BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.
An honest breakdown of how men can fight hair loss
As people age, their hair often becomes thinner or more sparse. Pattern hair loss affects 85% of men according to the American Hair Loss Association and 50% of women according to Cleveland Clinic.
However, for people looking to prevent and treat hair loss, there are many remedies on the market, ranging from noninvasive approaches like topicals and oral medications, to invasive surgical implantation or laser treatments.
If you’re looking to prevent hair loss or stop the progression of any hair loss that’s started, a topical product can help. The BestReviews Testing Lab did a deep dive into Happy Head, a leading hair loss treatment for men and women, over five years — and we came away impressed with the results.
What is the BestReviews Testing Lab?
Each month, the BestReview Testing Lab evaluates new products in real-world conditions to determine how well they really perform. The Lab analyzes these items just the way any consumer would, so they pay attention to factors like how easy they are to set up and use, how well they perform and any other features that set them apart from the competition.
The BestReviews Testing Lab aims to wade through all the marketing hype and see how well products perform in real-world situations. It consists of regular consumers searching for products that can enhance their lives. We consider items the same way shoppers do, focusing on factors like how easy they are to use, how effective they are and other features that distinguish them from similar products.
What is Happy Head and how does it work?
Happy Head is a comprehensive hair loss program that’s backed by science. It was developed by dermatology and hair loss experts with powerful prescription ingredients.
Customized plans
To get started with Happy Head, you’ll first complete a free hair quiz. A board-certified dermatologist will review your hair loss concerns and medical history online. From there, you’ll receive a customized prescription treatment plan.
Products
Happy Head offers topical serums, supplements, oral medications, thickening shampoos, thickening conditioners and a scalp dermaroller. You may choose to use a single product or a variety in tandem.
Ingredients
Happy Head uses ingredients that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It offers eight different topical solutions, each of which contains some combination (but not all) of the following ingredients: dutasteride, finasteride, minoxidil, retinoic acid, hydrocortisone, latanoprost, liposomal and spironolactone.
There are four supplements containing a combination (but not all) of these ingredients: finasteride, minoxidil, vitamin D3, dutasteride, spironolactone and tadalafil. There are four oral medications containing some (but not all) of the following ingredients: finasteride, minoxidil, dutasteride and spironolactone.
The thickening shampoos and conditioners are formulated with argan oil, biotin, collagen, keratin and saw palmetto.
Ongoing support
As you use Happy Head, you get unlimited access to dermatologist follow-ups, adjustments and answers to any questions you might have throughout your treatment.
Pricing
Happy Head’s topical solution is billed on a monthly basis, with a single bottle containing two ounces of treatment solution. Your first month is $36 and subsequent months are $89 with a monthly subscription.
The oral prescription medication is $59 for a one-month supply, $118 for a two-month supply and $177 for a three-month supply.
The daily oral SuperCapsule is $36 for the first month and $89 for subsequent months with a monthly subscription.
Results
You should see results within three to six months of daily use.
How Happy Head performed in our Lab tests
Our tester started using Happy Head around age 25 and continued for five years. The bottom line: Our tester did not see any additional hair loss since starting Happy Head and said his hair was fuller after the five-year period.
Before landing on Happy Head, the tester considered different products including Hims and Keeps, but ultimately felt that Happy Head’s approach was the most comprehensive. He felt the prescription process was “really easy” and he appreciated that the products were shipped to his home monthly. He felt the pricing was fair, especially because the product works.
Our tester has a sensitive scalp, and the first thing he noticed upon using the topical treatment was that it did not make his scalp itch like products he had tried in the past. He did notice some shedding in the beginning but felt it was a normal amount.
Who should use Happy Head?
Happy Head is great for people who want to stop any hair loss that has started in its tracks and want to prevent future hair loss. It’s a suitable noninvasive solution for people who want to avoid painful and expensive surgeries or laser treatments. Anyone who stresses about future hair loss and wants to stay ahead of it could benefit from this product.
Happy Head for sensitive skin
Happy Head is great for people who have sensitive scalps, like our tester. Our tester reported that his scalp was not irritated by Happy Head, while other brands he previously tried did irritate his scalp.
Happy Head vs. Hims
Hims is a reputable telemedicine company and it offers a variety of solutions that help prevent hair loss or can regrow hair. Some of the treatments include finasteride pills that prevent DHT, a DHT-blocking shampoo, vitamin B7 and topical minoxidil, which helps promote hair regrowth. An online assessment is required for a prescription to purchase finasteride. It also offers a non-prescription kit.
Hims offers a wider variety of topical solutions. While Happy Head only offers a serum, Hims customers can pick from a serum, foam or spray.
In general, Happy Head’s prices are steeper than Hims’. While Happy Head offers introductory costs at $36 for the topical solution and supplements, the prices increase substantially after the first month. You can only get a subscription on a monthly basis. By contrast, Hims ships larger quantities of products at less frequent intervals for a discount. Hims’ topical hair loss serum and supplements start at $35 each. However, if you can’t afford the upfront cost of the extended billing cycle, Happy Head will make it easier to pay in smaller increments.
Another reason to justify Happy Head’s cost over Hims’ is that it offers certain ingredients, ingredient combinations and ingredient strengths that Hims doesn’t. For example, Happy Head offers minoxidil in concentrations up to 8% compared to the 5% to 7% you get from Hims.
For people who are seeking the most effective treatment and can afford the higher cost, Happy Head may be a better choice.
How Happy Head’s ingredients compare to other brands
Happy Head’s products contain some of the highest concentrations on the market including finasteride (0.25%) and minoxidil (8%). Some products also contain retinoic acid (0.01%) to help promote skin health for optimal follicle growth.
Happy Head offers custom compounds for each patient, which is a more personalized approach than other brands take. Happy Head’s ingredients also generally pose lower risk of side effects than other brands.
How Happy Head’s pricing compares to other brands
While Happy Head is more expensive than some of the other alternatives on the market, for many customers, the benefits (including higher concentrations, a more customized approach, and lower risk of side effects) will outweigh the costs. If you want the best treatment out there and can stomach the added price, we recommend Happy Head.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
Copyright 2024 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved.