For older adults experiencing age-related hair loss, thinning hair and bald spots can be distressing. It may be comforting to know you’re not alone—more than half of men and nearly 40% of women will have hair loss by age 65.¹ And many treatments are available, like the Happy Head hair loss platform. 

Happy Head is a dermatologist-founded telehealth platform offering hair growth treatments for men and women. The platform’s offerings include prescription-strength active ingredients—minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride—and customizable options. 

In this Happy Head review, we share everything you need to know about the hair loss platform, including insights from older adults who tried Happy Head. Find out what they had to say about the cost, offerings, and ease of service. 

Why we recommend Happy Head hair loss treatment

Happy Head is one of our team’s top-recommended platforms for hair loss solutions. We like the wide range of products available for both men and women, as well as its thorough approach to screening potential users. Because hair loss can affect mental health, potentially leading to social anxiety or feelings of embarrassment, we like that Happy Head services are available from the privacy of home. Products are delivered to your front door for free.   

Our team also appreciates Happy Head’s evidence-based approach to hair loss treatment. The company’s founders, a dermatologist and a hair-loss surgeon, use clinically backed ingredients to help people at any stage of hair loss, from prevention to post-hair-transplant healing and regrowth. Happy Head’s unique StrandIQ System claims to offer insight into your hair’s biology, including predispositions for graying and potential nutrient deficiencies. This diagnostic tool may help tailor your hair loss treatment to make it more effective.

Some active ingredients in Happy Head products, such as minoxidil and finasteride, are also available on other hair loss platforms, such as Ro, Hims, and Hers. But Happy Head stands out for also using dutasteride and spironolactone, ingredients that treat hormonal causes of hair loss. And Happy Head offers personalized treatments, including medications with multiple active ingredients. You can also request that a medication be removed from a product. 

In general, customer reviews on the Happy Head website and on third-party review sites like Trustpilot are positive, with users citing slow but effective success with hair loss treatments. Happy Head treatments, while potentially effective, require patience and consistent use. To see and maintain results with Happy Head products, ongoing use of their active ingredients is necessary.

Happy Head

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• Founded by dermatologists
• Offers prescription-grade and customizable options

• Convenient telehealth access with follow up care

Comparing Happy Head hair loss treatments

Our experience testing Happy Head

To evaluate hair loss products and the companies behind them, our team begins by reviewing the latest clinical guidelines for hair loss treatment. We also consult dermatologists and trichologists about the most effective medical options.

For this review, we invited adult testers experiencing hair loss to go through the Happy Head telehealth process—from the online consultation to product delivery and ongoing use. Our reviewers assessed the following aspects of the Happy Head experience:

• Ease of using the Happy Head website and completing the consultation process 
• Range of treatment options and prescription formulas offered 
• Pricing for products and plans 
• Overall quality of products 
• Customer service responsiveness and support 

Happy Head hair loss pros and cons

Getting started with Happy Head hair loss 

There are two ways to get started with Happy Head hair loss treatments: the StrandIQ System or the free online assessment.

The StrandIQ System aims to match your DNA to your hair treatment plan. The at-home DNA test comes with a personalized hair and scalp report and treatment insights. StrandIQ users also receive a free consultation with a dermatologist to help find their hair loss treatment plan. At around $300 per kit, this may not be an affordable option for everyone. 

You can also get started on Happy Head by taking the free online assessment—just click “Start My Assessment” on the homepage. The quiz asks about your gender, hair loss experience, and treatment goals. Happy Head’s assessment is more detailed than other platforms, including health and screening questions to prepare you for a free consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. This helps ensure your treatment plan is safe and personalized to your needs.

After you’ve identified a path for treatment, you’ll be connected to a board-certified dermatologist. In some cases, you may be required to upload a photo ID to verify your identity. Our tester chose to answer the dermatologists’ medical questions online, but you can also choose to speak with a dermatologist over the phone. If your answers indicate a possible risk factor for the medication, you’ll be asked if you’d like to continue. 

Once you’ve answered all medical questions, you’ll be directed to a screen where you can purchase the recommended Happy Head products. Only after you’ve completed a purchase can you create an account and gain access to secure online messaging. You can then message a board-certified Happy Head dermatologist any time to ask questions, request medication changes, and discuss potential side effects. 

The online assessment recommended prescription-strength products for one of our testers, but they preferred to start with Happy Head Hair Growth Supplements, which contain biotin, collagen, keratin, and vitamins. Our tester noted that it might be tricky to see the full spectrum of products offered by Happy Head, as the assessment only recommends two or three products. Our tester was also frustrated to find that most products are offered only as recurring monthly subscriptions. Happy Head lets you change your subscription frequency, but you must visit your account page to make the request. In some cases, the Happy Head website offers a one-time purchase of a hair loss product, rather than a subscription. 

Happy Head hair loss products explained

The Happy Head hair loss product range offers treatments for men and women in various stages of hair loss. While the website offers several base formulas like the ones we share below, Happy Head stands out for its ability to modify these formulas with specific concentrations or ingredients. For example, it’s possible to increase the amount of a specific ingredient in a formula or to remove one to avoid certain side effects. 

StrandIQ System DNA Starter Kit

The Happy Head StrandIQ System DNA Starter Kit is a genetic hair strand test to help you identify the best ingredients for personalized hair loss treatment. This kit comes with helpful diagnostic information, like a hair and scalp report detailing your genetic disposition for 33 hair, scalp, and micronutrient traits. It also comes with a free consultation with a dermatologist and one month of free treatment. 

Cost: $298 one-time payment, which includes the first month of treatment  

Topical Solution + SuperCapsule: Dutasteride & Minoxidil

The Topical Solution + Super Capsule: Dutasteride & Minoxidil is one of Happy Head’s “bundles,” meaning it’s a combination of two complementary products. The Topical Solution, which should be applied twice daily, combines .3% dutasteride, .001% retinoic acid, 1% hydrocortisone, and 8% minoxidil (most of the hair loss brands we’ve reviewed offer a maximum of 7% minoxidil). The once-daily SuperCapsule combines .5 mg of dutasteride, 1.25 mg of minoxidil, and 2,000 IU of vitamin D3.

According to the website, this is Happy Head’s strongest dual-action bundle, available for women 50 or older and men. Because this is an aggressive hair treatment, Happy Head recommends alternating between the topical and oral treatments every other day for the first month, while your body adjusts to the medications. 

Cost: $142.40 per month for a subscription, or $178 one-time purchase 

Topical Advanced ProBlend

The Happy Head Topical Advanced ProBlend is a strong formula of 10 active ingredients, including 8% minoxidil. Other key ingredients include .25% dutasteride and .2% caffeine. This topical solution only needs to be applied once daily, in the morning or evening, and is available for women 50 or older and men. The Topical Advanced ProBlend is a good option for people who want a potent hair loss treatment that’s not an oral medication. 

Cost: $59 per month for the first six months, then $89 per month 

Topical SuperSolution ProBlend

The Happy Head Topical SuperSolution ProBlend is another Happy Head formula using 10 active ingredients, including 8% minoxidil. Other key ingredients include .25% dutasteride and .25% finasteride. This topical solution is a cream, not a serum, allowing for a less messy, drip-free application. Happy Head claims this delivery system allows for better absorption of the product, potentially lowering the chance of side effects. Women 50 or older and men can use this product once daily (five pumps for each application).

Cost: $59 per month for the first six months, then $99 per month 

Topical Dutasteride & Minoxidil

Happy Head Topical Dutasteride & Minoxidil is a topical solution with .3% dutasteride and 8% minoxidil. Dutasteride suppresses DHT levels, which can cause hair loss. Minoxidil helps increase blood flow to hair follicles, which can contribute to hair regrowth. The Topical Dutasteride & Minoxidil serum should be applied twice daily. This product is for women 50 or older and men.

Cost: $71.20 per month for a subscription, or $89 one-time purchase 

Topical Advanced ProBlend + SuperCapsule: Dutasteride & Minoxidil

The Happy Head Topical Advanced ProBlend + SuperCapsule: Dutasteride & Minoxidil bundle combines topical and oral active ingredients to deliver maximum results to women 50 or older and men. The 10-in-1 topical solution contains melatonin and vitamin D3 to help promote scalp health, while dutasteride and minoxidil combine to limit hair loss and encourage new growth. The oral medication contains dutasteride, vitamin D3, and minoxidil.

Cost: $118 per month for six months, then $178 per month

SuperCapsule: Dutasteride, Minoxidil & Vitamin D

The Happy Head SuperCapsule: Dutasteride, Minoxidil & Vitamin D is formulated to address systemic and scalp-level hair loss. Patients take one daily pill containing .5 mg dutasteride, 1.25 mg minoxidil, and 2,000 IU of vitamin D3. This is a good treatment option for women 50 or older and men who want a once-daily treatment without the potential mess of topical solutions.

Cost: $71.20 per month for a subscription, or $89 one-time purchase 

TopicalRx Solution + SuperCapsule™ (Women Under 50)

The Topical Solution + SuperCapsule (Women Under 50) is one of the few Happy Head products specifically for women under 50. Many of the ingredients in hair loss treatments, including finasteride, dutasteride, and even minoxidil, can be harmful for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. The formulas in this bundle, containing 6% minoxidil in the topical solution and 1.25% minoxidil in the oral medication, are considered safe for women under 50. Still, they should not be taken if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant.

Cost: $118 per month for the first six months, then $148 per month

Topical Solution: Spironolactone & Minoxidil

The Topical Solution: Spironolactone & Minoxidil is another Happy Head product formulated for women. This is a topical-only formula for hormone-sensitive women seeking hair regrowth. It contains .5% spironolactone to help block DHT, 6% minoxidil to prolong the growth phase of hair follicles, 1% retinoic acid to maximize the effect of minoxidil, and 1% hydrocortisone to minimize scalp irritation. This is a good option for women who want to try active ingredients in their hair loss products, but don’t want an oral pill.

Cost: $59 per month for the first six months, then $89 per month 

Happy Head contact and payment information

Customer service 

For general account, billing, or shipping questions, contact Happy Head customer service representatives by text at 213-464-0214 or by voice call at 844-962-4247. Monday through Friday, text support is available from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, and call support is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. Messaging via the website is available 24/7, though response times may vary depending on the day and time. 

Happy Head subscribers get unlimited messaging with their providers on the messaging platform. 

Payment options

Many Happy Head hair loss treatments are only offered on a subscription basis, with shipments every 25–27 days. Monthly costs for Happy Head hair loss treatments start around $59. 

Happy Head accepts credit card payments from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Japan Credit Bureau, and China UnionPay. Happy Head does not accept insurance or HSA/FSA cards for payment. 

Understanding hair loss and its common causes

While some hair shedding each day is normal, noticeable or persistent shedding may point to an underlying issue. Hair loss can happen for a variety of reasons, and understanding the cause is the first step toward finding a safe and effective treatment. 

Hair loss statistics show androgenic alopecia (also called male pattern hair loss or female pattern hair loss) to be the most common cause of hair loss in men and women. Hair loss can also be caused by:

• Medications (such as blood thinners or statins)
• Hormonal changes related to menopause or perimenopause
• Stressors like illness, loss, or major life changes
• Lifestyle habits like smoking 

If you notice hair thinning or excessive shedding, consult a trusted dermatologist or primary care doctor to better understand what’s happening and explore treatment options.

Does Happy Head work for hair loss?

Happy Head hair loss treatments may include minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, or spironolactone, all active ingredients backed by scientific research for promoting hair growth. Subscribers also benefit from access to medical providers via the website’s secure messaging platform. Response times may vary, but you are free to ask questions about your treatment at any time. 

Happy Head effectiveness will depend on the type of hair loss you have, which products you choose to treat it, and how consistently you use those products. Hair loss medications like those prescribed by Happy Head can only be effective when used as prescribed, and results depend on long-term commitment to the treatment. If you stop using the products, your hair loss will gradually return. 

Who should and shouldn’t use Happy Head hair loss treatments

All of the active ingredients in Happy Head products are FDA-approved, though some are prescribed off-label for hair loss. The most common side effects include scalp irritation or redness (from topical solutions), initial shedding or increased hair loss in the first few weeks of treatment, and unwanted facial or other body hair growth, especially in women. More serious side effects, like depression in younger men and fetal harm in pregnant women, are possible. Read more about potential Happy Head side effects here.

Happy Head vs. Hims

Like Happy Head, Hims is an online telehealth platform offering hair loss solutions. Hims offers a variety of services for men, including treatments for sexual health, mental health, and skin issues. Happy Head focuses only on hair loss. Both Happy Head and Hims use clinically backed ingredients like minoxidil and finasteride, but Happy Head has a wider range of active ingredients.

The primary difference between Hims and Happy Head is in their product offerings. Hims provides a solid range of men’s products, including topical sprays and serums, oral medications, and non-prescription shampoos, conditioners, and supplements. Happy Head also offers a wide selection of treatments, but serves both men and women and specializes in custom-compounded medications.

The pre-set combinations of finasteride and minoxidil from Hims can be effective for many men. But for those seeking higher concentrations of active ingredients or the ability to customize their formula, Happy Head may be a better fit. Overall, Happy Head’s approach is more customizable, but the extra personalization means Happy Head products typically cost more than Hims’ products.

Hims and Happy Head are both recommended in our top hair loss treatments for men.

Happy Head vs. Nutrafol

Nutrafol offers drug-free vitamin and mineral supplements for both women and men. While Happy Head uses a medical, prescription-based approach to hair loss, Nutrafol takes a more non-medical approach. Nutrafol supplements can be obtained without a prescription and do not contain active ingredients like finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil. Instead, Nutrafol uses botanicals and vitamins, including ashwagandha for stress management, marine collagen peptides for strengthening hair, and maca root for hormone balancing.

If you’re worried about hair loss, but are wary of prescription-strength ingredients, Nutrafol might be a good place to start. You may also choose to use Nutrafol products with Happy Head treatments, but do not combine treatments without the advice of a physician. 

To learn more about Nutrafol, read our best hair loss treatments for women. 

Happy Head ingredients

Compared to other hair loss brands, Happy Head stands out for offering a broader range of active ingredients. While the majority of hair loss platforms we’ve reviewed offer minoxidil and finasteride, Happy Head also prescribes products with dutasteride and spironolactone. Here’s a breakdown of the active ingredients used in Happy Head products: 

• Minoxidil is a vasodilator, which is a blood vessel-dilating medication originally created for treating hypertension. Because it can help improve blood flow to hair follicles, it is now FDA-approved for the topical treatment of hair loss. Oral minoxidil is often prescribed off-label for hair loss, though FDA approval is still pending for this application of the drug.
• Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, which means it blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair loss. While finasteride has been shown to reduce hair loss or stimulate hair regrowth, it has also been linked to psychiatric side effects like thoughts of suicide.³ Finasteride is only approved for use in men. 
• Dutasteride, also a DHT-blocker, is often prescribed to treat an enlarged prostate. It is also often prescribed off-label as a topical or oral treatment for hair loss in men. Post-menopausal women with severe hair loss may occasionally be prescribed dutasteride, but because of its negative implications for pregnancy, it is generally not prescribed to women. Some studies have shown that dutasteride is more effective than finasteride for hair regrowth.⁴ 
• Spironolactone is a diuretic often used to treat hypertension and heart failure. Like many other active ingredients in hair loss products, it is also prescribed off-label for female pattern hair loss. Because it can stop testosterone from working, it is not typically recommended for men. In a 2022 review of studies, oral spironolactone was shown to be effective for treating hair loss both on its own and when compounded with minoxidil.⁵ 

In addition to these active ingredients, Happy Head formulas may include supporting ingredients 

like retinoic acid for absorption, hydrocortisone to help with scalp irritation, and caffeine to stimulate hair follicles. Happy Head patients can adjust the strength of ingredients or combine multiple active ingredients in a single topical treatment. These customizable formulas set Happy Head apart from other online hair loss treatment options.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a prescription to use Happy Head?

Yes, most Head Head products require a prescription due to their use of prescription-strength active ingredients like minoxidil, finasteride, and dutasteride.

How long will it take for Happy Head to help with hair loss?

With consistent use of Happy Head products, you may see results within three to six months, though it typically takes six months or more to see full results. 

Does Happy Head contain minoxidil?

Yes, most Happy Head products contain minoxidil, an FDA-approved treatment for hair loss. 

Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.