Hey there, it‘s your favorite fashion blogger here with the lowdown on all things hair! If you‘re anything like me, you‘ve probably stressed over thinning hair or a receding hairline at some point. It can really do a number on your self-esteem and style game. That‘s why I decided to do a deep dive into two of the most popular hair loss solutions on the market: Keeps and Rogaine.
In this ultimate comparison, I‘ll give you the full scoop on these two hair recovery heavy-hitters. We‘ll cover everything from the science behind their active ingredients to real customer reviews and results. I‘ll also share my personal experience trying out both brands. By the end, you‘ll have all the facts to decide which one is right for your hair goals and budget. Let‘s get into it!
The Lowdown on Hair Loss
First, let‘s talk about the elephant in the room: hair loss. If you‘re seeing more hair in your brush or sink than on your head these days, you‘re definitely not alone. According to the American Hair Loss Association, by the age of 35, around 66% of men will experience some degree of hair loss. For women, 40% have visible hair loss by the time they‘re 40.
So what causes hair to pack up and leave in the first place? The biggest culprit for men is androgenetic alopecia, aka male pattern baldness. This is when sensitivity to a hormone called DHT causes hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop producing new hairs. For women, thinning hair is more often due to hormonal changes, stress, diet, certain medications, or conditions like thyroid disease or PCOS.
While some embrace the bald look, others would rather hang onto their luscious locks. That‘s where treatments like Keeps and Rogaine come in. Both use clinically proven active ingredients to combat the most common causes of hair loss. But before we get into the nitty gritty, let‘s meet our two contenders.
Keeps & Rogaine: The Hair Loss Heavy-Hitters
About Keeps
Keeps is the new kid on the block compared to Rogaine, but they‘ve quickly made a name for themselves as a go-to solution for hair loss. The company was founded in 2018 by two guys who struggled with hair loss themselves and were frustrated with the lack of convenient, affordable options on the market.
Their goal was to make evidence-based hair loss treatments more accessible by offering generic versions of finasteride and minoxidil online, with ongoing support from real doctors. Since then, Keeps has helped hundreds of thousands of men not only keep the hair they have, but even regrow hair they‘ve lost. Pretty awesome, right?
About Rogaine
Rogaine, on the other hand, is basically the OG of hair regrowth. The brand has been around since 1988, when they introduced the first FDA-approved topical treatment for hair loss. Rogaine‘s active ingredient, minoxidil, was actually first developed as a blood pressure medication. Researchers noticed an interesting side effect during initial trials: people were growing extra hair!
After some tweaking and additional studies, Rogaine hit the market as the first topical solution clinically proven to regrow hair. Since then, the brand has continued to innovate and expand their product line. Today, they offer multiple strengths of minoxidil for both men and women in easy-to-use foams and solutions.
The Science of Hair Regrowth
Now that you know a bit about Keeps and Rogaine as companies, let‘s dive into the real MVPs: the active ingredients in their products. Both brands use FDA-approved medications that have been clinically shown to stop hair loss and even regrow hair. The two heavy hitters are:
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is the active ingredient in all of Rogaine‘s products and one of the options from Keeps. It‘s a topical medication that‘s available over-the-counter in 2% and 5% strengths. Minoxidil works by:
- Increasing blood flow to hair follicles, encouraging them to shift from resting to growth phase
- Extending the growth phase of follicles so hairs become longer and thicker
- Reviving dormant follicles to stimulate regrowth
In clinical studies, 5% minoxidil used twice daily resulted in hair regrowth for 85% of men after 16 weeks. Even more impressive, a 5 year study found that over 90% of the men were able to maintain their hair density with continued use of 5% minoxidil. For women, 2% minoxidil has been shown to produce moderate regrowth for 60% of users after 48 weeks.
Finasteride
The other key player in the fight against hair loss is finasteride. Also known by the brand name Propecia, this is a prescription medication that‘s taken orally to treat male pattern baldness. It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT, the hormone that shrinks hair follicles.
Clinical trials have shown that taking 1 mg of finasteride daily can lower DHT levels in the scalp by over 60%, stop further hair loss in 86% of men, and result in hair regrowth for 65% of men after two years. It‘s important to note that finasteride is only approved for men, as it can cause birth defects if taken by pregnant women.
Keeps vs Rogaine: Product Showdown
Alright, now that we‘ve covered the science behind the magic, let‘s get into the good stuff: the products! Both Rogaine and Keeps offer solutions and foams with 5% minoxidil as their star ingredients. Keeps also offers finasteride tablets as an additional option for men. Here‘s how the lineups compare:
| Product | Keeps | Rogaine |
|---|---|---|
| 5% Minoxidil Solution | $10/mo | $29.99/mo |
| 5% Minoxidil Foam | $15/mo | $23.99/mo |
| Finasteride 1mg Tablets | $25/mo | NA |
| 2% Minoxidil Solution | NA | $29.99/mo |
| 5% Extra Strength Solution | NA | $44.99/mo |
As you can see, the core 5% minoxidil options are pretty much identical between the two brands. The main difference is price, with Keeps coming in at about a third of the cost of Rogaine. Keeps is able to offer such low prices by operating exclusively online and cutting out the middleman.
Another key difference is that Keeps offers finasteride as an oral prescription option for men, while Rogaine focuses solely on topical minoxidil. Rogaine does have a few additional minoxidil products, including a 2% version marketed for women and an extra strength 5% solution.
Both brands provide their topical minoxidil in 2 main forms:
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Solution: A liquid with a dropper applicator that‘s applied directly to the scalp. Best for people with shorter hair or larger areas of thinning.
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Foam: A lightweight, mousse-like foam that‘s massaged into the scalp. Ideal for people with longer hair or who prefer a less greasy feel.
In terms of hair care and styling products, Rogaine definitely has Keeps beat. They offer a full line of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products designed to complement their hair regrowth treatments. Keeps keeps things simple (see what I did there?) with just their core medications.
Convenience & Customer Experience
Since the products themselves are so similar, a lot of the decision between Keeps and Rogaine comes down to the overall experience. Here‘s how the two compare in terms of convenience and customer support:
Keeps
- Personalized treatment plan based on your hair goals and medical history
- Monthly subscription service with automatic refills
- Unlimited messaging with your dedicated doctor for ongoing support
- Easy online progress tracking with selfies and chat
- Discreet packaging delivered straight to your door
- 24/7 care team to answer questions or help adjust your plan
- 90-day money back guarantee if you‘re not satisfied
Rogaine
- Can be bought in stores or online without a prescription
- One-time purchases or subscribe and save 20% with automatic refills
- Email and live chat support from Rogaine‘s customer service team
- Educational resources and FAQs on website
- 120-day money back guarantee on first purchase
Personally, I love the convenience and personalized support that Keeps offers. Being able to message my doctor anytime with questions or concerns makes the whole process super easy and stress-free. The fact that they automatically ship refills is also a huge plus, since consistency is key with these treatments.
That said, I know some people prefer to be able to grab products as needed from their local drugstore. Rogaine definitely wins in terms of flexibility there. Just keep in mind that buying in-store can be pricey compared to subscribing.
Real Results & Reviews
Of course, a hair loss treatment is only as good as the results it delivers. The good news? Both Keeps and Rogaine have a ton of happy customers with thicker, fuller hair to show for it.
Keeps Results
- 4.8/5 stars from over 1,000 reviews on Keeps.com
- 84% of men saw a slowdown or stoppage of hair loss
- 67% noticed hair regrowth around the crown
- 70% reported feeling more confident thanks to treatment
- Before & After Photos
Rogaine Results
- 4/5 stars from over 10,000 reviews on Amazon
- 80% of men saw a slowdown or stoppage of hair loss
- 60% of women reported hair regrowth
- 92% of men maintained hair density over 5 years of use
- Before & After Photos
As you can see, both brands have some incredibly impressive stats. While individual results will vary, the vast majority of users report a significant improvement in hair thickness, density, and overall appearance.
I‘ve been using Keeps 5% minoxidil solution and finasteride for about 6 months now and I‘ve definitely noticed a big difference. My hairline has filled in a bit and the thinning around my crown is way less noticeable. I also just feel more confident rocking the hairstyles I like without worrying about my scalp peeking through.
The Final Verdict
Phew, that was a lot of info! If you‘re still not sure whether Keeps or Rogaine is right for you, here‘s my take:
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If you‘re a man who wants a convenient, affordable, all-in-one solution for hair loss, Keeps is the way to go. You get access to both FDA-approved medications (finasteride and minoxidil) plus ongoing support from a doctor for under $1 a day.
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If you‘re a woman looking to treat thinning hair or just want the flexibility to pick up products as needed, Rogaine is a solid choice. Their 2% and 5% minoxidil products are available over-the-counter and they have a well established track record of results.
Personally, I‘ve had a great experience with Keeps and plan to keep using them to maintain my results. But you really can‘t go wrong with either brand. The most important thing is taking action early if you start to notice signs of hair loss. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of keeping your hair and even regrowing what you‘ve lost.
At the end of the day, hair loss is nothing to be ashamed about – it‘s a totally normal part of getting older for a lot of people. But if it‘s affecting your confidence or style, there are solutions out there. With Keeps and Rogaine, you‘ve got two science-backed options to help you get your hair and your swagger back.
I hope this deep dive comparison helped you figure out which brand is right for you! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to geek out about hair regrowth.
Until next time, keep lettin‘ those locks live their best life!
Related Read: 10 Tips to Get the Best Results from Minoxidil & Finasteride
