Roman Hair Loss Treatment Review
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onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/dth.12246Suchonwanit P, et al. (2019). Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: A review.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6691938/Zito P, et al. (2022). Finasteride: Continuing ed.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 20, 2022 By Jamey Powell Edited By DeVonne Goode Medically Reviewed By Amanda Caldwell, MSN, APRN-C Copy Edited By Linze Rice Share this articleMedically reviewed by Amanda Caldwell, MSN, APRN-C — By Jamey Powell on October 20, 2022
Roman Hair Loss Treatment Review
Medically reviewed by Amanda Caldwell, MSN, APRN-C — By Jamey Powell on October 20, 2022Share on PinterestGetty Images/supersizerWe include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Hair loss can be frustrating, but it’s very common. Male pattern baldness affects approximately 50 million men in the United States. Luckily, 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 they’re a good fit for you. We use “women” and “men” in this article to reflect the terms that have been historically used to gender people. But your gender identity may not align with how your body responds to this disease. Your doctor can better help you understand how your specific circumstances will translate into diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment. Learn more.What is Roman
Part of the growing telehealth company Ro, Roman’s services are geared toward men’s sexual health, hair loss, fertility, mental health, and more. 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 prescribed something, Roman will ship your treatment in discreet packaging with free 2-day shipping. Roman’s hair loss products are available as three options: Finasteride only: Finasteride is the generic form of Propecia, an oral tablet for male pattern baldness. It requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, which you can do online through Roman.Minoxidil only: Minoxidil is the generic form of Rogaine, a topical treatment for thinning hair. Roman’s minoxidil solution is available in a 5% strength and does not require a prescription. Finasteride & minoxidil: A daily combination of oral finasteride (which, again, requires a prescription through an online visit with a physician) and topical minoxidil.Pros and cons of Roman hair loss treatment at a glance
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 officefree, unlimited virtual follow-ups with a physician free 2-day shipping in discreet packagingcancel your subscription at any timecombination finasteride & minoxidil is cost effectiveCons
subscription-based payment method means you need to turn off auto-renew if you’d like to discontinue usepurchasing Roman’s minoxidil alone may be slightly more expensive than some name-brand options or competitors like Keepsbecause hair loss treatments must be used indefinitely to see results, the monthly cost of these products will add up over timesome reviews suggest customer service has room for improvementWho is Roman hair loss treatment for
Roman’s hair loss treatments are intended for use by men and are looking to combat male pattern baldness. Because Roman is a telehealth company that uses virtual physician 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. Both finasteride and minoxidil are intended to treat male pattern baldness only. 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 does not accept insurance, but insurance rarely covers hair loss prescriptions anyway, so that shouldn’t be a deterrent.Does it really work
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. 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. Current research suggests that it is effective, but could take 6 months to a year to see any benefits. The way minoxidil works isn’t fully understood yet, but a recent review suggests that the anti-inflammatory and vasodilating effects help generate new growth. Like finasteride, it is known for being effective, but a practice in patience. Sensing a theme here? 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 normal shedding of fine hairs may occur during that time (which can feel counterproductive). After 3 to 6 months of regular daily use, you should 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. When it comes to which is more effective, research from 2015 suggests that a daily combination of finasteride and minoxidil is your best bet for reducing hair loss and encouraging new growth. Roman offers a combination (although a prescription for finasteride will require a virtual consultation) that’s rather cost-effective.Reviews from users
Roman doesn’t display reviews from customers on the new product page, but 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 product in exchange for reviews. Roman has an A- on the Better Business Bureau website. However, the company has 1.75 out of 5 stars from 12 reviews, most of which complain about price increases and slow customer service responses. The scene isn’t much better on Trustpilot, where five reviewers average 2.5 out of 5 stars with similar complaints. Still, that’s only 17 total reviews to go off.How to use Roman hair loss treatment
The use of Roman hair loss treatments will depend on which products you choose to order. Finasteride: This oral tablet is taken every day, with or without food. If you forget your daily dose, don’t take an additional tablet — just resume your treatment the next day. Roman warns that finasteride will not work faster or better if you take it more than once a day.Minoxidil: This topical treatment is intended to be applied to the scalp twice daily (the recommended amount is typically 1 milliliter). Your hair doesn’t need to be clean to apply minoxidil, but your head does need to be completely dry. Wash your hands immediately after use. Both finasteride & minoxidil: Implement both treatments as directed or as recommended by your provider.Where to get Roman hair loss treatment
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. Because minoxidil is available over-the-counter (OTC), you can find Roman’s minoxidil topical treatment in the pharmacy section of big stores like Walmart and CVS. Depending on your area, it might be slightly less expensive there than through Roman’s website.Safety tips and side effects
Always speak with a healthcare professional before starting a new treatment, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Again, both Roman’s finasteride and minoxidil formulas are not intended for use by children or people assigned female at birth. 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 defects in developing male fetuses. Most common, potential side effects of finasteride:reduced sex driveerectile dysfunction or difficulty ejaculatingpotential reduction in sperm count More serious, but less common side effects of finasteride: skin rashes, swelling of the tongue, lips, or facelower serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancersdepressionbreast 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 irritationsheddingadditional areas of hair growth, such as your forehead More serious, but less common side effects of minoxidil:sudden weight gainchest painswelling in the legs or feetfaintness or dizzinessWhen to see a doctor
Again, speaking with your healthcare provider is always a good idea before starting any new treatment. With Roman, you’ll have to have a free video chat with a licensed physician if you’re hoping to start finasteride, which is a great opportunity to ask questions. If you begin experiencing any of the above side effects, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. You’ll also have access to free, unlimited follow-up visits with Roman’s online physicians or nurse practitioners if you have any issues with their products. However, Roman still recommends seeing an in-person healthcare professional in addition to their virtual services.Recommended alternatives to Roman hair loss treatment
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 are 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 OTC minoxidil at almost every pharmacy, which may be cheaper than Roman’s product. And Keeps, Hims, and even the prescription discount company GoodRX offer similar products (and more) that may be a better fit for you. ProductRomanKeepsHimsGoodRXTypeoral finasteride, topical minoxidiloral finasteride, topical minoxidil, thickening shampoo & conditionertopical minoxidil & finasteride spray, oral finasteride, topical minoxidil, thickening shampoo & conditioner, gummy vitaminsoral finasteride Prescription needed? for finasteride onlyfor finasteride onlyfor finasteride onlyfor finasteride only Doctor consultsfreefree, then $5 annuallyfree$19 with membership, $49 withoutShippingfreefreefreeN/APricestarts at $16/month depending on planstarts at $10/month depending on planstarts at $15/month depending on plancoupons vary by pharmacy, but finasteride is as low as $7/monthReturn policyno returnsno returns90-day money-back guaranteeno returnsCancellation policycancel or pause anytimecancel anytimecancel or pause anytimemembership is optionalFrequently asked questions
Does Roman work for hair growth
Roman’s minoxidil and finasteride 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.Why does Roman s minoxidil not work for a receding hairline
Minoxidil has proven most effective for stopping hair loss and encouraging regrowth on the crown of the head — what is referred to as “male pattern baldness.” Some sources say it is effective for a receding hairline, but Roman’s minoxidil is geared toward baldness at the crown of the head, probably because that is where results are most common.Which brand works best for hair loss
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. And remember, results with any hair loss products take time and commitment.Takeaway
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, be sure to read our full brand review. Last medically reviewed on October 20, 2022How we vetted this article
SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Hu R, et al. (2015). Combined treatment with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia: A randomized and comparative study in Chinese patients.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/dth.12246Suchonwanit P, et al. (2019). Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: A review.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6691938/Zito P, et al. (2022). Finasteride: Continuing ed.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 20, 2022 By Jamey Powell Edited By DeVonne Goode Medically Reviewed By Amanda Caldwell, MSN, APRN-C Copy Edited By Linze Rice Share this articleMedically reviewed by Amanda Caldwell, MSN, APRN-C — By Jamey Powell on October 20, 2022