Hair Loss Treatments Cost

How Much Do Hair Loss Treatments Cost?

Medium: $30-$70 per month

For men with hereditary thinning hair or baldness, oral and topical medications can sometimes restore hair or stop further hair loss. Some topical medication is suitable for women, too, but they should be careful not to use medication meant for men only.

Typical costs:

Propecia usually costs about $60 to $70 per month for a 30-day supply of prescription pills.
Rogaine usually costs about $30 to $40 per month for a 30-day supply of topical ointment.
Because baldness treatments are considered cosmetic, they generally are not covered by medical insurance.

What should be included:

Propecia is a pill taken once a day. It blocks the formation in the scalp of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a hormone that can shrink hair follicles and make them unable to produce hair. It usually takes three months or longer to see results.
Rogaine comes in a 2-percent or a stronger 5-percent solution -- which should be used only by men -- and is applied topically, twice daily. It stimulates shrinking hair follicles to make them larger so hair can regrow.
Neither Propecia nor Rogaine works for all patients.

Additional costs:

Unlike Rogaine, Propecia is only available by prescription, so a consultation with a doctor is required to get started. However, the issue can be discussed at a routine physical.

Discounts:

Generic Propecia -- finasteride -- usually costs about 25 percent less, while generic Rogaine -- minoxidil -- can cost up to 50 percent less.
Some men save money by using the drug Proscar, a stronger version of Propecia used to treat prostate problems, and dividing each pill into four doses. This is not advisable if there are women in the household who are or could become pregnant; exposure is known to cause birth defects in male babies.

Shopping for hair loss treatments:

The American Academy of Family Physicians provides an overview of pattern baldness treatments.
Propecia is intended for use to treat mild to moderate male pattern baldness on the top and middle front of the head -- but has not been shown to be effective for a receding hairline at the temples. To purchase the drug, a prescription is required.
Propecia is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and is generally considered safe for men only. Side effects can include: allergic reactions, breast tenderness and enlargement, testicular pain and sometimes sexual side effects, such erectile dysfunction.
Rogaine also is approved by the FDA. The 2-percent solution is considered safe for men and women, while the 5 percent solution is for men only. The most common side effect is itching of the scalp.
Tip: If you are considering ordering baldness treatments from an online pharmacy, make sure the pharmacy you choose is legitimate. PharmacyChecker.com allows you to compare prices offered by licensed online pharmacies.

Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.

Article updated November 2007