Optum Store hair loss treatments, reviewed by an RN 

Written by Holly Myers, RN, BSN, Fortune Recommends Health Writer

How we test

We carefully reviewed the four hair loss treatments available at Optum Store for cost, efficacy, side effects, ease of use, and customer feedback. From this data, we chose the top-performing option.

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Trusted experts

Aneesha Dhargalkar, an emergency medicine physician, provides her expertise for this review. Heather Morsellino, a seasoned fact checker with experience in healthcare, ensures accuracy.

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With up to 80% of men and 50% of women experiencing androgenetic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss, it’s no wonder hair loss has become a billion-dollar industry. (1)  Since hair loss treatments are a large market, many medications and supplements tout their efficiency in promoting hair growth. Finding the right solution for your hair needs may seem difficult. That’s why our team rounded up the most effective options for hair loss available at Optum Store. 

Our team has carefully reviewed the products for efficiency, customer feedback, safety, side effects, and ease of use. We compared each treatment’s performance against each other and to other competitor brands.  

Disclaimer: Optum Store is not currently accepting patients for their hair loss treatment plan. The information provided reflects current information but may be subject to change.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

Our picks for the best hair loss treatments at Optum Store

• Finasteride & Minoxidil Bundle
• Finasteride
• Minoxidil

Compare Optum Store hair loss treatments

Finasteride & Minoxidil Bundle overview

The Healthy Hair Bundle includes finasteride and minoxidil, two FDA-approved medications for hair loss. Finasteride is taken as a pill once daily, while minoxidil is applied to the scalp as a topical treatment once or twice daily.

These two medications work together to prevent further hair loss and promote the regrowth of longer, thicker hair. 

Here’s how each medication works to treat hair loss:

• Finasteride (the generic medication for Propecia®) blocks the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes hair follicles to shrink and die. (2)  Finasteride has been shown to decrease DHT blood levels by 70%, resulting in a reduction in hair loss. (2) 
• Minoxidil (the generic medication for Rogaine®) may promote hair growth by improving blood flow to the hair follicles and extending the hair growth phase. (3) 

Using finasteride and minoxidil together has been shown to be more effective than using either one alone. (4) 

To purchase these treatments at Optum Store, you’ll first fill out a questionnaire to help the healthcare team better understand which hair loss treatment is best for you. The questionnaire asks questions such as the following:

• How long ago did you start noticing hair loss?
• Where are you noticing hair loss on your scalp?
• Do you have a family history of hair loss?

Once you complete the questionnaire, you’ll be asked to submit a picture of your scalp, emphasizing the areas where you are experiencing hair loss. After that, you’ll have a free consultation with the healthcare team. 

If you’re prescribed The Healthy Hair Bundle, you’ll receive your one–month supply within two days. And your neighbors or roommates don’t have to know you are using a hair loss treatment because Optum Store uses discreet packaging to deliver your product. 

To begin treatment, take the finasteride tablet daily, with or without food. It doesn’t matter what time of day you take the pill. Just ensure you do not break or crush them. (5) Crushing or breaking the tablets will interfere with the protective coating that encapsulates the active ingredient and ensures the medication is released appropriately. (11) Finasteride is a 1 mg tablet, a clinically proven dose that assists with hair growth. (2) However, a nice, luscious mane may come at the cost of some unpleasant side effects. Finasteride can cause the following side effects: (2)

• Decreased libido
• Ejaculation disorders
• Erectile dysfunction
• Gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue)
• Dizziness
• Weakness

Minoxidil 5% is a topical treatment that you will apply one to two times daily, depending on the physician’s recommendations. Apply only to affected areas and ensure your scalp is dry when applying the topical treatment. Optum Store provides minoxidil in the liquid form, which can cause more irritation than the foam formulation, and some customers report the liquid formulation makes their hair greasy. 

During the first two to four weeks of treatment with minoxidil, you may experience what has been coined the “dread shed.” This refers to the increase in hair shedding after beginning minoxidil due to the shortening of the telogen phase of the hair cycle. (6) Although this side effect can be disheartening, it usually subsides, and the resulting increase in hair growth makes up for the initial loss. It’s important to note that if you stop taking minoxidil, your new hair growth will subsequently fall out within a few months. (11)   

Since finasteride is not approved for women, this bundle is only appropriate for treating male pattern baldness. If you are a woman experiencing hair loss, 2% or 5% minoxidil will be your best option. Neither treatment option is appropriate for breastfeeding or pregnant women.

It’s important to note that you will not see results overnight. It can take up to three months to see results. But as many customers said, they saw results if they were consistent with their treatment.

The Finasteride &  Minoxidil Bundle costs $24 a month, which is cheaper than the brand-name alternatives. Additionally, bundling the products saves you around $5. 

Please note that you should not donate blood if you start taking finasteride because if a pregnant woman receives donated blood that contains finasteride, it could harm her unborn child. (11) If you stop taking finasteride, wait six months to donate. (2) 

Many customers reported that Optum’s customer service was lackluster and that they had difficulties canceling subscriptions or getting their medications on time. However, there are multiple modes to contact customer support: chat, e-mail, or telephone.

Specs

Who Finasteride & Minoxidil Bundle is recommended for:

Finasteride and minoxidil are recommended for people experiencing hair loss caused by the following conditions: (7) 

• Androgenetic alopecia (female/male pattern baldness)
• Alopecia areata
• Chemotherapy-induced alopecia
• Telogen effluvium 
• Loose anagen hair syndrome

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of who finasteride and minoxidil may benefit the most:

Finasteride

• Men with early-stage androgenetic alopecia: Finasteride is most effective for men in the early stages of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) and those with thinning in the crown of the scalp. (12)
• Men looking to prevent further hair loss: Finasteride reduces the levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair loss, by up to 70%. (2) This reduction in DHT slows further hair loss.
• Men committed to long-term treatment: Finasteride requires consistent, long-term use to see and maintain results. It takes about six months to start seeing results, and studies have shown the best results occur after two years of consistent use. (2, 9) Additionally, quitting finasteride treatment will result in loss of new hair growth. 

Minoxidil

• Men and women with androgenetic alopecia: Topical minoxidil is approved for both male and female pattern hair loss. Minoxidil will be most effective when thinning is initially noticed as it cannot revive dead hair follicles.
• Individuals looking for a topical treatment: Minoxidil is available in a foam or solution that is applied directly to the problem areas on the scalp. Since the medication is applied topically, the side effects are mostly limited to the application sites.
• Men and women looking to increase their hair thickness and density: Minoxidil works by promoting the growth of thicker, denser hair. (7) This causes the individual strands to be thicker as well as increases the amount of strands per square inch. 

Who Finasteride & Minoxidil Bundle is not recommended for:

Finasteride and minoxidil should be avoided in certain groups due to potential risks or side effects. Here’s a breakdown of who should avoid this treatment: (3)

Finasteride

• Women: Finasteride has not been approved for use in women, Specifically, finasteride should be completely avoided in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Finasteride can cause birth defects such as disrupting the development of fetal male genitalia. (13) 
• Children: Individuals under 18 years old should not take this treatment as it has not been proven safe or effective for them. (2)
• Men with liver disease: Finasteride is metabolized by the liver, so it could worsen existing liver issues. However, there have been few reports of liver injury while using finasteride, so it may be used with caution in men with liver problems. (14)

Minoxidil

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Minoxidil is not recommended for pregnant women because it increases the risk of birth defects. (3) Additionally, minoxidil is secreted in breastmilk so it is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers. (3)
• Broken or irritated scalp skin: Minoxidil should not be applied on skin that’s irritated, infected, or has abrasions. (15)  Application to these areas should be avoided until they are healed. 
• People with heart problems: Topical minoxidil can be absorbed into the bloodstream and have effects on the heart. This could cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat, and swelling in your hands or feet. (15)  Although these are not common side effects, individuals with heart problems should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before use. 

Before starting any hair loss treatment, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider to ensure you are choosing the right product for you. 

Expert opinion

“Multiple studies show the increased benefit of combination therapy of oral finasteride and topical minoxidil than either remedy alone for the treatment of hair loss,” says Dr. Aneesha Dhargalkar, MD.  “This is due to the fact that each of these medications has a different mechanism of action, and these mechanisms, in combination, augment the overall effect of the therapy as a whole. When taken consistently, a reduction in hair loss due to this therapeutic bundle can be seen in as little as three months, but more commonly, within six months.”

“Keep in mind that, as mentioned above, both of these treatments have significant adverse effects, especially finasteride. A thorough understanding of the benefit vs risk profile of this treatment, including the psychosocial impacts of hair loss, should be discussed during Optum’s free healthcare consultation before starting treatment,” states Dr. Dhargalkar, MD.

How we rated Finasteride & Minoxidil Bundle

We rated and reviewed the Finasteride & Minoxidil Bundle based on cost, efficacy, safety, and ease of use. It received high marks in each category and was specifically impressive in efficacy and affordability.

Cost: 4/5

At $24 per month, Optum’s Finasteride & Minoxidil Bundle is competitively priced. It’s cheaper than buying brand–name counterparts like Propecia® and Rogaine®, as well as competitors like Hims. Additionally, when you bundle the two items together, you receive a small savings. 

However, Keeps offers an even more affordable bundle at $18.83 monthly. 

Efficacy: 4.5/5

Finasteride and minoxidil are both FDA-approved treatments for hair loss. Topical minoxidil has been shown to promote hair growth in approximately 35% of individuals. (8) In one study, Finasteride increased hair growth in up to 66% of men. (9) 

Although topical minoxidil does not have as high of an efficacy, taking it in conjunction with finasteride improves its effects. (4)  

Safety: 3.5/5

While both medications are generally well-tolerated, there are some unpleasant side effects associated with finasteride. Some side effects include erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorders, and decreased libido. (2) Some reports even suggest that these effects persist after discontinuing finasteride. (10) Topical minoxidil has a few side effects limited to the application site. Side effects include skin irritation, scaly scalp changes, itchiness, and allergic contact dermatitis. 

Overall, the medications should not cause life-threatening side effects, but it’s important to talk to your doctor about any side effects you experience. 

Ease of use: 4/5

Finasteride is an easy and convenient pill to take. You take it once daily, with or without food, at any time of day. Minoxidil requires more time and effort since it is a topical application. You apply it once or twice a day to affected areas. The medication requires precise application to avoid surrounding healthy hair. Additionally, Optum only supplies the liquid formula, which some customers find makes their hair greasy. The foam application may be the better formula as it is not as messy. 

Additional hair loss treatments from Optum Store

Optum store sells finasteride and minoxidil separately, as well as the brand name version of minoxidil, Rogaine®. Here’s how they all compare.

Finasteride

Finasteride is an oral medication that blocks the creation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which causes hair follicles to shrink and die.

Fortune Score:

4.7 / 5

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Key product features

Prescription Yes

Free shipping Available

FDA-approved Yes

Consultation with physician Available

Finasteride vs Finasteride & Minoxidil Bundle

• Cost: Finasteride alone is $15 which costs less than the bundle. However, the bundle includes minoxidil at a discounted price of $10.
• Efficacy: Finasteride has been approved to treat male pattern baldness for over 25 years.  (2) Many customers report hair growth with consistent use. However, effectiveness will likely increase with concurrent use of minoxidil. (4)
• Side effects: Finasteride can cause side effects like low libido and sexual dysfunction. However, it does not cause side effects like minoxidil which occur at the application site. 

We recommend finasteride for:

• Men with mild or moderate hair loss due to androgenetic alopecia. Men with early-stage hair loss should still have some hair and active follicles. Finasteride will not be as effective for men with complete hair loss. Additionally, finasteride works best for men with hair loss at the crown of their head. (12)

Men committed to long-term treatment: Finasteride requires consistent, long-term use to see and maintain results. It takes about six months to start seeing results, and studies have shown the best results occur after two years of consistent use. (2, 9) Additionally, quitting finasteride treatment will result in loss of new hair growth.