) can lead to abnormalities in male fetuses.
Most common, potential side effects of finasteride:
- reduced sex drive
- erectile dysfunction or difficulty ejaculating
- potential reduction in sperm count
More serious but less common side effects of finasteride:
- skin rashes, swelling of the tongue, lips, or face
- lower serum prostate-specific antigen, which may increase the risk of high grade prostate cancers
- depression
- breast tenderness or enlargement and, in very rare cases, male breast cancer
Minoxidil is generally considered low risk and safe to use without many side effects. Still, there are a few potential side effects to consider:
Potential side effects of minoxidil:
- skin irritation
- shedding
- additional areas of hair growth, such as your forehead
More serious but less common side effects of minoxidil:
- sudden weight gain
- chest pain
- swelling in the legs or feet
- faintness or dizziness
In addition to finasteride and minoxidil, there are a few other options for combating hair loss for men, including:
- hair transplants, which are typically outpatient surgeries; transplants can be effective, but they can be expensive
- laser therapy, which uses red light therapy to stimulate hair follicles and encourage growth; it’s widely accepted as safe and less invasive than transplants, but the results are inconsistent
- lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and reducing stress
Additionally, Roman has a few competitors that are worth looking into. You can find over-the-counter minoxidil at almost every pharmacy, which may be cheaper than Roman’s product.
Keeps, Hims, and even the prescription discount company GoodRx offer similar products (and more) that may be a better fit for you.
Speaking with a healthcare professional is always a good idea before starting any new treatment. With Roman, you’ll need to have a free video chat with a licensed physician before using one of the company’s prescription products. This is a great opportunity to ask questions.
If you begin experiencing any side effects, talk with a doctor.
With Roman, you’ll also have access to free, unlimited follow-up visits with the company’s online physicians or nurse practitioners if you have any issues with the products.
However, Roman still recommends talking with your healthcare professional in addition to using the company’s virtual services.
Roman’s products may encourage new growth after 6–12 months of continuous daily use, but results vary from person to person. You’ll need to continue using these products indefinitely to continue seeing results.
There are a lot of products that work to combat hair loss and stimulate new growth (we have an extensive list of them), and most of them contain similar ingredients.
Because effectiveness varies from person to person, the right brand for you will come down to your budget, the added ingredients, your preferred method of treatment (topical or oral), and more. Remember, results with any hair loss products take time and commitment.
Hair loss is common, and certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Still, if you’re hoping to reduce your hair loss or work toward regrowth, options like finasteride and minoxidil (or a combination of both) from a telehealth company like Roman may be worth a try.
If you’re interested in learning more about Roman’s other offers, read our full brand review.